KETTLER

For the third installment of our #BlackHistoryMonth series, we turn the spotlight on Alexander Miles: an American inventor and businessman whose work in the late 19th century shaped the elevators we rely on today. As skyscrapers became a prominent feature of cities in the late 1800s, elevators became essential—but they were risky. Both the elevator and shaft doors had to be manually opened and closed, making them quite dangerous to operate and sometimes causing accidents. Inspired by his own experiences (of which there are many rumors), Miles designed an automatic door system. His 1887 patent introduced a flexible belt mechanism that connected the elevator cage to levers and rollers, ensuring doors opened and closed automatically. This innovation dramatically improved safety and set the standard for modern elevators. But Miles' impact didn’t stop there. In 1899, he founded The United Brotherhood in Chicago to offer life insurance to Black Americans, who were often denied coverage elsewhere. The next time you find yourself in an elevator, you can thank Alexander Miles for a safer, more efficient ride!

Affordable housing is a cornerstone of thriving communities, and the need has never been more urgent. At KETTLER, we are committed to supporting efforts that drive meaningful change in this space.

We absolutely loved meeting all the students at the Annual Real Estate & Property Management Career Event today! The Blackwood Department of Real Estate and the Property Management Program at Virginia Tech hosted the gathering, allowing us to connect with students beginning their career search. We're grateful for the opportunity to inspire the next generation of real estate professionals—and perhaps more importantly, for each of these students to inspire us. Thank you to everyone who visited our booth today to discover what makes #TeamKETTLER exceptional!

"I think elevating that virtual experience so that people don't have to come in for tours. They can, with a click of a button, see a floor plan and not just a picture of it, but a virtual experience." Daryl Smith, Jesika Perry, and Isiah Williams wrapped up their technology panel discussion by sharing what tech they hope to see in the near future for property management. Thank you to all of our panelists for all the amazing insight and information on the current and future state of technology in our industry! See the final segment in full ?? https://bit.ly/4aTA5D4

Celebrate Black History Month with KETTLER as we honor African American trailblazers who’ve shaped the world of technology, development, and beyond. For the next part of our #BlackHistoryMonth series, we highlight Marie Van Brittan Brown, inventor of the home security system. Marie Brown, a nurse, and her husband Albert, an electronics technician, both worked nontraditional hours on different schedules, meaning Marie was often at home by herself. At the time, their neighborhood in Queens, New York was a high-crime area with slow police response times. Seeking to improve personal security, Brown created an electronic system to identify visitors and contact authorities quickly. Her invention included peepholes, a camera, monitors, a two-way microphone, and an alarm button to alert the police, forming the foundation for modern security systems. Brown was awarded a patent for the invention in 1969 along with much-deserved recognition, including an award from the National Scientists Committee. Her creation remains widely used in businesses, homes, and multi-unit dwellings to this day.

Gasworx developers Darryl Shaw and Kettler have secured a $182M construction loan from Bank OZK and partnered with international investment firm PPF Group for the next phase of this transformative project. This funding will fuel the creation of the “E blocks,” featuring Grow Financial’s 100,000-square-foot headquarters, a reimagined historic warehouse marketplace, residential buildings, retail space, and unique amenities—all designed to honor Ybor City’s heritage while driving growth. Read details in Ashley Gurbal Kritzer's story in Tampa Bay Business Journal #commercialrealestate #Tampa

We’re thrilled to announce that Christina Chang, CFA, has joined KETTLER as our new Head of Asset Management. With extensive experience managing over $3.5 billion in multifamily, retail, and mixed-use assets, Christina brings invaluable expertise to our team. She has also been appointed as a core member of KETTLER’s Investment Committee, reflecting her depth of knowledge and strategic insight. At KETTLER Christina will lead multifamily investments, driving value creation, optimizing returns, and managing risks. She’ll also oversee renovations, recapitalizations, and property dispositions. Welcome to the team, Christina—we’re excited for the journey ahead!

"Getting that 'right now' response is what the resident wants...Having AI step in to help and out and assist with that is crucial. With AI, it does so much with helping to generate that relationship with the resident." Daryl Smith, Jesika Perry, and Isiah Williams discussed their thoughts on the pros and cons of implementing AI into property management operations. See the full 2nd segment of the panel discussion here ?? https://bit.ly/4gvkZoN

??Big News for Ybor City!?? Tampa's Gasworx district just secured a $182 million construction loan from Bank OZK, marking a major milestone for the project. This funding will accelerate the development of three key parcels, bringing Gasworx closer to transforming Tampa’s vibrant Latin Quarter. Fueling Gasworx's continued growth, Prague-based PPF Group has joined forces with KETTLER and local developer Darryl Shaw for the next phase of the project. “The partnership with PPF Group, coupled with a loan from Bank OZK, marks a pivotal moment in the Gasworx journey,” said Bob Kettler, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at KETTLER. “These milestones enable us to continue moving forward, building a vibrant community that respects Ybor City’s rich history while driving future growth.” The Gasworx project reimagines 50 acres of Ybor’s west end, with plans for 5,000 residences, 500,000 sq. ft. of office space, and 140,000 sq. ft. of retail—creating one of Tampa’s most dynamic and walkable neighborhoods by 2027.

Celebrate Black History Month with KETTLER as we honor African American trailblazers who’ve shaped the world of technology, development, and beyond. For the first part of our #BlackHistoryMonth series, we highlight Garrett Morgan, a once-handyman turned inventor whose most notable creation was the three-way traffic light. Garrett Morgan, born in 1877 in Paris, Kentucky, first noticed his interest in how things worked at 14 while repairing sewing machines for a clothing manufacturer. His first invention was a belt fastener for these machines, and it was far from his last. Morgan went on to design a myriad of new creations; from patented hair care products to a smoke hood breathing device that helped rescue workers trapped in a tunnel in 1916. An accidental engineer, Morgan is a testament to how innovation can emerge from even the most unexpected places.