Chicago Office Challenges and Opportunities with Matt Pistorio

In this episode of the Real Estate for Breakfast podcast, Ice Miller Real Estate Practice Group partner and host Phil Coover sits down with Matt Pistorio, principal at R2 Companies, a privately-held, fully integrated real estate investment and development firm, and founder of Madison Rose, a real estate firm specializing in agency leasing.

During the conversation, Matt talks about his passion for what he does and details how he began his professional journey with commercial brokerage houses. He recounts his road to becoming a principal at R2, and the opportunities and support of colleagues that allowed him to simultaneously have two significant roles at major real estate companies, including founding and driving Madison Rose forward. He details his involvement with the two companies, which at time cross paths on projects but remain separate. Matt discusses his mentors and the impact they had in the way he guides and manages his employees, and his belief that positive energy and attitude translates into building a positive workforce and overall success.

Phil and Matt also talk about the office market and the current vacancy rate in Chicago, and how cities across the nation are feeling the pressure. Specifically, the massive dent in the market due to less demand with more people working from home. Matt and Phil also discuss distressed office space and explain the methodology of what should and needs to occur to get a business to a place that feels good where it can operate effectively.

They also dive into the diamond that is 150 North Michigan, and the outlook of how it will play out in the market as a prime location, with new amenities and building upgrades. They touch on what Chicago looks like post-pandemic, if people are coming back downtown, the downside of financing and underwriting transactions, and everyone’s favorite – taxes. The pair also talk about the strategy in bringing back the Chicago Board of Trade building from foreclosure to a white-hot, second-generation property for office use, and how vintage spaces are being rebranded and brought back to life while maintaining their history and importance to the city.

Matt has nearly two decades of experience repositioning and leasing of commercial real estate assets. His projects include the Chicago Main Post Office, Aon Center, Citadel Center, Willis Tower and Prudential Plaza. Matt is a two-time recipient of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s ‘Broker of the Year’ Award.

R2 Companies owns, operates and manages superior investment opportunities. With offices in Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis, they are fully-integrated – managing all aspects of the real estate investment process.

Madison Rose, founded in 2019, brings buildings back to life. Named after Pistorio’s two daughters, the firm brings a new age model to leasing by curating the stories of properties and tailoring their approach to showcase each building’s unique strengths and value.

ESG in Commercial Real Estate with Sarah Cannella of Hiffman National

In this episode of the Real Estate for Breakfast podcast, Ice Miller partner Phil Coover interviews Sarah Cannella, Director of Property Management Operations for Hiffman National, which is the asset management arm of the privately owned, commercial real estate and management firm.

During their conversation, Phil and Sarah discuss how Hiffman is not a one-size-fits-all company and the intrinsic knowledge it takes to provide what the clients want and need to satisfy their stakeholders and investors. Sarah talks about the ability to be customizable, a perk of being privately owned, and how it has positioned Hiffman as a top alternative firm to the big national players. Hiffman is responsible for spaces in office, medical and industrial real estate — with the latter experiencing a surge in the Midwest since Covid.

They also discuss ESG, its history and the three pillars:

• E for environmental

• S for social

• G for governance

Within each of the pillars, different strategies are constantly evolving and being determined in how companies are contributing to being a sustainable player in the nation, world, and ecosystem. ESG is a way for stakeholders, investors and partners to examine more than just the bottom line, and evaluate questions like:

• “What impact are they leaving on the environment?” and,

• “What impact are we leaving on society?”

The pair digs into how ESG is touching real estate efforts across the globe, and how Hiffman has made huge steps in talking to their clients about how to implement ESG standards and how many institutional money is requiring ESG processes for their investments, particularly from foreign investors.

Sarah talks about the growth of the company, first in the Midwest and then branching out to Philadelphia and the East Coast. Their initial growth was organic and then spread through client driven initiatives. Hiffman National delivers full range commercial real estate services nationwide and have planted their flag throughout America with offices in 27 states; however, the company is always examining what may be the best next location for expansion.

Sarah Cannella joined Hiffman in 2012 and is currently responsible for the oversight of the property management platform and operational initiatives, including transitioning assets, the Hiffman U property management training program, auditing, due diligence and technology platform directives. Sarah oversees four individuals who are solely dedicated to administering and evolving the Property Management platform. Prior to her role in operations, Sarah worked with the Hiffman Management Services group on behalf of investor clients on industrial, office and retail assets throughout the Chicagoland market.

Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, Hiffman is a full-service, privately owned commercial real estate brokerage and management company. Hiffman National is the company’s management platform serving markets across the nation. NAI Hiffman is the Chicago-based brokerage operation and representative for NAI Global, the world’s largest managed network of real estate service providers across the world.

What’s Next? Foreseeing the Drive and Demand in an Ever-Changing Real Estate Landscape with Jon McCulloch, CEO of Belgravia Group

In this episode of the Real Estate for Breakfast podcast, Ice Miller partner Phil Coover interviews Jon McCulloch, CEO of Belgravia Group, an award-winning Chicago based real estate developer, that has provided quality homes and real estate services to clients for 75 years.

During their conversation, Phil and Jon talk about his start with the company, growth, and responsibilities as CEO. Jon also speaks on the bread and butter of what makes Belgravia, a smaller conglomerate, a frontrunner in the Chicago condo market and deep dives into how they survived and came out fairly unscathed in the economic downturn of 2008 and how they are navigating the current market.

They touch on macroeconomics, failing banks, interest rates and where the market stands and the demand and desire for new product, as well as Belgravia’s expansion into the West. Jon provides his thoughts about the challenges in the market and what goes into the decision-making process in choosing and building a project. The pair also discuss distressed investments in office and the fluctuation in occupancy and funding in older spaces, and the wait and see game.

Jon McCulloch has been with Belgravia Group since 2004 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer. He is responsible for the company’s residential developments and oversees the company's debt and equity needs. He also is a Principal at Belgravia affiliate, Lakewest, Inc., as well as a co-founder of Lakewest Venture Partners, and a Venture Partner at Dundee Venture Capital. He is also an avid soccer fan and member of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Chicago Development Council, which efforts support increasing access and resources to accelerate the development of youth soccer players and their coaches.

Belgravia Group is an industry leader and vertically integrated company with divisions for real estate development, sales and marketing, interior design, accounting, customer service, and a full range of real estate legal services. Belgravia recently expanded to the Arizona market, with Portico, a collection of luxury condominiums.

Listen to this episode of the Real Estate for Breakfast on Apple Podcast here.

Office Space: An Alarming Situation and the Coming Wall of Maturity -- with Alissa Adler of Colliers

In this episode of the Real Estate for Breakfast podcast, Ice Miller Real Estate Practice Group partner and host Phillip Coover welcomes Alissa Adler, Senior Vice President at Colliers, a global real estate services firm.

During the podcast, Alissa and Phil discuss serious distress in the office real estate market nationwide—particularly in larger cities such as San Francisco, New York, and Boston. Within those cities, challenges including transportation, tax assessments, and crime are explored while emphasizing other issues such as the change in work culture and having dated, functionally obsolete office spaces. These compounding issues have contributed to the seriously distressed office market, which could have cascading micro and macro economic effects. They also touch on the “Wall of Maturity” for CMBS loans coming due. With lenders having pulled back dramatically on lending in the office market, there is starting to be, and will continue to be, challenging situations for borrowers—who may have to fight foreclosure or hand over the keys to a lender in this difficult environment.

The pair also discuss the challenges and factors that play into repurposing a building, whether an owner can demolish or convert a property, and the hurdles that these properties encounter in examining how to value them and what they will become. Ultimately, some people will see a lot more funds to buy distressed assets.

Alissa Adler joined Colliers as SVP in 2019, and focuses on office investment sales across the Midwest, as well as debt and equity placement, and has in-depth experience across office, industrial and retail asset classes. Based in the Chicago area, Alissa is recognized in the industry for utilizing her broad real estate knowledge and massive network to uniquely serve her diverse client base.

Colliers is a global leader in real estate services and management. Founded in 1898 in Vancouver, Canada, as a real estate, property management and insurance agency, it now operates in 66 countries, with 18,000 employees worldwide that collaboratively work to provide expert real estate and investment advice to clients. Colliers Chicago was founded in 1947, and is made up of more than 300 real estate advisors, property management professionals and staff. The company’s mission is to maximize the potential of property and real assets to accelerate the success of their clients, investors, and team.

Beds, Sheds and Mixed-Use Property Development with Peter Kelly and Dan Reidy of Lincoln Property Company Midwest

In this edition of the Real Estate for Breakfast podcast, Ice Miller partners, host Phil Coover and co-host Jay Augustyn, welcome Peter Kelly and Daniel Reidy of Lincoln Property Company Midwest (LPC Midwest). The foursome talks about real estate development and trends, specifically in the Midwest and opportunities that the company is exploring for continued long-term growth in office, residential and industrial space.

During the podcast, Peter and Dan discuss strong Midwest market and epicenters for growth, as well as the importance of having a partner with strong ties to local government and public affairs to streamline projects for success. They also touch on the challenges in the market with increasing costs and if the demand will keep up with the supply that’s trending. Peter speaks to seizing the right opportunities to go forward and long-term fundamentals, while Dan talks about being selective and the importance of building culture, logistics and the inside knowledge of opportunities that will drive demand to spaces.

Peter Kelly is the Executive Vice President of LPC’s commercial real estate activities across the Midwest, which include acquisitions, dispositions, development, joint ventures, agency leasing, property management, construction management and other services. LPC Midwest has grown to over 15 million square feet of assets under management across five states, under Peter’s direction.

As Vice President at LPC, Dan Reidy oversees industrial property acquisitions and development in the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest. Dan joined the company in 2019 and has been at the forefront of many major developments in and around the region and is currently leading the efforts of a $100+ million project in Indianapolis and Columbus.

Lincoln Property Company was founded in 1965. LPC Midwest is one of the region’s leading commercial real estate service providers, offering property management, leasing, investment and construction management services. Our regional headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois along with 15 offices across the Midwest employing 60 top-tier real estate professionals with the skills and resources to meet the needs of our diverse clients.

Integrated Design with Kapil Khanna, CEO of Lamar Johnson Collaborative

On this episode of Real Estate for Breakfast, host Phil Coover and guest Kapil Khanna, CEO of Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC), discuss some of the design challenges that the architecture firm faces in a changing world. As part of an integrated design practice with its parent company, Clayco, a full-service, turnkey real estate, architecture, engineering, design-build and construction firm, LJC has a competitive advantage in its understanding of the intersections between design and construction.

In addition to discussing LJC’s background and overall design process, Phil and Kapil also talk about the many challenges that have arisen in the architecture industry due to the pandemic. Specifically, they discuss the supply chain and how LJC’s scale allows the company to prioritize and plan strategically to navigate the ever-changing world.

Kapil also explains the concept of resiliency planning, which includes anticipating a building’s capacity to adapt to changing conditions and to maintain or regain functionality in the face of stress or disturbance. Along with sustainability, resiliency planning is another important design parameter, and Kapil shares examples of designing vertical agriculture and massive 40 acres greenhouses.

Since the year is winding down, Kapil also takes the time to reflect on some of LJC’s recent projects, such as a Macy’s Flagship store, Pfizer’s Midwest headquarters and Fulton East, a newly constructed 12-story office and retail building. He says LJC is optimistic about 2023, especially as industrial projects are increasingly in demand.

As CEO of LJC, Kapil Khanna focuses on overall firm management. A member of the executive leadership team, he is responsible for providing direction for both the business strategy and the implementation of initiatives to support the firm’s growth. Kapil works across all disciplines of the enterprise to seek out opportunities for greater alignment and integration, and to make positive impacts on the firm’s most complex projects.

A veteran of the design industry, Kapil has provided project management on some of the region’s largest and most complex projects for healthcare and academic systems, including Cook County Health & Hospitals System’s Stroger Hospital Central Campus, University of Chicago Medicine Center for Care and Discovery Parking Garage, Orange Regional Medical Center Outpatient Care Center and Cancer Center Expansion; as well as extensive projects with higher education and healthcare facilities across the U.S. prior to joining LJC.

The Multifamily Housing Market in Chicago, the Importance of Market Research and the “Next West Loop” with Jon Morgan of Interra Realty

On this episode of Real Estate for Breakfast, host Phil Coover is joined by a fellow champion of Chicago, Jon Morgan. Jon is co-founder and managing principal of Chicago-based Interra Realty, and he and Phil begin their conversation by discussing Interra’s formation to its emergence as a middle-market commercial real estate brokerage focusing primarily on multifamily asset sales.

During the episode, Phil and Jon reminisce on the 2008 recession and how it differs from today’s market conditions, especially concerning the level of control banks previously had on real estate. Now that the real estate market is so volatile, Jon ensures that research is an integral part of Interra’s philosophy. Jon says he and his colleagues track the market weekly and stay in constant communication with clients to effectively take advantage of fluctuating market conditions.

Jon also explains how the multifamily market has managed to stay lucrative despite seesawing trends spurred by the pandemic. He points out that retailers are now starting to participate in the multifamily space because it keeps pace with inflation, making it a prime investment opportunity.

As fellow Chicagoans, Phil and Jon do not forget to pay homage to the city by highlighting Chicago’s phenomenal restaurants, major sports teams and growing tech scene. As the two discuss prominent Chicago neighborhoods such as the West Loop, Phil capitalizes on Jon’s knowledge of economics to get him to reveal what he believes the “next West Loop”, or at least an up-and-coming area of Chicago.

Jon Morgan began his career in real estate in 2004. Since then, he has been involved in more than $1 billion in transactions, including apartment buildings, retail properties and ground-up developments.

Jon co-founded Interra Realty with David Goss in 2010 to create a different kind of brokerage firm, one built on trusting relationships with buyers and sellers and hyperlocal, block-by-block expertise. This, coupled with Interra’s commitment to client service, has helped the company to establish many long-lasting relationships, fuel its meteoric growth and become a destination for talent and the training of up-and-coming brokers. As Chicago’s top middle-market brokerage, Interra now handles almost one in five sales of apartment buildings up to 100 units, according to CoStar.

Learn more about Interra here: https://interrarealty.com/

Metaverse Real Estate with Colin Laitner of Metis Capital

In this episode of Real Estate for Breakfast, host Phil Coover is joined by his good friend, Colin Laitner, principal of Metis Capital, and General Counsel of Deeter Investments, based in Austin, Texas. During an engaging discussion, Phil and Colin examine the topic of Metaverse real estate – what it is, how it works and its extrinsic value.

Recently, Metaverse real estate has been a hot topic in the news. With a supposed gold rush for Metaverse real estate happening, some early adopters have already invested millions of U.S. dollars in virtual property on platforms such as Axium Infinity, Sandbox and Decentral Land. Phil and Colin discuss these trends, draw parallels between Metaverse real estate and NFTs or “non-fungible tokens,” the relationship of crypto-currency to Metaverse real estate, and assess the potential value of Metaverse property. They also point out the similarities as well as the differences between Metaverse real estate and traditional real estate, and how concepts such as scarcity and human attention can actually drive value.

As an attorney and real estate developer, Colin is knowledgeable about emerging financing methods like blockchain, and he regularly advises clients who are on the cutting edges of new transactional technologies. Colin leverages his extensive background in real estate and tax law to explain how transactions are completed in the Metaverse and how each transaction, including real estate, is taxed.

Colin serves as general counsel and principal of Metis Capital, a commercial real estate development company based in Austin, Texas. Colin’s diverse array of transactional, legal and developmental experience includes sales, mergers and acquisitions, ground-up project development, and ongoing operational roles. Colin has personally overseen over $100 million in transactions for Metis Capital’s parent company, Deeter Investments LLP, and has been responsible for post-closing investor oversight, compliance, tax reporting and financing.

Colin’s development experience covers all project stages including the initial inception of concept; the feasibility, transactional, legal and planning stages; all build phases from ground up to finish out; the sales and lease processes; and closing. Currently, he is overseeing Metis’ “Sheldon Cove” project in North-Central Austin, which will soon host the largest climbing gym in Texas. He also maintains a legal practice and is licensed in real estate by the Texas Real Estate Commission.

Diversity and Inclusion in CRE with Walker & Dunlop's Jason Golub

In this episode of Real Estate for Breakfast, host Phil Coover discusses diversity and inclusion with colleague and Ice Miller Practice Group Director LaTonya Ellis and Walker & Dunlop Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Jason Golub. The guests discuss the topics of diversity and inclusion—how those concepts are similar and how they are different—and why more and more real estate companies are hiring diversity and inclusion leaders and placing a greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion for business, moral, ethical and innovation propositions.

Matt Miller, Ice Miller Partner and Chair of the Firm’s Racial Justice Task Force

But first, Phil introduces special guest Matt Miller, Ice Miller partner and chair of the Firm’s Racial Justice Task Force. As Matt details, the Task Force is really expanding efforts beyond diversity and inclusion, which is traditionally internal, to be the outward face of the Firm as it channels Ice Miller’s highly motivated and highly skilled human resources to address issues of racial injustice in the law and in our communities. 

Matthew J. Miller is a partner in Ice Miller’s Municipal Finance Group. Matt has served as bond counsel, disclosure counsel and underwriter’s counsel on over 100 financings, including various short-term and long-term general obligation financings, revenue financings, working cash financings, refunding transactions and special obligation financings issued by states, large municipalities and transit systems, counties, villages, school districts and other special districts. Matt has specific experience in public transportation and airport-related financings.

LaTonya Ellis, Ice Miller Practice Group Director

LaTonya Ellis serves as a practice group director in Ice Miller’s Real Estate and Municipal Finance Practice Groups. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of administration, management and day-to-day business operations for the Groups.

In her role, LaTonya works closely with Firm leadership to design and implement strategic plans and develop innovative approaches to business operations and development to help execute the Groups’ business plans. LaTonya also is responsible for implementation of synergies, efficiencies and best practices across the practice groups.

Jason Golub, Walker & Dunlop Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Jason Golub joined Walker & Dunlop in September 2020 as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). In this new role, Mr. Golub is responsible for accelerating and strengthening the company’s commitment to DE&I. Mr. Golub will develop and execute a strategy that further incorporates a diversity lens into the firm's culture, which includes changes to how the firm innovates, serves clients, helps communities, and supports employees.

He is responsible for improving Walker & Dunlop’s existing DE&I strategies and initiatives, as well as helping to foster an environment in which diversity and inclusion are a central and driving force across the firm. As part of his role, Mr. Golub will focus on diverse leadership development, retention strategy, supplier diversity, multicultural talent acquisition, and corporate initiatives that drive inclusion and create an equitable environment for all employees. As Vice President, he also advises Walker & Dunlop’s Council for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, supports and expands the company’s employee resource groups (including the Women of Walker & Dunlop and the Minority Employees Resource Group for Empowerment / Engagement / Elevation), and helps strengthen the company’s external DE&I strategy through organizational partnerships and thought leadership.

Prior to joining Walker & Dunlop, Mr. Golub was a senior leader at GE legal, where he focused on high-risk investigations, workplace culture and training, and compliance, while also serving as a senior member of the company's Diversity & Inclusion Council for five years. Earlier this year, he was appointed the chair of the Police Reform and Re-imagination Task Force in Saratoga Springs, NY, a Governor Cuomo-mandated task force aimed at police reform and reducing racial inequality.

Golub holds a Bachelor of Arts from Connecticut College and a juris doctor from Columbia University, School of Law, where he focused on human rights law.

To learn more, visit https://www.walkerdunlop.com/power-people/diversity/.

To learn more about Ice Miller’s Racial Justice Task Force, visit https://www.icemiller.com/racial-justice-task-force/. To learn more about Ice Miller’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts, visit https://www.icemiller.com/firm/diversity-information/.

Co-Living With Susan Tjarksen of Cushman and Wakefield

Joining Phil on this episode is Susan Tjarksen, Managing Director at Cushman and Wakefield.  Susan has over 30 years of experience in real estate, in both the public and private sectors.  She is a leading expert on co-living and joins us to discuss how buildings are being developed and adapted for the Co-living model to generate more income per square foot while at the same time serving marketplace demands.  Co-living is a community style of living where common spaces are shared, and spaces such as bedrooms are private, with each tenant responsible only for their share (rather than everyone in one unit being jointly and severally liable).  Susan and Phil discuss why co-living, which has existed for quite some time in various forms, is regaining popularity among the younger professional demographic: millennials.  Susan goes in depth about what is attracting more and more people to co-living in the gateway markets.  One of the main reasons is affordability, because rent is rapidly expanding in these markets, and the other is convenience.  This creates an opportunity for developers and investors.  According to a survey by the National Apartment Association, millennials chose to live close to work and travel for entertainment, which makes co-living all the more attractive for young professionals seeking the ideal living situation.

You can contact Susan Tjarksen and learn more about Cushman and Wakefield here.

You can download the coliving report here.

DISCLAIMER – No information contained in this Podcast or on this Website shall constitute financial, investment, legal and/or other professional advice and that no professional relationship of any kind is created between you and podcast host, the guests or Clark Hill PLC. You are urged to speak with your financial, investment, or legal advisors before making any investment or legal decisions.