written by
Natalie Baylon

Celebrating 10 Years of Intersection: A Journey of Growth, Partnership, and Vision

1596-190 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos, CA 92078

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Intersection, we reflect on an incredible journey. It all started decades ago with two individuals, a shared vision, and a commitment to excellence. From their early days at Coldwell Banker Commercial in downtown Los Angeles, our founders—Rocco Cortese and Mark Hoekstra—laid the groundwork for a thriving real estate company. Their story highlights the power of collaboration, innovation, and strong partnerships in commercial real estate.

Humble Beginnings: A Partnership Forms

In 1987, Rocco and Mark met at Coldwell Banker Commercial in downtown Los Angeles. Their careers soon took different paths, but the bond they formed set the stage for something bigger.

Rocco left Coldwell Banker to build a successful brokerage career with JLL in San Francisco. During this time, he excelled professionally while also starting a family, marking a period of personal and career growth.

Meanwhile, Mark joined IDS Real Estate and launched the company’s San Diego office. After years of success, he founded Heritage Real Estate Advisors, solidifying his leadership in the industry.

A New Chapter: The Birth of The Heritage Group

On November 14, 2014, Rocco and Mark reunited. They combined their experience and vision in a small office on State Street in Little Italy, San Diego. That day, they founded The Heritage Group, a company built on trust, partnership, and exceptional service.

Their complementary skills created a strong foundation. Rocco brought expertise in capital markets and investment management. Mark contributed deep knowledge of real estate operations and services. Together, they set the stage for future success.

The Evolution to Intersection

In 2018, the company rebranded from The Heritage Group to Intersection. The new name reflected the company’s core value: partnership. Just like an intersection, where paths meet, the company brought together diverse expertise to create something greater.

This rebranding was more than a name change. It marked a broader vision. The company expanded beyond property management to include real estate investments, brokerage, and facilities services. Clients now had access to a full suite of integrated real estate solutions.

Expansion and Growth

The momentum continued in 2019. Intersection expanded into Lindon, UT, marking its first office outside California. Acquiring a major property management account in Utah added seven team members and strengthened the company’s national presence.

Today, Intersection has grown to more than 45 team members. The company operates across four service areas: Brokerage, Equities, Real Estate Services, and Facility Services. This diversification allows the firm to offer a fully integrated approach to commercial real estate.

Looking Ahead: A Promising Future

As we celebrate 10 years, we look ahead with excitement. The past decade has been extraordinary, but the best is yet to come. Intersection remains dedicated to strong relationships, trusted partnerships, and delivering exceptional value across all sectors of commercial real estate.

Our growth over the years is just the beginning. As we expand and refine our services, we stay true to our core values: wisdom, equality, determination, ingenuity, stewardship and collaboration. The future holds exciting opportunities as we continue shaping the industry.

Here’s to 10 years of success—and many more to come!

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or joined us along the way, we couldn’t have done it without you. Here’s to the future of Intersection, where the next intersection of growth and opportunity awaits!

written by
Natalie Baylon

Intersection Equities and Equity Resource Investments Acquire Henderson Industrial Park for $16.95M

Intersection Equities is pleased to announce the acquisition of Desert Canyon Industrial Park, a 95,364 square foot, small bay industrial business park in Henderson, Nevada. The asset was purchased for $16.95 million. Colliers represented the Seller, Nicola 249 Elliott LP, and Erik Sexton and Camila Rosales of NAI Vegas represented the Buyer, a joint venture between an affiliate of Intersection Equities, LLC and a fund managed by Equity Resource Investments, LLC.

Desert Canyon Industrial Park (the “Property”) spans 95,364 square feet across five buildings, constructed between 2001 and 2007. The Property is comprised of 36 total suites ranging in size from 2,400 to 3,200 square feet, featuring 16 to 18 ft clear heights and a total of 63 grade-level doors. The Property is located within the Henderson submarket which currently maintains a 2.4% vacancy rate, with no known competing small bay industrial developments planned in Henderson. We believe the Property is appealing to tenants given its proximity to Interstate 11 & SR 585, and what we believe to be a strong pipeline of residential and mixed-use developments in the area.

“We acquired this transaction with debt and equity partners who appreciated the fundamentals of the Property,” said CEO and Co-founder at Intersection, Rocco Cortese. “It is well located, and we believe offers us an attractive going-in cap rate as well as upside potential, something that is difficult to find in this market.”

“This is our 6th industrial acquisition and our 3rd in the Las Vegas area. We know this market well and believe in the demand characteristics for small bay industrial,” added Anton Myskiw, Senior Associate at Intersection.

Intersection plans to complete a light renovation at the project and engage in a proactive management program focused on increasing tenant satisfaction, enhancing curb appeal, and marking rents to market.

To learn more about this project or the deal, please reach out to Anton Myskiw @[email protected]

Natalie Baylon is the Marketing Manager at Intersection, providing strategic marketing expertise to support business objectives across company divisions. For general and marketing inquiries, please get in touch with Natalie at [email protected] 

written by
Natalie Baylon

Mercado Rancho Bernardo Named First Retail Center to Earn the Prestigious TOBY® Award

Intersection is excited to announce that The Mercado in Rancho Bernardo has earned a historic achievement in commercial real estate as the first retail center to be named The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY®) Award in San Diego, by the Building Owners Management Association (BOMA). This accolade, traditionally bestowed upon office buildings, is a testament to our commitment to excellence in property management and operations.

The TOBY Award represents the pinnacle of recognition within the commercial real estate industry, honoring exemplary practices in building management across specific categories of building types or sizes. To even qualify for consideration, a property must first earn a BOMA 360 designation, triumph in local and regional competitions, and eventually emerge victorious at the regional level.

At The Mercado, our journey to this groundbreaking achievement has been marked by vison, innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Over the years, Intersection has meticulously curated an international tenant mix that harmonizes to create an unparalleled experiential retail center. Our partnership with Intersection Facility Services has ensured seamless tenant improvements and project maintenance, elevating the property to new heights.

Situated in the heart of San Diego’s tech and innovation corridor, Rancho Bernardo serves as the backdrop for The Mercado’s success. The area boasts an impressive roster of major companies, including Amazon, Hewlett-Packard, Northrop Grumman, Sony, and the recent addition of Apple’s sprawling 67.5-acre campus. Conveniently accessible via I-15 with multiple entry points via Rancho Bernardo Road and Bernardo Center Drive, The Mercado stands as a community focal point, drawing in residents, office employees, and visitors alike.  Coupled with a strong residential demographic component and proven retail traffic patterns, project ownership and management saw the potential to raise the shopping experience to a new level.  Capital investment and creative vision have resulted in a unique project that is 100% leased.

What sets The Mercado apart is its commitment to excellence in every facet of its operation. From its very walkable accessibility, well-maintained landscapes, and prominent signage to the recent exterior enhancements accentuating its unique architectural features, every detail has been meticulously crafted to create an inviting and exceptional retail environment.

The judging criteria for the TOBY Award encompass an array of factors, including community impact, tenant and employee relations programs, energy management, accessibility, emergency procedures, personnel training, sustainability and overall excellence. The rigorous inspections conducted by industry experts validate the significance of this achievement.

Winning the TOBY Award underscores our dedication to delivering best-in-class operations and management. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaborative spirit of everyone involved in making The Mercado an unparalleled success.

We owe this momentous achievement to the vision, expertise, and collaborative efforts of an exceptional team. It’s with immense gratitude that we extend our thanks to:

  • Nicole Schuck and Sean Rafford (Intersection Real Estate Services): Their unwavering commitment to excellence have been the driving force behind The Mercado’s success. Your vision and dedication have steered us toward this historic milestone.

  • Nick Cardoso and Fernando Cruz (Intersection Facility Services): Their relentless efforts in handling tenant improvements and maintenance have been instrumental in elevating The Mercado to its current stature. Your attention to detail and commitment to excellence are truly commendable.

  • Dan McCarthy and Alec Spencer (Intersection Commercial Brokerage): Their expertise in curating a tenant mix that creates an exceptionally experiential retail center has been invaluable. Your insight and dedication have been pivotal in shaping The Mercado into what it is today.

  • Mark Hoekstra (President and Co-founder of Intersection): His guidance, vision, and unwavering support have been the cornerstone of the success at Mercado for nearly three decades.

Each member of this exceptional team has played an integral role in securing this prestigious recognition. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence have been the driving force behind The Mercado’s triumph.

This recognition only fuels our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead, eager to continue setting new benchmarks in the commercial real estate landscape.

The Mercado in Rancho Bernardo isn’t just a retail center; it’s a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey. Together, we’ve made history.

Join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement and experience the excellence that defines The Mercado.

To learn more about Mercado Shopping Center or the TOBY awards, please reach out to Nicole Schuck @[email protected]

Natalie Baylon is the Marketing Coordinator at Intersection, providing strategic marketing expertise to support business objectives across company divisions. For general and marketing inquiries, please contact Natalie at [email protected] 

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