Cushman & Wakefield | Retail Advisors Launches Strategic Southern California Expansion

24 Sep, 2008, San Diego, CA

Cushman & Wakefield|Retail Advisors, with roots in San Diego County, has initiated an aggressive Southern California expansion plan with the announcement to expand its operations to include the Orange County Cushman & Wakefield office located at 2020 Main Street in Irvine.

According to Pete Bethea, Executive Director of Cushman & Wakefield│Retail Advisors, the success of this specialized real estate investment and leasing group, which serves private as well as institutional clients throughout the western United States, is prompting the decision to grow its presence in strategic Cushman & Wakefield markets. The initial expansion in Orange County is expected to be followed by future growth into Ontario and the Inland Empire in 2009.

“Cushman & Wakefield│Retail Advisors functions as a cohesive team with a common goal and focus. Teaming is a widely used term today, but I challenge our competitors to demonstrate a model that delivers the depth of talent, resources, and market experience of Cushman & Wakefield│Retail Advisors,” said Bethea. “This model offers a ‘deep bench’ of expertise allowing us to assign the right talent for each assignment."

“We have been very successful working out of San Diego County” he said. “By strategically bringing our team closer to our clients in the greater Orange County/Los Angeles region, and eventually to the Inland Empire, we will enhance the experience of our clients and provide even more value.”

The growth of the Cushman & Wakefield│Retail Advisors platform into new markets allows the team to continue to implement its successful business model with a tenured group that was started more than 15 years ago. Bethea noted the team is expanding to ensure a high level of service to its clients, as well as effective growth in market share.

The Cushman & Wakefield│Retail Advisors team oversees the marketing of a retail shopping center portfolio totaling over 11 million square feet throughout San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles Counties, as well as Riverside and the greater Inland Empire. The expansion is supported by long-standing, senior team members including Senior Director John Jennings, Director Rob Ippolito, and Director Nick Alford who along with Bethea, will have supervision responsibilities of the Orange County office. Five-year veteran and Associate Director Kam Walton, his cousin Chris Walton and Bethea’s son, Peter, have already taken residence in Cushman & Wakefield’s Irvine office and will be responsible for day-to-day activities. They will continue to be supported by San Diego coordinators Kate Silvestro, Lindsay Price, Lee Do and Candace Palmer, as well as a newly hired brokerage coordinator in Irvine.

“We will continue to operate as a group, mixing and matching our exceptional talent with each assignment, regardless of the location of the professional,” Bethea said. “This is a very portable business model. Our clients are as excited as we are.”

Bethea is quick to note the ongoing expansion in San Diego as well with the recent hire of retail veteran Bryan Cunningham. “It is rare to have the opportunity to attract talent such has Bryan. His hire could not have been more timely as it allows us to remain focused on our San Diego effort, while adding valuable experience in what will be a very opportunistic market for the next several years.”

The rest of the Cushman & Wakefield│Retail Advisors group – Associate Director Aaron Hill and Associate David Bradley – will continue to base operations in San Diego.

“This is a very exciting time for us,” said Bethea. “We see significant contraction in today’s market but our view is that this business cycle represents the best opportunity for expansion. Our existing and new clients will need us more than ever in this new market and as a result, we are expanding as a team to meet their needs. Now is the time to make sure our clients are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities this new market will provide.”

###

About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield is the world's largest privately-held commercial real estate services firm. Founded in 1917, it has 221 offices in 58 countries and more than 15,000 employees. The firm represents a diverse customer base ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. It offers a complete range of services within four primary disciplines: Transaction Services, including tenant and landlord representation in office, industrial and retail real estate; Capital Markets, including property sales, investment management, valuation services, investment banking, debt and equity financing; Client Solutions, including integrated real estate strategies for large corporations and property owners, and Consulting Services, including business and real estate consulting. A recognized leader in global real estate research, the firm publishes a broad array of proprietary reports available on its online Knowledge Center at www.cushmanwakefield.com.

# # #

Media Contact:
Sandra Grove
858.751.5959

back to real estate News & Events

Printer Friendly Version