NKF Chicago Office adds capital markets brokers Sandquist and Asensio

Newmark Knight Frank (NKF) announces the addition of leading corporate capital markets and net lease brokers to its Chicago office. With over 35 years of combined experience, vice chairman Andrew Sandquist and managing director J.C. Asensio join NKF, specializing in sale-leaseback solutions for corporate occupiers and mergers and acquisitions private equity sponsors, as well as monetization strategies for institutional owners and developers.

“Significantly expanding NKF’s corporate capital markets presence is part of our commitment to offer a comprehensive suite of services structured to meet the complex and diverse needs of occupier clients, anywhere they are located,” said chief executive officer of Newmark Group, Inc., Barry M. Gosin. “I am extremely pleased at NKF’s success in attracting the leading capital markets brokers in Chicago and am thrilled to welcome them to the team.”

Joining NKF from CBRE, as top performers in corporate capital markets, Sandquist and Asensio have successfully executed complex sale-leaseback and net lease transactions in excess of $7.3 billion in volume, across 47 states and 10 countries. Both individuals’ international experience complements NKF’s global reach, with one of the largest international footprints in the commercial real estate industry.

“The addition of these professionals as industry leaders to the Chicago office is an important step in NKF’s strategic expansion globally,” said NKF executive vice president and central market leader, Kevin McCabe. “These well-respected, highly talented professionals are well-positioned to continue to provide an exceptional level of service to their clients.”

Sandquist and Asensio are widely recognized in the industry for their extensive, market-leading experience in representing mergers and acquisitions private equity sponsors as it relates to their portfolio companies’ real estate assets. With backgrounds in corporate finance, investment banking and accounting, their ability to communicate middle-market credits to investors has allowed them to structure some of the most innovative sale-leaseback financings for their private equity clients.

“Joining NKF is an exciting step for both ourselves and for our clients,” said Sandquist. “NKF’s collaborative entrepreneurial culture and exceptional client service platform—as well as the opportunity to contribute to NKF’s growing suite of commercial real estate services—were all driving factors in our decision.”

“I am very proud of all we have accomplished on behalf of our clients and am excited about the opportunity to expand our service delivery through NKF’s comprehensive service platform and superior network of industry experts,” said Asensio.