Untangling Legacy Commercial Real Estate.

Independent counsel for families, family offices and their advisors as commercial property passes to the next generation.

The Pinehurst Building, Minneapolis, MN

Most family wealth plans are built around assets that can be sold with a phone call. Commercial real estate isn't one of them. It comes with partners, leases, deadlines and history, and when one generation gives way to the next, all of it must be understood before anything can be decided.

Maenner Property Advisors counsels families and individual owners whose commercial real estate, owned outright or in partnership with others, must be passed on, restructured or sold. We work alongside the family's attorney, accountant and wealth advisor, translate the property into decisions they can act on, and stay to carry them out when action is called for.

We are not transactionally driven, and paid for counsel from the outset, which is why we can tell a family that sometimes the best course of action is to do nothing.

When families call

A founder has passed away, and the estate holds property no one else has managed

An heir owns a minority interest alongside partners she didn't choose

A partner wants out, and the agreement offers no clear exit

A loan is maturing, a major lease is ending, or an unsolicited offer has arrived

A well-located site has real potential and no one in the family to develop it

A long-held portfolio no longer fits the family's goals, or the next generation's

For advisors

If you're an estate attorney, accountant or wealth advisor, your client's real estate may be the one part of the plan no one on the team owns. We fill that seat. We report to you and your client together, keep you informed at every step, and leave the relationship where it belongs: with you.

Our mission:

To lead strategic transitions in legacy real estate, from one generation to the next.

The Revelry, Madison, WI

“I had the pleasure of working with Paul Maenner on a complex property transaction that he helped us bring to a successful conclusion.

From the outset, Paul was a critical member of the team helping develop our strategy and working with our governing board as well as an advisory team of board members. Paul quickly gained the confidence of our team for his attention to detail, his vast knowledge of the real estate industry, and his ability to add value through strategic negotiations.

Paul's expertise was very helpful as we worked through a sensitive project with complexity due to its high visibility and bankruptcy involvement. I would highly recommend Paul Maenner to others.”

Peggy Ingison - Minnesota Historical Society

Minnesota History Center Administrative Building, St. Paul, MN

What we value

Ownership: We think, act, and operate like owners. Because that’s what we are.

Stewardship of Resources: We believe in safeguarding resources, particularly capital.

Frankness: When called for, we have the obligation to dissent; robust & honest discussion leads to better outcomes.

Character: We value honesty, integrity, and relationships ~ without these no business is worth it.

Entrepreneurship: We respect the risk entrepreneurs take, because we have taken them ourselves.

What we value

Ownership: We think, act, and operate like owners. Because that’s what we are.

Stewardship of Resources: We believe in safeguarding resources, particularly capital.

Frankness: When called for, we have the obligation to dissent; robust & honest discussion leads to better outcomes.

Character: We value honesty, integrity, and relationships ~ without these no business is worth it.

Entrepreneurship: We respect the risk entrepreneurs take, because we have taken them ourselves.

From Paul Maenner

Untangled Property

Occasional essays with observations on real estate trends and family-held commercial real estate: what goes wrong, what to ask, and how others have resolved it.

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