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Your Trusted Commercial Real Estate Partner in Southeast Michigan
At Thomas Duke, we prioritize relationships above all else. For over four decades, we have built enduring partnerships with investors, tenants, construction professionals, and municipal leaders across Southeast Michigan. Our collaborative team structure sets us apart from traditional brokerages, fostering innovation and efficiency to deliver exceptional results for our clients. With five generations of commercial real estate expertise rooted in Detroit's history, we combine regional market intelligence with personalized service to meet the unique needs of property owners, investors, and tenants. Our sophisticated database and 120+ years of local market experience enable us to execute transactions faster and more strategically than industry peers.From land brokerage to multi-family investments, our CCIM-certified professionals leverage deep industry knowledge and creative problem-solving to transform real estate challenges into opportunities. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our track record of successful transactions exceeding $500 million in volume, including complex deals requiring innovative financing solutions. As a family-founded firm with a legacy dating to the 1880s, we maintain the entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on approach that have defined our success while embracing modern technology to enhance client service.
Services
Land Brokerage
Retail Representation
Industrial Real Estate
Office Leasing
Multi-Family Investments
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of Southeast Michigan commercial real estate expertise
- Our collaborative team structure accelerates transaction success
- CCIM-certified professionals ensure industry-leading standards
- Sophisticated database with 120+ years of market data
- Proven track record with $500M+ in completed transactions
Associations and certifications
- CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member)
Services
Land Brokerage
As Southeast Michigan's land brokerage leader, we leverage 100+ combined years of experience to market vacant land. Our team balances developer, owner, and user needs while utilizing extensive market data to facilitate successful transactions through strategic pricing and targeted outreach.
Retail Representation
We specialize in retail client representation from single-tenant storefronts to multi-tenant shopping centers. Our brokers combine local traffic pattern expertise with market trend analysis to secure optimal locations for retailers and landlords across Southeast Michigan's competitive commercial landscape.
Industrial Real Estate
Our industrial specialists utilize a 50,000+ property database and deep regional knowledge to match buyers and tenants with appropriate facilities. We serve businesses of all sizes, providing tailored solutions that consider current market conditions and future growth requirements in Southeast Michigan's industrial sector.
Office Leasing
With 40+ years representing both landlords and tenants, we create strategic office leasing solutions. Our team analyzes market trends and stakeholder needs to negotiate favorable terms while maintaining awareness of evolving office space requirements in the Detroit metropolitan area.
Multi-Family Investments
We help investors capitalize on multi-family opportunities through dedicated market research and customized strategies. Our team addresses the unique complexities of this sector, including financing options and property management considerations, to maximize returns on apartment and condominium investments.
People
Thomas A. Duke
President
As Senior Partner and great-grandson of the company founder, Thomas Duke brings five generations of commercial real estate expertise to his leadership role. He combines family tradition with modern business practices to guide the firm's strategic direction.
Mark W. Szerlag
Senior Partner
CCIM-certified Mark Szerlag specializes in property sales and investment analysis. With expertise in direct marketing and market research, he develops systematic solutions for clients' real estate needs across Southeast Michigan's commercial markets.
Steve Valli
Partner
Partner Steve Valli has completed over 500 commercial transactions totaling $500 million. His extensive experience spans multiple property types, delivering consistent results through strategic market positioning and negotiation expertise.
James Porth
Partner
James Porth represents leading student-housing management companies in Washtenaw County. With $100 million in transactions, he specializes in educational housing solutions that balance investor returns with tenant needs in the Ann Arbor market.
Eric Szerlag
Vice President
Vice President Eric Szerlag develops creative financing strategies that facilitate complex transactions. His innovative approaches have successfully closed deals like the $1.9M sale that transformed existing tenants into property owners.
Questions
What commercial real estate services does Thomas Duke offer?
We provide comprehensive brokerage services for land, retail, industrial, office, and multi-family properties, along with property management solutions tailored to Southeast Michigan's commercial market.
How does Thomas Duke's collaborative approach benefit clients?
Our team-based model combines diverse expertise and market data to develop innovative solutions, resulting in faster transactions and more strategic deals compared to traditional brokerage structures.
What makes Thomas Duke different from other real estate firms?
We combine five generations of local expertise with modern technology, offering personalized service and a sophisticated database that rivals major national firms while maintaining our regional focus.
Do you handle both property sales and leasing?
Yes, we represent clients in both sales and leasing transactions across all commercial property types, with specialized teams dedicated to each service area.
What areas do you serve?
We specialize in Southeast Michigan with particular expertise in Washtenaw County, Detroit Metro area, and Farmington Hills commercial real estate markets.
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