This December, Midwest Real Estate News will present its second Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, honoring more than 50 of the industry’s top names. It’s our most popular issue of the year.
We’ll also be running profiles of several of our Hall of Fame inductees on Rejournals.com. Here’s a sample from our December issue.
Stephen Block Principal Block Real Estate Services Kansas City, Mo.
Stephen Block has closed several important deals during his 37-year career in the commercial real estate business.
His recent work on the Midtown Redevelopment Plan in Kansas City is just the latest highlight.
Block guided this redevelopment plan that brought Costco, Home Depot and a full-service grocery store to midtown Kansas City. Thanks to his perserverance, not to mention his skill, an underserved slice of Kansas City is now home to the big-name retailers that can help rejuvenate the area.
And in addition to redeveloping a pair of severely blighted areas, the projects are now providing TIF revenues that are being used to revitalize surrounding neighborhoods.
Block’s peers aren’t surprised that he was able to lead such an important project. After all, he’s been bringing new developments to the Kansas City area for more than three decades.
“Mr. Block is thoroughly knowledgeable in all aspects of real estate brokerage,” said one nominator.
It’s this knowledge that has led local, national and regional media to seek Block out as a trusted source for their news stories. Block’s quotes have appeared in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, Kansas City Business Journal, Kansas City Star and, of course, Midwest Real Estate News.
Today, Block, who has worked with Block Real Estate Services since 1974, is head of the company’s Syndication Division. He’s familiar, though, with all aspects of commercial real estate, having started his career working in leasing office and retail space.
When he’s not closing deals, Block is busy working for his community. He’s involved in numerous civic organizations, including the Broadway Westport Community Association, Main Street Corridor Development Corporation and the Westport Community Improvement District.
During his career, Block has received several awards and citations, including Urban Design Awards and Economic Development Cornerstone Awards.
Next time residents of midtown Kansas City need new hammers or an extra-large box of cereal, they can thank Block for the fact that they don’t have to leave their own neighborhood.
