Each year, Midwest Real Estate News runs its Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame issue, honoring the top CRE pros in the region. This year, we are running these profiles online, too. Here is a look at the busy career of David Denton, vice president of real estate brokerage with the Grand Rapids, Michigan, office of DAR Development.
Years in the business: 19
An industry leader: During his nearly two decades in commercial real estate, DAR Development’s David Denton has earned a reputation as an industry leader. This is reflected in the top positions he’s taken on with industry organizations.
Denton served as president of the Commercial Alliance of Realtors in 2016 and president in 2015 of the CCIM Michigan chapter.
Denton is also a top producer and earned the 2017 Realtor of the Year award from CAR and the 2017 NAR National Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Commercial Real Estate Industry.
Closing the big deals: Before arriving at DAR Development, Denton was a partner at one of the largest national commercial real estate firms. At DAR, Denton has continued his habit of closing a high volume of transactions.
Today, Denton helps the biggest-name retailers and restaurants in their expansion plans across Michigan, Northern Indiana and Ohio. One of his most notable transactions was a 45-store site selection assignment for a new retailer expanding in Michigan. Denton’s initial contact with this client was a cold call he made for a tenant space he was leasing.
“Yes, this business does take hard work and persistence, but a little luck along the way doesn’t hurt either,” Denton said.
A wide variety of clients: Denton has become a top producer in the West Michigan market by representing key local and national landlords in the development, leasing and sale of retail property types. This includes big-box power centers, grocery-anchored developments and neighborhood centers. He also has extensive experience analyzing and executing out-lot development and leasing deals.
Part of the reason for Denton’s success? He has a background in finance that helps him better serve his clients and close deals. Clients can see that Denton is confident in his abilities. That, coupled with the results he brings, leads to a high level of client satisfaction and retention.
Every day is different: What keeps Denton inspired? He’s a fan of the variety involved in working in commercial real estate. As he says, every day and every deal is different.
“It really plays in to my ‘ADD’ and keeps the work I do fresh and challenging,” Denton said.
The six “F“s: Denton said that the key to thriving in both commercial real estate and life is his 6 F Focus: family, faith, friends, fun, fitness and philanthropy.
Out-of-office hours: When not working, Denton enjoys spending time with his family and friends poolside or at the beach, volunteering at Fredrik Meijer Gardens and serving as a board member of Keystone Community Church.
