Kernersville Living Magazine Kernersville, NC


Media Kit Current Issue About Us Play the Game Pickup Locations Shopping Links Employment Contact Us

	By: Patty Jo Sawvel Photos by: Lee Adams
Jeff Tolle, of Tolle Commercial Properties, developed Kernersville Professional Center—the modern colonial office condominiums next to High Point Regional Health Systems and Sports center Athletic Club on Old Winston Road—and had all the units sold and paid for in less than a year. Though barely 40, Jeff operates like a man with 20 years in the real estate business. That’s because he is. While in college at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Jeff, majoring in Business and Economics, decided to buy his own house so that he could recoup his own rent and that of several buddies that shared the house. “At the age of 20,” Jeff said, “I sold my comic book collection and it brought me just enough for the down payment to buy my first house.” Jeff stayed there long enough to acquire his Masters in Business Administration and to start his own business in computer programming and database management. Then in 2001, he moved with his bride and co-owner, Sharon, to one of Kernersville’s upscale neighborhoods off Hopkins Road. “When we would take our Sunday drives,” said Sharon, “Jeff would be calling on properties. He spent years figuring out the market before we started our commercial development business in 2006.” Apparently, Jeff figured out the market pretty accurately, because his fast success is highly unusual. According to attorney Ray Thomas, “Jeff does his homework and he is willing to let a project go if it is not viable so that he can look for something better. That is the kind of developer you want to work with.” Along those same lines, the broker for the Tolle’s projects, Tom Carpenter of Heritage Property Brokers said, “A lot of developers have money and a vision and it is build or bust. But Jeff listens to the whole team.” Jeff now has the certificate of occupancy for his second building—Kernersville Professional Office Plaza. This upscale complex is designed in the image of the first building and they share a common access road. Chris Pardue, Vice President of High Point Bank in Kernersville, who financed both ventures said, “Jeff’s professional buildings are in an excellent location, they complement the area, and they are something that Kernersville really needs.” Overton Harper and his wife, Dr. Amy Harper of Harper Eye Care, studied Kernersville carefully before decided to purchase 3,000 square feet in the complex. “This is a prime location,” said Overton, “because we are right between downtown Kernersville and Wal- Mart. It is a good investment for us, because there is only so much real estate in Kernersville and we would rather buy than lease.” Currently, 10 units are available for sale or for lease in the newly completed Kernersville Professional Office Plaza. These office spaces will be custom designed for the new occupants. “Whether someone needs 1,200 square feet or 12,000 square feet,” Jeff said, “we can finish the space the way they want it. We have a free space planning service and offer “green” and energy efficient planning for our clients.” Walking through the offices, it is amazing just how much one can maximize 1,200 square feet if it is properly laid out. In Tolle’s office, clients enter between two full-sized picture windows to be greeted by a generous reception area to the right and a comfortable waiting area on the left. Looking straight ahead to the boardroom, double French doors precede the maple wall-to-wall bookcases and a table for ten—all illuminated in natural sunlight from the central skylight. Between the front door and the boardroom are two offices, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a storage closet. And yet, the predominant feeling of the office is one of open spaces. “While we do offer leasing,” Jeff said, “most choose to own so that they can have the flexibility to change things as they want, to lock in their costs, have a capital gains potential, and show Kernersville that they are taking a stake in the community.” Owners also sit on the board of the office condo association and help make decisions that affect the property. Behind the two buildings, Tolle Commercial Property is reserving space for a new restaurant for Kernersville. The restaurant, like the two professional office buildings, will have visibility from I-40 and access from Main Street and Old Winston Road. “Talk to your favorite restaurant,” Jeff encourages, “and tell them that we have the perfect spot for them in Kernersville.”