CHICAGO – A boutique real estate firm specializing in food production and distribution facilities, Global Food Properties merged with advisory firm Cresa. Global Food Properties co-founder Jeffrey J. Counsell merged the company, joining Cresa as principal.

Global Food Properties’ Adam Ratajski also joined Cresa as a vice president.

Cresa president Greg Schementi noted that adding Counsell made Cresa the only commercial real estate firm with a dedicated food, ingredient and nutrition manufacturing and R&D practice group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to the Cresa team,” Schementi said. “With his addition, we are adding expertise in this dynamic sector of our business and amplifying our commitment to enriching our offerings in industry sectors that require extensive subject matter knowledge.”

Counsell co-founded Global Food Properties in 2015. Earlier in his career, he worked for CBRE and Trammell Crow Company. Cresa shared that Counsell has executed 200-plus transactions valued at more than $650 million over the course of his career, during which his clients have included private label manufacturers across frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable categories. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin and earned a JD from the university’s law school.

“We’re elated to join Cresa, expanding its expertise in purpose-built food, ingredient and nutrition facilities,” Counsell said. “Continued margin compression, the necessity of automation and increasing regulatory pressures create an uncertain landscape. Cresa’s occupier focus creates an obvious and exciting path forward for our expertise and global clients.”

Per Cresa, Ratajski will track data and market availability, business development and deal execution as a vice president. Ratajski graduated from DePaul University and previously worked as an associate with CRBE’s Food Facilities Group.