Press
Jake Lundgren Named Chief Operating Officer of Knapp Properties, LC
October 2020
Knapp Properties has promoted Jake Lundgren to Chief Operating Officer. Lundgren has worked in commercial real estate for over 22 years and has been at Knapp Properties for over 18 years, most recently serving as Knapp Properties’ Executive Vice President.
Jake currently oversees all aspects of the property management department, including commercial properties, residential, and homeowners’ associations, which is comprised of 2 million square feet owned by Knapp and their partners, and an additional 2 million square feet for third-party owners. As COO, Jake will also oversee brokerage operations for Knapp Properties.
Chris Costa, President and CEO of Knapp Properties, adds, “Jake has continued to expand his responsibilities at Knapp Properties, always striving to consistently exceed the expectations of our customers and employees. Jake’s promotion to COO is an exciting step forward in his recognition as a respected leader within our organization. His substantial industry experience and knowledge will be valuable as Knapp Properties continues to deliver top-notch results for its multitude of real estate projects in Central Iowa”.
Jake graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a finance and real estate degree. He began his career with R & R Realty Group in construction management before joining Knapp Properties’ property management department in 2001. Jake currently serves on the Neighborhood Development Corporation board in Des Moines as well as the Economic Development Board for Polk City. He is also a member of BOMA and IREM and has attained the designation of Certified Property Manager.
Bridge paves way for Madison County building boom
August 23, 2017
Construction has started on a bridge over the Raccoon River in the outskirts of West Des Moines. It promises to open up huge swaths of northern Madison County to development.
At Home With
Ellen Butler
6/1/2017
Ellen Butler had her eye on the new Fourth + Court apartments above Hy-Vee. Her employer, Happy Medium, designed the website and branding for the building, giving her an inside edge.
“Around the office, I heard someone say, ‘I think they’re going to start doing hard hat tours for units. ‘And I got the building manager’s contact information, and I said, ‘We would like a tour please,’ ” she says.
Butler’s persistence paid off. In March, Butler and her fiancé Geoff moved from their apartment near the Des Moines Art Center into the brand new 81-unit complex. Their more-than-1,255-square-foot, two-story, townhome-style unit includes two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, two balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Court Avenue.
The inside story on how the downtown Hy-Vee came to be
February 24, 2017
At this point, you’d have to be living under a rock not to know a Hy-Vee is opening in downtown Des Moines.
The 36,000-square-foot grocery store, which has been the subject of much fanfare during the three years since it was first proposed by Knapp Properties and Hy-Vee Inc., will open at 6 a.m. Tuesday at 420 Court Ave.
Knapp buys Grimes Y site
May 24, 2016
The nine-acre site in Grimes where a YMCA was once planned is back in familiar hands and slated for commercial development.
The YMCA of Greater Des Moines recently sold the parcel on East First Street to All Points Development, an entity managed by Knapp Properties, for $725,367. Knapp previously owned the land and donated it to the YMCA in 2006.
Development reignites at Airport Commerce Park
September 16, 2015
A 100,000-square-foot warehouse is beginning to rise from the ground in the Airport Commerce Park South.
After sitting quiet for years, several new developments are in the works in the sprawling businesses park on the south side of the Des Moines International Airport.
“There was a huge flurry when we first did this in the early 2000s and then it kind of slowed down,” said Gerry Neugent, CEO of West Des Moines-based Knapp Properties. “Now, it has some new attention.”
William C. Knapp Commits Naming Gift to Emergency Department & Trauma Center Project at Iowa Methodist Medical Center & Blank Children’s Hospital Made Possible with Donor Support
May 14, 2015
DES MOINES, IA – Entrepreneur and philanthropist William “Bill” C. Knapp has made a commitment of current and future gifts, estimated at $5 million by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, in support of the expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department and Trauma Center at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Blank Children’s Hospital. In recognition of his leadership support, the new name will be the “William C. Knapp Emergency Department and Trauma Center”.
Gerry Neugent named Commercial Real Estate Professional of the Year
April 22, 2015
Gerry Neugent, president and CEO of Knapp Properties, Inc. was named the inaugural Great Western Bank Commercial Real Estate Professional of the Year on April 22. The award honors professional accomplishments and community engagement among CRE professionals. In addition to his terrific work at Knapp Properties, Gerry is the director of the Iowa Events Center Hotel Corp and the chairman of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
Better Business Bureau of Iowa Presents Knapp with 2015 Integrity Award
March 23, 2015
Knapp Properites was one of five winners of the Better Business Bureau of Iowa’s 2015 Integrity Award and was honored at the BBB 75th Anniversary Luncheon on April 16. This award honors businesses and students that demonstrate superior ethics, reliability and trustworthiness.
Des Moines University to honor Bill Knapp Oct. 9 at annual Glanton Dinner
September 26, 2014
Des Moines University will honor the achievements and impact of longtime central Iowa developer, entrepreneur and philanthropist William “Bill” C. Knapp at the University’s 11th annual Glanton Minority Scholarship Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Meadows Events and Conference Center, Prairie Meadows, Altoona.
Knapp Properties Names New CEO
May 27, 2014
Knapp Properties, one of central Iowa’s most prominent real estate and development companies, is shuffling its top leadership.
The company announced Tuesday morning that Gerry Neugent, a co-owner who has served as president and chief operating officer since 1993, will be president and CEO.
Bill Knapp II, who had been CEO and chairman of the board, will remain involved full-time with the company as chairman.
The Real Deal: The Life of Bill Knapp
August 2, 2013
Des Moines, Iowa – Business Publications Corporation, Inc. announces the release of a new book documenting the life and legacy of local real estate mogul and philanthropist, William (Bill) C. Knapp. The biography, titled “The Real Deal: The Life of Bill Knapp,” will first be made available on August 9, 2013, at the Iowa State Fair and for purchase through local book retailers and Amazon.com.
