About
Professional Summary
Steve Kling represents numerous leading office building owners and developers in Suburban Chicago. Along with Francis Prock, who he has partnered with since 1993, he oversees Colliers International | Chicago’s Suburban Office Advisory Group. This team has completed approximately 3,500 real estate transactions, valued at $8 billion.
Colliers Chicago’s Suburban Office Advisory Group offers total market coverage. The team is a powerhouse in the suburban office market and leads the field in square feet leased, total transactions, and has completed more than 50% of transactions over 50,000 square feet in the past five years.
Clients rely on Steve's 30 years of experience in the industry, giving his clients unsurpassed market knowledge and experience. He works closely with his clients to establish strategic plans consistent and complimentary with their goals, objectives and strategies, and he prides himself on open and frequent communication.
Steve joined Colliers Chicago in 2003 after spending 15 years with Grubb & Ellis Company and is a member of the firm’s Executive Board.
Accomplishments
- Crain's Most Influential Commercial Real Estate Brokers in Chicago (2017)
- Top 10% Producer, Colliers Americas region (2010-2017)
- Colliers' Everest Club (2004-2008, 2010-2016)
- CoStar Power Broker Award (2015, 2017)
- Appointed to Colliers’ Executive Board, one of seven members (2013)
- Finalist, NAIOP Suburban Office Broker Transaction of the Year and Office Development of the Year (2013)
- Winner, NAIOP Suburban Office Broker Transaction of the Year – ACCO Brands at Kemper Lakes Business Center, Long Grove, IL (2012)
- Finalist, Greater Chicago Food Depository Office Property Representative of the Year (1998, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2012)
- Named Principal of Colliers (2007)
- Archon Group’s Achievement Award-Excellence in Project Leasing (2002)
- Top 10 Producers, Grubb & Ellis (1996-2003)
- 2000 National Award for Excellence, Grubb & Ellis (2000)
- Circle Of Excellence-Top 10%, Grubb & Ellis (1995-2003)
- Archon Group’s Achievement Award (1997)
- Finalist, Chicago Sun-Times Office Property Representative of the Year (1994, 1997)
Education
- MBA, Northern Illinois University
- BA, Carthage College
Clients
- CVS
- GE Medical Systems
- ACCO Brands
- Sysmex
- Fenwal
- Jim Beam
- Rockwell International
- ATT
- Catalyst RX
- TAP Pharmaceuticals
- Lumberman's Mutual
- CareMark
- MetLife
- Barilla
- Nabisco
- Southwestern Bell
- Cingular
- ADP
- LTD Commodities
- Mercer
- Protective Life
- First Midwest Bank
- MLN Mortgage
- Fifth Third
- Lincoln Financial
- Advocate Health Partners
Testimonials
“Fulcrum has known and worked with Steve and Francis going back 10+ years and we have found them to be one of the most responsive, thoughtful and professional leasing teams in the business.
In the end, not much else matters beyond results: absorption of vacant space and renewals of existing tenants, all accomplished on market terms. Our experience with the Kling/Prock team in that regard has been extraordinary. Their extensive tenant rep relationships, their knowledge of competitive properties and comparable lease transactions, and their appreciation of unique tenant priorities and preferences all serve to allow them to deliver market leading results for landlords. They are a dominant player in the suburban office market largely due to results-driven execution on behalf of their clients.
Importantly, however, their style of execution further sets them apart from the competition. They are dogged deal guys, never giving up on a transaction that looks lost. They are creative in finding common ground between landlords and tenants, all the while nurturing sustainable relationships with both parties. Of special note is their mentality to think like an owner. Steve and Francis appreciate the difference between leasing space for occupancy's sake and delivering long term value for the owner. It cannot be understated as to the benefit of that perspective to the working relationship between landlord and leasing representative.”
Peter Broccolo
Principal
Fulcrum Asset Advisors, LLC
“Steve and Francis' efforts over the years at 5100 River Road in Schiller Park, and 1800 N. Central in Mount Prospect culminated with the signing of four critical leases at these properties in 2017. There were three leases totaling 12,209 square feet at 5100 River Road, and one lease totaling 221,862 square feet at 1800 N. Central bringing these buildings to 100% leased and representing one of the largest transactions signed in the suburbs this year. Over the more than 13 years that Colony Northstar has partnered with Steve and Francis, they have become trusted advisors, consistently negotiating leases in Colony's best interest. We value their commitment to our properties and appreciate all they have done to contribute to our accomplishments. The Chicago market remains a top priority for our firm and we are confident with Steve and Francis on board we have the best team in place for future success.”
Keisha Freeman
Senior Vice President
Asset Management Colony Northstar
Services
Service Lines
Property Type
My Team
My Team
Numerous leading office building owners and developers in Suburban Chicago rely on my extensive market knowledge and expertise to develop and execute their strategic marketing plans. I have specialized in office leasing since 1998 and, along with my partner Steve Kling, have completed approximately 3,500 real estate transactions for a total value of $8 billion.
My experience includes representing entrepreneurial owners and developer clients such as Hines, CBRE Global Investors, Equus Partners and Highland Management to the publicly traded Equity Commonwealth REIT and the institutional ownership of Colony Realty Trust, AEW, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Principal Financial, Prudential, RREEF, GE Capital and Allstate. My ultimate goal for my clients is to maximize the value for the asset and service the client.
I became a principal of Colliers International | Chicago in 2007 and share oversight of the Suburban Office Advisory Group.
Prior to joining Colliers in 2003, I spent 10 years at Grubb & Ellis Company and six years working with owner-developer William A. Rogers, Inc., gaining experience and market knowledge representing both landlords and tenants.
Partnering with Principals Steve Kling, Francis Prock, Jason Simon and Darryl Silverman, I specialize in the leasing and sales of suburban Chicago office properties. As part of the property marketing team, I canvass commercial properties in areas that feed the markets in which my clients' buildings are located. Through this effort I am involved in the maintenance of an extensive database of market intelligence, from both the tenant and building ownership perspective.
In the past 10 years, I have been involved in more than 500 transactions. These transactions cover a variety of experience in the representation of property owners. In the past 30 months, I’ve been involved in 26 office transactions greater than 50,000 square feet.
20 year real estate veteran.
Prior to joining Colliers International, I spent three years at Grubb & Ellis Company.
Brent Jacob, a vice president in Colliers International’s Suburban Office Advisory group, brings to the firm more than fourteen years of brokerage experience. With a geographic focus on the east-west and northwest suburbs of Chicago, Brent continues to grow the suburban office leasing and tenant representation platform.
Prior to joining Colliers, Brent was a portfolio leasing manager for John Hancock Real Estate, a subsidiary of Manulife Financial. He was responsible for the leasing and asset management of the Midwest Region portfolio, which included 24 properties totaling more than 7.2 million square feet of Class A industrial, office, and multi-family/retail. During his career, Brent has successfully negotiated, and secured leases totaling more than 3 million square feet and valued at more than $400 million.
Brent previously worked with Colliers Chicago’s Office Advisory Group from 2011-2015. He also gained experience in the tenant representation services group at Grubb & Ellis and Investment Services Group at NAI Hiffman.
Brent earned a master’s degree in real estate from Georgetown University and holds a bachelor of science in real estate from DePaul University. He is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois, CCIM Institute candidate member, and a member of both COLBA and NAIOP
With an unparalleled depth of knowledge and expertise as it relates to the North Suburban and O’Hare office markets, I advise clients on recent trends and market dynamics that are constantly changing. Since 2004, I have focused on suburban office agency representation, and I’ve completed more than 300 transactions for a total value exceeding $1 billion. On behalf of institutional and private investors, I lease approximately 1.5 million square feet of space in the Chicago suburbs.
I am one of five principals on the market leading suburban office team, and I joined Colliers in 2008.
Prior to joining Colliers, I spent four years at Grubb & Ellis Company, where I was awarded the Chicago region’s “Rookie of the Year” award.