News
Last Night's Schmoozarama
July 25, 2012
| Yesterday, Bisnow packed in more than 400 real estate pros at the Wintergarden at 311 S Wacker. The bar was open, the food tables laden, and the networking in high gear. It can mean only one thing: Chicago Schmoozarama. | ||
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| It's been a busy summer for these three chaps, Kennedy Wilson managing director Daniel Parsow, Campus Acquisitions senior associate David Israel, and Prime Group Realty Trust director of acquisitions Lamar Newburn. Kennedy Wilson acquired an Anaheim office building this month for $56M; Campus Acquisitions has more than a half-dozen student housing projects under construction; and Lamar tells us that Prime Group has seen leasing success at the 330 N Wabash (formerly IBM Plaza), nearly 600k SF since the beginning of this year. (Didn't it used to be that the only work done in the summer was on lowering your golf handicap?) | ||
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| The money's flowing a bit more vigorously these days for CRE, according to BMO Harris Bank VP Jerry Lumpkins, whom we snapped with BCG Real Estate Capital Partners senior analyst Laura Gunlock and transaction services cooridinator Trudi Weber. (Money always needs a good home.) | ||
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| Remarkably, we caught up with several environmental specialists all at the same time and the same place, talking a little shop, which means environmental due diligence, regulatory compliance, and facilities engineering (or maybe they were talking about baseball). From left, GaiaTech's Ronnie Choi, EDR's Paul Brunner, and ECS Midwest's Ian Wade and Sheri Kaad. | ||
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| Ragnar Benson Construction biz dev guru Scott Solverson and Shaw Contract Group's Mark Hadaway. Scott told us about his company's ongoing Track Renewal project for the CTA, which involves the replacement of deteriorated track and rail ties along the Wells and Van Buren elevated tracks—so close that you'd practically be able to hear it from the Wintergarden, if it opened the windows. | ||
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| Put 400+ in the Wintergarden, and the place is jumping. All the while, Poseidon watches over the crowd from his perch on the fountain. Or is that Gambrinus, god of real estate and beer? Thanks to all who brought high-energy and quality networking to the event. See you next time. |
