Apex Commercial Inc., a Brookfield-based commercial real estate brokerage, announced today that it has become an affiliate of Chicago-based Grubb & Ellis Co., a commercial real estate advisory firm.
Effective today, the company is doing business as Grubb & Ellis|Apex Commercial.

"The addition of Apex to our national affiliates program reinforces our commitment to Milwaukee and its surrounding areas, a market Grubb & Ellis has had a presence in for nine years,” said Pat Hurley, president of Grubb & Ellis Affiliates Inc. "Apex'’s emphasis on superior service, professionalism and integrity are consistent with Grubb & Ellis’ goal of building long-term client relationships."

The partnership with Apex Commercial enables Grubb & Ellis to re-enter the southeastern Wisconsin market. Earlier this year, Milwaukee-based The Boerke Company Inc. dropped its affiliation with Grubb & Ellis and joined the New York-based Cushman & Wakefield Alliance. Boerke was affiliated with Grubb & Ellis for nine years.

Shortly after the Boerke affiliation change was announced in June, Small Business Times reported that Grubb & Ellis executives were trying to find another affiliate in the Milwaukee area.

Apex Commercial was formed in 2002 and has nine brokers. Apex will benefit from the affiliation with Grubb & Ellis by gaining referrals from out-of-state businesses that need real estate services in the Milwaukee area. Grubb & Ellis has 44 affiliates serving more than 60 markets.

"Overnight, we have transformed from a local firm with a statewide reach to a local firm with a global reach," said Dan Jessup, president and founder of Apex Commerical. "Our firm has had tremendous success since its inception, and joining forces with Grubb & Ellis will allow us to build upon our accomplishments.”

Grubb & Ellis provides transaction, management and consulting services to property owners, tenants and real estate investors throughout the world. The company’s services include advisory and brokerage, as well as property management and construction consultation. Its Grubb & Ellis Management Services division has more than 150 million square feet of third-party space under management. The company had $490 million in sales during the last year.

Since its founding, Apex Commercial has completed transactions totaling about $166 million.

In addition to Apex Commercial and The Boerke Company, other Milwaukee area commercial real estate brokerages also have made changes to enhance their national and international affiliations during the last year. El Segundo, Calif.-based CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. bought Milwaukee-based The Polacheck Co. Inc. Polacheck was CB Richard Ellis’ Wisconsin affiliate for about 10 years prior to the sale.

Last year, the James T. Barry Co. Inc. changed its name to Colliers Barry. The company has been part of Boston-based Colliers International Property Consultants since 1986.

Brown Deer-based Trunk Bay Investments plans to develop a three-story, 59-room Microtel Inn and Suites hotel on a vacant two-acre site at 9611 S. 13th St. The property is just south of Ryan Road and just east of Interstate 94 and is between a Wendy’s restaurant and a Colder’s furniture store. The hotel project includes a second phase, which would be built at a later date and would add another 24 rooms, for a total of 83.

Microtel Inn and Suites is a chain of budget hotels and is a brand of Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems Inc., which is an affiliate of Chicago-based Global Hyatt Corp. There are more than 290 Microtel Inn and Suites in the world, but the only location in southeast Wisconsin is in Racine at 5419 Durand Ave. The hotel chain has eight other locations in the state, including Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Janesville, Madison, Onalaska, Rice Lake and Tomah.

Sam Dickman Jr.

Company: The Dickman Company, Inc.
Title: Vice president
Education: Bachelor's degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Family: Wife, Rachel, and daughters, Katie and Maggie
City of residence: Shorewood
Hobbies: Family, tennis and reading

What are you working on?
“I try to keep as many transactions moving along as possible at the same time. My business consists of sales, leasing and development."

How does the market look to you?
“The market is strong for both sales and leases. Manufacturing continues to grow, and there are many prospects in the marketplace.”

What was the best deal you’ve ever been involved in?
“Working with my father on the development of the Department of Public Works facility at the former Tower Automotive site is easily the best deal I have been involved in.”

IBT Group LLC, a Chicago-based real estate development and asset management firm, recently purchased 2.917 acres of land at 806-08 W. Paradise Drive, West Bend, from West Bend Partners Limited Partnership. IBT is planning to do a retail development on the site. Tom Bruss of Commercial Property Associates represented West Bend Partners, and Jason Frederick of The Boerke Company represented IBT Group in negotiating the property sale. Paradise Drive is a major retail corridor in West Bend. The property purchased by IBT is on the north side of Paradise Drive behind a Texas Roadhouse restaurant and between a Home Depot and Sportsman’s Warehouse store. “We have bought the land and plan on doing a project there,” IBT president Gary Pachucki said. “I have a tenant in mind.” He declined to provide further details about the project.

Combex Inc. d.b.a. Chaney Instrument Company recently leased 29,822 square feet of industrial space at 999 S. Wells St., Lake Geneva, from Trostel Specialty Elastomer Group Inc. Chaney Instrument Co.'s headquarters are located next door at 965 S. Wells St. Jon Packee of The Boerke Company Inc. represented Trostel Specialty Elastomer Group., and Vytau Barcas and John Henderson of NAI MLG Commercial represented Chaney Instrument Company. Founded in 1943, Chaney Instrument Co. manufactures clocks and thermometers. Chaney previously used third-party logistics suppliers, but the company has decided to handle its own warehousing and logistics, Packee said.

Brookfield-based Shorewest Realtors recently hired Linda Burgelis to work as a sales associate at its Brookfield/Waukesha office at 2212 E. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha.

Milwaukee-based Building Service Inc. recently hired Katherine Berner as junior project manager and Pat Strigens as receptionist.

Butler-based Berghammer Construction recently hired Thomas Calouette as project manager and Scott Christenson as a superintendent.

West Allis-based Creative Business Interiors recently hired Elizabeth Wilichowski as a furniture project manager.

Pewaukee-based VJS Construction Services recently hired Bruce Goranson as safety director.

Milwaukee-based Inspec recently hired Issam Rayyan and Jay Ogarzalak as project managers, Kimberly Reich as business development manager and Benjamin Bertram as inspector.

Kate Hanson recently joined Milwaukee-based RFP Commercial Inc., as a broker.

Milwaukee-based Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP has formed an alliance with Waukesha-based Ruekert/Mielke, a municipal engineering and land surveying firm, to help municipalities plan for their future facility needs and develop strategies for how best to fund building and renovation programs.

Brookfield-based MLG recently received the Best Subdivision Entrance award, for the entrance to its Carriage Hills subdivision in Delafield, from the Metropolitan Builders Association’s annual Sales and Marketing Achievement dinner. Muskego-based Durham Hill Nursery Inc. managed the landscaping for the project. Entries for the Best Subdivision Entrance award were judged on signage, landscaping and use of vegetation, appropriateness of the theme, special features including fountains, original trees, and rocks, as well as lighting, materials used, and overall aesthetic appeal. MLG Communities, the residential development company of MLG, currently has more than 25 residential developments throughout southeastern Wisconsin, Door County, Florida and Virginia.

Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women (WCREW) recently recognized five local commercial developments as part of its annual WCREW Real Estate Showcase Awards. The Milwaukee Public Market received the Showcase Award; Madison-based J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., received the Heart of the Community Award for its new Milwaukee office at 1600 N. 6th St.; Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin received the Leading Edge Award; the GE Healthcare building in Wauwatosa received the Regional Impact Award; and the redevelopment of the Ambassador Hotel in Milwaukee received the Judges’ Choice Award. The awards are given for developments that result in job creation, economic development and increased property value; have a creative use or sense of space; have a positive impact on the community; promote sustainable development and overcome obstacles during the project.

VIP pre-opening party for the new Marcus Cinema at The Renaissance, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16, 10411 Washington Ave., Sturtevant.

NAIOP 2006 Industrial and Office Market Update, 7:15 a.m.-9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6, Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, (262-522-6375).

IREM holiday party, 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7, Swank, 628 N. Water St., Milwaukee, (414-476-4736).

Blueprint for Sustainable Development, Designing for a Greener Future, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7, Ellwood H. May Environmental Park, 3615 Mueller Road, Sheboygan, (800-969-7013).

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