Caton Commercial Real Estate Group’s SVP Brian Blackmore thrives despite the challenges of 2020 with the completion of 26 commercial real estate transactions across nine states. The transactions were completed by Brian Blackmore and Sandy True of Caton, and cooperative brokerage partners in each of the nine states.
Blackmore’s ability to cultivate strong client and cooperative brokerage relationships contributed to the team’s ability to successfully navigate multi-state assignments. “When looking for properties for clients, I examine each transaction as if I were the owner or investor,” Blackmore said. “I give our clients 110 percent and all the information they need to make a sound business decision. I would rather they not make the deal than make a poor decision.”
The transactions involved medical office, land, gas and convenience stores, including several Dunkin and Wingstop franchise locations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Louisiana. In Orlando, Fla., the Blackmore team represented a national retailer in the purchase of two land sites. The two sites sold for nearly $3 million and will be converted into two 4,400-square-foot gas station and convenience stores.
“Brian Blackmore and his team have achieved considerable success representing nationally recognized retailers, developers, owners, and investors,” said Bill Caton, CEO of Caton Commercial Real Estate Group. “Brian’s extensive development background and focus on client service has propelled him into a position where he is frequently called upon to represent clients in development-focused complex transactions.”
Sixty percent of Brian’s transaction volume was generated in Illinois with the other 40% being out of state.
Among the trends Blackmore is seeing in the marketplace are:
- Medical office users expanding and repurposing existing retail or office buildings to convert into community-based surgery or general medical centers. These facilities are designed to support the localized healthcare needs of growing populations. They also offer an efficient means for repurposing vacant commercial sites or those with obsolete businesses, thus increasing the tax revenue without lengthy rezoning processes.
- Growth in the gas station and convenience store sector, as retailers look to fill a demand near growing population centers. Land sites are challenging to find in many markets.
“We continue to see a strong demand for medical office properties that can support growing population bases that require localized healthcare delivery,” Blackmore said. “In many markets where land sites are challenging to find, we are working on adaptive reuse of older retail or office properties. This approach helps convert obsolete commercial properties into more viable uses, supporting the local community and boosting tax revenue.”
Blackmore has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate and residential development, where he has specialized in the acquisition and disposition of raw and developed land as well as other bank-owned properties. He has successfully developed land projects of 40 to 400 acres, with his development services encompassing due diligence, budgeting, permitting, engineering, contracts, site development, municipal relationships, and project punchout
Contact Brian Blackmore today to discuss your commercial real estate needs.
Caton Commercial Real Estate Group has been a trusted name in commercial real estate in the Chicago market for more than 30 years. The company is known for its in-depth market knowledge and focus on providing strategic services to guide clients through all stages of the commercial real estate process. The firm has extensive expertise in tenant and landlord representation, property management, investment sales, and land sales and development for tenants in the retail, industrial, office, and hotel sectors. Based in Naperville, Caton Commercial is a family founded business which provides its clients with trusted advisory and intelligent solutions and who’s team members pride themselves on a dedication to giving back through support and involvement with various civic and community organizations.