J. Keefe Ellis
Mr. Ellis graduated from the University of Virginia in 1978 with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Economics. He then earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980. Upon graduation, he began his career with Ellis Real Estate Company, which had been in existence for over 50 years and became a broker with that Company in 1982. Mr. Ellis is also a Certified General Appraiser in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
In his initial 15 years, Mr. Ellis’s predominant business focus had been as real estate consultant and valuation expert to many individuals, corporations, institutions, and governmental entities. In the last 15 years, Mr. Ellis has capitalized on his reputation in the real estate community of Pittsburgh to represent many clients in the areas of tenant representation, brokerage, and site assemblage.
Mr. Ellis represented the Sports and Exhibition Authority on the acquisition of the properties for the development of the current new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Consol Energy Center. Additionally, Mr. Ellis represented the SEA on the property assemblage for the development of PNC Park, Heinz Field and the new David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Within the last two years, Mr. Ellis worked for PNC Bank to assemble the properties at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Wood Streets on which PNC will develop its 800,000 square foot corporate headquarters in the Central Business District of Downtown Pittsburgh. The overall costs for this project are estimated to be $400 million and the building will be occupied by approximately 2,500 people.
Mr. Ellis represented the School District of Pittsburgh in its site selection and acquisition for the new CAPA High School in the Cultural District of the City of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Ellis negotiated the sale of the Greyhound Bus Terminal site adjacent to the new David L. Lawrence Convention Center on behalf of the Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh. This $35,000,000 development includes a 1,000 car parking structure, a new Greyhound Terminal and additional retail opportunities.
Mr. Ellis resides in the Squirrel Hill section of the City of Pittsburgh with his wife and four children. On a community level, he currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Institute and Their Amazing Kids located in Squirrel Hill section of the City of Pittsburgh. Mr. Ellis is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Shady Side Academy.