CBRE’s Saddle Brook office at Park 80 West in Saddle Brook — Courtesy: CBRE
By Joshua Burd
CBRE has added a longtime retail specialist as one of its newest brokers in New Jersey.
The broker, Ira Kerner, has joined the firm as a first vice president in its Saddle Brook office. In his new role, he will service and advise both retail tenants and landlords as part of an effort to bolster CBRE’s presence within the region’s retail sector.
He will focus his efforts on northern New Jersey, as well as on Rockland and Westchester counties in New York.
“At a time when many in the retail space are expressing uncertainty about the sector’s future, I am optimistic about where the marketplace is headed,” Kerner said. “I see retail becoming bigger and stronger as it continues to evolve — and, specifically, as it continues to blend into other asset classes.
“My new role at CBRE presents me with a unique opportunity for cross-pollination across the firm’s many different teams and business lines.”
Kerner, who has more than 16 years of experience in real estate, joins CBRE after nine years with Ripco Real Estate, according to a news release. With Ripco, he represented landlord clients and worked with tenants such as Bob’s Discount Furniture, Tesla, Lane Bryant, TD Bank, LA Fitness and the Vitamin Shoppe.
Prior to Ripco, Kerner worked as a retail leasing specialist for Metro Commercial Real Estate Inc. in Fort Lee and for The Schultz Organization, based in Woodbridge.
At CBRE, Kerner will work closely with Jeff Hipschman, the firm’s senior managing director in New Jersey.
“Ira will be an extraordinary addition to our retail practice here at CBRE,” Hipschman said. “He brings a wealth of experience and industry insight to his role, and he has a history of success in the retail sector that will be beneficial for both our clients and our other brokerage professionals.”
Kerner is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and serves on the Regional Planning Committee for the ICSC PA/NJ/DE Deal Making Convention, the news release said. He is also a former co-chairman of Next Generation.
