TENANT-ONLY SINCE 2004
Two Former CBRE Brokers Who Left to Build Something Different.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
Co-Founders
Tom and Dave each spent nearly twenty years at CBRE—one of the largest commercial real estate firms in the world. They were good at it. But they kept seeing the same thing: tenants at the table with a broker who also represented their landlord. The conflict wasn’t theoretical. It showed up in renewals that weren’t pushed hard enough, alternatives that weren’t surfaced, and concessions that were left on the table. In 2004 they left and formed Tenant Advisors, Inc.—a firm with one rule. They haven’t represented a landlord since.
Tenant Advisors, Inc. is a member of ITRA Global, an international association of real estate professionals specializing in representing tenants and occupiers of commercial space.
“We kept watching tenants sit across from a broker who also worked for their landlord. In 2004 we decided to only sit on one side of the table.”
Tom Koelzer & Dave Ven Horst · Co-Founders
Tom Koelzer
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER
Tom has negotiated Chicago office leases since 1986. After nearly two decades at CBRE, rising to First Vice President on the landlord side, he co-founded Tenant Advisors with Dave Ven Horst in 2004 to represent tenants only. A University of Michigan graduate and licensed Illinois broker, he leads renewals, relocations, and restructurings.
Dave Ven Horst
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING BROKER
Dave has negotiated Chicago office leases since 1985, nearly two decades of it at CBRE as First Vice President. He co-founded Tenant Advisors with Tom Koelzer in 2004. A CPA, University of Illinois accountancy graduate, and licensed Illinois broker, he leads complex restructures and financial analysis so clients know the true cost of every option.
David EtsHokin
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
David has represented only tenants since 2009, with a focus on medical and dental practices, where build-out costs and long terms make a bad deal expensive for a decade. A University of Minnesota graduate and licensed Illinois broker, he handles renewals, relocations, and restructures across the North Suburbs and Chicago CBD.
Mike Vizzone
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Mike has represented only tenants since 2010, never a landlord. A UNLV graduate and licensed Illinois broker, he runs site selection, market evaluation, and deal structure for companies across the North Suburbs and downtown Chicago, and he is known for closing complicated transactions without giving ground on key terms.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays Tenant Advisors?
The landlord pays our fee as part of the lease transaction. There is no cost to tenants for our representation.
Has Tenant Advisors ever represented a landlord?
No. Since 2004, Tenant Advisors has represented office tenants only. We never represent landlords, so there is no conflict of interest in any negotiation.
Who will work on my lease?
A co-founder or an Executive Vice President leads the work.
Which markets does Tenant Advisors cover?
Five Chicago-area office submarkets: the Northwest Suburbs, O’Hare, the East-West Corridor, the North Suburbs, and the Chicago CBD.
What size office tenants do you represent?
Most of our clients lease between 3,000 and 50,000 square feet, from professional firms and medical practices to regional headquarters.