A Family Business Since 1951

Our History

A member of the Kale family has been located in the South Loop on Roosevelt Road since 1921. We are a family owned and operated business that understands the needs of the real estate market.

Nathan Kaluzna

Nathan Kaluzna, Nick’s great-grandfather, at his tailor shop at 1250 S. Jefferson Avenue in 1921

Sol Kale

Sol Kale, age 21, founder of Kale Realty

Kale is the middle name of Managing Broker and Owner Nick Patterson. Sol Kale, Nick’s grandfather, founded the Kale Uniforms company in 1951. In that same year Sol also founded Kale Realty to explore Chicago real estate investment opportunities. Both businesses flourished – in particular, Kale Uniforms grew into one of the largest suppliers to the police, postal and fire departments in the country. Kale Uniforms also supplied the uniforms for famous Chicago movies including Backdraft and The Blues Brothers. Kale Realty continued to thrive over the years as well, and grandson Nick Patterson took over as owner in 2007.

In 2006 the city honored Sol Kale with a street name on the corner of Roosevelt and Jefferson in Chicago’s South Loop for eighty-four years of continued support for the community.
Sol Kale and Nick Kale Patterson

Nick with his grandfather Sol Kale.

Located in front on Chicago's most famous deli, Manny's on Jefferson!

Located in front on Chicago’s most famous deli, Manny’s on Jefferson!