Scaling a Commercial Real Estate Developer’s Mixed-Use Portfolio

Client Background

A leading commercial real estate developer in the Southwest U.S. pursued an expansion of its mixed-use property portfolio, integrating retail, office, and residential spaces. The projects required project management and construction expertise, while the firm sought to strengthen its corporate leadership to support long-term growth, with an 18-month timeline to complete the first mixed-use development.

The Challenge

The mixed-use projects and corporate growth demanded a workforce for project execution and internal management. Key challenges included:

• Specialized Project Roles: Recruiting Construction Project Managers, Cost Estimators, and Site Superintendents with experience in mixed-use developments to manage complex construction phases.
• Corporate Hiring Needs: Sourcing a CFO to optimize financial strategy, a VP of Real Estate to lead portfolio expansion, and sales/business development leaders to secure tenant leases.
• Workforce Scaling: Hiring 40 project professionals and 8 corporate roles, including procurement specialists, marketing staff, and administrative support.
• Compliance and Safety: Ensuring field workers met OSHA certifications, local zoning regulations, and safety protocols for urban construction projects.
• Logistical Complexity: Coordinating hiring across multiple project sites and managing executive search for corporate roles.

Without qualified talent, the developer risked project delays, budget overruns, and missed leasing opportunities.

The Solution

Advastar provided a tailored solution for project staffing and corporate hiring. Our approach included:

• Skilled Project Talent Acquisition: Sourcing Construction Project Managers, Cost Estimators, and Site Superintendents with mixed-use expertise to oversee design, construction, and tenant fit-outs.
• Executive Search and Corporate Hiring: Placing a CFO to enhance financial oversight, a VP of Real Estate to drive portfolio growth, and sales/business development leaders to secure high-value tenants, plus procurement and marketing staff.
• Strategic Hiring Process: Deploying 40 project professionals and 8 corporate roles over 6–8 weeks, ensuring high-quality hires aligned with project and corporate objectives.
• Compliance and Safety Assurance: Verifying OSHA certifications, zoning compliance, and safety training for field workers to meet urban development standards.
• Logistical Management: Coordinating multi-site hiring and corporate onboarding for seamless integration.

The Outcome

Advastar’s solutions enabled the developer to complete its mixed-use project and expand its portfolio. Key results included:

• Timely Completion: The first mixed-use development was completed within 18 months, meeting tenant move-in deadlines.
• Quality Standards: Expert project management ensured properties met design and regulatory requirements.
• Corporate Growth: The CFO and VP of Real Estate improved financial stability and portfolio expansion.
• Safety Record: Zero safety incidents across project sites.
• Market Success: High tenant lease rates led to additional mixed-use project contracts.

Why Use Advastar as Your Property Management Recruiters?

Advastar’s expertise in staffing for commercial developments and corporate hiring makes us an essential partner for real estate developers. Our strategic talent deployment and leadership placement ensure clients deliver high-quality projects and achieve portfolio growth.