In less than one week Chicago Industrial Properties and Illinois Real Estate Journal will host as many as 1,000 commercial real estate professionals at the 14th Annual Commercial Real Estate Forecast Conference, January 20 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
The event will kick-off with what organizers have labeled a One—2—One conversation with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. Interviewing the Governor will be David Kahnweiler, the chairman of Colliers Chicago.
In the midst of the planning for this segment—and leading one of the major brokerage firms in Chicago and helping clients serve their real estate needs—David took part in the following Q&A with CIP where he shared his favorite shows, restaurants in town, and what concerns him about the Chicago CRE market.
Q: Number of years in industry?
A: I have been in the industry for 36 years.
Q: University attended?
A: I graduated from the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor
Q: Degree earned?
A: My degree is in business
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
A: I would break down my proudest accomplishments into two different areas—personal and professional. On the personal side: my wife and I have four happy, healthy and grounded kids (twins that are 22—the others are 26 and 28) and I have married for 33 years. On the professional side, I have been with the same company my entire career (36 years); and the company has been continually growing with average tenure over 15 years.
Q: Regarding the 2016 Chicago CRE market, what are you optimistic about?
A: Among the things that give me the greatest optimism are the continued low interest rate environment, supply of educated Chicago workforce, continued emergence of local tech companies, continued recognition of national tech firms that they need to be in Chicago, controlled supply of industrial speculation, continued recognition by institutions that Chicago remains a “core” market.
Q: What are you concerned about?
A: I am concerned about the financial stability of City of Chicago and State of Illinois, the instability of CPS and the national concern of perceived dangers in Chicago.
Q: Hometown growing up?
A: I grew up in Highland Park
Q: Favorite bar or restaurant in Chicago?
A: There are too many to pick one favorite. Several that come to mind are Mastros, Tanta, Park View at Ravinia festival.
Q: Last movie you watched?
A: Big Short
Q: Last concert you attended?
A: Grateful Dead
Q: Favorite T.V. shows?
A: I like watching all sports… but of the non-sports shows, I loved House of Cards, Transparent, Homeland, Scandal
Q: How often are you on social media?
A: Daily
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: Lots of outdoor and physical activities including biking, spinning, yoga, golf, skiing and hiking. On the less physical side my hobbies include crossword puzzles and modern art.
Q: Any New Year’s resolutions?
A: In my family, we typically make resolutions for each other.
Q: One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: Perhaps one surprising thing would be that I am shy. Another is that I like home renovations.
