Author Archives: Ben Azulay

There are no two ways about it—the industrial real estate market is on fire. It’s been the leading sector for a couple of years, owing to the pandemic and supply chain disruptions. Logistics have shifted from just-in-time to just-in-case, driving demand for localized warehousing and manufacturing space. Vacancy rates are at all-time lows, cap rates have plunged to low single digits, rents and construction costs are growing at a record-setting pace.

To understand these rapid changes and see where the industrial market can go from here, TWB sat down with Ronan Remandaban, Executive Managing Director and Industrial Market Leader at Bradford Allen. Ronan is a tech-savvy professional whose career has been dedicated to the industrial segment. He’s seen every type of deal and development over the course his 20 years in the business.

The current environment is all about being adaptive, whether that’s repurposing property or moving fast on transactions. Join us as Ronan and Ben discuss how we got here and what’s next for the industrial sector of commercial real estate.

Real estate is a relationship business, but it’s not often you get to work with a lifelong friend. In this Ten With Ben episode we’re joined by Aaron Zaretsky, Leasing Director at Urban Innovations, an integrated real estate development company. Aaron’s path crossed with Ben’s more than 40 years ago, decades before either had closed a lease deal.

As these long-time friends catch up on the state of the market, Ben and Aaron discuss the importance of nurturing long-term relationships with clients. People have good memories, so how you treat them matters, especially when it comes to big moments like leasing office space. It may be an everyday experience for a broker, but not for most business owners.

And the relationship-building doesn’t end when the lease is signed. Being present for all stages of your client’s growth and being a trusted, ever-present partner are the foundations for success in commercial real estate, and in business in general.

In our latest episode, Ben sits down with Tim Brigham, all-star mortgage broker and BA client. With a competitive spirit and laser-sharp focus on his customer’s needs, Tim’s found a winning combination for success in real estate, and in life. In addition to managing Union Home Mortgage’s Chicago office, Tim runs the Superhero Collective, a non-profit that brings comic-book heroes to life for children’s hospitals all around Chicago.

Whether he’s swapping a business suit for a batsuit or locking-in fixed-rate financing for a new family’s first home, Tim’s authentic passion for people resonates with his customers and with us.

With 30 years of experience in commercial real estate, today’s guest knows what the fundamentals of the business are all about. Meet Laurence Elbaum, Principal and Co-Founder of Bradford Allen.

When he began Bradford Allen with business partner Jeffrey Bernstein in 2003, he was certain of just one thing: BA would succeed, because failure was not an option. That mindset has translated into a philosophy that continues to drive the firm today. Listen in as Larry explains why technology will not replace the ground work involved in CRE, the importance of knowing the value of a dollar for your client, and how our investment strategy changed during the course of the pandemic.

As BA’s suburban portfolio grows, the comparisons to downtown become more prevalent. While Chicago’s Loop has not seen the same return to work as many suburban buildings, Larry speculates that new changes will come as Gen Z’s presence emerges within the work force.