Block Brothers Creating New Real Estate Firm
New Regional firm in Kansas City to be called Block Real Estates Services LLC

Kansas City, Mo. – Three principals of Block & Company, Inc., Realtors are separating their business from a related business unit to create a full-service, regional multi-dimensional firm, formalizing an arrangement that has been in place for more than six years.

Kenneth Block, SIOR, CCIM, Stephen Block and Michael Block, CPM, brothers and Principals, have formed Block Real Estate Services, LLC, to provide commercial brokerage, asset/property management, investment services, development services and financial services in Kansas City and throughout the Midwest.

“For more than six years, Block & Company has been comprised of two business units,” Kenneth Block said. “The business unit run by myself and my brothers has been providing a number of real estate services that were not provided by the other unit.  My brothers and I began operations in St. Louis last year, and as we focus on opportunities in other cities throughout the region, we felt it was time to more clearly identify ourselves with our own company, our own values and our own vision. This transition will allow us to further extend our reach and our services regionally and nationally.”

Block said that Block Real Estate Services will remain in the Plaza Steppes Building at 700 W. 47th St., and that the firm – an investor partner in the Kansas City Area Development Council among other business and civic activities – will continue to be active in Kansas City both in business and philanthropically. The firm has a portfolio of more than 17 million square feet and employs more than 100 people.

“Our current business unit in Block & Company, Inc., Realtors will continue in Block Real Estate Services, LLC, and all of the brokers and staff members who have been associated with Stephen, Michael and me remain with us,” Kenneth Block said. Also with Block Real Estate Services are Harry Drake, CCIM, CPM, Executive Vice President and COO, in charge of the asset management division; and Vince Johnston, Senior Vice President and CFO, in charge of the accounting and financial services division.

Kenneth Block said that for the last six years, while Block & Company has been one corporation, it has had two distinct and separate business units, with two completely different offices, different executives and staffs, different business approaches and even separate phone numbers.

“That was creating confusion among our customers in this market,” Kenneth Block said.  “Block Real Estate Services, LLC will continue our role as the most comprehensive commercial real estate service shop in Kansas City and provide real estate brokerage services, tenant representation, investment services, asset and property management, economic incentives consultation, financial services, construction and development services, and the Block Funds.”

Partners and clients in the commercial real estate industry nationwide greeted the move enthusiastically.

“Ken and his team have worked with our company for many years and provided a full range of real estate services to us including brokerage, consultation, management and others,” said Scott Freeman, a principal with Colony Realty Partners, LLC, a national real estate investor with a 35 million-square-foot, $4 billion diversified commercial real estate portfolio. “I often encouraged them to expand their operation and was pleased when they opened a St. Louis office a little over a year ago.

“They are at the top of our service providers throughout the country, and we think the establishment of Block Real Estate Services will now distinguish this expert team both locally and regionally and provide them the opportunity to further expand their service platform,” Freeman said.

Kenneth Block said the new company will continue to embody the values, principles and operating philosophy expressed as “Real Estate. Real Strategies. Real Success.”

“As always, our client’s needs have been and will continue to be our primary focus, and we expect this next step in our growth will allow us to better serve our existing clients and to more readily expand our real estate operations,” he said.