Ben Quie & Sons

Ben Quie & Sons, a trusted home remodeling contractor in St. Paul, has been blending the charm of vintage homes with modern functionality since its founding in 1988. As their business expanded, the company recognized the need for a larger, customized office and workspace to support their growing team of production managers, estimators, project managers, and designers—all while maintaining proximity to their St. Paul client base.

In early 2022, Ben Quie & Sons approached Ian McRoberts from Element to assist them in locating potential solutions to replace their leased 2,700 SF office and small shop space located on Energy Park Drive which no longer met their operational needs. They sought a property that could house a spacious office for their growing team, a design room for samples, a shop area with a drive-in bay, adequate parking and storage, all while showcasing their brand in a visible, convenient location.  

Role
Buyer Representation, Site Selection, Acquisition, Due Diligence, Financing Coordination, and Project Management

Opportunity & Challenges
Ben Quie & Sons had outgrown its leased office and shop space and needed a facility that could accommodate its expanding team, design studio, workshop, and storage while remaining in St. Paul. The company's ideal building wasn't on the market, requiring a creative acquisition strategy, patient negotiations with ownership, and coordination of financing, due diligence, and redevelopment planning.

Approach
After evaluating multiple market options, Element focused on an off-market property that perfectly aligned with the client's vision. Through persistent communication, Element successfully negotiated the acquisition, guided environmental and pre-construction due diligence, coordinated SBA construction financing, and supported the year-long renovation process that transformed the property into a headquarters tailored to Ben Quie & Sons' operations and brand.

Ian’s patient and straightforward communication approach with the building owner was eventually effective in getting the owner to agree to sell the building at a market rate price and terms that were acceptable to Ben Quie & Sons in the spring 2023.   Ian guided Ben Quie & Sons through every step of the acquisition, including assessing environmental considerations, evaluation of capital stack equity options, as well as the pre-construction due diligence process, leveraging his deep understanding of commercial construction and the development entitlement process, including working with Sunrise Banks on their checklist to approve the construction loan.  The transaction closed in the summer of 2023, clearing the path for Ben Quie & Son’s year-long restoration and renovation of the property.

Results
→ Successfully acquired an off-market property after strategic owner negotiations
→ Coordinated environmental due diligence and SBA construction financing
→ Guided acquisition through redevelopment planning and project execution
→ Transformed a 4,928 SF building and detached shop into a custom headquarters
→ Delivered a highly visible, brand-forward location supporting future business growth
→ Created a long-term home designed around the company's operations and craftsmanship

Ian said of the process: “I am excited and proud to have assisted Ben Quie & Sons in the purchase and renovation of this property, it was a long process, but worth the effort to transform this old building into a new vibrant home for Ben Quie & Son’s for many years to come”