Part 2 of 2
DENVER—Brian Watson, founder and CEO of locally based Northstar Commercial Partners, comes from a family of entrepreneurs, who were involved in real estate and construction. In this exclusive Q&A, we learn that Watson, from a very young age, was intrigued and involved in real estate, attracted by its potential.
After receiving a degree in real estate from the University of Colorado at Boulder, he became a broker with Cushman and Wakefield of Colorado. While there, 85% of his work was landlord representation, where he worked with some of the largest landlord's in the world. The other 15% of his work was tenant representation. “This was done by design, so I could see what drove each, and how I can implement these lessons in my own company,” he says. “After doing this for seven years, I founded Northstar Commercial Partners 16 years ago. This background and entrepreneurial approach has helped to position Northstar as a predominant acquirer of vacant/distressed commercial real estate assets throughout the United States.”
GlobeSt.com: You have previously mentioned that your focus on the “lease up” space has provided key opportunities to empower others. How so?
Brian Watson: We focus on buying vacant assets. Upon acquisition, these assets are improved, creating construction jobs. Upon securing new tenants for these spaces, companies are able to create environments for people to have jobs, and pursue their dreams. This creates opportunities for the companies and their products, and for their people to send their kids to college, buy homes, secure additional training/development/income, etc. This is true economic and personal empowerment.
GlobeSt.com: What drives your desire to connecting CRE with community investment?
Watson:It is our goal to make a positive impact in the world for others. Real estate just happens to be the platform in which we are able to have this impact. This drive was developed by coming from humble means, and seeing the power and positive impact of helping others.
GlobeSt.com: Describe your experience(s) with international investors in the CRE space. How has this affected the way you do business?
Watson: Working with international investors is about building true authentic relationships with people. This is a complex yet simple process that takes time, understanding, and a willingness to discuss things like family, faith, and politics, while also discussing business. In sum, it is a more multi-dimensional and long term approach. Sadly, some operators have taken advantage of foreign investors. We prefer to change this model, by adding true value and returns for our partners, no matter where they are from.
GlobeSt.com: What has been the top business lesson you've learned throughout your years in the industry?
Watson: Relationships are vital, and are best developed through honesty, capability, and a long term approach to building value.
GlobeSt.com: What does the future hold for a company like Northstar Commercial Partners?
Watson: We have been very fortunate to build a company over 16 years that has flourished in both up and down markets. We have a very strong team that positions us for significant growth and execution on a local and national level in the coming years. We will continue to prove that a homegrown firm in Denver can compete with the most sophisticated investors nationally, while driving respectable returns to our investors, and enhancing communities throughout the Country through new jobs, opportunities, and philanthropic endeavors. In sum, we can do well by doing good.
To learn more about the Denver market, visit our new RealShare Denver event there on August 11th at the Magnolia Hotel. Click here to sign up or learn more.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
