The highly structured fixed-rate transaction featured second mortgage rights, prepayment flexibility and substitution rights.

Milwaukee-based Grandbridge senior vice president Jim Cope and assistant vice president Brandon Strong arranged the 15-year refinance through one of the company’s insurance company relationships, Advantus Capital Management, Inc.

Inland completed a 14,000-square-foot renovation/remodel of the building’s parking garage in January of this year. It also completed a 7,500-square-foot tenant improvement project for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra officies, also located in the Blatz Wash House.

This second project was also completed in January of this year.

Lesch comes to CBRE from Johnson Controls, Inc., where she held the position of real estate transaction manager. She brings more than 12 years of experience in the real estate industry to her new position, and will add valuable insight and expertise to CBRE Milwaukee’s Asset Services group.

Lesch is responsible for managing a commercial real estate portfolio of more than 400,000 square feet throughout Southeast Wisconsin.

In her spare time, Lesch enjoys running and biking. She has completed numerous triathlons.

Brian Vanevenhoven

Brian Vanevenhoven has been named principal at Milwaukee’s NAI MLG Commercial.

Vanevenhoven holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater and a Wisconsin real estate sales license. He is a member ofthe Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Retail Council of NAI Global.

Vanevenhoven joined NAI MLG Commercial in 2000 and became a retail associate in 2001. As the outstanding new sales associate in 2002, Vanevenhoven was awarded NAI MLG Commercial’s “Rookie of the Year” award. In 2006, he was promoted to vice president. In 2007, he was promoted to senior vice president of the retail team.

“Brian has consistently been one of our top producers for many years,”said Bruce Westling, president and principal at NAI MLG Commercial.  “He has worked with, and gained the respect of, national, regional and local retail clients, managing all aspects of the relationship and transaction. In addition, his leadership within our organization, and specifically our retail segment, has helped us grow and thrive in today’s real estate environment.”

Carollo is currently specializing in the marketing, leasing and sale of retail and industrial space in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Before joining RFP, Carollo spent four years with Cushman & Wakefield of Massachusetts as a market researcher and then as an associate with the retail brokerage team. Carollo also spent nearly three years as a broker with the Fara Group, Inc. in Chicago, completing transactions with companies such as Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Title Nine Sports, FEW Spirits, Tiny Dog Cupcakes and Kelly’s Beauty World.

The Gorman and Company portfolio includes five loft-style apartment complexes in the greater Milwaukee area. Senior Vice President Tom Sigrist, Senior Vice President Len Deering, CCIM, and Vice President Paul Matusiak worked with borrower Gary Gorman to secure financing for the buildings on a relatively short timeline based on the complexity of the transactions. On Jan. 12, Berkadia closed on the following multifamily properties:

In Central Milwaukee, the six-story Kilbourn Loft Apartment property is located in the former Milwaukee Hospital, originally constructed in 1863. The complete structure was periodically renovated between World War I and the 1970s, and most recently in 2005. The 99-unit brick and concrete building now features a community room, fitness center, theater room and indoor putting green. Located at 2200 W. Kilbourn Ave., the property is close to Milwaukee’s business district and provides residents with easy access to local retail shops and the nearby Marquette University.

Just a few minutes away, on 1620 S. 6th St., the Golden Domes property comprises of six two-story buildings on a 3.20-acre site. The 106-unit property was completely renovated in 2001-2002 using Section 42 low-income housing tax credits, and offers housing for residents determined to be at or below 30 percent to 60 percent of the area median income.

The Belle Harbor Apartments located in downtown Racine, Wis. were also recently renovated with the use of Section 42 tax credits. Originally built in 1884, the property was renovated in 2002 to include 78 loft-style apartments, a fitness center, theatre room and a basement garage.

The apartments are located near Lake Michigan and the Root River, along with numerous shops, marinas and parks. At 815 Eighth St. in Racine is the Mitchell Wagon property, a four-story factory building that was converted in 2004 into 100 loft-style apartments. The property includes a fitness center, theatre room, cyber lounge, and a basement area with numerous amenities for artists.

Finally, the Cudahy Apartments property located at 2770 Edgerton Ave. features a total of 142 apartments units, and a 4,500-square-foot clubhouse and leasing office. The 18 two-story buildings that make up the complex were originally built in 1961, but were completely renovated in 2003. The property is located near major routes leading to Milwaukee’s central business district, as well as the General Mitchell Airport.

“Berkadia has a long-standing relationship with the local Milwaukee HUD office and we have extensive experience working with them and other lenders on multifamily properties such as these,” Sigrist said. “Thanks to that previous experience and the outstanding efforts put forth by the closing attorneys, the HUD team, and the professionals at Gorman, we were able to secure these five loans in a very timely manner that worked for all the parties involved.”

A 1,700-square-foot Weight Watchers opened at Annex of Arlington, a retail center in Arlington Heights, Ill.

Anthony Gamez of David King & Associates in Oak Park, Ill., represented Weight Watchers. Brad Ratajczak represented Brixmor.

Also in Illinois, a 1,680-square-foot Weight Watchers location opened at the High Point Centre retail center in the Chicago suburb of Lombard. Gamez again represented Weight Watchers, while Ratajczak again represented Brixmor.

A 1,280-square-foot lease was executed for a Weight Watchers at Moorland Square, a retail center located just 10 miles southwest of Milwaukee in New Berlin, Wis. Tom Kohl of The Boerke Company, Inc., represented Weight Watchers. Dana Meadowcroft represented Brixmor.

Inland Construction also recently completed the tenant improvement project for Perfect Mattress, LLC in Madison, Wis. The 4,300-square-foot project was completed in November of 2011.

Inland Construction completed, too, the tenant improvement project for the Perfect Mattress location in Mount Pleasant, Wis.  The 4,500-square-foot project was completed in December of 2011.

James Young and David Barry of Milwaukee-based Cassidy Turley Barry brokered the transaction.

Wisconsin Expo will expand its operations and relocate to the N113W18750 Carnegie Drive property from its Hartford location.

“The building was in need of extensive repair, so many groups struggled to see its true potential,” said Young. “Wisconsin Expo owners Dan and Carrie Cartledge secured a great price for the property and are planning major renovations, many of which the company has the capability to perform itself.”

Cassidy Turley Barry is currently marketing Wisconsin Expo’s 15,000-square-foot Hartford, Wis., facility for sale.

Zovic brings more than 27 years of technical, managerial and marketing experience to Vieau Associates. He formerly worked as a district manager for a national engineering company.

In his role as regional manager, Zovic is responsible for the operations and marketing of Vieau’s Wicsonsin operations.