By Josh Witt – Reporter, Wichita Business Journal – Jul 29, 2024
A California-based commercial real estate brokerage firm — with a growing presence in the U.S. and internationally — has arrived in Wichita with some familiar local names at the helm.
Sperry recently announced the launch of Ad Astra Commercial, which is the company’s first Kansas affiliate.
Local real estate veteran Will Harmon is managing broker, with Brant Dumford and Andrew Barnard joining him as partners and brokers. Johanna Kellner-Ledesma is also an agent on the team, which has more than four decades of combined real estate experience.
Harmon, a past chapter president of Kansas Certified Commercial Investment Member, said Sperry brings a new dimension to the Wichita market.
“They’re always looking outside of the box,” he said.
In addition to Sperry’s leasing, investment sales, property management and investment commercial real estate services, Harmon highlighted SIRE Group, a partnership of Sperry RE Capital and International Real Estate Partners, as unique.
SIRE Group has a 3D printing construction arm and also does work in energy conservation and land management within its clients’ real estate footprint.
Previously known as Sperry Commercial Global Affiliates until a rebrand this year, Sperry was founded in 2016. It has 62 U.S. locations across 21 states. Sperry opened its first international office in Mexico in 2022, and has plans for expansion in Asia, according to the firm’s website.
Dumford, a local real estate developer, said the central U.S. is an attractive market for coastal investors due to its cap rates, and he feels Ad Astra can connect national investors with unique opportunities in Wichita.
“Sperry allows us to reinvigorate and reignite new ideas that allow us to move in a fresh way,” said Dumford, whose Colony downtown coworking space at 659 N. Market is now home to Ad Astra’s offices.
Barnard said Ad Astra is looking to bring large national tenants across sectors, from office to industrial and more, into Wichita. The firm works to leverage the Sperry network to be in tune with trends across the country.
He said Ad Astra can aid property owners with the development process when they have a piece of land they believe has potential, but don’t know what to do with it.
“We can help people see it all the way through,” Barnard said.
Harmon said he’s still associated with ERA Great American Realty — where he had moved to after time with Keller Williams Hometown Partners — but his ERA work will now be centered on residential real estate while he has a commercial focus with Ad Astra.
While all four Ad Astra team members said they see opportunities to bring regional and national investors and companies into Wichita, their goal is to help local clients just as much.
Kellner-Ledesma, who has worked with Harmon at ERA, Keller Williams Hometown Partners and Keller Williams Signature Partners, said she believes the firm will collaborate well with those in local real estate.
“That’s a huge advantage,” she said.
Ad Astra has big goals out of the gate. Dumford said he thinks $25 million in deals is within reach in Ad Astra Commercial’s first year.
As it strives for that mark, the team says it is looking to add to its group — but will be selective.
“We’re actively seeking agents who are creative and want to push the limits of commercial real estate,” Barnard said.