Lure4.2017

More documents

Recommendations

Info

IN PERSON Steve Emerson Business-minded architect taking on historic renovations and reviving downtown Cedar Rapids BY RUTH PAARMANN PHOTO BY SHUVA RAHIM Steve Emerson stands inside the newly renovated Smulekoff’s building in downtown Cedar Rapids. rawing and drafting were among Steve Emerson’s favorite activities as a kid. The Marion native always wanted to be an architect, so he pursued that dream at Iowa State University. After graduating and receiving his architecture certification, he also saw the value in expanding his skill set by completing the University of Iowa’s evening MBA program. “At ISU, I was so goal-oriented. The other architecture students were super artistic. I was detailed and thorough, but not so strong on the design flair,” Mr. Emerson said. “My strength is the business end – the practicality side. I do rigid, fast deadlines well. We hit them and make sure things are done right.” A shrewd business sense has earned Mr. Emerson a place as one of the primary property owners in downtown Cedar Rapids. His 11-year-old firm, Aspect architecture:design, employs more than 30 people, with 20 in construction. In addition to providing architecture services, the company maintains 30 properties. Around 1999, Mr. Emerson began buying one property at a time, performing much of the demolition and construction work himself. Family and friends pitched in, and Mr. Emerson secured tenants. “It was a fun hobby on the side,” he said. “I found buildings that had been on the market for a while, and I negotiated super hard on price. I had the ability to walk away. If I bought a building under contract, I used that time to find tenants.” That formula paid dividends, allowing him to establish cash flow. It also gave him valuable experience. “I get a lot of business because of my construction background. I look at life cycle costs, durability, efficiency, use of space,” he said. “I think of how the owner can repurpose the building when they move on.” Restoring Property Health Many structures Mr. Emerson refurbishes are vacant, but even occupied buildings have issues. The Town Centre office building was such a case, with the previous owners in bankruptcy. Mr. Emerson bought it specifically to make it healthy again, making sure tenants had someone to communicate with about leases and other concerns. (He has since sold his stake.) In a much more demanding project, he stripped the Paramount office building down to the concrete and > PAGE 38 16 LUREOF THE CITY
O T After 87 years of serving thousands of Eastern Iowans we understand one thing very well. turn houses into CSB is family owned and community-focused. If you are buying a new home, refinancing your existing home, or want to use your home equity to make some improvements, you should meet our people. Call our Corridor Residential Real Estate expert Andrea Kuhn at (319)202-4277, or e-mail her at andrea.kuhn@centralstate.bank. She’s good people. Just like you. www.centralstate.bank Coralville - Iowa City - Cedar Rapids - Walford - Elkader - Marquette - McGregor LUREOF THE CITY 17
Page 1 and 2: LUREOF THE CITY Inside: Featured Fa
Page 3 and 4: The Landing II COMING SPRING 2018 R
Page 5 and 6: CONTENTS 6 Discovering the Lure of
Page 7 and 8: Area residents reflect on life in t
Page 9 and 10: Just like you, we chose the Corrido
Page 11 and 12: The Metropolitan 450 First St. SW,
Page 13 and 14: Pre-approve your mortgage FASTER wi
Page 15: Sabin Townhomes 509 S. Dubuque St.,
Page 19 and 20: When the Row Houses on Second were
Page 21 and 22: REASON TO LIVE DOWNTOWN #34: CLOSE
Page 23 and 24: the electric fireplace in the livin
Page 25 and 26: David and Kathy Gimer.
Page 27 and 28: “In 2013, we talked about investi
Page 29 and 30: IN PERSON here’s an ‘odd couple
Page 31 and 32: helping your business make the righ
Page 33 and 34: Thinking about BUYING or SELLING a
Page 35 and 36: Randy Miller is honored to have rep
Page 37 and 38: Other tips to help with a move from
Page 39: Let us make your space extraordinar

Lure4.2017

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?