LOCAL PROFILES
Real Estate Exec: Adam Gafke, Newport Lofts

The magnificent view from the 24th floor sky deck of downtown Las Vegas' tallest residential tower is one of the perks of Adam Gafke's job as sales executive for Newport Lofts, and he loves to see people's reactions to the panorama of city lights. "It was the perfect place to host the private 2008 Miss Universe VIP viewing party for the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Nevada Teen organization," Adam says. "It's upscale and impressive, yet more appropriate than a casino for the ladies in the teen division."

Adam's chosen field has provided him with lots of benefits and a variety of job experiences. Like many college students, Adam Gafke kept his options open and considered more than one major during his years at University of Missouri—Columbia. But when he researched the parks, recreation and tourism field, he knew it was the one for him. "It combines business, psychology, agriculture and a lot of other disciplines," he explains. "I fell in love with it right away." And that degree, with its wide variety of knowledge, has proven to be a good choice in enabling him to excel in the business world.

Born and raised in Northern California, Adam was diagnosed with leukemia right after his sophomore year in high school. "We caught it early," he recalls, "and these days, it's not the death sentence it once was." That positive attitude continues to serve him well. Although he had to take off the first six months of his three-year treatment program, Adam still managed to graduate on time with his classmates. Then he started investigating college choices.

His dad, who is now the pastor of University United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, advised him to choose a four-year school. "I decided to look for a college in the Midwest," Adam explains, "because I had relatives there, and I wanted to experience the four seasons. Besides," he says, "there were several MU graduates on my father's side of the family, including my dad."

Adam liked the feel of the MU campus and he worked part-time in the University's medical library and tutored several Mizzou athletes while he attended college. He and his friends enjoyed attending football games, and had seats on the 50-yard line during their senior year. Today he still maintains his allegiance to his alma mater as the president of the Las Vegas Mizzou alumni chapter.

For his parks, recreation and tourism internship, Adam accepted a position with the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL. He managed the base recreation center, planned on-base events and coordinated off-base trips like scuba diving or skiing in the Carolinas. "It was a great job," he recalls. "I'd arrange a tour to Key West over the Memorial Day weekend and when we returned, I'd get three days off because I'd 'worked' during a holiday."

He continued to work there after graduation, but eventually decided to make a change. "After a couple years of running around in Florida, I figured it was time to get a real job," he laughs. So he took a job as associate vice president of client services with IDC. The company works with some of the world's most prestigious not-for-profit organizations, providing fundraising, consulting and training. Their services have benefitted zoos and aquariums, colleges and universities, healthcare organizations, libraries and museums, and many others.

While working for IDC in the Las Vegas area, Adam met his wife Silvia, an interior designer and manager of Kreiss showroom. "It was May 19, 2000," Adam recalls, "and I had just moved to Las Vegas." American Airlines was sponsoring a charity event and that year it was the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Adam had been a recipient of that organization when he had leukemia, so it has always been special to him. "Silvia and I hit it off right away, and I asked her if she knew a good sushi place," he explains. "And as a matter of fact, she did." The couple enjoys travel, food and wine, and spending time with friends and family. Silvia has relatives in Switzerland and Germany, so they have visited several European countries as well as Mexico and Canada. They have three Yorkshire Terriers: Sidney, Savannah and Alex.

During his extensive travels with IDC, Adam always chose to stay at Hilton & Hilton family hotels, so he was quite familiar with their high quality and outstanding service. When he was offered a position selling timeshares with Hilton in 2005, he knew this was a product he could promote with pride. It was at that time that he earned his Real Estate salesman's license and began selling timeshares on the Las Vegas Strip. "Getting licensed to sell timeshares is only a small part of the total Real Estate experience," explains Adam. "I wanted to be qualified to do more than just that. And I wanted to be among the people who make this town go."

Adam's current position at Newport Lofts has helped him realize his goal of being at the hub of the Las Vegas business community. "Newport Lofts is the only tower with a sky deck that benefits the whole tower community," Adam says. Where most residential towers reserve the top deck for exclusive penthouses to be enjoyed by only a few, the deck at 200 Hoover Avenue is designed to be a community space where all its residents can enjoy the clubhouse, pool, spa, fitness center, track, and glorious views of the city. The small boutique community, which is already two-thirds sold out, seems to appeal to all age groups. "Our residents are folks who tend to like culture, architecture, art, fine wine, and being in the center of the city's action," says Adam. "But here they have privacy in the midst of it all."

Adam believes that this is a great time to buy property. "The naysayers talk like it's the end of the world," he comments, "but what we sense in Las Vegas is a pent-up demand to get back into Real Estate." He predicts another boom on the way and admonishes people not to be overly cautious about investing now. "In five years, they'll regret it if they don't get in the market early," he says. "I'm excited about the possibilities."

Silvia also has her Real Estate license, and the couple plans to remain involved in the business. "We'll probably both stay in it for a long time," Adam comments. Meanwhile, Newport Lofts is opening a brand new sales office in September and Adam is looking forward to showing people the great lifestyle possibilities available in the heart of Las Vegas.

To find out more about Newport Lofts, go to www.newportloftslv.com, or e-mail Adam at adam@newportloftslv.com.

Photography: Elisabeth Libby