Officially organized as an Illinois corporation in 1988, Ramshaw Real Estate has become one of Champaign-Urbana's leading real estate acquisitions, sales, management, and development firms. The company started at College Corner Mall at the corner of Fourth and Green, then moved to 1402 South Neil, and finally settled in at Illini Plaza, 1817 South Neil, Champaign, where it still is today.

The energy behind Ramshaw's dynamic growth from a 40-apartment management operation to a full-service leader in the local real estate market has come from many sources. One of these is the company's commitment to integrity, quality, and excellence. Another is the continued dedication to the interests of owners, investors, customers, and clients. But as many milestones as Ramshaw has celebrated—transactions completed, leases signed, final nails hammered—it's the people behind Ramshaw's success that have made it the special company it is today.

"If you are going to succeed, you must have a solid foundation of people," Jerry Ramshaw said. "We have been very fortunate that our core group of people have grown with our company and truly enjoy working with each other. We've experienced very little staff turnover, which helps a great deal when it comes to efficiency, continuity, and productivity."

More than half of Ramshaw's employees have been with the company since the '80s or '90s. Ramshaw's four managing partners have provided incredible stability for the company, with Joe Phillips leading development efforts since 1996, Alex Ruggieri managing brokerage services since 1989, and Todd Lienhart overseeing property management and maintenance, and Ramshaw running the entire operation, since Day 1 in 1988.

Brokerage

The company's brokerage division maintains a large market share of commercial sales and leases, and has become a significant force in the local commercial real estate field, maintaining a listing volume inventory of over $100 million and generating more than $20 million annually in sales and leases.

"Trade Centre South was the deal that put us on the map," Ramshaw said. The company brokered extensive land assemblage up front to make the project possible, then managed the leasing to all of the original tenants, including Wolfram Research and the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce.

Ramshaw agents have sealed hundreds of significant brokerage transacations, but Ruggieri points out the following ones as particularly important:

• Over Pass Plaza shopping center in Effingham (first SVN transaction after joining Sperry Van Ness)
• Savoy's purchase of Dunlop complex (significant transaction with a municipality; helped them save over $3 million)
• Several significant transactions with Champaign County Mental Health Center
• Most recently, Champaign County Public Health's purchase of Coldwell Systems building (helped them save $10 million)

In 2003, Ramshaw Real Estate became affiliated with a national commercial real estate investment firm, California-based Sperry Van Ness. The company renamed its commercial brokerage Sperry Van Ness/Ramshaw Real Estate. The alliance with SVN provides wide national exposure by quickly getting information about new commercial listings into the hands of independent brokers nationwide, effectively widening the circle of potential buyers. It also puts investment opportunities from around the country at the fingertips of SVN/Ramshaw agents and their clients throughout Central Illinois.

"Our relationship with Sperry Van Ness really gives us a huge edge," Ruggieri said. "And I will put the quality of our brokerage team against any other in east central Illinois. Even the junior agents have the tools, marketing support, and determination to achieve great things for our clients."

Development

Guided by Phillips, Ramshaw's development team has tackled one massive project after another in recent years. Among Ramshaw's notable accomplishments are the renovation and rehabilitation of the South First Manor Apartments (now Ashton Woods); development of Trade Centre South and Radisson Suites Hotel; restructuring and management overhaul of the Illini Plaza commercial complex; development of Briar Cliff IV and Turnberry Ridge subdivisions; and constructing the 118-unit Cobblefield Point condominium community and the 24-unit Prestwick Point apartment community.

"The Illini Plaza project was huge," Ramshaw said. "Part of the deal in acquiring the property and renovating it was that we needed to move our offices there as well. So it was really a turning point for the whole company."

In 2007, Ramshaw produced a textbook example of its development work: the Crestview Commons full renovation project in Urbana. Only 50% filled in January, the siding and balconies on the buildings were completely worn and the entire complex was in need of renovation and a complete turnover of tenants. Ramshaw completely renovated the complex, from the siding and interior to the landscaping and fencing. By Fall 2007, the apartments were 100% full with desirable new tenants and Ramshaw had achieved a 100% turnaround of what had started 2007 as a problem property. The company is now proud to offer Crestview Commons as one of east Urbana's most attractive housing options.

Apartments

"Our property management personnel really set us apart," Lienhart said. "Most of our leasing representatives have been with us for many years."

Lienhart's division manages more than 2,000 apartment and condo units. This growing portfolio includes such major apartment complexes as Ashton Woods (156 units), Crestview Commons (144 units), Kobuck of Savoy (72 units), Stratford Residences (43 units), Deerfield Woods (40 units), and Prestwick Point (24 units). The company has established a solid reputation among students on the University of Illinois campus. This is of particular significance given the extensive campus portfolio.

"Tenant retention is vital in the business of property management and probably the biggest advantage we have on our competition is our maintenance crew," Lienhart said. "We keep a solid staff of well-qualified maintenance technicians on staff who really know our properties inside and out. They often go above and beyond the call of duty to help our tenants and to make sure the name Ramshaw is always known for quality service and care."

"Many competitors are content with the business they have and the way in which they perform," Lienhart said. "Don't say 'content' around our office! Remaining stagnant is impossible at Ramshaw Real Estate with Jerry Ramshaw's focused vision. He continuously has his eye on the future and is always reaching out for ways to better the company and better his people."