Ali Ruszczyk Applequist

Office decisions in Des Moines are increasingly centered around fit. Where teams live, how they work, and what kind of environment supports them best all factor into the choice. Chris Curran and Colton Rupprecht share what they are seeing across the metro and how those priorities are shaping the office market in Heartland Real Estate News' December issue! Read the full article here: 👉 https://ow.ly/I4fZ50Y5rio

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This month’s PR highlight: Avenue One tenant announcement in Omaha, NE. Danbury Marketing partnered with our client and its retailers to introduce the next wave of tenants at the Avenue One mixed‑use development, including Perry’s Steakhouse & Grill and Barnes & Noble. Through coordinated messaging and targeted local outreach, the Avenue One tenant story was featured in the Omaha World‑Herald—and became the publication’s most‑clicked article that day, driving strong early engagement with the project. It’s a great example of how strategic PR can generate buzz, support leasing, and build momentum for growing destinations. 🔗 Read the full highlight on our site: https://lnkd.in/e_kTwhyG

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✨ Building a powerhouse real estate team isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about hiring with intention, training with purpose, and leading with heart. 💼💡 In the latest issue of St. Louis Real Producers, John Gross shares practical strategies for creating a high-performance team that doesn’t just meet goals but exceeds them. From smart hiring to ongoing development and authentic leadership, this piece is packed with insights every agent can use to scale their business. ➡️ Ready to take your team to the next level? Dive in and discover how to lead a squad that wins—together. #RealEstateLeaders #TeamworkWins #HighPerformance #StLouisRealProducers

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For the last several years, “office” has been written off. The problem is, the data tells a more complicated story. After reviewing several Q4 2025 Des Moines office market reports, a few things stood out: - Office absorption finally turned positive in 2025 for the first time in years — driven less by downsizing and more by companies making deliberate moves into better space. - New supply remains extremely limited, which is quietly reshaping the market. With very little modern product coming online, tenants are being more intentional about where they land. - Class A space is separating itself from the pack. While overall rents have faced pressure, leasing velocity and tenant demand are clearly strongest in buildings that offer quality, amenities, and long-term appeal. We’re seeing this play out firsthand at the Atlas Building, where activity has continued to increase as tenants prioritize Class A environments that support growth, culture, and talent. The takeaway isn’t that office is “back.” It’s that not all office is created equal. 

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Excited to announce Cavan Companies' expansion into Kansas City, Missouri, with The Bungalows at Maple Woods, a 153-unit single-story Build-to-Rent community in the Northland corridor! This marks a key step in our scaled Midwest BTR strategy, building on our established presence in Omaha, Nebraska (where we operate two communities and are closing on a third). Horizontal construction kicks off in June 2026, delivering one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes with private fenced backyards, garages, open layouts, and amenities like a clubhouse and fitness center. Kansas City's strong fundamentals make it a perfect fit: 3-4% annual rent growth, 93% occupancy, balanced supply (just 3.4% of inventory), and a diverse employment base in healthcare, logistics, finance, and tech. The 16-acre site near Maple Woods Community College boasts a median household income of ~$92,000, aligning with demand for low-density, professionally managed rentals that bridge apartments and homeownership. As CEO Norm Miller shared: "Kansas City is a natural extension of our Midwest platform. We are not testing a new thesis. We are scaling a proven one. By concentrating in markets with economic diversity and measured supply growth, we believe we can create long-term portfolio durability and consistent income performance." We're focused on quality construction, resident retention, and NOI growth across the Midwest and Southwest. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gX2mbTKi #BuildToRent #KansasCity #RealEstateDevelopment #MidwestExpansion #CavanCompanies

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Yesterday’s MNCREW September Monthly Program: “Revitalize & Reimagine: Innovating the Future of Big Box and Mall Giants Through Adaptive Re-Use” was packed with great information, local knowledge and lively conversation. We covered under-utilized malls like Southdale Center reimagining its future. Next steps at Knollwood Center and big-box spaces are also being transformed into vibrant mixed-use, residential, entertainment and community-oriented places. 🏙️ Key takeaways: • The importance of zoning, contracts, and regulatory frameworks in making adaptive reuse possible and successful - OR NOT. • Seeing concrete examples of how aging retail infrastructure can become an asset rather than a liability — places that not only serve economic needs but contribute to community life. • Collaboration across sectors (developers, retail operators, planners) is essential to balancing vision, practicality and community benefit. Thanks to our panelists— Tricia Pitchford, Julie Tullius—and to Hillcrest Development for sponsoring. And of course, thanks to MNCREW for organizing and everyone who came out. If you’re exploring adaptive reuse or are interested in what it takes to breathe new life into large retail spaces, I’d love to connect or continue the conversation here. #CRE #AdaptiveReuse #UrbanRevitalization #CommercialRealEstate #MNCREW

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Indianapolis project managers are navigating a strong market, but the expectations are evolving. What’s gaining attention now? - Client-facing communication - Proactive risk management - Clear decision-making While technical skills remain a baseline requirement, it's leadership and communication that truly differentiate professionals in this field. For those in Indy, which of these skills is making the most significant impact for you at this moment?

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SRC continues its strong partnership with Regus through 44,775 sf of recently renewed leasing across SRC's national portfolio, including Plaza West in Kansas City, Deloitte Building in Downtown St. Louis, and Union Park Center in Salt Lake City.

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MLG Capital has acquired Lyra Apartments, a 180‑unit multifamily community in the Twin Cities' north suburbs of Coon Rapids, MN. Read the full press release: https://ow.ly/nbC850Yj0S6 #MLGCapital #MultifamilyRealEstate #TwinCities #CoonRapids #RealEstateInvestment

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How do you solve affordable housing shortages, strengthen the workforce, and give people a second chance—all at the same time? Meet Homes for Iowa, a powerful collaboration that’s changing lives and communities across the state. In this episode of the Develop This! podcast, I sit down with Mike Norris, Executive Director of SEIRPC and President of the Homes for Iowa Board, and David Miller, Executive Director of Homes for Iowa, to explore how this innovative program is: ✅ Training incarcerated men in the building trades ✅ Constructing and moving 150+ homes to 50 Iowa counties ✅ Reducing recidivism and filling the affordable housing gap ✅ Creating a model other states are watching closely This conversation highlights what’s possible when public, private, and community partners come together to make real impact. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gXcCV3CW.. #EconomicDevelopment #WorkforceDevelopment #AffordableHousing #HomesForIowa #CommunityImpact #DevelopThisPodcast

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What we're seeing in downtown Omaha today is the result of decades of planning, investment, and leadership in commercial real estate. After years of decline in the mid-1900s, the urban core is now a vibrant, mixed-use destination. It didn’t happen overnight. Key drivers of the transformation: -Strategic reuse of land, like the former Asarco site, now home to CHI Health Center and Schwab Field -Big bets from anchors like Conagra Brands, Kiewit, Creighton University, and Mutual of Omaha -Mixed-use development like the Builders District, connecting business, education, and housing -RiverFront redevelopment, reconnecting the city to its waterfront with parks, trails, and public space -Major public investment, including the Omaha Streetcar, which has already sparked $2B in announced projects -The city’s 30-30-30 plan to add 30,000 residents and 30,000 jobs to the urban core over 30 years As Heath Mello put it: “The biggest challenge was reversing the population and economic exodus while reimagining downtown as a vibrant, living place.” Downtown Omaha is now a case study in how long-term CRE strategy can reshape a city. | Midlands Business Journal #CRE #UrbanDevelopment #Omaha #MixedUse #Streetcar #DowntownRevitalization #SmartGrowth #MidwestRealEstate https://lnkd.in/gN7dgciE

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My preproduction research for this interview was flooded by tutorials intended for multiple video cameras, 3+ lights, and a load of other bells and whistles that I just didn't have. High-caliber film setups aren't the norm for most midsize companies, especially those that produce media in-house. For this conversation with Joe, I faked a 2-camera setup and used a few tricks to create a clean final product. Here's how you can do the same:     ���️Assign an Interviewer: My manager Alison fed Joe questions while sitting slightly to my left. Seating an interviewer off camera cultivates a more conversational feel for your subject and saves them the awkwardness of staring down a lens. With a third party steering the interview, you can focus on getting the perfect shot.     🕶️ Find a New View: After the first 2 takes, we chose 5-7 of our 15 interview questions for Joe to answer again, this time with the camera placed a few feet to the right. A subtle shift in camera placement can create a more compelling visual.     ✂️ Relax & Reframe: There are several different perspectives present in this video, but the camera only physically moved once. Post-production zoom is your friend; cropping wide shots is an easy way to bring your subject closer to the camera without either of you having to move.   If your only tools are a single DSLR and a prayer, I've been there. It only makes you more resourceful, trust. 😉 Congratulations to Joe on this meaningful achievement!   #Videography #Interview #LifeAtBasepoint #VideographyTips

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🎉 We’re excited to announce a new strategic partnership between Opiniion and 1st Select Real Estate, based in Roseville, Minnesota. Together, we’ll combine Opiniion’s leading resident satisfaction and feedback capabilities with 1st Select’s deep experience in brokerage, property management and facility services — enabling properties across the Twin Cities to benefit from elevated visibility and growth. Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/gAHRhqWg 🔗 #Partnership #RealEstate #BrandAmplification #PropertyManagement #GrowthMindset

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Des Moines' industrial market holds steady amid tight supply and a shifting investment landscape. Read more about the Iowa Industrial Market here: https://ow.ly/Ow4n30sMZaN #IndustrialRealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #MarketAnalysis #DesMoinesBusiness

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Summit Fair Lifestyle Center, located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is about to enter a whole new era. New ownership, refreshed marketing, new tenants, and more. Here are 4 reasons why Summit Fair is evolving in 2026: 1. New growth—Lee's Summit, MO, is an evolving city, marked by a steadily growing retail sector and a strong community atmosphere. Summit Fair is perfectly positioned to both contribute to and benefit from this exciting local evolution. 2. New ownership—The ownership of Summit Fair has recently returned to local hands. As of November 2025, a Block & Company Investment Group now owns the center. This change brings in 80 years of retail and restaurant experience, which the investment group plans to leverage to improve the center. 3. New marketing—New ownership is bringing a comprehensive refresh to marketing efforts, encompassing everything from digital campaigns to on-site signage in the coming year. This initiative will also focus on significantly increasing family-centric events and unique pop-ups, which will naturally cultivate a stronger sense of community. 4. New tenants—Summit Fair is welcoming new national brands this year, including SEPHORA and Lovesac. With an ultimate goal of 100% occupancy, the new ownership is actively seeking to add more recognized brands to the center. Interested in Summit Fair leasing opportunities? Contact Zachary Albrecht or David Block. City of Lee's Summit

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We are pleased to share Colliers' Des Moines Office Market Report Q4 2025: https://ow.ly/440030sTiA5 In 4Q25, Des Moines recorded rising rents, moderating vacancy and stable leasing in top-tier assets. As tenant requirements advance and rightsizing slows, the market moves into 2026 with renewed momentum. Mark Mills Brittany Freund, CCIM #ColliersDesMoines #Office #MarketResearch #AcceleratingExcellence

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Creating and testing new methods to expand attainable housing opportunities for those who need it most is critical to Kansas City’s future. Our team at ReNew KC Neighborhoods is proud to have partnered with another local nonprofit, The Way Home, along with the Housing Trust Fund and many committed community partners to pilot two approaches for delivering safe, high-quality housing through sustainable investment - all while preserving the character of the neighborhood. Two new housing opportunities in a metro area of millions may be small, but its success demonstrates a real and potentially scalable path forward. It’s proof of what can happen when local organizations roll up their sleeves and work together to invest directly in the community and support stability and opportunity for KC families. https://lnkd.in/gVVd-97Z

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