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Midwest

Rob Finlay AI CRE quote from article
Content PartnerFeaturesLoansMidwestNortheastSoutheastTexasWestern

AI-Driven Approach Powers the Next Phase of Commercial Real Estate Strategy

by Sarah Daniels

Commercial real estate is in the middle of one of its biggest transitions. For years, the challenge was finding data. Now, the challenge is knowing what to do with it. Artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to change that. The conversation has shifted from if we should be using AI to how we can use it in a way that actually improves business outcomes. REBusinessOnline recently spoke with Rob Finlay, founder and CEO of Defease With Ease | Thirty Capital, and Trevor Albarran, VP of product at Lobby AI, about how AI is changing decision-making in commercial real estate (CRE), what early adopters have learned and what leaders should be focusing on next. REBusinessOnline (REBO): What’s the biggest opportunity facing CRE executives today? Rob Finlay: It depends on the context, but right now, AI is the most powerful tool a real estate executive can have in their arsenal. AI finally gives principals — the people paid to think — the space to actually do that. When I started in real estate, I was paid to do. But as my role evolved, my value shifted to thinking —  being strategic, motivating teams, and making high-level decisions. AI amplifies that ability. It takes …

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Leasing ActivityMidwestMinnesotaOffice

Cushman & Wakefield Negotiates 150,000 SF of Leases at Southdale Office Centre in Edina, Minnesota

by Kristin Harlow

EDINA, MINN. — Cushman & Wakefield has negotiated several new long-term leases totaling more than 150,000 square feet at Southdale Office Centre, a six-building campus along France Avenue in the Twin Cities suburb of Edina. First-time tenant Southdale Pediatrics inked a lease for 38,306 square feet at 6600 France Avenue, a specialty medical outpatient property that recently underwent major renovations to the first- and second-floor lobbies and common areas. Edina Realty signed a lease renewal for 38,676 square feet at 6800 France Avenue, and Evereve doubled its footprint to 41,113 square feet. Several other companies have also recently signed new leases or renewals. Bill Rothstein and Eric King of Cushman & Wakefield represented property ownership, Wildamere Capital Management and Olympus Ventures.

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AcquisitionsMichiganMidwestMultifamily

Berkadia Brokers Sale of 335-Site Manufactured Housing Portfolio in Michigan

by Kristin Harlow

MICHIGAN — Berkadia has brokered the sale and arranged financing for the Michigan MHC Portfolio, which comprises four manufactured housing communities (MHC) with 335 sites across the state. Kevan Enger of Berkadia represented the seller, California-based Urban West Ventures. Scott Modelski of Berkadia secured acquisition financing through Barclays – Conduit on behalf of the buyer’s Chicago-based affiliate, Butler Communities. The portfolio includes Pontaluna Shores in Norton Shores, Broadway Acres in Mount Pleasant, University Mobile Estates in Whitmore Lake and Brookhaven in Comstock Park. The assets were built in 1967, 1986, 1952 and 1970, respectively.

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CivicDevelopmentIndianaMidwest

Skender Breaks Ground on $35M Headquarters for Westfield Police Department in Indiana

by Kristin Harlow

WESTFIELD, IND. — Skender has broken ground on the new $35 million headquarters for Westfield Police Department on an 11.7-acre site along Grand Park Boulevard. The project team includes Garmong as developer, Dewberry as architect and Veridus Group as the owner’s representative. The city’s Informatics Department will also be housed in the building. The project plan includes an optional 30,000-square-foot addition that can be added in the next 15 to 20 years. Completion is slated for 2027.

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AcquisitionsIllinoisIndustrialMidwest

Missner Group Sells 80,464 SF Industrial Building in Addison, Illinois

by Kristin Harlow

ADDISON, ILL. — The Missner Group has sold an 80,464-square-foot industrial building located at 50 S. Fairbank St. in Addison. Missner developed the property in 2023 in partnership with Realterm. The building features a clear height of 32 feet, 13 exterior docks, two drive-in doors and 180 parking spaces. The property is leased to Midwest Solutions, Cytronic and PGW Autoglass.

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AcquisitionsIllinoisMidwestRetail

Marcus & Millichap Arranges $4.5M Sale of Retail Property in Oak Lawn, Illinois

by Kristin Harlow

OAK LAWN, ILL. — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the $4.5 million sale of Park Lawn Plaza, a 13-suite retail property in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn. The asset, situated on 2.5 acres at 9600 S. Pulaski Road, totals 24,685 rentable square feet and was 84 percent occupied at the time of sale. Adrian Mendoza, Sean Sharko and Austin Weisenbeck of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, a local real estate investment company. The buyer was a local private investor.

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AcquisitionsIllinoisMidwestMultifamily

Marquette Cos. Acquires 368-Unit Multifamily Property in Aurora, Illinois

by Kristin Harlow

AURORA, ILL. — Marquette Cos. has acquired Aurora at Summerfield, a 368-unit multifamily property in the western Chicago suburb of Aurora. Marquette Management will serve as property manager for the community, which is currently 97 percent occupied. Located at 1847 Clubhouse Drive, just off Ogden Avenue, Aurora at Summerfield comprises 26 two- and three-story buildings with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Two-story lofted townhomes comprise 24 percent of the units. Amenities include a clubhouse with a business center, fitness center and resident lounge. Outdoor spaces include a pool, grilling stations and a playground.

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DevelopmentIndianaMidwestMultifamily

Thompson Thrift to Develop 350-Unit Luxury Apartment Community Near Indianapolis

by Kristin Harlow

WESTFIELD, IND. — Thompson Thrift has unveiled plans to develop Revere, a 350-unit luxury apartment community in the Indianapolis suburb of Westfield. The company expects to welcome the first residents in February 2027. Units will come in one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations averaging 1,000 square feet. The residences will be spread across six buildings, including four three-story, garden-style buildings and two four-story, elevator-serviced buildings. Amenities will include a fitness center, social hub, heated pool, firepits, grilling areas, a dog park, pet spa, business center and conference room. Adjacent to the project site is IMMI, an advanced safety systems company that employs nearly 700 people at its Westfield office. Planned future retail will also be situated next to the apartment community.

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AcquisitionsMichiganMidwestRetail

Mid-America Brokers Sale of 225,307 SF Shopping Center in Metro Grand Rapids

by Kristin Harlow

WALKER, MICH. — Mid-America Real Estate Corp. has brokered the sale of Green Ridge Square, a 225,307-square-foot shopping center in Walker, a northwest suburb of Grand Rapids. Shadow anchored by Target, the property is home to Best Buy, Burlington, Michaels, Urban Air, Five Below, Panera and Shoe Dept. Ben Wineman and Daniel Stern of Mid-America represented the seller, Birmingham, Mich.-based Bacall Cos. Seattle-based Bridge33 Capital was the buyer.

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IllinoisLeasing ActivityMidwestRetail

Five New Retailers Sign Leases at North Riverside Park Mall in Suburban Chicago

by Kristin Harlow

NORTH RIVERSIDE, ILL. — Five new retailers have signed leases to open at North Riverside Park Mall in the Chicago suburb of North Riverside. The Feil Organization owns the 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center. The leases, which include Canada Weather Gear, Lovisa Jewelry & Accessories, Boneyard Chicago, FLX Move Pilates and Hello Sweetie, bring the property to 96 percent occupancy. Most of the tenants are now open. Feil acquired the mall in 2004 and completed an $8 million capital improvement plan in November 2024.

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