About Us.

 

Joseph Barna
Joseph started his commercial real estate career in 1986 after enjoying eight years as a major account team sales manager with the Xerox Corporation. After successfully completing five years as an industrial specialist with Grubb & Ellis (formerly Alder, Galvin & Rogers), Joseph co-founded CRESCO Real Estate in February of 1991.

Simon Caplan
Simon entered the real estate brokerage business in 1993 as a sales associate with CB Commercial Real Estate Group, a large international real estate firm based in Los Angeles, specializing in sales, leasing and build-to-suits of industrial properties. Simon moved to CRESCO in January 1998, as a Vice President. In February of 2001, Simon became a Principal of CRESCO, helping to create the largest and most successful industrial real estate brokerage in Northeast Ohio.

Eliot Kijewski
Eliot started in the commercial real estate industry in 2005. He has been a licensed agent since 2001. During his brief career with CRESCO Real Estate, Eliot has quickly compiled a history of deals and satisfied clients.

George Pofok
Since 1996, George has been active in the industrial real estate brokerage business. In May 2003, George joined CRESCO Real Estate as a Senior Sales Associate, and was promoted to Vice-President in November, 2005 and Sr. Vice-President in October, 2010. George earned the CCIM designation in October, 2005 and the SIOR designation in August, 2009.

Paul DiVincenzo
Paul started his commercial real estate career with CRESCO Real Estate in 2011 after spending the previous two (2) years with Keller Williams Realty. His experience in commercial and residential real estate has exposed him to various segments of the real estate industry including multi-family apartment buildings, investment properties, single-family sales and condo-townhome leasing. Paul graduated from John Carroll University in 2008 with a degree in Business Management.

Useful Links

Cresco Real Estate
CRESCO is one of Greater Cleveland’s most respected, premier commercial real estate companies.

Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield operates nearly 100 owned and alliance offices in the United States with access to more than 15,000 employees globally.

With a history of commercial real estate leadership that spans 90 years, Cushman & Wakefield's brokerage and services professionals are the most trusted in the industry, typically involved in the largest, most complex assignments from New York to San Diego and in major business centers everywhere in between.

CCIM
A Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) is a recognized expert in the disciplines of commercial and investment real estate.

SIOR
The SOCIETY OF INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE REALTORS® is the leading professional commercial and industrial real estate association.

CABOR
CABOR is a professional organization for real estate professionals who sell real property and for businesses that work in or with the real estate industry.

Greater Cleveland Partnerhip
The Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) is a membership association of companies in Northeast Ohio, with approximately 17,700 members. GCP is the largest private-sector economic development organization in Ohio and one of the largest metropolitan chambers of commerce in the nation.

NAIOP
NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP provides unparalleled industry networking and education, and advocates for effective legislation on behalf of our members. NAIOP advances responsible, sustainable development that creates jobs and benefits the communities in which our members work and live..

Smart Business News
Provides news, information and ideas from the nation's most successful leaders in business.

Smart Business News
Team NEO advances Northeast Ohio’s economy by attracting businesses worldwide to the 16-county Cleveland Plus region.

Team Northeast Ohio unites the region to accelerate economic growth by serving as the central point for business attraction. We are a nonprofit joint venture of the region’s largest metro chambers, privately funded to market the 16-county Cleveland Plus® region.

Team Lorain County
Team Lorain County is committed to providing site selectors, economic developers, and our current business community with the resources, data, and contacts you need to make Lorain County the choice for your business expansion or relocation.

Properties Magazine
North East Ohio's Monthly Realty, Construction and Architecture Magazine.

Recent Transactions

1.) Graphic Packaging International leases 165,000 SF from Shell Oil Company at 5700 Lee Road South

Graphic Packaging International, Inc. signed a 54-month sublease on 165,000 sf of warehouse / distribu¬tion space at 5700 Lee Road South in Maple Hts., Ohio from Shell Oil Company. The subleased space featured 23’ to 29’ clear ceiling hts. and thirty-five (35) truck docks.

George J. Pofok, CCIM, SIOR in con¬junction with James Philpott of Cushman & Wakefield (Atlanta) represented Graphic

Joseph V. Barna, SIOR in conjunction with Rex Rogers of Cushman & Wakefield (Houston) represented Shell Oil.

2.) Stripmatic Products moves into former Williams & Co. building at 5301 Grant Avenue in Cuyahoga Hts.

Stripmatic Products Inc. recently signed a lease for 60,000 sq.ft. in the former Williams & Co. building located at 5301 Grant Avenue in Cuyahoga Hts. Stripmatic was being forced to relocate by ODOT as a result of the new inner-belt bridge project and their property being acquired by eminent domain. After an exhaustive search they located in a Premier Development owned property that has been undergo¬ing extensive refurbishing; including lighting and power upgrades, office renovations, the installation of three new cranes. The new location offers unparalleled highway access while providing extremely efficient space. Stripmatic Products, Inc. is a QS-9000 registered supplier of precision machined custom parts for automotive and heavy truck markets worldwide with over sixty years of experience in the industry.

Eliot Kijewski represented Stripmatic.

3.) More Life at Old Plant: White Motors Gets Another New Tenant

Silver Metals has signed a lease for approximately 38,330 sq.ft. (doubling their previous size) at the former White Motor Facility - known now as Shoreway Commerce Park. The Cleveland operation is expanding to more efficiently service their customers and inventory their product. Silver Metals is an area leader in the process and distribution of non-ferrous recycled metals.

Eliot Kijewski represented the both Landlord, First Interstate Properties and the Tenant Silver Metals.

4.) Mayesh Wholesale Florist acquires 12631 Plaza Drive in Parma

Mayesh Wholesale Florist recently acquired the former Great Lakes Tool facility located at 12631 Plaza Drive, Parma Ohio for $415,000.00 ($33.04 sq.ft.). This 12,560 sq.ft. industrial building is situated on 2.0 acres and had an original asking price of $520,000.00. Mayesh Wholesale Florist, based out of California, is a direct shipper and wholesale supplier of high quality cut flowers from around the world including the United States. Mayesh’s business has been steadily increasing requiring the move to a larger local facility.

Simon Caplan, SIOR represented Mayesh.

5.) Platinum Restoration moves to 37140 - 27190 Sugar Ridge Road

Platinum Restoration recently leased 9,000 sq.ft. of office/warehouse space at 37140-37190 Sugar Ridge Road in North Ridgeville, Ohio for a five (5) year term. Platinum Restoration is a locally owned contrac¬tor that specializes in insurance restoration projects, both commercial and residential. The unit consists of 1,250 sq.ft. of office space with 7,750 sq.ft. of warehouse space, 20’ clear ceiling hts., two (2) drive-in doors and one (1) truck dock.

George J. Pofok, CCIM, SIOR represented Platinum Restoration.

6.) TROSE Enterprises, signs lease in Texas at 10550 John W. Elliott Drive

TROSE Enterprises, LLC, a franchisee of Puckmasters International, has signed a full-building lease for 10 years for the 17,941 sq.ft. property. The property will serve as a hockey training facility and will include two natural ice rinks, one at 2/3 scale, and the other at one at 1/3 scale along with a skating treadmill, shot training equipment, and an additional athletic training area. Based in Port Coquitlam, B.C., Puckmasters International is represented by 30 franchises in Canada and the U.S. The company is headed by president, founder and former professional hockey player Pete Fry.

Eliot Kijewski in conjunction with Gary Collett of Cushman & Wakefield of Texas, Inc. represented TROSE Enterprises and Puckmasters International.


7.) CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD INKS LEASE FOR PUCKMASTERS FRANCHISE
The 15,500-Square-Foot 69-71 Midland Avenue Will House a Training Facility Operated by Franchisee Cutting Edge Hockey LLC

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., Jan. 15, 2010 – Renowned hockey training center Puckmasters will shortly open its first Northern New Jersey location at 69-71 Midland Ave. Franchisee Cutting Edge Hockey LLC – represented by Bonni Heller of Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., East Rutherford, along with Eliot Kijewski and Joe Barna of CRESCO Real Estate, a Cushman & Wakefield Alliance – has signed a full-building lease for 10 years for the 15,500-square-foot freestanding asset.

Based in Port Coquitlam, B.C., Puckmasters International is represented by 30 franchises in Canada and the U.S. The company is headed by president, founder and former professional hockey player Pete Fry.

8.) Norfolk Southern Corp. Sells 8.56 Acres Land Located Near University Circle.

Norfolk Southern Corp. sold 8.56 acres of excess industrial land located at 9515 Woodland Avenue near the University Circle area to Independence Excavating for $65,000.00 per acre. The land is contiguous to 11.49 acres which Independence Excavating purchased earlier this year from another property owner. The land will be used for material storage for the educational and medical expansion projects at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve in addition to the new Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center.

Norfolk Southern Corp. is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies and the largest rail carrier of metals and automotive products.

George J. Pofok, CCIM and Joseph V. Barna, SIOR of CRESCO Real Estate represented the Seller.


9.) Norandex Building Materials – Growth Plan Required Larger Facility

Represented Macedonia Investors in the disposition of the Norandex Corporate Headquarters, a 35,000 square foot office building located at 8450 South Bedford Road in Macedonia, Ohio for $2,970,000. Within seven weeks of lease termination we completed the sale of the building to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, maximizing our clients return.

Simon Caplan, SIOR and Eliot Kijewski of Cresco Real Estate represented the seller.

10.) Investor Buys Multi-Tenant Buildings in Middleburg Heights

A highly regarded west coast entrepreneur with ties to the Midwest has acquired eight (8) prominent Middleburg Heights industrial facilities located at 6909 Engle Road and 17820-17830 Englewood Road. The two complexes totaling approximately 300,000 square feet were built between 1980 and 1996. The buildings are currently 94% occupied.

The buyer, HJB Properties, was enticed by the excellent location, tenant mix, net operating income and property condition. CRESCO Real Estate listened to my desired acquisition parameters and presented me with this prime opportunity,” stated HJB Properties.

The Buyer was represented by Joe Barna, SIOR and Bob Garber, SIOR of CRESCO Real Estate. The Seller was Elrad-Hadley Associates and Best Metals Properties represented by Pamela Bertovich also of CRESCO Real Estate.

11.) Graybar Electric Company Moves to Valley View

Graybar Electric Company has purchased 92,000 sf of space in Valley View. The new facility features modern one-story office and warehouse space, which will allow for expanded product lines and improved efficiency. Graybar paid $4 million for the building located at 6161 Halle Drive. Graybar is moving from a 80,000 sf two-story facility located on East 55th in Cleveland, which CRESCO now has listed for sale.

Graybar has specialized in supply chain management services and distribution of high-quality components, equipment and materials for the electrical and telecommunications industries.

Joe Barna, SIOR and Bob Garber, SIOR of CRESCO along with Pinnacle Corporate Real Estate Advisory of St. Louis represented the Graybar Electric Company. Simon Caplan, SIOR and Eliot Kijewski of CRESCO represented the seller, Sematic USA.

12.) Airgas Finds Value in Existing Facility

Simon Caplan, SIOR and Eliot Kijewski of CRESCO represented represented Airgas in the purchase of a 50,052 SF building on 7.95 acres in Oakwood Village, Oh for $2,100,000. Airgas is the world’s largest distributor of medical and industrial gases. This former Weyerhaeuser facility proved to be a “glove fit” providing significant savings over new construction.

13.) Renewal by Anderson Comes to Cleveland

Renewal By Andersen, a Cushman & Wakefield corporate client, leased a 10,533 sf showroom / distribution facility located at 5480 Cloverleaf Parkway in Valley View. This is the first corporate store in the Northeast Ohio market. Renewal By Andersen attracts clients from east, west and south and wanted a central location for ease of access. George J. Pofok, CCIM of CRESCO Real Estate and Connie Grady of Cushman & Wakefield of Minnesota represented Renewal By Andersen and Fred W. Christie, SIOR of CRESCO Real Estate represented the landlord, Lombardo Investments.

With Renewal by Andersen’s start-to-finish window replacement process, you get custom-crafted, energy-efficient replacement windows and doors professionally installed for you.

14.) Liebert, A Division of Emerson Network Power Relocated to Larger Facility

Liebert Corporation has executed a lease with Davis Development at 6573 Cochran Road, in Solon, Ohio. Liebert delivers power, cooling, and monitoring technologies that protect and support business-critical systems. The relocation hopes to bring new positions to the facility along with a service and training center for contractors.

The tenant, Liebert - Emerson Network Power was represented by Eliot Kijewski of CRESCO Real Estate. The Landlord, Davis Development was represented by Simon Caplan, SIOR; Bob Garber, SIOR; and Matt Beesley, SIOR all from CRESCO Real Estate.

15.) What Was Old is New!
Gotta Groove Records to Open Cleveland’s First Vinyl Record Plant in Tyler Village


CRESCO Brokers Lease to Graystone Properties
Cleveland, OH – May, 2009 –Gotta Groove Records has executed a lease with Graystone Properties at 3615 Superior Road, in Cleveland OH.

Gotta Groove Records will locate it’s plant in Tyler Village. Tyler Village is a re-development project in Mid-town Cleveland. Tyler Village is one of the largest downtown redevelopment efforts ever undertaken in Cleveland, with 1.2 million square feet of interior space on more than 10 acres of land.

The tenant, Gotta Groove Records, LLC was represented by Eliot Kijewski and the Barna-Caplan Team of CRESCO Real Estate. The Landlord; Graystone Properties, DBA Tyler Village, was self represented by David Fleming.

16.) Briteskies: Market Knowledge and Internal Company Communication was Necessary to Secure Deal!


Briteskies has signed a four year sublease for 3,685 sf of office space at Rockside Square One in Independence from the Nesco Service Company. Market knowledge and internal company communication was key in securing the opportunity as the unit was not officially on the market.

George J. Pofok, CCIM, SIOR represented Briteskies and Rico A. Pietro, SIOR represented Nesco Service Company. Briteskies, founded in 2000, is premier management and information technology consulting service provider.

17.) Cuyahoga Leasing Distribution Company Extends 218,000 SF Sublease

North Coast Logistics extend a 218,000 sf sublease at the airport distribution center located at 18901 Snow Rd., Brook Park, Ohio. North Coast Logistics is an Ohio based logistics organization with multiple locations throughout the region.

Joseph V. Barna, SIOR and Fred W. Christie, SIOR of CRESCO Real Estate represented the sublessor. David Ford of CB Richard Ellis represented the Sublessee

Community Corner

Eastside Kickers
BCT Team were able to help raise $4,500 for the Eastside Kickers Heights United Soccer. The money generated is used 100% to provide scholarships and uniforms for kids and families that might not be able to participate.”

Miracles Happen
We are a major sponsor of ‘Miracles Happen’ a benefit to advance research for recurrent breast cancer, focusing on new theories, trials and treatments aimed at managing the cancer and extending lives. University Hospitals Ireland Cancer center is focused on becoming a leader in recurrent breast cancer research.