History
- Home
- History
A Glimpse At Batavia Enterprises, Inc., Past To Present
History
Inspired by the “can-do” entrepreneurial spark that carried the USA through World War II, Larry Dempsey founded Batavia Enterprises, Inc.(BEI) in 1959. As Larry became familiar with the community while running Dunbar Kapple facilities in Batavia and Geneva, he became interested in investing in real estate.
He began with purchasing the 105,000 square foot former US Wind Engine and Pump Company facilities, the epicenter of US wind energy development.
These properties served as a government owned munitions manufacturing plant during WWII and through the mid-1950s, the partial industrial, partial office layout of the building was perfect for Larry’s first venture into creating a multi-tenant, mixed-use property.
Drive To Serve Our Customers’ Needs
additional opportunities in the mid-1970s
Batavia Enterprises has diversified its portfolio over the years. Larry began looking for additional opportunities in the mid-1970s and purchased the former Dukane building on Route 64 in St. Charles. This historic Dukane building, formerly the Operadio Manufacturing and Globe Music Co. making banjos and radios, is now a multi-tenant office and industrial building referred to as the Cedar Avenue Business Center with distinctive suites for professionals reflecting the character of the buildings creative origins. Larry’s next purchase was a new industrial facility in West Chicago that faces the DuPage County Airport. Today, this building is home to several of our long-standing customers. With each addition to the portfolio, we strive to work with business owners in each category of the market (industrial, commercial, retail, and residential) to fulfill their real estate needs so they can focus on their business.
Years Of Combined Experience
Licensed Real Estate Brokers In House
Square Feet Of Managed Property
Transactions Completed In 2020
share in his vision
Vision
focused on both marketing and operational elements
Third Generation Family Business
After 7 Years working in Commercial Real Estate for Heritage Property Investment Trust based out of Northbrook IL as the Asset Manager for Chicago and Michigan markets Austin Dempsey decided to leave the city and plant roots in Batavia. Taking on the role of Vice President in 2007 while learning from his father, Austin oversaw the leasing and operations of the company. In January of 2019 Austin was ready to take on the role as CEO of Batavia Enterprises Inc. when Gerry stepped into a Chairman of the board position. Austin Dempsey is proud to be a third-generation real estate business committed to bringing customer focused commercial, residential and property management services the Fox Valley.
Austin’s entrepreneurial mentality has brought opportunities for Batavia Enterprises Inc. to grow and expand services from property management to full service commercial real estate, acquiring a boutique residential real estate company, Miscella Real Estate, and repurposing an owned property to provide self-storage to St. Charles with In Towne Self-Storage.