CenterPoint Commercial Companies launched CenterPoint Commercial Capital, a new capital markets division focused on commercial real estate debt and equity placement nationwide. As part of the expansion, CenterPoint has recruited seasoned commercial real estate finance professionals Ari Raskas, founder of ARZ Realty Capital, and Matthew Sheard, formerly of Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation, to spearhead the new platform.
The addition of Raskas and Sheard represents a significant expansion of CenterPoint’s capabilities and brings two experienced capital markets professionals under the CenterPoint umbrella. Based in Dallas and operating nationally, CenterPoint Commercial Capital will advise commercial real estate owners, investors and developers on financing strategies and source debt and equity capital across all property types, transaction structures and markets throughout the United States.
Veteran Capital Markets Talent Joins CenterPoint
Matthew Sheard brings more than a decade of commercial real estate experience to the new division, including previous capital markets experience with Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation (MMCC). During his tenure at MMCC, Sheard advised commercial real estate investors and worked on debt placement assignments utilizing the firm’s national lender network.
Prior to moving exclusively into capital markets, Sheard also worked in commercial investment sales, giving him experience on both the transaction and financing sides of the commercial real estate business. He holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University and has developed extensive relationships throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth commercial real estate community and beyond.
Ari Raskas joins CenterPoint following the growth of ARZ Realty Capital, the Dallas-based commercial real estate finance advisory firm he founded and led. Raskas has established a track record representing real estate owners and investors in sourcing and structuring commercial real estate financing across a range of asset classes and transaction profiles.
His experience includes navigating both conventional and complex financing assignments and cultivating relationships across the lending community, including banks, credit unions, life insurance companies, CMBS lenders, debt funds and other institutional and private capital sources.
His experience as both a capital advisor and real estate investor/developer provides a principal-oriented perspective to financing assignments, with an emphasis on structuring capital around an owner’s broader investment objectives.
Raskas and Sheard have collaborated periodically on select financing assignments over the past several years, developing a working relationship that highlighted the complementary nature of their respective experience, relationships and approaches to the capital markets. The two had discussed opportunities to work together more formally, and the creation of CenterPoint Commercial Capital provided a natural opportunity to combine their capabilities within an established, vertically integrated commercial real estate platform.
Together, Raskas and Sheard will lead CenterPoint Commercial Capital’s efforts to build a national financing platform combining broad capital-markets access with the responsiveness and hands-on execution of a privately held boutique commercial real estate firm.
A National Debt and Equity Placement Platform
CenterPoint Commercial Capital will provide financing advisory and placement services for acquisitions, refinancings, recapitalizations, construction and development transactions, bridge financing and other commercial real estate capital needs.
The group will work across the capital stack, pursuing senior debt, bridge and transitional financing, construction financing, permanent loans, mezzanine and preferred equity structures, joint venture equity and other customized capital solutions.
The new division is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and is actively originating and placing commercial real estate debt nationally.
The launch expands CenterPoint Commercial Companies’ existing platform, which includes commercial real estate brokerage, development, investment and property management. Founded in 2001 and backed by four generations of real estate experience, CenterPoint has built its business around long-term relationships with property owners, investors, tenants and other participants throughout the commercial real estate industry.
