Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Sturges Property Group originally began as Sturges, Griffin, Trent & Co. in 1975, and then began a 21-year long affiliation with CBRE in 1997. In 2018, the company transitioned away from the CBRE affiliation to become a fully independent commercial real estate firm. On Nov. 1, 2023, the company marked its five-year anniversary as Sturges Property Group.
Since 2018, the systems and processes they have been able to create have proven invaluable as they continue closing deals. Looking back at some of Sturges Property Group’s accomplishments from the last five years shows they are a powerhouse in their field.
In 2019, they worked hard leasing and selling properties in the Fort Wayne area as they transitioned through the separation from CBRE. Sturges was still working with national brokers to help businesses thrive locally, such as John Caffray’s 409,280 SF Bendix production expansion in Huntington. Barry Sturges also had one of the biggest investment transactions in the company’s history, the sale of the iconic Lincoln National Life Corporate Headquarters Campus with over 1,900,000 SF.
As a new fully independent firm in 2019, Sturges Property Group was better positioned to serve clients with increased flexibility through digital marketing, local knowledge, and further integrating their affiliate companies, Maintenance Management, Sturges Development, and Nexus Technology Partners, with plans to further expand their services.
2020 brought its challenges, but the skilled brokerage and property management teams remained dedicated to the mission of building relationships and focusing on the client. One example of this was the sale of Bovera Gardens, a multi-family apartment building in Fort Wayne, where brokers Neal Bowman, Phil Hagee, and Robert Doyle represented the buyer and seller of this investment property.
TI Source Project Management, an additional affiliate company, was created to help expedite bids for construction jobs, development proposals, 3-D renderings, and material sourcing. Sturges Property Group was truly becoming a one-stop-shop when it came to any need regarding commercial real estate.
Despite the uncertainties and ever-changing markets, 2021 proved to be a record year in industrial deals. Sturges completed hefty projects like the Maple Heights Behavioral Health Hospital on West Washington Center Road, which included selecting the 25-acre site and working with the developer to construct an 82,000-square-foot building. Sturges was also expanding beyond the Fort Wayne market, taking on several redevelopment projects on former hospitals in the Warsaw and Bluffton areas.
Sturges was also becoming known for offering in-depth local market knowledge to clients, the community, and other firms. They were no longer seen as a giant conglomerate, but as a local company with local interests in mind.
In 2022, Sturges continued their focus on collaboration, and with new buildings and redevelopments across Fort Wayne, they showed their commitment to the full-service model. Projects like 3030 Lake Avenue brought all hands-on deck with contributions fromall their affiliate companies.
That same year, Brad Sturges also secured an anchor tenant for the newly developed Riverfront at Promenade Park. Swiss Re relocated its regional office to the second and third floors in this new downtown location.
Now, with 2023 almost at its end, Sturges is still pursuing the most client-focused, team-based approach in developing, leasing, buying, selling, investing, and property management, with a laser focus on partnerships and a full-service team mentality. Notable projects like the construction of the 25,000-square-foot free-standing Lutheran Hospital ER proved our method of partnership. Sturges was also recently voted Fort Wayne Newspapers Readers’ Choice #1 Top Real Estate Company in Northeast Indiana.
So, what’s in store for Sturges Property Group’s future?
They are continuing to stride towards 50 total years in business in 2025. Their affiliate companies continue to grow with additional services and acquisitions. They continue to maintain partnerships and a full-service model, and they continue to remain a prominent company in the community.
Brad Sturges, President, states, “It is extremely rewarding to see our company grow the way that it has, and we couldn’t do it without all the dedicated workforce and loyal clientele that bless this company every day.”
