CBRE's Shamberger shares KC CRE springboards

As a broker with CBRE, one of the largest commercial real estate services companies in the world, Brice Shamberger shares how anticipating opportunities, seizing competitive advantages and executing the best possible real estate strategies has served as a springboard for him into the Kansas City commercial real estate scene.

RT (Rachel Treanor): What was your lightbulb moment to get into commercial real estate?

BS (Brice Shamberger): My lightbulb moment occurred in college, once I began to appreciate professionals who exhibited a higher level of personal accountability and responsibility. I knew I needed to dive headfirst into something that would require those traits, help me develop as a person, and give me unlimited earning potential. For those reasons and others commercial real estate seemed like a perfect fit. 

RT: Who is your mentor and why?

BS: There are a number of people who deserve credit for how I’ve grown as a professional. As everyone in the industry can attest to, there is no starter manual. However, I look to Brian Bacon within CBRE as a major resource in helping me develop as a brokerage professional. I came on board a few years ago and teamed up with Brian and it’s really been a springboard for me in learning the ins and outs of the business and what it takes to get deals across the finish line.

What gets you excited to get to work every day?

BS: Really, I think just the thrill of not always knowing what’s going to happen next. Whether it be with an ongoing deal, business development, or the little things that we have to proactively take on. That coupled with knowing that the little things I do today are helping to build towards my longer-term goals makes it easier to get up and go to work every day.

RT: How do you keep your skills sharp in this competitive climate?

BS: I really make a point to always be learning new skills and pushing beyond my comfort zone as much as I can. As one progresses through their career I think this is one thing that many of us start to slack on. It’s just as important to work hard on yourself as it is on your job. Both need to happen simultaneously to stay sharp and competitive.

RT: What deal do you wish for in your future portfolio?

I wouldn’t say there is a specific deal I wish for, but with that said, a compilation of multi – market deals for a company looking to expand into other markets beyond Kansas City would be fun to facilitate.

RT: What does a Kansas City CRE Comeback look like to you?

Kansas City has the right fundamentals for companies looking to grow and expand. I think if we can continue to nurture the start – up ecosystems we have and promote the importance of in – person collaboration then the entirety of Kansas City’s CRE scene will be headed in the right direction.

RT: What leads do you look for?

BS: Building owners who are looking to liquidate, exchange, or free up capital. Also, organizations who are looking to create more flexibility and save time and money in what is often times their largest expense, their lease and associated office costs.

RT: How can prospects contact you for more information?

BS: Anytime by phone or email! 816.968.5810 or brice.shamberger@cbre.com.

With Midwest Gateway, Copaken Brooks is Edgerton's new kid in town

Brokers were offered a sneak peak of Midwest Gateway, a 487,000-square foot warehouse and distribution center adjacent to the entrance of BNSF Railway's intermodal facility at 191st and Homestead in Edgerton, Kan.

“Edgerton is the hottest industrial submarket in the world right now. Fortunately, we are able to offer two state-of-the-art buildings at 32-foot clear here,” said Bucky Brooks, principal with project developer Copaken Brooks.

Midwest Gateway is one of a handful of facilities located along the heavy haul, I-35 corridor and allows shippers to send heavier loads to and from the 443-acre BNSF intermodal yard with significant reduction in drayage expenses. 

“Supply chain experts all agree there are huge cost savings here,” said Aaron Schlagel of Copaken Brooks. “ARCO knocked it out of the park with this facility. We are ready to make deals.”

Midwest Gateway was completed three months ahead of schedule. Features of the 301,000- and 186,000-square foot buildings include upgraded LED motion-sensor lighting, future trailer parking, and the ability for users to lease or own.

"Midwest Gateway can accommodate tenants fromt 50,000 square feet and up, creating a rare opportunity for tenants seeking smaller format distribution facilities who want proximity to the BNSF Intermodal,” said Russell Pearson of NAI Heartland, which is co-marketing the project with Copaken Brooks.

A variety of city and state tax incentives are available for up to 10 years for potential users, as well as Foreign Trade Zone benefits.   

Project partners include ARCO National Construction, GMA Architects, Shafer, Kline & Warren, Krudwig & Associates and Metro Air.

Click here to download a Midwest Gateway project brochure. 

Building 1 at Midwest Gateway includes a balcony that overlooks BNSF's intermodal operations.

Midwest Gateway groundbreaking signals new industrial product for booming Edgerton

The threat of a severe thunderstorm couldn't stop heavy equipment from firing up at Wednesday's official groundbreaking for Midwest Gateway, Copaken Brooks' half-million square foot speculative industrial building in Edgerton. 

Midwest Gateway will be marketed to users seeking between 50,000 and 300,000 square feet, providing an alternative to the so-called "big bomber" industrial projects of over 500,000-1 million square feet that are the hallmark of NorthPoint Development's adjacent Logistics Park Kansas City, according to NAI Heartland's Russell Pearson.

"This is the first project of its kind in Edgerton that will be designed for 'smaller' users, small being relative, I suppose," said Pearson, who is co-brokering the project along with Nathan Anderson and Bucky Brooks. "We will be targeting distribution, manufacturing, and warehousing users who understand what drayage savings means for their businesses; as well as providing the opportunity to own or lease a custom-built facility in an irreplaceable location."

Located near the entrance to the BNSF Intermodal rail hub and virtually across the street from a newly announced UPS distribution hub, Midwest Gateway is poised to leverage the intermodal's advantages to help tenants reduce operating and drayage costs and maximize supply chain efficiencies thanks in part to proximity along I-35's heavy haul corridor.

"The supply and demand drivers for this size of building are unmet at the BNSF Intermodal," said Aaron Schlagel, vice president, development at Copaken Brooks. "The buildings allow flexibility for industrial users who need a more efficient building footprint and increased operational efficiencies due to Midwest Gateway's unique locational benefits."

Midwest Gateway marks Copaken Brooks first foray into speculative industrial development. Construction will be completed by early 2018.

"We are excited to deliver Midwest Gateway to the burgeoning Kansas City logistics and distribution market," said Bucky Brooks, principal at Copaken Brooks. "Midwest Gateway is an ideal project for us to extend our infill development expertise and deliver a state-of-the-art industrial project on a premiere site at the heart of the BNSF intermodal."

The buildings will feature tilt-up concrete walls and architectural glass, a minimum 32-foot clear height, 7” floor slab and T-5 motion sensor lighting. Accommodating multiple industrial uses, the buildings will have ample docks with the ability to expand, plus truck parking and trailer storage.

Project team members include GMA Architects, ARCO National Construction, Shafer, Kline & Warren, Krudwig & Associates, and Metro Air. Interested parties click here, or email Russell@NAI-Heartland.com for more information.