News
Boca Raton, Fla. (March 13, 2024) – The South Florida real estate market is perhaps one of the most dynamic in the country, spanning a 125-mile corridor from Palm Beach to Miami-Dade counties, with asset classes, tenant populations, and capital that’s different from one street corner to the next. As Foundry Commercial embarks on its next phase of growth in South Florida, David Bateman – a nearly 20-year veteran in the commercial real estate industry – has been hired to lead the company’s South Florida brokerage operations.
“Foundry led a very calculated search to find the ideal leader to spearhead our South Florida brokerage business, and in David Bateman, we have found a leader who embodies the depth of experience and holistic understanding necessary to navigate the intricacies of this diverse real estate landscape. His insight and expertise will undoubtedly propel us to new heights in this dynamic market,” said Gregg Ickes, President of Foundry Commercial.
Since 2013, and primarily managed from the firm’s Deal Hub in Boca Raton, Foundry Commercial has established a stronghold on the development and investments segment of the commercial real estate market, with a more than $4.3 billion investment portfolio across 12 additional Sun Belt markets. Additionally, Foundry manages approximately 10 million square feet in South Florida. The company expanded its office footprints in both Coral Gables and Boca Raton last year. More than 50 Foundry associates are based out of the two South Florida locations. Foundry Commercial has consistently been ranked among the top five developers by the South Florida Business Journal; as Bateman joins Foundry, he builds upon a strong foundation that has been established by a high-performing team of development, property, and project management professionals over the past 11 years.
Bateman started his career quickly, completing over 120 transactions worth over $100 million in lease value in his first two years. He went on to lease office, industrial, medical, and retail asset classes, eventually leasing a 1.5 million square foot portfolio in Broward and Palm Beach counties, representing clients such as Duke Realty, DRA Advisors, Clarion, TIAA (Nuveen), TA Realty, and more. He joins Foundry from CBRE, where he served as Managing Director overseeing the firm’s South Florida services business.
“The entrepreneurial spirit that permeates Foundry is truly inspiring, and I am eager to leverage my skills and experience to further enhance the groundwork already laid here. I’m fortunate to be joining a company that already has deep leadership talent in South Florida in the development and property management teams,” said Bateman. “It’s a thrilling time to be part of the commercial real estate industry, particularly in South Florida, where the market is rapidly evolving. With all our unique dynamics, Foundry stands out for being deliberate in our approach to meet the ever-changing needs of this vibrant region.”
Bateman is an active board member of the NAIOP South Florida chapter and has been named among the esteemed “40 Under 40” by the South Florida Business Journal. His career in commercial real estate began upon earning his bachelor’s in business management and marketing from Florida Atlantic University, but only after he first tried his hand at being a professional quarterback.