Our History
The NorthMarq organization boasts a unique history. During the course of half
a century, market conditions and other factors influenced decisions about the
best way to effectively serve clients. Once part of the same parent company,
each business line separated from the parent and matured independently over
several decades. With firmly established enterprises and clients, we're
leveraging the synergy we create for our clients by returning to our roots as
partners in the commercial real estate industry.
The Hamm Era
We can trace our roots to 1916 when the Hamm family, founders and owners of the
Theodore Hamm Brewing Company, formed United Properties Incorporated as part of
a plan to reorganize the brewing company. United Properties would acquire all
property not used in the brewing business. During the next 30 years, United
Properties acquired or established new companies and became the parent company
to a diverse mix of business interests.
One of those companies was General Mortgage Investments, acquired in 1962.
United Properties established the commercial division of GMI to provide mortgage
banking services to the commercial real estate industry.
The Northland Company Era
When Edward H. Hamm acquired control of United Properties in 1967, the company
name changed to The Northland Company to better represent the company's diverse
businesses. The United Properties name was given to The Northland Company's real
estate division. Not long after, General Mortgage Investments was renamed
Northland Mortgage Company.
In 1984, changes in the residential mortgage industry prompted The Northland
Company to sell Northland Mortgage. In anticipation, the commercial division was
incorporated as Northland Financial and not included in the sale.
The Pohlad Era
United Properties and Northland Financial were sold to the Pohlad family as
separate companies in 1998. Northland Financial became part of the Marquette
Financial Companies portfolio of operating companies and ultimately became
NorthMarq Capital. United Properties continued to operate as an independent
commercial real estate developer, investor and real estate service provider.
Each organization spent the next several years focused on strengthening its core
business.
Read more details about the history of United Properties
Read more details about the history of NorthMarq Capital
In 2008, we combined the service companies under the NorthMarq name. Sharing
this identity allows us to provide our clients a comprehensive package of
commercial real estate services. Though each entity remains an independent
operating company, we work closely together to provide the best value and
service for each client.