Forte Principal Steve Brown selected as Broker of the Year by Minnesota Real Estate Journal

At the annual Minnesota Real Estate Journal awards on May 1, Steve Brown, one of Forte’s three principals, was selected as the 2025 Broker of the Year for his stellar career focused on healthcare real estate.

Brown has focused exclusively on healthcare real estate since he started in commercial real estate more than 35 years ago. After advising more than 225 clients, he brings his in-depth understanding to how healthcare providers need real estate to benefit patients, doctors, nurses, labs, and support staff, finding significant savings and improved efficiency with each transaction, either a sale or lease. He has been part of the healthcare transition through healthcare reform, the consolidation of healthcare practice groups and hospitals, and new areas of care delivery, including integrated care facilities and ambulatory surgery centers, making him the foremost healthcare real estate expert in the Twin Cities.

Because of his reputation, longevity, and understanding of healthcare and its connection to commercial real estate, CBRE’s National Healthcare Capital Markets Group engaged him as the local market expert for three recent investment sales of medical office properties, including WestHealth, Grove Health, and Arbor Lakes Medical. He also works with many healthcare organizations, including the Urgency Room, Children’s Minnesota, Ridgeview Medical Center, and every major healthcare system in the Twin Cities metro.

“Since Steve is a trusted ally and partner to his clients, he’s able to quickly shift as their business models shift. From the first ambulatory surgery center to working to reimagine entire hospital campuses, he understands the importance of patient access and employee efficiency in those operations and finds real estate solutions that support those goals,” said Jim Jetland, principal – Forte Real Estate Partners. “In addition, he’s a fantastic partner in the business and advocate for our team.”

Brown credits his success to mentor, Jim Nelson, who grew Eberhardt Company over 20 years and sold it to L J Melody, later focusing on growing Eberhardt Advisory. Brown was struck by the timing of this award, speaking at Nelson’s funeral on the same day as the MNREJ recognition. In his eulogy, he noted the impact Nelson had on his career.

“He was a transformation leader in commercial real estate and had a huge impact in the second half of my career. Watching him interact with people was amazing. He was never the loudest or most assertive person in the room, but people always wanted his opinion. And when he spoke, everyone listened,” said Brown. “I’ve tried to use his advice to view the client’s needs comprehensively and strategically rather than as one real estate transaction. He helped teach me how to solve complex problems by having the right people involved.”

Brown, Jetland, and Phil Simonet started Forte Real Estate Partners in 2021. Since then, Forte has been named one of the Best Places to Work by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, and Professional Services Company of the Year in 2024 by the Minnesota Real Estate Journal. The company has 23 employees focused on real estate advisory, property management, project management, and lease administration.