Commercial & industrial real-estate specialist Gerald J. Christiansen and real-estate & banking marketing professional Rafael Portela founded Christiansen & Associates Inc. d/b/a Christiansen & Binswanger in 1997. The brokerage firm caters to the niche market for commercial and industrial real estate and is intrinsically linked with Puerto Rico's economy.

Adopting the name Binswanger through an alliance with the Binswanger Group--a multinational association that offers corporations a full range of real-estate services through 160 offices on five continents--placed Christiansen and Portela in the address books of large multinational companies and Puerto Rico on the map of attractive, rentable locations.

The co-owners decided to change the firm's name to Christiansen & Portela this year to attract a wider market. "This move will allow us to include everyone," said Christiansen, who noted 2002 has been marked by a supply of commercial and industrial real estate that outweighs demand.

The demand for warehouse space, however, has increased tremendously. The large number of acquisitions, reconfigurations, and mergers on the island has created a need for such space. Christiansen explained that because this market is user-driven, there tends to be greater demand than there is supply, which boosts construction.

Although location is usually the crucial factor in his line of real estate, Christiansen said sale of commercial and industrial real estate today is also motivated by both the type of space and how it lends itself to effective distribution.

The firm continues to reconfigure itself, most recently with Christiansen's son joining the team. With a background in engineering & construction management and experience as an appraiser at Vallejo & Vallejo, Gerald Christiansen Jr. brings a unique view to the business.

"I'm happy my son is working with us. He comes with added energy and professionalism," said Christiansen, who believes his son will have a wonderful career serving the niche market for commercial and industrial real estate. He stressed, however, the firm's partners are still young and hope to dedicate more successful years to Christiansen & Portela.