2 Northwest Arkansas commercial real estate companies merge

Rogers-based Focus Commercial Real Estate announced Wednesday (May 7) that it has merged with Bennett Commercial Real Estate in Rogers. The merger was effective May 1. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The combined firm will operate as Focus Commercial Real Estate, replacing the Bennett Commercial Real Estate brand. Focus released a new logo that’s blue instead of red with a grey font instead of white. The combined team’s office is at 5512 W. Walsh Lane in Rogers. It comprises 16 employees, including 11 brokers, and an intern.

Clinton Bennett founded Bennett Commercial Real Estate in 2020 and has worked in the market as a commercial real estate broker since 2004. He said the firm had discussed the merger with Focus for years, and talks became more serious about six to eight months ago.

According to a news release, Bennett Commercial Real Estate has guided Fortune 500 clients, private companies, investors and property owners through real estate decisions.

“This merger is more than a business decision; it’s a growth opportunity for our people, our clients and our community,” Bennett said. “We’re combining the experience and local knowledge from both teams to create a firm that’s stronger, more connected and ready for what’s next.”

The release shows the merger will enhance the firm’s “ability to provide specialized management services for diverse asset types, including office, retail, industrial and medical properties.” With the combined property management teams, the firm “is better equipped to offer tailored, comprehensive solutions that meet the unique needs of each client.”

“This is about aligning the right people with the right vision,” said Butch Gurganus, principal and co-founder of Focus Commercial Real Estate. “Clinton and his team have built something impressive. By combining our capabilities and relationships, we’re creating a more responsive and well-rounded company – one that’s prepared for all facets of commercial real estate including brokerage and property management.”

Bennett and Gurganus are the firm’s managing directors. Bennett said they’d been competitors in the market for the past 20 years, and he became familiar with Gurganus, the team he assembled, and their integrity toward real estate deals and their clients.

He said there was little overlap in the firms’ services “because we have people that are particularly strong in industrial…and medical office. There’s a little bit of overlap because they have a strong office group.” Focus is also strong in retail and land work.

“So the skillsets…merged together pretty well and created an opportunity to…create a team with a better service offering,” Bennett said. “And for me personally, it created an opportunity to have access to a good property management company.”

Bennett said the firm’s use of technology sets it apart. Gurganus also noted the benefits of more staff focused on different things in the office.

“There’s more access to hear what’s going on, and it may or may not relate to what you’re doing,” Gurganus said. “But it helps you keep up with the market a lot better.”

Gurganus said Focus’ brokerage staff will work at the Rogers office, but it will maintain a property management presence at Beau Terre, the largest office park in Northwest Arkansas. The 35-building, 378,493-square-foot property sold this past fall for $44.6 million. Focus represented the seller, BH Property Ventures, whose members include Rogers businessmen Patrick Byrd and Alex Baumeister.