Associate Spotlight: Kit Bennett Builds Community & Creates Opportunity

For Kit Bennett, development has always been about more than buildings. It’s about people – where they live, how they connect and the opportunities a thoughtfully designed space can create for a community.

As Senior Director of Real Estate Development, Kit has played a leading role in bringing several signature housing projects to life. Based in Minneapolis, his portfolio includes Orchards of Minnetonka, a senior living community recognized as Best Senior Apartments by Sun Sailor readers; Corsa Apartments in St. Louis Park, which received an economic impact award from Minnesota Brownfields for its successful redevelopment of a contaminated site; Golden Triangle Corporate Center; and Arcadia, a new class A speculative multi-tenant office building and our new headquarters, located in the heart of Edina at Highway 100 & W 50th Street.

“What motivates me most is creating places that genuinely improve people’s quality of life,” Kit said. “Whether it’s senior housing, workforce housing, office/warehouse or mixed-use development, I’m always thinking about how a project will serve the community long after construction is complete.”

That sense of service carries into Kit’s personal life as well. He supports community-focused efforts led by his wife, Emma, and mother-in-law, who for several years have been involved in outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities. Their work has included organizing meal distributions and assembling and delivering hygiene kits in partnership with local resources.

“Seeing the consistency and care my wife and her mom bring to this work has been really meaningful,” Kit said. “I’m proud to support them and to be part of something that helps people feel seen and cared for.”

Mentorship is another area where Kit invests significant time and energy. For more than six years, he has served as a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities, forming a close bond with his Little and watching him grow in confidence, curiosity and independence.

“That experience really reinforced how powerful mentorship can be,” Kit said. “Having someone who shows up, listens and encourages you can make a lifelong difference.”

Recognizing the broader impact of the organization, Kit helped connect Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities with the Opus Foundation, resulting in a $50,000 grant to support the expansion of their online training platform and the development of a new skills assessment tool for staff and volunteers.

His commitment to mentorship also extends into the commercial real estate industry. As a member of NAIOP, Kit has been actively involved in both the Developing Leaders and Educational Mini-Series committees. Through that work, he has helped organize the Twin Cities mentorship program and assemble panels that bring together seasoned professionals and emerging talent.

“I’ve benefitted from mentors throughout my career and still meet regularly with the mentor I connected with through NAIOP years ago,” he said. “It’s important to me to pay that forward and help create those same opportunities for others.”

Kit is also an active participant in our annual United Way campaign and Founder’s Day volunteer initiatives, supporting organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together Minnesota.

Taken together, Kit’s professional and personal commitments reflect a dedication to building stronger communities and creating opportunities that extend well beyond the job at hand.

“At the end of the day,” he said, “I want my professional and personal work to leave things better than I found them. That’s what drives me.”

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Our associates are talented, dedicated and knowledgeable. They streamline complex projects and always deliver value to clients. Read more associate spotlights.