If we are not inspired by the past of our city, where will we find the strength to fight for her future? 

-Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Our Team

Tom Nordyke - Principal

My real estate career started with twenty plus years of experience in the unique field of “Real Estate Development for the Arts”, as a co-founder and Vice President for Artspace Projects, the national leader in the field of developing affordable space that meets the needs of artists. In that role I managed the operations of the Real Estate Development, Consulting, Asset Management and Property Management Divisions. I worked alongside the President and Board to transform the organization from a local non-profit with an annual budget of $60,000 into America’s leading developer of space for the arts. Check out Artspace today – www.artspace.org

While at Artspace, I spearheaded over 30 arts focused real estate projects with over $1.5 billion in financing across 26 states and Canada. My track record demonstrates a history of creating win-win strategies that benefit preservationists, developers and the arts community. I remain committed to building creative communities that support and sustain the arts even today in my work at TGR Development.

That background has given me a good feel of what it takes to turn a development from an idea to a finished project.  My understanding of the tools of historic preservation, affordable housing financing and philanthropy, along with the real estate development process itself bring value to any project and gave me the foundation of experience to start my own company in 2003.

I left Artspace Projects in 2003 to create Noordijk, inc., where I provided independent consulting on issues of real estate acquisition, finance, design and marketing. Some of the most noteworthy and transformative projects include:

·      $156 million renovation of The Pillsbury A-Mill in Minneapolis, MN– one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2011 – into 251 affordable live/work lofts for artists as the A-Mill Artist Lofts.

·      $60 million historic restoration combined with new construction to create the Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz, California.

·      The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center in Minneapolis. Creating a new neighborhood gem from an historic theater as a place where artists who work with fire, spark or flame can produce, display, learn and teach.

In 2017 I transitioned Noordijk, inc., away from consulting and into development and ownership. Creating the new partnership, today branded TGR Development. Since then, we have brought two major developments into our portfolio:

The Abby: Check it out here

Everett Station Lofts: Check it out here

At TGR we are focused on the acquisition of existing assets, both multi-family and commercial, in need of a little TLC. We are focused on mid-sized metropolitan areas, and on assets that fit our “wheelhouse” of expertise in Property Management, Leasing & Marketing and Renovation, as well as our expertise in HTC, LIHTC and NOAH. 

My past clients have included many of the major cities and foundations across the United States. I have worked internationally as well on projects as far as off as the University of Belgrade in Serbia and Gallery Magazine in Guangzhou, China.

I graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a BA in History. In my free time I stay active sailing, biking, hiking and doing pretty much anything outdoors.

Grant Carlson - Principal

 
 

My career in commercial real estate started, while still attending North Dakota State University, as an architecture and art student.  My brother, dad, and I acquired a 10,000 SF commercial building that was in need of a new vision for its next useful chapter.  Upon graduation I transitioned into brokerage rather than following my degree into the design field, despite graduating with honors. Eventually, I found myself working and living in New York and working for one of the largest CRE financing firms in the country, which closes over $40B in transactions every year.  This broad education of architecture, brokerage, and finance has provided me with a balanced background and is evident in each project that I am now involved with. 

Over the last 20 years the most memorable project I have developed has been the former Saint Louis County jail, located in Duluth Minnesota.  After nearly being demolished, despite its place on the National Register, I purchased the former jail from the county in 2010.  Now 12 years later, construction is under way and in the process of being turned into 33 units for mixed income residents.  The $9MM project has benefited from historic tax credits, TIF, conventional debt/equity, and a handful of other local, regional, and federal soft sources of capital.  “Leijona” is set to open by January 2023. 

I have developed or advised on a number of other projects all over the country, including: 

  • Historic mixed-use urban renewal development (Fargo, ND)

  • Former public school reuse (Twin Cities, MN)

  • Historic brownstone redevelopment (Minneapolis, MN)

  • Historic office building redevelopment (Milwaukee, MN)

  • Office building restructuring (Twin Cities, MN)

  • Newly constructed MFH (Brooklyn, NY)

  • Boutique office building (Manhattan, NY)

  • Brownstone condos repositioning (Minneapolis, MN)

  • Historic hotel repositioning (2) (Greater, Minnesota)

  • MFH repositioning (Portland, OR)

Outside of commercial real estate, I enjoy spending time near the water, or better yet, on the water.  While living in Duluth, MN I learned how to sail on Lake Superior.    I would eventually have the opportunity to leisure sail and race on sailboats on nearly every Great Lake, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay, New York Harbor, and Newport Harbor. 

This passion for sailing eventually grew into a role helping to produce Tall Ship Festivals around the Great Lakes.  This “hobby” would bring me to Los Angeles to produce the 2014 Tall Ship Festival at the Port of LA.  As a part of the production, I built the world’s largest rubber duck, designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman.  Our duck stood roughly 60’ above the water line. 

When I do find myself on land, I prefer to be driving with the top down, in my classic Mercedes convertible.

Rick Slagle - Principal

 
 

I have a 25-year career in real estate in which I have successfully participated in over $3B in mixed financed developments across 150 properties.  These properties have created over 13,000 housing units for families and seniors in 22 states plus Washington DC and the Virgin Islands. With deep experience in multiple sources of financing with specific concentration in low-income housing and historic projects, I have a proven history of accomplishment in creating high-quality mixed income/mixed financing projects and problem-solving deal challenges resulting in successful deals with reduced risk and profitable operations.

My experience has included LIHTC project management, property feasibility and financing consulting, securing project financing, tax credit investing, LIHTC technical assistance, and property development.  My expertise includes developing and managing cross-functional teams and establishing and maintaining effective key partnerships with internal partners, boards of directors, state and local government entities, investors, banks, for- and non-profit developers, attorneys, and accountants, in order to drive properties to a closing and to provide much needed affordable housing.

I am recognized as a LIHTC technical expert who uses that technical expertise to effectively problem solve on complex deal issues as well as to develop actionable overall strategic plans.  I earned my MBA with a concentration in Real Estate and Finance from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington. I am a past Board Member of N St Village in DC and am a current Board Member of the Routt County Historic Preservation Board.

Aaron Hauge - Partner

 
 

I was first introduced to the Real Estate Industry while working at Artspace Projects, the nation's leading developer of real estate for the arts. It was here that I discovered my passion for the intricate process of turning a concept into a reality within the lifecycle of a project.

Over the course of my career, I have been deeply immersed in the Real Estate Industry. A significant chapter in my journey took me to Chicago, where I served as the Director of Development for a renowned hospitality and gaming company. During this pivotal period, I personally oversaw the development of over 70 diverse projects, each with an average development cost of $30 million. My portfolio encompassed a wide range of ventures, including bars, restaurants, casinos, music venues, and strip malls, all strategically positioned throughout Illinois.

Throughout my career, I've been involved in more than 150 projects across the United States, representing a total of over $2.5 billion in development assets. My expertise has consistently revolved around operational development, enabling me to lead teams in revitalizing underperforming assets, guiding developers into unfamiliar markets, and acting as an owner's representative to safeguard leadership's interests and ensure project success. My skills extend to various aspects of real estate development, including project feasibility, marketing and branding, leasing strategy and execution, construction project management, on-site training, and management. These competencies have played a crucial role in the success of a wide variety of developments.

At TGR, I bring a wealth of experience in operations, strategic vision, marketing, and leasing. Through my leasing company, Client Integration Services, I've partnered with national companies such as Aeon, Monument, Dominium, Timberland, Greystar, Real Estate Equities, and many more, leading teams that have successfully leased over 7,500 multifamily units across eight states and counting. Our success can be attributed to innovative and comprehensive marketing plans, a deep understanding of our target audience, and our unmatched team that is has the ability to execute with precision.

I hold a Bachelor's in Business from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. In my free time, you can find my wife and me at the gym, hiking, traveling, scuba diving, and surfing. I derive immense joy from the variety of life's experiences, and I maintain an unquenchable thirst for learning, which keeps my list of hobbies ever-changing, shaped by life's ever-evolving curriculum.