Groundbreaking: Irongate Realtors Inc.

Contact: Greg Gillen and Steve Brown, co-owners, at (937) 436-2700 and (937) 432-3432; Julie Beall, Realtor/manager, ABR, CRS at (937) 546-0222

Background: It might seem strange, with news across the nation regarding the sluggish real estate market, that a realty company would actually be expanding, but Irongate Realtors Inc. broke ground for a new office building Sept. 3.

The office will move from its current location at 38 N. Pioneer Blvd. to the southeast corner of Ohio 73 and Richard's Run.

"People have to remember, real estate markets are very local. We're selling a lot of houses," said Irongate Manager Julie Beall.

"We have 50 agents and we're growing. We're really excited about being here."

Interest rates: "I got into the business in '79 and interest rates by the early '80s were anywhere from 15 to 17 percent. The real estate market nearly came to a standstill then, but we're not anywhere near that today," co-owner Greg Gillen said.

The building: Will be an expansive brick, one-story, 7,000-square-foot space on 1.19 acres, with the latest technology and room for agent training programs. The architecture will match the other buildings currently on two of the three lots behind the proposed structure, built by Tipton Development Co. of Washington Twp. It will be a state-of-the-art facility housing 55 Irongate agents. The business hopes to move in by January.

"We have four lots, and this will be the third out of four that we've developed here. Imagination Crossing Childcare and Preschool is on the second site, and we have three, 3,600-square-foot office buildings on the third site.

High Concrete just leased two of those buildings and moved 30 engineers from Kettering," said Eric Tipton, chief operating officer Tipton Development Co.

History: Irongate Realtors Inc. started in the Miami Valley area in 1975. It has grown to seven offices and approximately 400 agents.

Quote: "Greg and I have a strong belief in the future of the Dayton market. We're thrilled to be a part of this expansion of our Springboro office," co-owner Steve Brown said. "Warren County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state, and we think this area is just primed for new growth and redevelopment."