Each year, Midwest Real Estate News runs its Midwest CRE Hall of Fame issue, highlighting the careers of the top commercial real estate pros in the region. This year, we are also running the profiles of these Hall of Fame inductees online. This week, we look at the career of Bob Fagan, senior vice president with the Kansas City, Missouri, office of CBRE.
Years in the business: 25
Connections and knowledge: Why has CBRE’s Bob Fagan been so successful for so long in the commercial real estate business? His peers point to his deep connections and understanding of the Kansas City market. Fagan, they say, has the market insight to help occupier clients and landlords successfully navigate lease and occupancy cycles, turning their real estate into a true advantage.
During Fagan’s career, he has been involved in more than 1,300 projects with a gross consideration exceeding $1 billion. He currently represents some of Kansas City’s largest employers, including the University of Kansas Health System, American Century and Sprint.
The big deals: Fagan has negotiated several big deals in the Kansas City area, including a 370,000-square-foot lease for the University of Kansas Hospital System and a 241,000-square-foot lease for State Street Bank. Fagan has also negotiated a lease of 240,000 square feet for Lexmark and 238,000 square feet for Performance Contracting.
As a landlord representative, Fagan has been responsible for more than 1 million square feet of leases at Kansas City’s Sprint Corporation corporate campus. Other significant assignments include Kennedy USA, 650,000 square feet, and DDRS, 530,000 square feet.
“I still wake up every day looking forward to bringing parties together into a win-win situation,” Fagan said. “There is a constant need to be both pragmatic and creative when transacting real estate leases and sales, which is a great feeling in the end. Working with users of real estate is rewarding as we get to be part of the history of so many amazing businesses.”
Honors: Fagan has earned several important industry honors during his career of more than two decades. He was named a top-three office broker by KCRAR in 1998, from 2001 through 2004 and from 2006 through 2017. He was also KCRAR salesperson of the year in 2007.
Fagan is also a multiple-year recipient of the CCIM Homerun Deal award and a frequent CBRE Kansas City top producer.
“There is no substitute for drive,” Fagan said. “It typically outpaces all other factors in success. Showing up and working steadily is number one. Consistently learning and seeking more knowledge is not only necessary but a source of real joy.”
Giving back: Despite his busy career, Fagan has found time to give back to his industry. He is past president and current member of the KCRAR Commercial Division, past president and current member of the Kansas City chapter of CCIM and a member of the Arbitration Board of KCRAR.
Fagan is active, too, in his community. He serves as vice president at the Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City and is a former board member and coach for the Kansas Special Olympics as well as the former president at Lakemary Center for the Developmentally Disabled.
Out-of-office hours: Fagan credits his father as the person who has inspired him to give back to the community. These days, that means working with the board of the Down Syndrome Guild. Fagan also enjoys watching his two children as they move into adulthood. Finally, he enjoys hunting, fishing and golf.
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