NorthMarq

NorthMarq Sells Rand Tower in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., (October 17, 2008) — NorthMarq, a Minnesota-based commercial real estate services company, announced today that it has sold the 26-story Rand Tower, located at 527 Marquette Ave., S. in Minneapolis. Scott Pollock, NorthMarq vice president – Investment Services, brokered the sale of the property.

Rand Tower was purchased by a joint venture between Alex Brown Realty of Baltimore and Hempel Properties of Maple Grove, Minn., for an undisclosed sum. The Rand Tower purchase is the first acquisition made by this partnership. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring these two parties together for this significant transaction,” Pollock states.

“During this period of economic volatility, specifically in the financial markets, Alex Brown Realty made its entrance into the Twin Cities office market,” adds Brian Hennen, NorthMarq Capital vice president – Producer. “Their entrance is a good indicator of the confidence that institutional real estate investors have, long term, in this marketplace.”

NorthMarq played a unique role in the transaction – as broker of the sale and as an equity resource for the buyer. “Through our investment sales team and mortgage banking network, we have significant relationships on a national platform that can bring both equity and debt to a transaction,” Hennen explains. “In this transaction, the equity relationship created by NorthMarq was utilized.”

About NorthMarq
NorthMarq offers a full range of commercial real estate solutions across the country from its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn. The NorthMarq Capital group offers commercial real estate investment banking, investment services, real estate debt and equity financing, and commercial loan servicing in 29 offices coast-to-coast, with more than $13 billion in annual production volume and services a loan portfolio of more than $36 billion. NorthMarq Corporate Solutions works nationally with mid-sized corporate users to manage their real estate needs. NorthMarq Real Estate Services provides brokerage, property management, healthcare services and construction to investors and space users in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market. For more information, please visit www.northmarq.com.

Contact:
Martha Nevanen
952.893.7539
martha.nevanen@marquetteRE.com

Gwen Chynoweth
Maccabee Group

612.337.0087