CONSULTANT
REAL ESTATE CONSULTING
I am engaged by corporate and private clients to provide advisory and management services for U.S. and international developments and investments ($2M-$90M). I am appointed to lead the pre-acquisition phase; strategic advisory, market research, feasibility appraisals, structuring and comprehensive due diligence. I am retained to manage the pre-construction phase; strategic planning, design management, entitlements, permitting, costing, value engineering for land developments and stand-alone real estate projects.
DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT
I am retained as a development manager and owner representative by private clients and family offices. I lead and manage the implementation phase of residential and commercial projects; tendering, bid leveling, contractor appointment and active management through completion. I oversee the budget, schedule, permitting, compliance and client reporting. I liaise with building management and pertinent regulatory authorities.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
DREES & SOMMER . 2018-2019
Served as Co-Managing Director of the company’s UK office. Drees & Sommer is a leading Pan-European real estate and project management consultancy headquartered in Germany, with 40 offices in 19 countries and €380M ($410M) turnover. Concluded merger, restructuring and integration of UK subsidiary. Implemented strategic growth plan and new media strategy. Led business development and new client engagements. Oversaw and grew new service lines. Managed budgets, operations and compliance.
DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE CONSULTING
DREES & SOMMER . 2018-2019
Appointed as Director of Real Estate Consulting for Drees & Sommer’s UK office. Launched and managed three new UK service lines; Real Estate Consulting, Technical Due Diligence and Cradle to Cradle. Delivered consulting services commissioned by corporates and family offices. Administered business development, contracts, and compliance. Managed budgets and held sole responsibility for all service lines’ P&L.
DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE
SOLIDERE / VISIONNAIRE . 2010-2017
Established and led the Real Estate Team in London. Managed the pre-acquisition phase for sites under consideration by Solidere, one of the largest real estate firms in the MENA region (+1.5B assets). Delivered 40+ assessments for land developments and real estate projects under consideration ($20M-$250M). Led strategic analyses, market research, deal origination, feasibility studies and comprehensive due diligence for prospective acquisitions in nine countries. Assembled and managed country specific teams of external consultants that comprised zoning, regulatory, legal and financial experts.
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
SOLIDERE / VISIONNAIRE . 2007-2017
Established and led the Development Team in London. Oversaw design management and pre-construction for Solidere’s flagship EMEA projects (6.3Km²/68Kft² - 2.2Mm²/23.7Mft² GFA). Appointed and led design and technical consultants in delivery of design excellence whilst meeting commercial objectives ($30M-$2.2B TDC). Founded and managed award-winning in-house master planning and urban design team. Led master planning of Solidere’s two largest land developments, Al Zorah (494-acres/$2.2BN TDC) and the Beirut New Waterfront District (72-acres/$5.9BN market value). Managed the design of infrastructure and public domain through tendering. Co-led the implementation of Phase 1 of development for both projects.
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
VORNADO REALTY TRUST . 2005-2007
Served as Development Manager at Vornado Realty Trust, one of the largest owners and managers of real estates in the U.S. with a portfolio of +30Mft² and +$16B in assets. Oversaw project management for a portfolio (288,000m²/3.1Mft² GFA) comprised of retail and mixed-use assets in Manhattan and the Tri State Area. Managed design, entitlements, financial models, project budgets, pre-leasing, contract administration and project delivery for operating assets and redevelopment projects. Conducted market research, development analyses and feasibility assessments for prospective acquisitions.
ARCHITECT
BRIGGS KNOWLES . 2002-2003
Design architect at the research driven practice of Laura Briggs and Jonathan Knowles. Collaborated on design, documentation, tendering and construction administration for two private townhouse commissions in Manhattan, with a focus on sustainable design.
ARCHITECT
PENTAGRAM . 2001-2002
Design architect at the practice of Jim Biber, partner at the award-winning multidisciplinary design practice Pentagram. Assisted in the design, development and implementation of commercial, retail, residential, exhibit and cultural commissions including the Harley Davidson Museum.
EDUCATION
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
MASTER OF REAL ESTATE . MDes . 2005
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE . MArch . 2004
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE . BArch Hons . 2001
CORNELL UNIVERSITY S.C. JOHNSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
CERTIFICATE IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE . 2018
LICENSES
ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS
RICS CHARTERED SURVEYOR . ACTIVE . 2014 - PRESENT
REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK
REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON LICENSE CANDIDATE
AWARDS
BEST MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY AWARDS . 2016
BEST MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY AWARDS . 2014
UIA URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION . WINNER
MARTYRS’ SQUARE AND THE GRAND AXIS OF BEIRUT . 2004
CHARLES GOODWIN SANDS MEDAL
CORNELL UNIVERSITY . BEST ARCHITECTURE THESIS . 2001