Transwestern Acquires Forte Real Estate Partners, Expanding Twin Cities Presence in Healthcare, Office and Industrial

Transwestern has acquired Forte Real Estate Partners, a Minneapolis-St. Paul-based commercial real estate firm, the company announced July 7, 2026. The transaction adds 12 healthcare, office and industrial tenant advisory professionals and a property management portfolio to Transwestern's Midwest operations, deepening the national firm's presence in one of the region's key markets.

Deal Details and Team Integration

Forte Real Estate Partners was established in 2021 through the merger of Excelsior Advisory and Paramount Group, providing brokerage and property services across the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. In less than five years, the firm advised clients on more than $885 million in transactions and managed nearly 1 million square feet of commercial property.

Forte's three founders — Steve Brown, Jim Jetland and Philip Simonet — will join Transwestern, bringing experience in healthcare, office and industrial real estate, respectively. Brown will join Transwestern's Minneapolis Healthcare group, which serves private practices, independent providers and health systems. Jetland and Simonet will remain actively engaged in supporting the growth of the office and industrial tenant advisory teams.

The Forte team will join Transwestern's Minneapolis office at 705 Marquette Avenue South.

Sector Specialization at the Core of the Transaction

The acquisition centers on three sectors where Forte has built a track record in the Twin Cities market. On the healthcare side, notable assignments include advising Hennepin Healthcare on a multi-block assemblage to support long-term growth and negotiating Summit Orthopedics' 78,000-square-foot clinic and ambulatory surgery center. In the industrial segment, Forte represented Binks' Manufacturing in a 150,000-square-foot global headquarters lease.

Emily Nicoll, Managing Director and Minneapolis market leader at Transwestern, said the combination reflects shared values between the two firms. "From our earliest conversations, it was clear Forte and Transwestern share a commitment to personalized service and a dynamic, team-oriented culture," Nicoll said. "The team's expertise in the office, healthcare and industrial sectors expands our ability to help clients navigate increasingly complex real estate decisions."

Jim Jetland, one of Forte's founders, said the acquisition positions the firm for its next phase of growth. "We are incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished since we joined forces five years ago," Jetland said. "As we anticipate the future of commercial real estate, we wanted to align with an organization that shares our values and client commitment, adding the resources of an integrated national platform. Transwestern is the perfect fit for our next chapter."

Transwestern's Broader Midwest and National Footprint

Following the acquisition, Transwestern has approximately 475 team members across the Midwest and oversees more than 52 million square feet of office, industrial, healthcare, retail and government properties in the region. Nationally, the firm operates across 35 offices and owns, leases and operates $64 billion in assets spanning logistics, multifamily, retail, mixed-use, healthcare, office, data centers, hotel and life sciences properties.

Forte had been recognized as a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Best Place to Work for three consecutive years prior to the acquisition.