Jeffrey A. Berger has taken on a busy task as the new head of acquisitions at the real estate investment trust Arden Realty Inc.

The Beverly Hills-based REIT has been on a buying spree this year. Arden boosted its portfolio by more than one third when it purchased 5.2 million square feet of office and industrial buildings from AEW/LBA Acquisition Co. earlier this month. That $614.5 million purchase hasn’t slowed Arden’s pace, as the REIT expects to control at least 17 million square feet of office and industrial properties from San Diego to Ventura County as of March 31, according to Richard Ziman, Arden’s president and CEO.

Berger will be responsible for further building Arden’s portfolio of commercial office and industrial properties in his new job. Arden, which is now considered the largest office landlord in Southern California, currently owns and manages primarily class-A and class-B office properties in suburban markets.

In a statement, Chief Operating Officer Victor Coleman said Berger’s “extensive experience and proven track record in the acquisition, management, leasing and re-development arena underscores our commitment to selecting properties that will continue to enhance the value of our portfolio.”

Prior to joining Arden, Berger was director and senior vice president of Chicago-based Berger Realty Group. He handled acquisition, leasing, management and development of commercial, industrial and residential real estate. He has also worked as assistant vice president of acquisitions at Heitmann Financial Services, an international pension fund advisory firm.

Berger graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he received his bachelor of science degree in communications studies.

Joyzelle Davis