Ahmann launches Pivot Real Estate firm

CEDAR RAPIDS - A new commercial real estate business has opened under the umbrella of Ahmann Companies, which also includes design, construction and architectural services.

Pivot Real Estate, which launched in mid-January, will focus on commercial sales and leasing, and is intended to complement other legs of Ahmann Companies. The addition of Pivot establishes a 'one-stop source” for Ahmann clients seeking to design, build, and fill new or remodeled developments, company officials said.

'We're different from other brokerages in town because we have the ability to be a one-stop source for many of our clients, and we're able to see clients through a complete process from site selection through design and construction/build-out,” owner Joe Ahmann said in a statement.

Compass Commercial Services, Fusion Architects and Ahmann Design also are part of Ahmann Companies.

Craig Byers and Amanda Proper have joined as agents for Pivot, which will be based in the Ahmann main offices in Hiawatha, and Byers's father, Scott Byers, is the broker for the firm. Pivot also will have a property management segment.

Pivot will market properties in the Cedar Rapids area, and the territory will stretch to include Johnson and Black Hawk Counties, and other parts of Eastern Iowa, Craig Byers said. Byers said they will market retail, office, multifamily, industrial and warehouse listings.

'Right now we are the only true design-and-build firm on this side of the state, in our market,” said Craig Byers, who most recently worked at Gibbs Lamb Drown GLD Commercial Real Estate Advisors.

Among the most high-profile properties in the Ahmann portfolio are the Fountains, a $34 million six-building mixed use suburban plaza with office and retail elements at the northeast corner of Blairs Ferry Road NE and Edgewood Road NE, and the $20 million four-building Depot with offices, retail and housing in the New Bohemia District. Both projects remain under construction.

Clients could leverage the multiple services offered by the integrated company, but Byers said Pivot also will provide stand-alone services.

Byers added Pivot will not just present listings owned by Ahmann Companies. They will show clients any available properties on the market suiting their needs for price, space and location, he said.

'I've built up a third-party clientele over the years, and I plan to service their real estate needs,” Byers said.

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