News
May 5, 2010
Posted: May 6, 2010 at 6:00 AM [Today]
Ann Arbor-based McKinley Inc. dominates the local apartment landscape, owning 5,000 units that account for 60 percent of the conventional low-rise apartment complexes in Washtenaw County.
Across the U.S., McKinley added another 6,000 units to its owned portfolio, along with some key commercial buildings - like McKinley Towne Centre in downtown Ann Arbor.
Yet the company - which built its local reputation as a landlord - has quietly grown over recent years into an institutional real estate management company, adding both jobs to its Ann Arbor-based corporate headquarters and properties to the portfolio it manages for others.
The business has matured and grown, said CEO Albert M. Berriz. Its become a very sophisticated institutional real estate management business.
(McKinley) is now a real estate advisory brand.
According to a report from Real Capital Analytics, institutions - such as pension funds and life insurance companies - pumped more than $35 billion into the apartment sector in 2007. That followed a year when they invested an estimated $23 billion into the sector.
Those investors - led by many East Coast firms that control billions - look for long-term, stable returns.
Yet, said Berriz, theyre not looking to manage the properties.
And thats where McKinley steps in.
The first effort was in the late 1990s when McKinley was appointed receiver at the Villages of Taylor, a federally funded and troubled complex that the company turned around and still manages.
Locally, an early receivership by McKinley was the former Lake in the Woods in Ypsilanti Township, which McKinley managed until its eventual sale and rebranding as Lake Shore Apartments.
Today, the companys portfolio of managed apartments tops 20,000 units and more than 150 properties, bringing its total portfolio to more than 30,000 units. The company has also expanded into new states: It now operates in 20 states, all east of the Mississippi River, and excluding the northeast. Ten of those states were added in the last four years.
Some of the business is done for property workouts, or cases in which a lender takes a property back after a loan default. Other clients - like Berkadia and Freddie Mac- can look for longer-term management.
But McKinley does turn away work that doesnt fit its model: Berriz insists that a McKinley executive must be able to reach a property that it takes into its portfolio within a four-hour drive.
So the company has grown into Atlanta, Norfolk, Va.; and central Florida, while declining offers to work in Phoenix and Dallas. Its enough to generate $400 million in annual revenue.
We know where we can be effective and where we cant, Berriz said.
The national investment climate that stalled commercial real estate deals in 2009 is starting to thaw, Berriz said. But the workout business isnt slowing down, even as recovery takes hold.
Berriz estimates that full national recovery wont be seen until 2013-2015.
And in the meantime, McKinley will continue to accept both temporary and longer-term assignments from its key customers. Today, its working on more than 150 properties; 26 were resolved.
Berriz says the company now can be described as a finanance-based, intellectual capital-based business.
Were managing our real estate in the way we manage our own real estate, Berriz said. Its run off the same platform with the same people. Its a great expansion of our brand.
It also benefits Ann Arbor as the company expands to 125 employees in its headquarters on North Main Street. Many of the new jobs come from three new departments, which account for a combined 30-plus new positions: Marketing, media and attraction; residential asset management; and commercial asset management.
Nationally, McKinley employs 1,250 and operates three leadership hubs: Indianapolis, Atlanta and Winter Park, Fla.
Yet because McKinley keeps its headquarters downtown, growth in those three places is fueling growth in Ann Arbor, Berriz said.
That doesnt mean that McKinley is seeking more property in Ann Arbor. It wont sell assets here; however, Berriz said, we have a responsibility to diversify our balance sheet.
And purchasing property will be a secondary effort for the company moving forward. Today, its owned property is about one-third of its $1.3-billion portfolio. In coming years, that will drop to 20 percent.
The most likely scenario for McKinley on the purchase side is to join its clients in joint venture deals, he said.
The most important thing we value is our relationships, Berriz said. We deal with very large organizations. Their breadth is bigger than anything we could do. In the worlds were in, were the first person they think of.
Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email. Sign up for the weekly Business Review newsletter, distributed every Thursday, here.
Link: http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/institutional-real-estate-clients-fuel-mckinleys-growth-in-eastern-us-and-ann-arbor-headquarters/
April 21, 2010
April 22, 2010
Contact: Mary S. Williams
734-769-8520 ext. 244
For Immediate Release
McKinleys Residential Client Services is pleased to announce the successful disposition on behalf of our valued client of Cypress Post Apartments. Cypress Post Apartments is a 19 unit apartment community located in Jacksonville, Florida.
We were excited to have the opportunity to apply our proven track record of success to assist with this asset, states Albert M. Berriz, Chief Executive Officer.
This disposition is a recent example of how McKinley aggressively solves real estate challenges for our clients. From takeover to disposition, the McKinley team enjoys exceeding expectations for our partners and clients.
McKinley, founded in 1968, is a well respected national real estate investment firm that owns and operates $2.4 billion in assets in 139 properties for its own account and for select clientele. This includes 29,269 apartments and over 7.0 million square feet of commercial space located in 19 states. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Albert M. Berriz serves as Chief Executive Officer with 1,250 full-time employees nationwide.
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April 20, 2010
2010 NMHC 50
50 Largest U.S. Apartment Managers as of January 1, 2010
2010 Manager Rank | 2009 Manager Rank | Company Name | Headquarters | Corporate Officer | 2010 Units Managed | 2009 Units Managed |
1 | 1 | Pinnacle Family of Companies | Seattle, WA | Stan Harrelson | 183,877 | 185,219 |
2 | 2 | Riverstone Residential Group | Dallas, TX | Walt Smith | 178,431 | 181,928 |
3 | 5 | Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC | Charleston, SC | Robert Faith | 153,819 | 140,000 |
4 | 4 | Equity Residential | Chicago, IL | David J. Neithercut | 136,843 | 148,115 |
5 | 6 | Lincoln Property Company | Dallas, TX | Tim Byrne | 132,881 | 130,265 |
6 | 3 | AIMCO | Denver, CO | Terry Considine | 129,715 | 154,987 |
7 | 7 | Archstone | Englewood, CO | R. Scot Sellers | 83,085 | 83,871 |
8 | 8 | WinnCompanies | Boston, MA | Samuel Ross | 73,302 | 75,353 |
9 | 9 | Camden Property Trust | Houston, TX | Richard J. Campo | 63,506 | 62,641 |
10 | 10 | Bell Partners, Inc. | Greensboro, NC | Steven D. Bell | 60,422 | 61,663 |
11 | 12 | FPI Management, Inc. | Folsom, CA | Dennis Treadaway | 56,952 | 53,671 |
12 | 11 | Fairfield Residential LLC | San Diego, CA | Chris Hashioka | 55,054 | 60,265 |
13 | 13 | Edward Rose & Sons | Farmington Hills, MI | Warren Rose | 53,667 | 52,794 |
14 | 16 | UDR, Inc. | Highlands Ranch, CO | Thomas W. Toomey | 51,342 | 50,895 |
15 | 15 | Alliance Residential Company | Phoenix, AZ | Bruce Ward | 49,488 | 49,600 |
16 | 14 | AvalonBay Communities, Inc. | Alexandria, VA | Bryce Blair | 48,924 | 48,338 |
17 | 19 | Westdale Real Estate Investment & Management | Dallas, TX | Joseph G. Beard | 46,682 | 42,915 |
18 | 18 | The ConAm Group of Companies | San Diego, CA | Brad Forrester | 46,100 | 43,500 |
19 | 17 | Picerne Real Estate Group | Phoenix, AZ | David R. Picerne | 44,927 | 44,754 |
20 | 21 | Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. | Memphis, TN | H. Eric Bolton, Jr. | 43,604 | 42,554 |
21 | 28 | BH Management Services, Inc. | Des Moines, IA | Harry Bookey | 41,366 | 36,532 |
22 | 24 | Empire American Holdings, LLC | Montvale, NJ | Eli Feller | 40,776 | 40,776 |
23 | 29 | Milestone Management, L.P. | Dallas, TX | Steve Lamberti | 40,092 | 36,408 |
24 | 22 | Michaels Development Company | Marlton, NJ | Robert J. Greer | 38,236 | 41,120 |
25 | 27 | Gables Residential | Atlanta, GA | David D. Fitch | 37,842 | 37,366 |
26 | 31 | Village Green Companies | Farmington Hills, MI | Jonathan Holtzman | 37,692 | 34,792 |
27 | 23 | Capstone Real Estate Services, Inc. | Austin, TX | James W. Berkey | 37,675 | 40,870 |
28 | newcomer | Irvine Company Apartment Communities | Irvine, CA | Kevin Baldridge | 37,193 | 36,343 |
29 | 25 | Home Properties, Inc. | Rochester, NY | Edward J. Pettinella | 36,947 | 38,280 |
30 | 30 | JRK Property Holdings, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Jim Lippman | 36,624 | 35,103 |
31 | 26 | Sentinel Real Estate Corporation | New York, NY | John H. Streicker | 35,709 | 37,461 |
32 | 33 | Forest City Residential Group, Inc. | Cleveland, OH | Ronald A. Ratner | 34,658 | 33,045 |
33 | 32 | Colonial Properties Trust | Birmingham, AL | Thomas H. Lowder | 34,644 | 33,143 |
34 | 37 | The Lynd Company | San Antonio, TX | A. David Lynd | 33,471 | 30,530 |
35 | 34 | The Related Companies | New York, NY | Jeff Blau | 33,155 | 32,581 |
36 | newcomer | Concord Management, Ltd. | Maitland, FL | Edward O. Wood, Jr. | 32,022 | 31,489 |
37 | 38 | Lindsey Management Co., Inc. | Fayetteville, AR | James E. Lindsey | 31,813 | 29,443 |
38 | newcomer | Asset Plus Companies | Houston, TX | Michael S. McGrath | 31,081 | 17,322 |
39 | 36 | Morgan Properties | King of Prussia, PA | Mitchell L. Morgan | 30,627 | 30,627 |
40 | newcomer | The Bozzuto Group | Greenbelt, MD | Thomas S. Bozzuto | 30,157 | 25,819 |
41 | 35 | The John Stewart Company | San Francisco, CA | Jack D. Gardner | 29,989 | 31,685 |
42 | 20 | CNC Investments, Ltd. | Houston, TX | Charlie Yalamanchili | 29,913 | 42,647 |
43 | newcomer | The Laramar Group, LLC | Denver, CO | David B. Woodward | 29,508 | 21,574 |
44 | newcomer | American Campus Communities Inc. | Austin, TX | Bill Bayless | 29,342 | 29,126 |
45 | newcomer | McKinley, Inc. | Ann Arbor, MI | Albert M. Berriz | 28,358 | 22,143 |
46 | 44 | LEDIC Management Group, LLC | Memphis, TN | Scott P. "Pierce" Ledbetter, Jr. | 28,348 | 26,132 |
47 | 42 | Berkshire Property Advisors | Boston, MA | Frank Apeseche | 27,806 | 26,995 |
48 | 41 | BBR Management, LLC | Charlotte, NC | Philip S. Payne | 27,798 | 27,816 |
49 | 43 | Essex Property Trust, Inc. | Palo Alto, CA | Michael Schall | 27,411 | 26,868 |
50 | newcomer | Edgewood Management Corporation | Germantown, MD | A. Scott Jones | 26,845 | 26,165 |
April 20, 2010
April 21, 2010
Contact: Mary S. Williams
734-769-8520 ext. 244
For Immediate Release
McKinley, Inc. was named by National Real Estate Investor as one of the Top 50 Apartment Management firms by the National Multi Housing Councils authoritative ranking of the nations 50 largest apartment owners and managers. McKinley was ranked number 45 and is a newcomer to the list in this, NMHCs 21st annual ranking. The Top Owner and Top Manager lists and the analysis that accompanies them have provided the only historical benchmark to measure industry trends according to the National Real Estate Investor.
We are thrilled to be ranked on the NMHCs Top 50 list, states Albert M. Berriz, McKinleys Chief Executive Officer. We are proud of our four decades in the industry, as well as to be highlighted as one of five companies with the largest portfolio growth last year, at a time when others are downsizing.
Based in Washington DC, the National Multi Housing Council provides leadership for the apartment industry. The Council focuses on key issues such as federal advocacy, strategic business information, industry research and public affairs. The council targets such issues as housing policy, energy and environmental affairs, tax policy, capital markets, fair housing, building codes, technology, human resources, rent control and more.
McKinley, founded in 1968, is a well respected national real estate investment firm that owns and operates $2.4 billion in assets in 139 properties for its own account and for select clientele. This includes 29,269 apartments and over 7.0 million square feet of commercial space located in 19 states. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Albert M. Berriz serves as Chief Executive Officer with 1,250 full-time employees nationwide.
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April 14, 2010
Albert L. Berriz never expected to end up in the family business, but after several twists and turns in his life story, he was recently promoted to the vice president/director of residential sales & marketing for McKinley.
Berriz grew up in Orlando, Fla., where he said his father, Albert M. Berriz, was a part of McKinley all my life. Later, the family moved to Ann Arbor to be in the center of the business. Albert M. Berriz is CEO of McKinley.
Albert L. Berriz said he lived in McKinley properties as a child, grew up considering McKinley employees as friends and absorbed the companys values through those experiences. As a high school student, he did an internship in business information systems with McKinley and then another as an onsite sales associate at one of the properties.
Theres nothing like being in one of our communities, he said, interacting with property managers, meeting customers and getting to know the front line of the business.
Still, after high school, Berrizs ambitions had nothing to do with real estate investment, property management or the other services McKinley provides
I dont think I ever pictured myself working at McKinley, Berriz said.
He earned a bachelors degree in philosophy from the University of Michigan, developed an interest in competitive online gaming and traveled the world gaming.
Once he started working in the field, though, he discovered he enjoyed playing the games more than creating them. The next thing that piqued his interest was Internet marketing. He had ambitions to team up with a friend in Chicago and run their own marketing firm.
However, Berrizs father asked him to come do a six-month trial run at McKinley, putting his knowledge of social media and his passion for viral marketing to work there. The rest is history.
While at McKinley, Berriz led his team to develop several initiatives, including my.mckinley.com an online community for residents of McKinley properties. Through the site, they can pay bills, communicate with property managers and make complaints and suggestions.
Those customer suggestions, Berriz said, really are implemented. For instance, it was because of a customer suggestion that recycling services were started at a local McKinley apartment complex.
Berriz said he believes he is providing an important product. Its a very specific product, not just a toaster oven, he said. What hes marketing, he says, is a home, where people spend most of their day-to-day lives, adding that its one of the biggest payments, next to a vehicle, theyre likely to make.
We impact lives, he said. Its harder to do that when youre selling a tool belt. Its different when its a home.
And moreover, nobody likes to move Moving is a nightmare, he said so he wants to make customers happy so they dont have to.
Background
Age: 24.
Education: University of Michigan - degree in philosophy.
Family: Wife, Natalie Berriz, and parents Albert M. and Paula Berriz.
Residence: Ann Arbor.
Business Insights
Best business decision: My best decision period was marrying my wife; no other decision compares enough to mention, in or outside of business.
Worst business decision: Not deciding soon enough, no matter the decision.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Trusting my instincts.
Personal hero: Leonard Kahn & Armando Pipo Berriz.
How do you motivate people? By keeping things simple, setting high expectations and making it a point to have fun every day.
What advice would you give to yourself in college? None.
Word that best describes you: Confident.
First Web site you check in the morning: My.mckinley.com, to connect with our residents.
Confessions
What keeps you up at night? Nothing.
Pet peeve: Excuses.
Guilty pleasure: Watching crazy unrealistic sci-fi shows.
First job: At a start-up games developer in Los Angeles.
Treasures
Favorite cause: Neutral Zone Teen Center (where my wife works).
Favorite book: The Foundation Trilogy (Asimov).
Favorite movie: Gladiator.
Favorite hobby: Competitive gaming.
Favorite restaurant: Green Zebra (Chicago).
LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter? All three - we have customers who like to use each!
Typical Saturday: Relaxing and spending time with my wife.
What team do you root for? Team McKinley.
Wheels: Same car Ive had since I was 16 - a Black VW Jetta.
Sarah Rigg is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at sarahrigg@yahoo.com.
Online article here: http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/albert-l-berriz-vice-presidentdirector-of-residential-sales-marketing-mckinley/
April 14, 2010
April 15, 2010
Contact: Mary S. Williams
734-769-8520 ext. 244
For Immediate Release
McKinley Announces Receivership of 37,000 SF Shopping Center in Florida
McKinleys Commercial Client Services group is pleased to announce that the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Manatee County, Florida has appointed McKinley as Receiver for the Cortez Village Plaza Shopping Center. The 37,000 square foot retail center is located in Bradenton, Florida.
McKinley, founded in 1968, is a well respected national real estate investment firm that owns and operates $2.4 billion in assets in 139 properties for its own account and for select clientele. This includes 29,117 apartments and over 7.0 million square feet of commercial space located in 19 states. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Albert M. Berriz serves as Chief Executive Officer with 1,250 full-time employees nationwide.
For more information on McKinleys Commercial Client Services and Property Management, please contact Matthew D. Mason at 734-769-8520 x267.
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April 5, 2010
April 1, 2010
Contact: Mary S. Williams
734-769-8520 ext. 244
For Immediate Release
McKinleys Residential Client Services is pleased to announce the successful disposition on behalf of our valued client of a 27 unit apartment home community located at 13600 LaSalle in Detroit, Michigan.
We are excited to have the opportunity to apply our proven track record of success to assist with this asset. Im confident that by applying our teams passion and expertise, we will be able to enrich the quality of life and create value for all of the stakeholders, states Albert M. Berriz, Chief Executive Officer.
McKinley, founded in 1968, is a well respected national real estate investment firm that owns and operates $2.4 billion in assets in 139 properties for its own account and for select clientele. This includes 29,117 apartments and over 7.0 million square feet of commercial space located in 19 states. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Albert M. Berriz serves as Chief Executive Officer with 1,250 full-time employees nationwide.
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March 31, 2010
March 31, 2010
Contact: Mary S. Williams
734-769-8520 ext. 244
For Immediate Release
McKinleys Residential Client Services is pleased to announce the successful disposition on behalf of our valued client of Fairview Apartments. Fairview Apartments is a 104 unit apartment home community located in Pompano Beach, Florida. McKinley was appointed Receiver by the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Broward County, in July 2009.
We were excited to have the opportunity to apply our proven track record of success to assist with this asset. Im confident that by applying our teams passion and expertise, we will be able to enrich the quality of life and create value for all of the stakeholders, states Albert M. Berriz, Chief Executive Officer.
This disposition is a recent example of how McKinley aggressively solves real estate challenges for our clients. From takeover to disposition, the McKinley team enjoys exceeding expectations for our partners and clients.
McKinley, founded in 1968, is a well respected national real estate investment firm that owns and operates $2.4 billion in assets in 139 properties for its own account and for select clientele. This includes 29,117 apartments and over 7.0 million square feet of commercial space located in 19 states. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Albert M. Berriz serves as Chief Executive Officer with 1,250 full-time employees nationwide.
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March 29, 2010
March 30, 2010
Contact: Mary S. Williams
734-769-8520 ext. 244
For Immediate Release
The Michigan CCIM Chapter and the Michigan SIOR Chapter hosted a Troubled Assets Workshop on Thursday, March 25, 2010. The Commercial Real Estate Troubled Assets Workshop featured a panel discussion focused on current trends, potential solutions, and ways to turn liabilities into opportunities.
The workshop was held at the Watermark Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan. McKinleys Matt Mason, Senior Vice President & Managing Director of Commercial Client Services was one of the panelists participating in the workshop.
McKinley, founded in 1968, is a well respected national real estate investment firm that owns and operates $2.4 billion in assets in 139 properties for its own account and for select clientele. This includes 29,117 apartments and over 7.0 million square feet of commercial space located in 19 states. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Albert M. Berriz serves as Chief Executive Officer with 1,250 full-time employees nationwide.
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March 29, 2010
When the owners of Ann Arbors newest coffee shop and yogurt bar were students at the University of Michigans Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, they said they wanted to create an urban space for young professionals and graduate students.
Now, after nearly a year in the making, lab (yes, that's all lowercase) has opened at 505 E. Liberty St. in McKinley Towne Centre in downtown Ann Arbor.
We wanted to create that third place, the escape, the place where you chill, co-owner Joanna Hong said. We love Ann Arbor but we thought something was missing.

Co-owner Tobias Wacker stands behind the counter of lab, which opened Tuesday in downtown Ann Arbor.
Hes very much an entrepreneurial spirit, Hong said.
Hong and Wackers modern design is full of sharp angles, open spaces and an overall sense of simplicity. It was designed by Karl Daubmann and Craig Borum of Ply Architecture in Kerrytown. Alex Trimmer, also with Ply Architecture, built the furniture.
The shops big windows are some of the few things that break up its empty white walls, while custom-made square, wooden furniture provide sleek seating for customers. The caf's lime-green ceiling and subtle accents add an element of color to the otherwise very basic dcor.
Even if its dreary outside, its bright in here, Wacker said. If you come to lab, you should be a little bit happier when you leave. Thats the premise of what were trying to do.

Lab's yogurt bar includes 16 different types of toppings including fresh fruit, granola and candy.
In the morning, lab features a cereal bar including childhood favorites such as Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, as well as a variety of granola.
Weve got both the sugary and the healthy, Hong said. You can totally customize it to your taste.
Hong said customer service is an important aspect of lab, where patrons are able to not only choose their coffee but also the degree of graininess and amount of beans used in the brew.
We want to talk to them about our products and store, she said. We want to take our time with them.
Hong and Wacker also want to help promote local artists and businesses. Most of their yogurt toppings and baked goods come from local suppliers, including products from Barrys Bagels, Tasty Footprints, Caf Japon, Taste Our Goods, Frog Holler Produce and Washtenaw Dairy.
he owners also hope to feature community and student-made films on a movie projector, which displays images directly behind the barista counter.
We just want to promote media and art, Hong said.
Still in its beginning stages, Hong said she and Wacker were still experimenting with the shop, hence its name lab.
She said the shop is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. but that could change, depending on demand.
Its a first business for us all, she said. Were definitely looking forward to learning and getting better. Its a growing process for us.http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/new-coffee-shop-promises-modern-environment-for-young-professionals/