This series profiles men and women in commercial real estate who have profoundly transformed our neighborhoods and reshaped our cities, businesses and lifestyles.
Brennan Investment Group Chairman and Managing Principal Michael Brennan is a legend in industrial real estate, responsible for over $14B in transactions during his 34-year career. Brennan got his start in 1984 at what is now CBRE before moving to The Shidler Group three years later. In 1994, he became chief operating officer of First Industrial Realty Trust, an industrial REIT. He was promoted to CEO in 1998 and remained in that role until he resigned in 2009 and founded Brennan Investment Group a year later. Brennan controls a national industrial portfolio and announced plans last August for the 87-acre Elk Grove Industrial Park in suburban Chicago, which he says will be “the best industrial park in the U.S.”
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Bisnow: How do you describe your job to people who are not in the industry?
Brennan: I’m a landlord for a living. My tenants run warehouses, factories and assembly operations.
Bisnow: If you weren’t in commercial real estate, what would you do?
Brennan: I would be in commercial real estate.
Bisnow: What is the worst job you ever had?
Brennan: I was a pearl diver (i.e. a dishwasher). I got no respect, even though I was excellent at what I did.
Bisnow: What was your first big deal?
Brennan: My first deal was a big deal as it launched my career: five apartments and a warehouse in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago.
Bisnow: What deal do you consider to be your biggest failure?
Brennan: Not understanding, early on, that fear and indecision almost always cost you more than decisive action.
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Bisnow: How do you define “making it”?
Brennan: When you’ve got a command of your craft and know what’s possible to achieve in your profession.
Bisnow: What is your biggest pet peeve?
Brennan: Bad work ethic and unclear communication.
Bisnow: Who is your greatest mentor?
Brennan: My parents.
Bisnow: What is the best and worst professional advice you've ever gotten?
Brennan: Your character is your fate.
Bisnow: What is your greatest extravagance?
Brennan: Buying wines that are the same price as a small automobile.
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Bisnow: What is your favorite restaurant in the world?
Brennan: Bruna’s, 2424 South Oakley in Chicago’s Heart of Chicago neighborhood. It’s old school Italy in a corner bar. Get the veal chop.
Bisnow: If you could sit down with President Donald Trump, what would you say?
Brennan: Get a better haircut.
Bisnow: What's the biggest risk you have ever taken?
Brennan: Almost not going into real estate.
Bisnow: Whose work do you most admire?
Brennan: I admire perseverance and people who can get up when they’ve been knocked down.
Bisnow: What keeps you up at night?
Brennan: The Tennis Channel.
Bisnow: Outside of your work, what are you most passionate about?
Brennan: Work is my passion.
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