On the following pages you will find our picks of the leading influencers in the retail space. Like the rest of our influencer series, this group of retail specialists reflect special characteristics that have allowed them to make a mark on the industry. We don't, in other words, automatically pick the biggest companies or the most prolific teams—although they certainly can be found on the following pages. Rather, we look for individuals, teams and companies that have led to significant change.
We started this project well before the coronavirus began to infiltrate the US economy. But in many ways, this list takes on a special meaning in the midst of the pandemic. With retail struggling to maintain a footing right now, the industry will need the best and the brightest to lead the way. Here are the people that we believe meet that criteria.
PETE BETHEA
Newmark Knight Frank
Newmark Knight Frank brought on Pete Bethea four years ago to assist in building out its retail capital markets platform throughout the Western states. Proving himself as an original member and an important figure of the retail capital markets team, Bethea has played a strategic role in growing and organizing the western retail platform. As vice chairman in the firm's San Diego office, Bethea has recruited top retail capital market professionals, expanding the retail capital markets group to 13 professionals across key markets, including Seattle, Phoenix and Northern California in effort to serve clients with assets in the West. With more than 32 years of experience in the shopping center market, he has successfully represented advisors, developers and institutional clients, such as Site Centers Gerrity Group, Kimco, CIM, Blackrock, Blackstone/Shopcore, RPAI and Weingarten. Proving instrumental to the firm's practice as a leading retail investment broker, Bethea has additionally been responsible for more than $5.5 billion in shopping center sales within recent years. Comprehending the importance of service to the industry, Bethea focuses much of his time on mentorship in effort to secure top talent for the future.
MONETHA COBB
Franklin Street
With more than 20 years of experience in tenant representation, Monetha Cobb serves as a trusted advisor to many national retailers as SVP of Franklin Street. One of Atlanta's top retail producers, Cobb is the frontrunner for the firm's retail tenant services group, where she has led the team to more than $300 million in closed lease deals since 2010. She ensures success in client objectives by focusing on the entire real estate lifecycle from strategy development to store opening. Top retailers, such as PNC Bank, Dollar Tree Stores, Cabela's and Planet Fitness, continuously depend on her expertise to guide their rollout executions. While managing the company's Atlanta office, Cobb has grown Franklin Street's retail leasing division through various initiatives. She successfully developed and implemented a training program for associates, she spearheaded the company's GIS/Research Division and she additionally created Retailer 360, a marketing platform that introduces existing and potential clients to the company's array of services. Furthermore, Cobb is a strong advocate for women in brokerage. Within her division, four of the eight brokers are female, and nationally, she champions her efforts as a leader for CREW Atlanta. In 2019, she opened up the historically women-only group by nominating its first male member. She has received the company's sales achievement award for the past seven consecutive years. In addition to several other company and industry honors, she serves as a committee member and fundraiser for various organizations throughout the Atlanta Metro.
JOSEPH F. CORADINO
PREIT
Taking action by predicting trends and implementing a steady strategic vision, Joseph Coradino has enabled PREIT to capitalize on the ongoing retail evolution. Joining the company in 1998, Coradino has served as the company's chairman and CEO for the past eight years. Within his time at the helm of the company, PREIT's sales/square-footage have climbed 47%. Making a substantial improvement to the company's portfolio, he employs redevelopment initiatives to stay ahead of the curve by transforming and innovating assets. As one of the first professionals to initiate large-scale asset disposition programs within the sector, Coradino has led PREIT to sell nearly 40% of its portfolio since 2013, generating $750 million in proceeds to improve its portfolio. Recognizing department store challenges and shifting the traditional mall experience, he proactively redefines anchor tenants by replacing select brands with well-curated, unconventional tenants as anchors, such as LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Under Coradino's leadership, PREIT completed three prominent, high-impact projects in 2019. Combined, the three projects opened more than 700,000 square feet of new or remerchandised tenants, generated more than 5,000 jobs across their communities and hosted more than 3.5 million visitors. Coradino is an active member of philanthropic and industry organizations, and he additionally helped launch a pilot program this year to help secure permanent supportive housing for the homeless.
ADAM CUMMINGS
CBRE
Adam Cummings has negotiated leases in the majority of the nation's malls throughout his 22 years of industry experience. His background has enabled a unique vision for identifying market trends and understanding best practices for clients. As SVP, he leads CBRE's mall retailer representation practice and serves as the key advisor for clients looking to grow or maximize their mall portfolios. Advising all company divisions on national, regional and local mall retailers, he has negotiated leases in numerous retail formats, including enclosed malls, lifestyle centers, outlets, kiosks, power-centers, freestanding stores and mixed-use projects. His expertise and services encompass lease negotiation, data and demographic analytics, property management interactions and portfolio maximization, and his retailer clients span a wide array of industries. Since joining the company in 2016, Cummings has completed more than 1,000 lease transactions within the sector. Through portfolio maximization services, such as reviewing and renegotiating leases, repositioning stores and re-examining growth plans, his advisory work has directly resulted in more than $30 million in savings for clients. While assisting and implementing multiple national rollouts for retailers new to the US, he ranked among the company's top producers in the greater Philadelphia market for 2019, and he additionally ranked as the area's top retail brokerage revenue producer in 2018.
ALEX DOMINGUEZ
Four Stones Real Estate
With a deep passion and desire to perpetuate social change and improve communities through real estate development, first-generation Cuban-American Alex Dominguez channels his humble beginnings as he goes about his work. Envisioning endless possibilities for neglected neighborhoods and distressed communities, he works to stimulate economic activity and job creation through his projects. Previously the senior director of real estate for Chick-fil-A, Dominguez led store rollouts nationwide and grew the company from a regional chain to more than 2,000 locations with an annual revenue of $10 billion. Separately, he has accomplished numerous projects and is currently overseeing various developments that culminate meaningful revitalization in devoid areas. Last year, prior to being appointed chief strategy officer of Four Stones Real Estate, Dominguez formed a development team to acquire the 16-acre, historic landmark of Kern's Bakery in Tennessee. He is currently leading the 80,000-square-foot, $50 million transformation of the site into a mixed-use destination, preserving the historic building and adding a food hall, shops, restaurants, office space, 160 apartments, a hotel and an entertainment venue. The project is expected to invigorate the surrounding community with the creation of 200 jobs. It also stands as one of the first Opportunity Zone deals to close in the US, and the first to close in the state. As a social entrepreneur and an active philanthropic individual, Dominguez ensures future growth by aligning federal and local governments with community organizations to equip professionals with partnerships and tools for long-term, positive impact.
NICK GARZIA
Hines
Captivated by generating shared spaces to serve as community meeting grounds, Nick Garzia has become a respected professional in the retail industry. Leading the efforts for prominent centers throughout the country, he has leased more than 1.5 million square feet of space throughout his 23-year career. As director of retail leasing at Hines, he has reimagined five major metro shopping centers and he has been instrumental in the leasing and development of six ground-up malls and lifestyle centers. One significant project for Garzia is the on-going transformation of Atlanta's 138-acre, Atlantic Station. Tasked with evolving the 15-year-old development project, he is altering the original plans and transforming the site into a walkable neighborhood with LEED certified office towers, assorted housing units, transportation options and an array of restaurants. Leading the renovation, Garzia is adding first-to-market concepts to the space and has leased nearly 300,000 square feet in less than three years. Another monumental project for Garzia includes assisting in leasing the 69-acre, mixed-use development Fenton, which is located in Cary, NC, where he and his team are bringing in nearly 345,000 square feet of curated retail space. With broad experience and a unique perspective on the sector, Garzia has contributed to industry panels, podcasts and publications. He also serves as an active mentor and advisor to young professionals in various programs and organizations.
PAMELA GOODWIN
Goodwin Commercial
One of the few female developers in the industry, Pamela Goodwin considers her entrepreneurial spirit to have begun at four years old with her first lemonade stand. Prior to founding her own boutique commercial real estate and consulting firm, Goodwin Commercial, in 2006, she worked with numerous large shopping center developers in tenant coordination and project management, before developing more than 50 pad sites throughout the country with Brinker International. With a long record of guiding local and national clients, such as Walgreens, McDonalds, Chase Bank in acquisitions, lease obligations and consulting services, Goodwin has gained a keen understanding of landlord and tenant requirements, by working on both sides of the industry. Specializing in developing retail and restaurant pad sites, she now serves as CEO of Goodwin Commercial and has become a reliable industry source within Dallas and throughout the US. Aside from her professional accomplishments, she is deeply dedicated to bettering the industry. Goodwin shares her 33 years of industry experience while teaching, coaching and speaking on commercial real estate throughout the nation. She is a member of numerous industry committees and organizations, and she serves as an inspiration through her valuable social media content. She launched a television show to mentor young women and she created a four-part audio series advising on the industry. She is a published author of two books, one being an Amazon best seller, she continuously contributes to industry publications and she additionally serves on her city's zoning board.
BRIAN KATZ
Katz & Associates
Growing up around the business, Brian Katz realized his passion for commercial real estate early on. Appreciating the ability to change communities through experimental and tangible work, Katz has gained substantial experience with more than 20 years in the industry. Representing retailers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, Katz has helped shape several regional shopping arteries in some of the nation's top metropolitan areas. He has completed large format, big box strategy and site selection across eight states, and within recent years, he has implemented significant rollouts for DSW Shoe Warehouse, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and Floor and Décor, totaling more than two million square feet of space. As CEO of retail brokerage firm Katz & Associates, he oversees day-to-day operations and manages a team of 27 retail brokers across six offices. In addition to overseeing the strategy and execution for select retailer clients, such as Party City and Hobby Lobby, Katz assists in representing the firm's more than 150 retailers and more than 10 million square feet of retail space. He recently completed his 50th new store transaction with DSW Shoe Warehouse, and he represented Warby Parker in its entry into the New Jersey market with five new stores. Expanding the company's offices in Orlando, Nashville and New York City, he works to maintain and grow the company's retail services business. He has been a member of ICSC for the past 23 years and a member of REBNY for 15 years.
KEVIN E. KELLEY
Shook Kelley
As an architect, Kevin Kelley is illustrative of how a designer adds value to development projects. Fueled by curiosity, Kelley furthers retail design while developing unique strategies for clients that connect consumer behaviors, market trends, brand vision and design innovations. Acknowledging a range of perspectives, from business strategies and operational tactics to purchase decisions and aesthetic environments, Kelley succeeds in meeting market opportunities by considering the human experience. As a founding partner and principal of Shook Kelley, he sets a vision for clients and works directly on projects with his team of architects, interior designers and graphic designers to challenge the status quo. Delivering innovations to everyday destinations, such as grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants, he works to prove that well-designed and meaningful marketplaces can grow retail business. Fostering valuable connections, he creates places that people enjoy and care about by deeply studying existing environments, competitive marketplaces, social contexts and specific customer bases. Tapping into shared causes, Kelley seeks to reinvigorate mundane, consumer forms and challenges clients to re-think business in terms of experience. Spurring social relevance, economic exchange and profitable business growth within his projects, he has designed and built retail stores throughout North America, while focusing on flagships and prototype concepts. Kelley is a sought-after speaker for market events, conferences and lectures and has been awarded countless industry recognitions.
FREDERICK J. MENO
The Woodmont Company
With four decades of industry experience, Frederick Meno serves as CEO of The Woodmont Company and president of its asset management and property services division. In this position, he has successfully brought on board the management and leasing of 27 million square feet of enclosed regional malls, 7 million square feet of outlet centers and more than 10 million square feet of receivership assignments. In addition to expanding the company's operations into 25 states, he has led the firm to be recognized as one of the nation's fastest growing third-party retail property management companies, for three consecutive years. Within his role, he is responsible for asset management, receivership services, property operations and national business development of the company's more than 16 million-square-foot portfolio of third-party owned shopping centers. Additionally, as a leading authority on today's retail shopping center industry and a member of ICSC, Meno serves as the dean and course instructor of ICSC's University of Shopping Centers School of outlet retailing, value oriented and community centers. He is also a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management and has achieved various industry designations. Aside from his vast success within the industry, Meno is a multi-time sailing champion, with many significant national sailing distinctions.
MARY NOLLENBERGER
SVN | Desert Commercial Advisors
Gaining initial relevance through her involvement in a large number of retail developments, Mary Nollenberger is a strong advocate for local and national retailers alike. Beginning her career in the industry 19 years ago, she joined SVN | Desert Commercial Advisers in 2007, where she now serves as the director of leasing and retail investment services. Focusing on retail tenant and landlord representation in ground up developments, redevelopments, acquisitions and dispositions, she is responsible for retailers' site selection, rollout strategies and expansion strategies. Within the company, Nollenberger leads a team of advisors and maintains a reputation for quickly converting low vacancy rates to 90% occupancy before listing assets on the market. Unwilling to give up on any transaction or potential vision, Nollenberger's persistence brought to fruition the Chandler Crossings project in 2017, when she sold an abandoned, half-constructed property and served as the development's consultant to create a community destination and interactive retail center with $30 million lease deals in place. Constantly striving to improve in an effort to provide an unprecedented level of customer service, she spent last year training and travelling to become a SVN | Certified Retail Specialist, a designated certification for advisors who have met a high-qualifying criteria of top performance. Prior to the program, in addition to securing national lease deals, she closed $40 million and $30 million in annual transaction volume in 2017 and 2018, respectively. She has received countless company and industry recognitions for her achievements and outstanding performance.
JILL ROSE
Bishop Beale Duncan
Tapping into her knowledge of the market and current retail trends, Jill Rose aims to identify new ways for developers and retailers to enter the market. Primarily focusing on land deals for new retail and multifamily developments, she pinpoints potential opportunities within the market for her team to capitalize on, before identifying end-users and tenants to fill these spaces. With a relentless approach to making her vision a reality, Rose serves as VP of retail services at Bishop Beale Duncan. In a current project, Rose recently highlighted the need to redevelop a 45-acre shopping mall that was struggling to remain open, before identifying and placing a developer to purchase the property. She is now assisting the developer with site plan approvals in order to completely redevelop the property into an experiential retail space. She also recently assisted in the sale and comprehensive land use change of a property, from industrial use to low-density residential, for the development of 450 single-family homes. Rose has been recognized within her area for the largest land sale and the largest user sale for many consecutive years. She has served the city of Orlando, FL, as an appearance review board member, a municipal planning board member and a member of the regional planning council. She actively mentors students at the University of Central Florida each semester and she previously served as chair of the Urban Land Institute's Young Leaders Organization.
SANDY SIGAL
NewMark Merrill Companies
Sandy Sigal started earning profits as a programmer and software developer for personal computers at the age of 12. Striving to provide superior products, become more efficient and better understand his customers, Sigal leveraged his passion for technology when founding NewMark Merrill Companies in 1997. As president and CEO, Sigal has grown the company to own and operate 80 retail centers totaling more than 10 million square feet of real estate throughout California, Colorado and Illinois. Remaining at the forefront of tech leadership by seeking the best tools, Sigal aims to create a better shopping experience for customers, while making tenants more successful. In 2019 alone, he led the company to invest in 22 tech-related ventures. Within his role he oversees the strategic direction of the company, ensuring that every community improves and every tenant's business successfully thrives with the firm's involvement. Partnering with other technology companies, Sigal was one of the first professionals to use artificial intelligence to analyze customer traffic and compile consumer feedback information. Integrating online platforms with traditional brick and mortar business, Sigal separately co-founded BrightStreet Ventures to provide tenants and owners with additional opportunities. He is extremely active within his community and the industry as a board member and a recipient of countless recognitions, while diligently working to combat the homeless problem in Los Angeles and across the nation through affordable housing.
JOSHUA N. SIMON
SimonCRE
Joshua Simon entered the industry as an intern in 2004. Upon cultivating relationships and creating a name for himself, he ventured out on his own and started the development company SimonCRE in 2010. As founder and CEO of the firm, Simon leads the company's growth strategy in developing and acquiring projects that benefit clients and communities. Under his leadership, the company has taken on projects including revitalizing an abandoned, former grocery-anchored center by securing a national health and fitness brand as an anchor tenant. Bringing restaurants to an underserved area, Simon also recently established improvement plans to develop a 10,733-square-foot multi-tenant center in Glendale, AZ. Another significant project includes the acquisition of a 90,000-square-foot, 4% leased shopping center in Camden, AR, in which Simon fully leased, helping to create nearly 100 jobs for a town of only 12,000 people. He has led the company to complete more than 170 projects across 22 states, totaling more than $347 million in value, to date. Constantly adding new initiatives to general operations within the office, he emphasizes a cohesive company culture, which secured a 29% employee increase in 2019 alone. He hosts regular discussions with team members to set personal goals and converse on industry topics, and he additionally contributes to the industry by providing specialized insight and updates through his YouTube video series and weekly blog content.
BRANDON L. SINGER
Cushman & Wakefield
With 14 years of experience in the industry, 34-year-old Brandon Singer views his age as a beneficial edge over his retail competitors. Understanding how consumer behaviors are changing as a retail broker, he is able to visualize and experience new-age retail concepts as an investor and consumer of these experiential brands. With a deep comprehension of both traditional retail real estate and new retail concepts, Singer is able to adapt his business as a leasing professional to serve real estate assets accordingly. He has worked as a leading advisor with some of the world's most recognizable brands, such as Nike, Sephora and Restoration Hardware, and he has also advised many new age retail brands, playing an integral role in the expansion into brick and mortar stores. Starting his career in 2007 at Cushman and Wakefield, Singer now serves as executive director at the company, where he advises both landlords and tenants on matters including general strategy, procurement strategy, expansion and lease negotiations. Completing 39 deals in 2019 and 34 deals in 2018, Singer secured positions on the company's top 5 retail producers list. He is a member of REBNY and ICSC, and additionally serves on the board directors and as an adjunct professor for George Washington University's center for real estate and urban analysis.
ANJEE SOLANKI
Colliers International
A devoted promoter of connectivity, healthy working relationships, interactive engagement and internal transparency, Anjee Solanki's leadership guides Colliers International to evolve and create effective client solutions. Ensuring the highest level of client service, she continuously pursues and shares innovative approaches and technologies so that professionals do not get stuck in repeat sales patterns. As the national director of retail services for the US, Solanki heads learning and engagement for all Colliers employees through the facilitation of regional retail workshops, in which professionals discuss strategies, share tactics, partake in mock presentations and build new relationships. By generating connections and promoting new technology tools, she successfully develops business for the company and enables representatives to excel on behalf of clients. Providing strategic retail advisory services to more than 500 professionals throughout 140 markets nationally, Solanki stays on top of trends in order to frequently offer insight to various media outlets. Externally, she assists clients with specific initiatives based on market and property inefficiencies; capturing untapped value through asset repositioning, releasing, redeveloping, proactive management and enhanced marketing. She elevated the retailer site selection process for the company by identifying a new technology tool through data analytics and retailer surveys. She was also chosen by the company to work with and elevate proptech startup companies, seeking to solve industry issues through technology. In addition to serving on several industry technology boards, she leads the company's diversity and inclusion program and is a member of ICSC's diversity and inclusion committee, working to create change and continued awareness.
RAY UTTENHOVE
SRS Real Estate Partners
Joining SRS Real Estate Partners in 2005 after a 30-year career with CBRE, Ray Uttenhove utilizes her extensive industry background within her role as EVP & managing principal at the company. Maintaining a significant track record of providing comprehensive real estate and consulting services to retailers and owners, she has successfully directed strategic multi-market expansion planning and implementation for some of the best retailers in the country. Representing decade-long clients, such as the TJX Corporation, Williams-Sonoma/West Elm, Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic/Athleta and AMC Theaters, Uttenhove's goal is to consistently open high-volume profitable stores for her clients. Shaping the company's tenant representation practice, Uttenhove has incorporated brokerage, corporate services and national research, while implementing best practices. Building a diverse team of high producers within recent years, she has grown the firm's Atlanta office to 20 brokers, while doubling revenues and leading a diversity and inclusion initiative. In 2017 and 2018, Uttenhove was recognized as Atlanta's number one broker. She has additionally been a top producer within SRS every year throughout her 19-year company career. In addition to receiving the company's coveted chairman's award, she has received countless industry awards and she has served on numerous industry boards, including the SRS Board of Directors. A passionate advocate for industry diversity, Uttenhove aims to promote and advance women into leadership positions through mentorship and sponsorships.
PHILLIP D. VOORHEES
CBRE
Leading one of the most successful retail capital markets teams in the US as vice chairman of CBRE, Phillip Voorhees is consistently a top producer for the company in Southern California. He is the lead producer and head of CBRE's national retail partners of the West, a 21-professional real estate team. Under his leadership, the team completed more than 61 transactions in 2019, totaling more than $675 million. Since 2012, he and the team have completed 381 transactions, representing more than $5.8 billion. Voorhees utilizes his knowledge and background in marketing and technology to support clients' needs and drive the brand forward. In 2018, he achieved his top year with his real estate career, with $1 billion in retail investment transactions. That same year, he was awarded his current title, as one of a select few vice chairmen nationally, and CBRE's only retail vice chairman on the West Coast. Through his expertise and creativity, Voorhees works to contribute to and revitalize obsolete or underutilized centers, transforming spaces into thriving social hubs and commercial and employment centers. He additionally serves on the advisory board for CBRE's capital markets – national retail partners. Awarded with many company recognitions, he is also a mentor, published author, instructor, charitable supporter and sought-after contributor for industry events, panels and publications.
WILLIAM J. WOLFE
First Washington Realty
William Wolfe co-founded First Washington Realty more than 35 years ago. Initially focusing on multiple asset classes, the company soon specialized in grocery-anchored shopping centers and quickly became the dominant owner and developer within the space. Under Wolfe's leadership, the company went public and was eventually taken private to partner with CalPERS. Maintaining high occupancy across its centers, the company now owns 103 grocery-anchored centers throughout the country. More recently, the company has expanded centers to include mixed-use projects with residential development. One of Wolfe's greatest accomplishments is the company's successful transition in leadership. Through his well-thought-out succession plan, Wolfe served as the company's president and CEO until he recently became chairman. In his new role, Wolfe remains at the forefront of the company and the industry. Recognized as one of the sector's more accomplished professionals, he serves as a visionary and often advises other industry members on retail matters. Committed to philanthropy, he supports and contributes to numerous non-profit organizations. He additionally founded the predecessor of Lupus Therapeutics and has raised millions of dollars to fund Lupus research.
DOTAN ZUCKERMAN
Columbia Development
Credited with strategically curating rosters of best-in-class restaurants and retailers, Dotan Zuckerman is passionate about creating shared, gathering spaces that serve the community. Understanding the ever-changing retail landscape with the ability to quickly adjust strategies to fit retailers' needs, he has leased more than 1.5 million square feet of space throughout his 14-year career. With strong connections to the food and beverage and retail industries, Zuckerman often signs first-to-market concepts that create value for surrounding areas. Previously, he led the leasing for Atlantic Station Town Center, implementing the turnaround of a 1.3 million-square-foot retail space by increasing occupancy by 20% and adding more than 40 national and local retailers. He then proved instrumental in pre-leasing more than 400,000 square feet of retail space at the Avalon development, which opened with a 98% occupancy rate. Once stabilized, the two properties sold for a combined profit of more than $350 million. Zuckerman also applied his leasing experience to the ground-up mixed-use project, the $2 billion stadium-anchored development called The Battery in 2017. There, he curated a valuable mix of retailers and entertainment to attract visitors year-round. In his current role as director of leasing at Columbia Development, he is leading the pre-leasing efforts for Fenton, a 69-acre, $2.5 million mixed-use development, for which he has signed prominent anchors, restaurants and national retailers for the first phase's 345,000 square feet of retail space.
TEAMS
AVISON YOUNG'S MALING TEAM
Established retail investment sales experts, brothers Christopher Maling and David Maling have worked together since 1997. With more than 30 and 20 years of experience, respectively, Christopher and David previously served as brokers at Colliers International, where they each received distinctions as top producers and top investment specialists. Obtaining extensive experience with 1031 tax-deferred exchanges, receiverships, foreclosures and Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcies, the retail property brokerage specialists have closed a combined $3 billion in sales nationally. Continuing their success in business as principals at Avison Young, the trusted advisors cater to each client's specific goal and objective. Joining the firm in January of 2019, the two develop and employ a data- and market-driven, customized approach to hands-on marketing and property disposition. As advisors, the team works with private clients, such as merchant developers, high-net-worth individuals, family offices and trusts, as well as institutional clients, such as financial institutions, pension fund advisors, private equity firms, and private and public REITS. Repeatedly exceeding client expectations, the team has achieved many transactional accomplishments. In a recent example, the team assisted a client, which was being urged to sell its Las Vegas shopping center for $25 million. Upon dissecting and understanding the property's issues, the team advised the client to hold off on the sale and formulated a strategy to lease up the property with minimal cost. Eighteen months later, the team sold the property on behalf of the client for $40 million. Separately active in many of Avison Young's affinity groups, the team collaborates on best practices to further the brand and to offer their perspective on market trends, conditions and valuations.
CBRE URBAN RETAIL
Consisting of six retail and restaurant leasing professionals, the CBRE urban retail team has become a dominant force of brokerage in the Boston area. Formed less than three years ago, the team leads the regional market in number and quality of investor listings, occupier clients and completed transactions. It represents more than 30 national and regional occupier clients, including Apple, Allbirds, Bluestone Lane, Eataly, Parachute Home, Rothy's, Sweetgreen, Tacombi, Urbanspace, Veronica Beard and Warby Parker. CBRE SVP and former in-house real estate manager at Apple, Matt Curtain co-leads the team alongside SVP Paul Grossman.
The two offer a unique perspective on the transaction process and are involved in all aspects of design, development, deal making and operations. One of the team's greatest accomplishments is the repositioning of Harvard Square. In 2018, the team sold Harvard Square properties to Asana Partners for $108 million, before representing the firm in leasing the project. Changing the site's perspective as a viable market for retailers, the team studied online sales to execute a mix of target tenants, specific to residents' demographics and psychographics. The site is now 100% leased to market-shifting retailers, such as Patagonia, Everlane, Marine Layer and Ray Ban. In another significant project, the team again partnered with Asana Partners to lead the retail leasing for a 28-building portfolio on the underserved Newbury Street. The team has worked tirelessly to fill vacancies and has successfully completed leases with Free People, Frame Denim, Brideside, and Madewell.
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