Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, a national full-service real estate firm, today announced the promotion of Bill Stewart and Matthew Wurtzebach to senior vice presidents in the company’s Commercial Finance Group (CFG), the largest single-office commercial mortgage banking group in the country.

“Our Commercial Finance Group has an incredible heritage dating back more than 125 years to the founding of Draper and Kramer,” said Todd Bancroft, president and CEO of Chicago-based Draper and Kramer. “Over those decades, it has become one of the most respected commercial banking offices in the country, and that reputation has been earned through the hard work and dedication of team members like Bill and Matthew. We’re proud to promote them to senior vice presidents in recognition of their accomplishments and leadership within our commercial finance team.”  

Stewart is a 15-year veteran of Draper and Kramer who has been involved in several billion dollars of commercial real estate financing during his tenure with the firm. He currently oversees $1 billion to $2 billion in debt and equity placements for CFG annually, working with a variety of sources including the firm’s correspondent life insurance companies, banks, CMBS lenders, pension funds and private equity firms. He joined Draper and Kramer in 2004 as an analyst and also served as an assistant vice president before being named vice president in 2008. In addition to working with third-party clients spanning all asset classes and dealing across all capital sources, he also handles all of Draper and Kramer’s internal secured commercial financings.                                                                                                                  

“As we continue to grow Draper and Kramer’s portfolio of multifamily assets, both here in Chicago and nationally, Bill has been instrumental in securing very favorable terms for a number of recent transactions,” said Bancroft. “Having his expertise available to us in-house has been a huge advantage as we move our acquisition strategy forward, particularly in entering new markets.”

Active in the Mortgage Bankers Association, Stewart is also a member of the Strategic Alliance Mortgage network of mortgage bankers and participates with a number of local community-based volunteer organizations. He is a graduate of Knox College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and political science.

Wurtzebach joined Draper and Kramer in 2005 and has since underwritten, negotiated and conducted due diligence on more than 360 funded commercial real estate debt and equity transactions totaling $5.5 billion. In 2019, he is running 70% above his production for all of 2018 and was one of the office’s top two producers for the first half of the year. Wurtzebach has worked with clients ranging from small private buyers to institutional investors across all asset classes. Through that work, he has cultivated relationships with nearly 30 correspondent life companies as well as over 250 bank, CMBS, pension fund and equity financing sources for all property types nationally. 

“Matthew is incredibly adept at finding creative solutions for his clients, which is so valuable in the world of CRE finance, where markets are always shifting,” said Bancroft. “He has built a strong network on both the client and lender sides, and he’s used those relationships and resources to successfully close deals that others may not have been able to.”  

An active member of the Urban Land Institute, Wurtzebach also sits on the board for the DePaul Real Estate Alumni Alliance and teaches real estate finance for the Real Estate Associate Program (REAP), an industry-backed program that provides minority professionals a bridge to commercial real estate careers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago and earned an MBA at DePaul University. 

About Draper and Kramer, Incorporated:

Founded in 1893, Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, is a trusted financial and property services provider with a deep commitment to people, excellence, service and integrity spanning more than 125 years. Family-owned and one of the leading privately held real estate services firms in the U.S., Draper and Kramer is headquartered in Chicago with a national reach and broad offering of services. The company’s decades-long heritage has evolved over the years to meet the needs of its clients and today spans expertise in residential and commercial development, acquisition, property management and leasing; debt and equity financing for commercial properties; and residential mortgage services through affiliate Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corp. Draper and Kramer provides a single source of real estate-related counsel to a diverse group of real estate investors across the U.S. including corporations; private and institutional owners and users of real estate; government agencies; condominium associations; and foundations. For more information, visit www.draperandkramer.com.

Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, is proud to announce it has been named a 2019 Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune, marking the third consecutive year the full-service real estate firm has participated in the program and received this recognition. The annual Top Workplaces list is based on results of an employee feedback survey, administered by an independent research firm, that measures multiple aspects of workplace culture. 

“Earning a Top Workplace award is particularly meaningful in 2019 because it follows an exciting period of transition at Draper and Kramer during which we welcomed a new CEO and introduced a new strategic direction for our company,” said Christine Ramsey, chief administrative officer for Chicago-based Draper and Kramer, which also includes residential mortgage division Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corp. “This recognition confirms that even as this 126-year-old firm continues to evolve, we have stayed true to our roots as a family-owned business that places a priority on supporting, caring for and engaging our employees.” 

Honored in the category of midsize workplaces, Draper and Kramer is one of only a handful of real estate firms among the 150 companies and organizations named to the 2019 Top Workplaces list. It is also among the oldest companies recognized. Since its founding in 1893, Draper and Kramer has been a Chicago-area leader in residential and commercial acquisition, development, property management and leasing; commercial finance; and residential mortgage services. Today, the company has a presence in markets across the country. 

“We love the feedback we receive from our employees through the Top Workplaces program, especially the valuable suggestions and thoughts on how we can continue to enhance our employee experience,” said Ramsey. “It takes ongoing effort and commitment to remain an employer of choice in this industry, and recognition like this signals that we are on the right path.” 

Draper and Kramer Employees Receive Individual Industry Honors

In addition to the Top Workplaces corporate recognition, two Draper and Kramer employees recently received individual honors for their work in the industry. Kristen Alessi, property manager at Eleven Thirty, a Draper and Kramer-managed high-rise in Chicago’s South Loop, was named a recipient of the 2019 Connect Media Next Generation Award, a national program recognizing young leaders in commercial real estate. Additionally, Isabella Zach, leasing professional at 1350 N. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago’s Gold Coast, received a 2019 Chicagoland Apartment Marketing and Management Excellence (CAMME) Award from the Chicagoland Apartment Association in the category of Leasing Professional (Vintage Building).  

“Our employees have always been the foundation of our success as a company, and so we are proud and gratified to see Kristen and Isabella recognized for their accomplishments and commitment to their respective positions,” said Ramsey. “They both exemplify the dedication and hard work it takes to not just succeed in this industry, but also to be impactful leaders for our firm.”

Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, a national real estate services firm, is proud to announce Lindsay Bonilla, property manager at Burnham Pointe, a luxury rental tower in Chicago’s South Loop, was named to the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)’s 30 Under 30 list for 2019. The national recognition program highlights young leaders committed to advancing the real estate management profession by demonstrating creativity, innovation and leadership in their careers. 

“As a firm that takes pride in cultivating young leaders from our ranks and providing development and growth opportunities for our team members, we are thrilled to see Lindsay recognized as part of this year’s 30 Under 30 class,” said Julie Stevlingson, senior vice president and director of management services at Draper and Kramer. “From the moment she joined Draper and Kramer, Lindsay has stood out not only in terms of exhibiting day-to-day excellence in her work at our properties, but also in her enthusiasm for undertaking new challenges, spearheading corporate-level initiatives and furthering her own knowledge through involvement in industry organizations.”  

Bonilla was selected to 30 Under 30 for her strong operational skills, particularly in financial reporting and budgeting; her work as part of Draper and Kramer’s acquisitions team for Burnham Pointe to ensure a smooth transition for ownership, management and residents; and her approach to managing large-scale renovation and capital improvement projects while also maintaining a superior experience for residents. She was also recognized for her leadership efforts, which include serving as a founding member of DK Elevate, Draper and Kramer’s internal development program for emerging leaders, and participating in IREM’s Next-Gen CPM Leadership program, which allows her to accelerate her pursuit of CPM (Certified Property Manager) certification. 

As property manager of Burnham Pointe, Bonilla manages a team of 14 employees and oversees all aspects of operations for the 298-unit community, which also includes six commercial spaces. Bonilla joined Draper and Kramer in 2017 as an assistant property manager. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, where she studied early childhood education and communicative disorders. In addition to her involvement with IREM, Bonilla is also active with the Chicagoland Apartment Association and currently co-chairs the organization’s professional development committee. 

One of the largest property management firms in Chicago, Draper and Kramer has a residential management portfolio of more than 10,000 rental units across Chicago, St. Louis and San Antonio.

Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, last week celebrated the grand opening of 61 Banks Street, an eight-story, 58-unit boutique rental building at Banks Street and Lake Shore Drive, on the last developable lakefront parcel in Chicago’s premier Gold Coast neighborhood.

“It has been three decades since a new residential building opened along this prominent stretch of the Lake Michigan shoreline, so we are tremendously proud to be celebrating the completion of 61 Banks Street – a community that combines the elegance of a Gold Coast address with the flexibility of a rental lifestyle,” said Todd Bancroft, president and CEO of Draper and Kramer, the project’s developer. “Our team took tremendous care in creating a building appropriately scaled to this one-of-a-kind site, and from its elegant exterior and intimate environment to the quality and craftsmanship that went into each residence, 61 Banks Street fits perfectly into the fabric of the surrounding neighborhood.”

Among the guests at the grand opening event were representatives from project partners including architect Booth Hansen, interior architect Darcy Bonner & Associates, landscape architect Jacobs/Ryan and general contractor Leopardo Construction; board members from the Gold Coast Neighbors Association; and current and future residents. The building, which welcomed first move-ins in early May, is currently nearly 70% leased.

61 Banks Street includes a mix of two- and three-bedroom residences, with two-bedroom apartments averaging 1,630 square feet and three-bedroom plans averaging 2,340 square feet. The apartment homes are priced from $5,600 per month. Additionally, the building features seven two-story maisonettes lining its base along Lake Shore Drive and Banks Street. These rowhome-style residences, which offer two- and three-bedroom plans with direct street-level entrances, are priced from $7,800 per month. 

“The incredible response we’ve already had from renters speaks not only to the appeal of a new-construction building in a neighborhood best-known for its vintage residences, but also the strong demand for rental apartments of this size and caliber,” said Bancroft. “In fact, our three-bedroom units and rowhome-style maisonettes have been the quickest to lease. All our apartments at 61 Banks Street are generously sized, making them a great option for renters by choice, whether they’re searching for a city residence to accommodate a family, downsizing from a single-family home or simply looking for a gracious apartment near everything Chicago has to offer.”  

During the grand opening, attendees had the opportunity to tour a decorated two-bedroom model apartment with furnishings by RH Modern, as well as additional apartments showcasing two- and three-bedroom floor plans and a maisonette residence. All homes at 61 Banks Street feature open layouts with modern gourmet kitchens, spa-style bathrooms, spacious in-unit laundry rooms, 10-foot ceilings and expanses of floor-to-ceiling windows. Each unit is appointed with high-end finishes including engineered wide-plank flooring, custom European cabinetry, premium quartz countertops and built-in Bosch and Jenn-Air stainless steel appliances. 

The grand opening event also showcased the rooftop amenity space at 61 Banks Street, which includes a glass-enclosed club lounge with entertaining kitchen, library and fitness center. Additionally, a lushly landscaped rooftop terrace, where all residents can enjoy the building’s unmatched views of Lake Michigan, the city and the surrounding neighborhood, features multiple outdoor seating groupings, dining areas and grilling stations. 

“The Lake Michigan views from 61 Banks Street and its roof deck are outstanding year-round, but now that we’re into summer, residents can experience everything that’s so special about living along the waterfront during these warm weather months,” noted Bancroft. “From watching boat activity and beachgoers and pedestrians along the Lakefront Trail, to having a front-row seat to events like the Chicago Air & Water Show or Navy Pier’s weekly fireworks display, there’s really nothing that can compare to this location.”

@properties is the exclusive leasing brokerage for 61 Banks Street. For more information, visit www.61BanksStreet.com. To schedule a presentation, call (312) 858-0044 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

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Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, a national real estate services firm, is pleased to announce two of its employees were honored at the St. Louis Apartment Association (SLAA) Rising Star Awards, which were held April 27. The awards banquet is hosted annually by SLAA to recognize achievements among the organization’s members.

“As a 125-year-old firm with deep roots in property management, we know that providing a great residential experience comes down to having an outstanding team,” said Julie Stevlingson, senior vice president and director of management services for Chicago-based Draper and Kramer. “We are so proud of our staff in St. Louis and the work they do every day at our properties, so it’s thrilling to have two of our team members recognized by the SLAA for excellence in their specific roles.”

The Draper and Kramer employees honored with individual SLAA Rising Star Awards are:

·       Michelle Abney, Leasing Agent of the Year: Abney is a leasing agent for Hampton Gardens, a 510-unit apartment community in the Hill District of St. Louis. She brings over 30 years of experience to the position and has doubled her closing ratio since joining Draper and Kramer in 2017.

·       Andy Rogers, Maintenance Manager of the Year: As maintenance supervisor for Evo Apartments and The Flats at Evo in Richmond Heights, Mo., Rogers oversees 281 apartments and 46 townhomes. His responsibilities include managing day-to-day maintenance and various construction projects.

One of the largest property management firms in Chicago, Draper and Kramer has a national residential management portfolio of more than 10,000 rental units across Chicago, St. Louis and San Antonio.

Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, a national full-service real estate firm, is pleased to announce Jacob Vial has been hired as senior vice president in the company’s Commercial Finance Group, overseeing Federal Housing Administration/Housing and Urban Development lending for multifamily and senior housing properties. Based out of the firm’s Chicago headquarters, he will serve as chief underwriter for all credit decisions and direct strategic financing initiatives. 

Vial rejoins Draper and Kramer, where he was a vice president in the Commercial Finance Group from 2008 to 2014, from PGIM Real Estate Finance, where he was most recently a director and FHA deputy chief underwriter for senior housing and healthcare loans. Prior to that, he was a vice president at Capital One Multifamily Finance. Throughout his 10-plus-year career, Vial has underwritten or managed nearly $1.9 billion of successful FHA multifamily and healthcare loan applications. 

“We’re so pleased to welcome Jacob back to the team,” said Todd Bancroft, president and CEO of Draper and Kramer. “He has an outstanding track record in FHA/HUD loan underwriting and proven ability to identify the right government financing product for any given project. Draper and Kramer has been providing commercial lending services for 125 years and FHA-insured loans for eight decades. Jacob will help us continue that tradition, not only in servicing our third-party clients, but also in collaborating with our acquisitions and development team to finance our own investments.”  

Draper and Kramer has been an FHA-approved lender since 1937 and, through its multifamily portfolio, is also an FHA borrower. Over the past decade, the firm’s Commercial Finance Group has closed more than $3 billion in loans annually, including FHA/HUD and other financing, for the construction, substantial rehabilitation, acquisition and refinancing of multifamily apartments and senior living communities. 

Vial has a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Illinois, where he graduated with high honors. He is a HUD MAP-approved underwriter and HUD LEAN healthcare underwriter.