Matt Ledom, CCIM with MMG

In this week’s MWM Broker Spotlight, Matt Ledom, CCIM, senior associate director with MMG Real Estate Advisors, shares his experience, passion and drive since his start in the Kansas City CRE environment.

Ledom began his career in the investment sales industry in the summer of 2013 working as a seller representative for Block Real Estate Services. In 2021, Ledom joined MMG Real Estate Advisors with a focus on multifamily investment sales and advising clients in a way that maximizes their investment returns through strategic planning and execution.

MWM: What initially sparked your interest in becoming a commercial real estate broker?

Ledom: My father is in the commercial real estate business (developer and owner) and helped push me in the brokerage direction – the best way to learn the business early on is through brokerage. I also enjoy the competitive environment and the mentality of being in charge of your future. I appreciate that it’s a high-risk, high-reward industry.

MWM: What do you enjoy most about being a broker?

Ledom: We take a lot of pride in representing our clients in the marketplace. They trust and believe we will execute at an extremely high level. We consistently close at, or above, the top end of our valuations!

I love the fast-paced nature of the business. At times, we uncover opportunities and only have a day or two to assemble our thoughts and valuations together. There’s an adrenaline rush to start, followed by satisfaction when our team turns around detailed information so quickly and effectively.

My favorite part is having a pulse on what’s going on around the city in real-time, as well as being part of bringing in new capital that plays a role in upgrading the landscape of our marketplace.

MWM: Can you share a highlight of your goals? Where do you see yourself in the next 5­-10 years?

Ledom: We are building something special at MMG. We have an extremely team-centric approach and a combination of local, regional and national reach that allows us to efficiently and effectively assist our clients in moving their capital all around the country. We want to grow our team and increase our production levels individually and as a whole company.

My personal goals are aligned with our team goals at MMG. Excellence in our executions for clients, combined with consistent company growth and continued improvement through hard work and perseverance.

MWM: Can you offer any tips on how you stay on track with your goals and how to be a successful broker?

Ledom: I am fortunate to have been around some very successful commercial real estate executives throughout my career. Some of my mentors include my Father, Mark Ledom; Michael Sullivan with MMG; Alex Blagojevich with MMG; Bucky Brooks with Copaken-Brooks; Lindsay Olsen with MITC; Ken Block with BRES; and Aaron Mesmer-BRES.

Setting goals is extremely important. Having a plan to execute on those goals is equally important. When I look back over my career to date, focusing on what you CAN do, not what you CAN’T do, and utilizing your best skillsets to accomplish pre-set goals can take you a long way.

Ledom graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2013 with a double-major in Real Estate and Operations Management. He also played on the golf team on a scholarship while attending college.

To reach Matt Ledom, you may email him at matt.ledom@mmgrea.com.

To nominate a MWM Broker Spotlight candidate, please email lisa@metrowiremedia.com.

46 Penn Centre adds newest tenant Parris Communications

Parris Communications Inc., a leading public relations and strategic communications firm, will be relocating its KCMO office to 46 Penn Centre on the Country Club Plaza in fall 2021.

Parris, a 33-year-old firm with a roster of clients spanning coast to coast, will join existing tenants CrossFirst Bank, RSM Partners, UBS, Pulse Design, Triad, BRES, CROWN MedRealty Partners and Anthony Knipp Law.

The Kansas City-native corporate communications firm will occupy approximately 5,200 SF of “blank slate” space on the 9th floor of the 14-story building, developed by Block Real Estate Services, LLC (BRES). The space is being designed by KEM Studios and will be constructed by contractor, Nexus5. 

“After living on the west side of the Plaza for over three decades, we’re inspired by the opportunity to reside in the heart of the Country Club Plaza,” said Parris Communications founder and CEO, Roshann Parris.

Founded in 1988, Parris Communications is a full-service strategic communications agency, specializing in corporate communications, public relations, crisis and issues management, public affairs, community engagement and executive presentation coaching.  Among its many honors over the years, Parris has been named one of “Kansas City’s Best Places to Work” for 13 years, and is a “Small Business Philanthropist of the Year” recipient.

“We are excited to welcome the high-energy Parris team to 46 Penn Centre,” said Kenneth G. Block, managing principal of BRES. “Parris is known regionally and nationally for the impressive quality of their work with some of the region’s biggest and best companies.  BRES has been honored to work with them over the years, and we can’t wait to welcome them to 46 Penn Centre, their new home on the Plaza.”

Also opening in fall 2021 at 46 Penn Centre will be exciting restaurant concepts Ocean Prime and Prime Social, the latter of which will open on the building’s panoramic rooftop.

46 Penn Centre is the first office building to be built on the Country Club Plaza since the Plaza Vista building opened in 2013. Opportunities remain available to occupy the state-of-the-art building, including the 14th floor.  Please contact BRES at 816.756.1400 for all leasing inquiries.

46 Penn Centre adds Ocean Prime Restaurant to menu

Country Club Plaza’s recently completed 14-story corporate office building, 46 Penn Centre, is adding acclaimed restaurant Ocean Prime Restaurant + Prime Social Rooftop to its amenities menu.

Pinnacle Construction Group will begin construction on the steak and seafood restaurant in the next 60 days, with an anticipated fall 2021 opening date, according to a release.

Kansas City is the newest location - and the first in Missouri - for Ocean Prime’s award-winning Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR). The management investment partnership became a reality between the restaurant group and investors associated with Block Real Estate Services principals.

“At the outset of our plans for the building, we set our sights on landing a world class restaurant for 46 Penn Centre,” said Ken Block, managing principal of Block Real Estate Services.

With 8,500 SF of space, including three private dining rooms and a peninsula bar, Prime Social will be the only rooftop venue with expansive views of the Plaza and surrounding area.

“Ocean Prime is one of the finest restaurants in the U.S. and is the perfect partner to provide that elevated guest experience. It gives our tenants even more amenities at their fingertips, as they will soon have an in-house restaurant and rooftop lounge to entertain their clients and employees,” said Cameron Mitchell, founder and CEO of CMR.

This will be the 17th Ocean Prime restaurant since the 2008 launch of the concept in Columbus, Ohio.

“We are excited to expand the Ocean Prime concept, bringing both classic and modern fare,” said Mitch Miller, vice president of Ocean Prime.

“Our restaurant is known for its vibrant energy, made-from-scratch menu offerings, seasonal ingredients and an extensive menu to suit every palate- including prime steaks, chops, chicken and seafood. Our signature cocktails, from classics to original creations, and extensive wine list are a highlight of our guests’ experience. Prime Social will be a cool rooftop oasis and an ideal spot for guests to sip, savor and surround themselves within the cityscape,” Miller said.

46 Penn Centre opened in the fall of 2020. The Class A office building features 220,000 +/- RSF of office space, approximately 11,000 +/- RSF of retail space and secure, covered parking. Located north of 47th Street and east of Pennsylvania Avenue, it features private balconies on each floor and has been constructed with only four columns per floor for maximum space-plan efficiency.