Custom Content from the Los Angeles Business Journal
Letter from the Publisher
On Monday, Feb. 25, we hosted one of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s biggest events: the 24th annual Commercial Real Estate Awards. We celebrated the brokers who work tirelessly on multimillion-dollar deals, and the general contractors, architects and developers who turn visions into reality on projects that become our region’s landmarks.
The annual event was held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites and was attended by hundreds of Los Angeles’ elite real estate professionals. Our awards recognized the biggest, best and most notable commercial real estate projects of 2018. The impressive and talented group of people that attended the event this year are single handedly changing the real estate industry in our own backyard.
Changing things up a little this year, we hosted a Commercial Real Estate Outlook and Trends Panel prior to our awards dinner. Our outstanding panel of experts weighed in on the latest developments and how those developments will impact the L.A. market this year.
To our sponsors, panelists, and each of the developers, general contractors, architects and brokers involved in the stellar, trailblazing projects that won awards this year, we salute you and thank you for your essential contributions to Los Angeles’ economy.
Best regards,
Anna Magzanyan
CEO & Publisher
2019 Los Angeles Business Journal Commercial Real Estate Outlook and Trends Panel
The already eventful Commercial Real Estate Awards added a new element this year, with a roundtable of experts.
This first-ever outlook and trends panel for the commercial real estate market was a success. The outstanding panel of professionals shared insights, described the current landscape, forecasted the immediate future and weighed in on the latest developments and how the LA market will be impacted this year. They also fielded questions from our enthusiastic audience.
Attendees had the opportunity to learn from these leading lights of commercial real estate.
Panelists
 James R. Kruse CEO |
DPI Retail – ModeratorJames Kruse joined DPI in 2018 and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining DPI, Kruse was the Senior Managing Director for CBRE’s Los Angeles South Region and directed all transactional business and operations for the Downtown Los Angeles, Beverly Hills/Century City, South Bay, and Los Angeles Central offices. |
 Blake Christian |
Tax Partner – HCVTBlake Christian brings over 35 years of experience providing tax consulting and compliance services to clients that include multinational, large, closely held owner-managed businesses and high net-worth individuals. Throughout his career, Blake he has specialized in federal, state and local tax incentive programs, and currently focuses on the Federal Opportunity Zone program. |
 John Forry |
Managing Director – CBIZ MHMJohn I. Forry is U.S. tax and legal advisor in international taxation, finance and investment. He is also a university professor in those subjects. He has served on the Advisory Group to the U.S. Commissioner of Internal Revenue and on numerous professional organization committees and projects. |
 Dan Gura |
Director of Business Development – MVE + PartnersDan Gura has more than 15 years of real estate experience in business development, multifamily brokerage and law working for firms in Southern California. His experience combined with his knowledge of all aspects of multi-family and mixed-use development is in alignment with MVE + Partners’ vision. |
 Ray Haj |
Vice President – SwinertonSwinerton Vice President and Division Manager Ray Haj is responsible for the overall vision, financials, and management of all operations of projects totaling over $2.5 billion within the Los Angeles and Orange County Region for Swinerton. He is also responsible for the management of over 850 Swinerton employees within this region. |
 Monica Zhang |
Vice President Real Estate Banking – City National BankMonica Zhang serves as Vice President of Real Estate Banking at City National Bank. She is a commercial real estate financial professional with an MBA from UCLA Anderson and inactive CPA license. At City National Bank, she originates and manages loans from $8 million to $70 million to real estate investors and developers. Available products include construction loans, lines of credit, bridge loans, term financing, rehabilitation/renovation loans, and acquisition financing. |
Project Winners
Best Hospitality Project – Restaurant
Best Hospitality Project – Hotel
Best Industrial Project
Best Medical Project
Best Mixed-Use Project
Best Multi-Family Project
Best Office Project
Best Public Project
Best Redevelopment Project
Best Tenant Improvement Project
Commercial Real Estate Winners
Brokers of the Year
Rookie of the Year
Best Industrial Sale
Best Industrial Lease
Best Office Sale
Best Office Lease
Best Retail Sale
Best Medical Sale
Best Medical Lease
Best Multi-Family Sale
Best Land Sale
Inside this supplement:
A Closer Look at the Qualified Opportunity Zone Program
The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act (2017 Act) created the federal Qualified Opportunity Zone program (QOZ or Program) effective in 2018 and operative for the next three decades. Beginning January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2026, individuals, corporations, REITs, and pass-through entities can sell a wide variety of appreciated capital assets and elect to reinvest the resulting capital gain into a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF)… Read More
Blockchain: Bringing Real Estate into the 21st Century
Not long ago, most of the people in the real estate industry had never heard of “blockchain technology.” Now, blockchain technology is poised to transform the real estate industry by changing the way information is stored and exchanged… Read More
Tips for Choosing Your Business Location
Choosing a business location is perhaps the most important decision a small business owner or startup will make, so it requires precise planning and research. It involves looking at demographics, assessing your supply chain, scoping the competition, staying on budget, understanding local laws and taxes, and much more… Read More
More than 45 Years of Dedication, Innovation + Professionalism
Since its inception over 45 years ago, MVE + Partners has been an award-winning firm, leading the architecture and planning industries in design trends of multi-family and mixed-use developments… Read More
Deploying Beacons and Sensors in Commercial Real Estate
Beacons and sensors – digital sensing devices that make use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, Wi-Fi and smartphones – are making it easier than ever for business owners to efficiently track inventory, improve space utilization, lower operating expenses, enhance customers’ experiences and tighten security… Read More
The Office Property and Big Data Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together
A white paper published by the NAIOP Research Foundation offers insight into the usages and challenges of big data in commercial real estate, particularly in the office sector where the data’s usefulness can be used to both improve a building’s operational efficiencies and attract and retain tenants… Read More
