Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/205938
Commercial Real Estate Star of Excellence 2013 Research the landlord as well as the building. For example, is the landlord a long-term holder of real estate or a short-term holder? Long-term owners offer more stability. Get representation from a professional broker. The market knowledge that a professional broker has is absolutely critical to the process. The Conrad Group handles leases for businesses as small as 800 square feet and as large as 300,000 square feet. Conrad believes in building client relationships and said, "There are lots of times when 800 square foot tenants grow into 20,000 square foot tenants and they remember when you helped them." Often the community will benefit from a well-brokered deal. This September South Shore Medical Center will relocate to its new 100,000 square foot facility in Norwell, a deal consummated by The Conrad Group. In Norwell since the 1960's, South Shore Medical Center had outgrown its current campus, creating multiple offices in different locations. Conrad said, "We were able to find a solution, which enabled them to bring everything under one roof. It will obviously make them more competitive in the medical arena for generations to come." Another client, Sealcoating, Inc. had been leasing for many years in Hingham. The owners needed additional space and wished to own. After an extensive search The Conrad Group facilitated the purchase of the former Coca Cola bottling building in Braintree. Conrad said, "This enabled Sealcoating, Inc. to accommodate their growth, and coupled with today's interest rates, they were able to substantially reduce their costs per square foot." With a professional focus on the South Shore, The Conrad Group can offer clients a keen competitive edge. Conrad said, "Information has to be delivered to our clients in a very timely manner. The market changes from day to day, from week to week, and our clients need the product knowledge in order to make decisions that will keep them competitive in today's environment." Conrad was a teenager when he first became interested in real estate and recalled, "I was intrigued with owning something concrete and benefitting from appreciation in value. I've always admired that. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, he was a teacher for about eight years. At the age of 30 he decided to pursue what he loved best, first as a commercial real estate broker with Coldwell Banker and later founding the Conrad Group. "I started it because I recognized the need for a suburban company that would focus entirely on the South Shore." Some of his clients have become close friends with charitable causes that Conrad supports. He is a founding board member of the McCourt Foundation, which raises funds for Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis research. He is an Ambassador for South Shore Mental Health, which serves 16,000 people on the South Shore, and also with The Friendship Home in Norwell, a respite facility that serves underprivileged children, adults, and their caregivers. Recently, the Conrad Group relocated its from offices in Quincy to 100 Grandview Road in Braintree. He summed up the success of The Conrad Group, "It's a relationshipdriven business, and credibility and respect are built on years and years of service." THE CONRAD GROUP 100 Grandview Road, #212, Braintree Phone: 617-328-1965 Fax: 617-328-3021 theconradgroup.com TheSouthShoreMagazine.com 49