Exhibit 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No.  333-63136)  pertaining  to the Grubb & Ellis  Company  2000 Stock
Option  Plan,  the Stock  Purchase  Agreement  between  the Company and Barry M.
Barovick,  dated as of May 15,  2001 and the  Employment  Agreement  between the
Company  and  Barry M.  Barovick  dated  as of May 15,  2001,  the  Registration
Statement  (Form S-8 No.  333-67729)  pertaining  to the  Grubb & Ellis  Company
Deferred Compensation Plan, the Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-73331)
pertaining to the Grubb & Ellis 1998 Stock Option Plan and the 1993 Stock Option
Plan for Outside Directors of Grubb & Ellis Company, the Registration  Statement
(Form S-3 No. 333-48515)  pertaining to the registration of $150,000,000 of debt
securities,  preferred stock,  common stock,  equity warrants and debt warrants,
the Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No.  333-42741)  pertaining to the Grubb &
Ellis  Company  1990  Amended and  Restated  Stock Option Plan and Grubb & Ellis
Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan,  the  Registration  Statements  (Form  S-8 Nos.
33-71580,  33-35640  and  2-98541)  pertaining  to the 1990 Amended and Restated
Stock Option Plan,  as amended,  and the  Registration  Statement  (Form S-8 No.
33-71484)  pertaining  to the 1993 Stock  Option Plan for Outside  Directors  of
Grubb & Ellis Company,  of our report dated August 24, 2001, with respect to the
consolidated  financial  statements  of Grubb & Ellis  Company  included  in the
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 2001.


/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
---------------------
ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
September 25, 2001