Leading Real Estate Developer Eric Larson Joins James Ketai as Managing Partner of Detroit-based Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC

DETROIT, Feb. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC, a downtown Detroit-based full service real estate firm specializing in the purchasing, leasing, development and managing of commercial space, today named Eric B. Larson as co-managing partner.  Larson joins James Ketai, Bedrock's founder and managing partner, in running the company which conducts business across diverse geographies and industries, overseeing more than 3.5 million square feet of commercial space in downtown Detroit; Cleveland, Ohio; Scottsdale, Arizona; Charlotte, North Carolina; San Diego, California; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"Eric brings a vast amount of experience, expertise and a strong presence in our community. He will be a great and welcome asset," said Ketai.

A leading real estate developer with more than 25 years of experience, Larson will concentrate on the master planning, acquisitions, development and leasing activities for the real estate arm of Detroit-based Rock Ventures. 

Larson founded Larson Realty Group in Bloomfield Hills and during his career, developed, financed, owned and managed more than $3.5 billion in real estate, including General Motors' purchase and development of the Renaissance Center and Millender Center, and development of One Detroit Center and the Taubman Center at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit's New Center.  Most recently, Larson served as the non-executive president of Olympia Development of Michigan, a Detroit-based full-service real estate company owned by Detroit entrepreneurs Michael and Marian Ilitch.

Prior to establishing Larson Realty Group, Larson was a partner and senior vice president with Bruce S. Brickman & Associates, Inc., a New York-based real estate company.  Previously, he held several senior positions with Hines Interests Limited Partnership, a privately owned full service international real estate company.

Larson serves as chairman of The Urban Land Institute's Robert C. Larson Leadership Initiative, The Detroit Parade Company Board of Directors and Urban Land Institute (ULI) Michigan Governance Committee.  He has served as chairman of Detroit Downtown, Inc., the Detroit Downtown Partnership and The Detroit Business Improvement District, among others.

"I am excited to join my new partner, Jim Ketai, the Bedrock team and Rock Ventures family," Larson said. ""This comes at a unique time, given my continued interest in supporting Detroit, its revitalization and Bedrock's focus of bringing a positive impact to the City." 

"Jim and Eric are two of the city's most talented commercial real estate professionals. Together they will help drive the vision we all are working toward in downtown Detroit," said Dan Gilbert, Chairman and Founder of Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans. 

About Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC

Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC is a full-service real estate firm specializing in purchasing, leasing, financing, developing and managing of commercial space. The company, a partnership between Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert and veteran real estate developer Jim Ketai, is based in downtown Detroit. For more information, visit www.bedrockmgt.com.

About Rock Ventures LLC

Detroit-based Rock Ventures LLC provides operational coordination, guidance, and integration of a portfolio of companies, investments and real estate.

SOURCE Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC