Episodes

  • Episode 13: Jonah Mermelstein & Tyler Mordas of Brookfield Asset Management
    Jul 11 2024

    Welcome to another episode of The Brokers. Joining us are Jonah Mermelstein, Senior Vice President, Investments, and Tyler Mordas, Vice President, Investments, Industrial Development of Brookfield Asset Management, one of the world's largest and most successful real estate investment firms. Brookfield's approach is simple and consistent: investing in high-quality assets to maximize value. Their expertise enables them to spot trends in real time, enhance efficiencies, and consistently deliver strong returns for their investors through market cycles.

    With assets under management totaling over $900 billion, a workforce of 30,000 operating employees, and over 500 million square feet of commercial space, Brookfield Asset Management stands as a leader in institutional-quality real estate. They build, own, and actively manage real estate companies and platforms, diversifying across sectors and geographies.

    Tune in as we delve into their strategies, insights, and experiences in Brookfield’s New Jersey industrial real estate investments.

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    27 mins
  • Episode 12: A Conversation with Orry Michael of Faropoint
    Jun 26 2024

    Join us for an engaging episode of The Brokers with Orry Michael from Faropoint, a leading U.S. real estate investment firm specializing in last mile industrial real estate. Since its founding in 2012, Faropoint has become one of the top 20 industrial real estate owners in the country, thanks to its innovative approach and proprietary data platform.

    In this episode, Orry Michael shares insights into Faropoint's strategy of acquiring Urban Distribution Centers below the institutional radar, a move that has positioned them as one of the top buyers in their active markets. With a clear focus on markets with strong demographics, high rental growth, and construction barriers, Faropoint actively invests in areas positively impacted by e-commerce growth.

    Faropoint entered the New Jersey market in December 2022 with the acquisition of the Kushner portfolio, focusing on class B and class C shallow bay light industrial buildings. This move further demonstrates their keen eye for valuable investments in niche markets. Orry discusses how Faropoint maintains a balanced portfolio with approximately 85% stabilized assets and 15% value-add components. He also delves into their exit strategy of aggregating last mile individual warehouses into a sought-after portfolio, benefiting from significant portfolio premiums at disposition to institutional players.

    One of the highlights of Faropoint's methodology is their use of an AI program called REXy, which assists in predicting market rents with remarkable accuracy. This cutting-edge tool gives Faropoint a competitive edge in making informed investment decisions.

    Tune in to hear about the unique strategies and competitive edge that have propelled Faropoint to the forefront of the industrial real estate market. Whether you're an industry veteran or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for navigating the dynamic world of real estate investment.

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    26 mins
  • Episode 11: Conversations with Jeff Milanaik of Bridge Industrial
    May 23 2024

    In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Milanaik, a Partner for the Northeast Region at Bridge Industrial, based in Chicago, IL. Jeff opened the Northeast regional office in Parsippany, NJ, in September 2014. His role involves acquiring and developing investment-grade industrial buildings. Jeff's expertise and leadership in the field have been recognized by his peers. He served as the 2022 NAIOP NJ Chair and was featured on ROI-NJ's power list.

    Under Jeff's leadership, Bridge Industrial has been highly active in the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania markets. In recent years, they have developed over 22 million square feet of industrial buildings and projects worth more than $5.2 billion. Currently, they have a pipeline of over 8 million square feet of industrial and warehouse projects in the Northeast, slated for development over the next 18-24 months.

    Throughout the podcast, Jeff discusses the current trends and future outlook of the New Jersey industrial real estate market, the challenges and opportunities in the sector, and how Bridge Industrial is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on these developments.

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    38 mins
  • Episode 10: Discussions with Michael Klein of JLL
    May 1 2024

    In this installment of The Brokers podcast, we're joined by Michael Klein, co-head of JLL's capital markets team, specializing in debt and investment sales. From the era before the pandemic to the present day, we delve into the shifts in lending dynamics, spotlighting key players like Bank of America and Wells Fargo who took a step back in 2022, as well as those who remained active. Additionally, we explore the intricacies of local banks, including their requirement for compensating balances to facilitate loans, all while shedding light on the resurgence of CMBS loans.


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    19 mins
  • Episode 9: Discussions with Clark Machemer of Crow Holdings Development
    Apr 22 2024

    In the latest episode of The Brokers, we dive into the dynamic world of New Jersey real estate with Clark Machemer, Senior Managing Director of Crow Holdings Development. From the lows of the pandemic in March 2020 to the peaks and shifts in the market today, Machemer provides insights into the development landscape. Despite challenges like rising interest rates in 2022, Crow Holdings Development remained active and adaptable, emphasizing their commitment to creative deal-making. With extensive experience in New Jersey real estate and a deep understanding of its diverse submarkets, Crow Holdings Development showcases their strategic approach and unveils three new developments in Burlington, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, and the Rt 84 corridor in NY.

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    23 mins
  • Episode 8: Raising a Glass to 2024 The Brokers Preview Market Trends
    Feb 10 2024

    Join us Scott Perkins, Chris Todd and Kerry Barrett as we kick off Season 4 of "The Brokers" podcast with a lively discussion about the current state of the industrial real estate market in 2024. With a clearer understanding of industry dynamics emerging, we delves into predictions and trends shaping the market's landscape.


    We're thrilled to have Chris Cree from Cree Wine Company join us as our special guest. Chris is a master of wine, and he's here to give us some fascinating insights into the wine we're enjoying today, Dominia Agua. We're learning all about its origins and the winery's commitment to tradition and terroir.


    Now, let's get down to business. We're breaking down the complex world of industrial real estate. From how the Federal Reserve impacts interest rates to the recent uptick in sales activity, we're covering it all. Plus, we're sharing some practical tips on navigating the interconnected leasing and sales markets, including how to handle fluctuating lease activity and understand leasing comparisons.


    But wait, there's more! We're also excited to share some upcoming industry events, like the SIOR Northeast Regional Conference and the inaugural iOS Summit in Atlanta. These are fantastic opportunities to gain valuable knowledge and maybe even meet us in person!


    So grab your favorite glass, tune in, and let's dive into the conversation together! Cheers!

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    12 mins
  • Episode 7: Kicking Off 2024 with Bridge Logistics Properties
    Feb 7 2024

    Welcome back to "The Brokers," your go-to podcast for an insider's perspective on the dynamic world of industrial real estate in the thriving region of Northern New Jersey. As we continue our journey through the intricacies of the industrial landscape, our hosts, Scott Perkins and Chris Todd, are joined by two distinguished guests in this special episode – Will Gilkeson and Hank Klehm of Bridge Logistics Properties.

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    23 mins
  • Episode 6: NJ Industrial Real Estate 2024 Predictions
    Dec 20 2023

    Join Scott and Chris in this episode of The Brokers podcast as they unveil their bold predictions for the New Jersey industrial real estate market in 2024. Chris dives into the optimistic outlook for the upcoming year, highlighting the return of key players and increased confidence in the market. The duo discusses leasing rates, sales market dynamics, and the institutionalization of the market that has influenced the stability in rents. Tune in for insights into submarkets, renewals, and the anticipated trends that will shape the commercial real estate landscape in 2024. Don't miss the lively conversation and valuable predictions that could guide your investment decisions in the New Year!

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    9 mins