Brand Properties, an established regional developer, and Wheeler/Brand, a real estate services company, announce today the creation of a privately owned, fully-integrated commercial real estate firm. Known now as simply Brand Properties, the company joins two of the most reputable firms that have played pivotal roles in shaping the Atlanta region as well as the Southeast.
“This is the culmination of a vision that took flight more than five years ago when I recognized the potential in Wheeler/Kolb and the opportunity to establish a formidable commercial player that reaches all corners of the Southeast,” says R. Brand Morgan, founder and CEO of Brand Properties. “This is a tremendous fit, not only from a capabilities perspective, but also from the standpoint of reputation and values. This is a team that is well respected with proven experience in all sectors and aspects of real estate. It’s a team that works.” Morgan acquired an initial interest in Wheeler/Kolb in 2010 that changed the firm’s name to Wheeler/Brand. His acquisition of all remaining interests culminated in 2013.
Today, Brand Properties now pursues both development and commercial real estate services opportunities. The combined company boasts a robust development pipeline along with a five million-square foot leasing and management portfolio that stretches across virtually every type of commercial real estate: office, retail, entertainment, multi-family, mixed-use, flex and land. Real estate veterans Michael C. Hoath of Brand Properties and M. Scott Meadows of Wheeler/Brand continue to lead the company as president of the real estate investments and real estate services, respectively.
“We are very proud of the track record of integrity, quality and loyalty that has etched Brand Properties reputation in the real estate development market over the past two decades,” states Hoath. The Wheeler/Brand team has exactly that reputation on the operational side of the business. That makes this a great move both for the companies and our respective clients. Brand Properties has been involved in a variety of high-profile developments including The Views at Coolray Field, Northside Midtown Medical and Gwinnett’s Power Tower One Sugarloaf Centre.
Combining our expertise with the Brand Properties team makes an enormous amount of sense for us, continues Meadows. We now have greater flexibility in the solutions we offer our clients, all without sacrificing the high-touch service that distinguishes us in the market. Over the past 18 months, Wheeler/Brand has experienced unprecedented portfolio growth and transaction volume.
Under Heath’s leadership, the real estate investments team pursues development projects including investment-grade multi-family communities, Class A LEED-certified offices, grocery-anchored retail and mixed-use entertainment facilities. Under Meadows guidance, the real estate services team provides leasing and management services to both private and institutional owners of retail centers, office buildings, flex properties and land throughout the Southeast.
Today’s announcement marks the final step in creating an integrated, end-to-end commercial real estate platform with a history that dates back to 1959 with one of Atlanta’s most prolific real estate developers, continues Morgan. Wheeler/Kolb traces its beginnings to Scott Hudgens who is responsible for delivering iconic properties including Town Center at Cobb, Gwinnett Place Mall and Mall of Georgia, which he co-developed with Ben Carter and Simon Property Group. Morgan founded Brand Properties in 1998.
