ATLANTA (Jan. 1, 2015) - The new year got off to a somber start for Atlanta's commercial real estate industry as legendary developer Robert F. "Bob" Kern passed away.
Kern's son, Kevin Kern - who followed in his dad's footsteps as a developer - shared the sad news from Atlanta Hospice at about 8 p.m. New Year's Day: RIP my dear dad. So many amazing memories with my trail blazing father. Romeo Foxtrot Kilo out.
The affable Bob Kern introduced flex office buildings to Atlanta. The buildings, usually single story, offered the flexibility of having a good amount of office space in a business-services/industrial structure. Here's what another giant of Atlanta's CRE community said about Kern's contribution.
"Bob Kern was the first to do flex space," King Industrial Realty Inc. Chairman Charlie King told Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2003. "He built on land that cost more than industrial but less than office and hit a home run because, as its name implies, it is space that is flexible, which everybody loves."
Kern's legacy also can be found across metro Atlanta, especially in Cobb County, where he developed several office/flex buildings and business parks including Galleria 75. (When Kern selected the name Galleria 75, Don Childress challenged Kern's use of "Galleria." Ultimately, the dispute was settled with Kern and his partners agreed to pay a licensing fee of $5,000 a year to use Galleria in the name.)
Kern remained active until late last year, when he spearheaded the effort to develop Cornerstone Medical Office Center at Peachtree and Collier roads in Atlanta's Brookwood Hills neighborhood.
Word of Kern's death spread quickly, and several friends in the real estate community expressed their sorrow and find memories. Here are some of the messages left on Kevin Kern's Facebook page.
Rick Lackey RIP to the greatest salesman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing - the CRE community has lost another great one.
Bradley Fulkerson Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
George Edwards So sorry to read this, Kevin. One of my first decent size Bus Park deals was with Kern & Padgett at Interstate North. Remember it as great experience with Bob and Ben. Bob was a prince of a man. My prayers are with you.
Frank Norton Sorry to hear about Bob. I remember him well giving me a start and sometimes a push on some of my first real estate transactions. My prayers are with your family.
Jarred Schenke Kevin, I'm sorry to hear this. My thoughts with you tonight. No matter our age, it's never easy to lose a parent.
Comments