ABOUT

We are an employee owned, full-service commercial real estate brokerage, property management, and development company that has been creating value in the St. Louis region for its clients and investors for over 44 years.

Since 1979 we have dedicated ourselves to creating value through commercial real estate brokerage, investment, property management and development services for our clients, investor partners and local communities.

Gary Balke founded the company with a commitment to quality building design and meeting the needs of tenants. This commitment continues to drive our company as we have expanded from our roots as an office building developer/manager into a leading real estate services provider with expertise in office, retail, industrial, medical, and multi-family properties.

Today company executives Steve Brown and Mike Donovan lead a team of 215 people focused on building our reputation as an entrepreneurial value creator with the highest integrity where the needs of our customers always come first. Those customers include institutional owners, pension funds, REITS, fortune 500 companies, local partnerships and successful local entrepreneurs.

Proud to be an employee-owned company

Balke Brown Transwestern is one of the largest commercial real estate firms in St. Louis and the Metro East. BBTW’s Management/Leasing/Development portfolio includes over 63 projects containing over 8.0 million square feet.

Balke Brown Transwestern’s partnership with Transwestern in December 2011 has strengthened our outreach nationally/internationally within our brokerage and investment services teams.

Balke Brown Transwestern formed our multi-family residential services division in 2012 and has formally operated under the 2B Residential name since 2017. At 2B Residential we’re experts in turning apartments into more than places people live – these are places people are proud to call home! 2B Residential is one of the most respected and fastest-growing multi-family property management companies in the Midwest. We serve market-leading properties in St. Louis and Southwest Illinois. Our portfolio includes 53 communities with 8,283 of the region’s most sought-after residential units. Our impressive culture has led to a three time win as Property Management Company of the Year (2016, 2018, 2020 & 2023) as awarded by the St. Louis Apartment Association.

balke brown transwestern

advantage

ownership mentality

strong company culture

We understand our owners because we are owners. As an employee owned company, we operate with an ownership mindset and treat our clients and investor investments as if they were our own.

long term

success & history

Our 40+ year history is a story we are truly proud of. We pride ourselves on our lasting positive impressions made with both our top-tier developments to our valued clients/residents and the solid relationships that we have made over the years.

we are

value creators

Whether it be through our developments, communities or management services, the flexibility in our approach and proactive service-oriented mentality creates a stable formula for success. Our strong financial reputation alows us to customize the capital structure for each of our projects.

strong local expertise

coast-to-coast strength & resources

Our partnership with Transwestern and their international outreach brings combined strength both locally and nationally. 200+ offices in 37 countries.

company brochure

1979

Garrett A. Balke, Inc.
Founded by Gary Balke

1984

Steve Brown joins firm

1992

Firm becomes Balke Properties

2004

Firm becomes Balke Brown Associates

2007

Mike Donovan joins firm, creates brokerage division

2011

Partnership with Transwestern, firm becomes Balke Brown Transwestern

2015

Firm becomes 55% Employee-owned with Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP)

2017

2B Residential management launches; Diamond Income Fund I launches

2021

Diamond Income Fund II launches

2022

Double Eagle Development launches

2023

Firm becomes 100% Employee-owned with Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP)