O’Connor is
O’Connor is a fully integrated real estate operating company founded in 1983 by Jeremiah W. O’Connor Jr. which has developed over $30 billion of property across the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Today, O’Connor focuses on principal investing through private equity funds, and operates in two distinct disciplines: O’Connor Capital and O’Connor Group.
A fully integrated real estate development company with development capabilities and proven track record in the development of multi-family, industrial, retail and hospitality properties. The O’Connor Group targets highly opportunistic investments throughout the United States with a primary focus on the east coast of the United States.
O’Connor Capital Partners is a fiduciary asset management business with $6.5 billion of assets under management. It invests primarily in existing assets through a series of private equity funds, joint ventures and separate accounts. O’Connor Capital Partners is backed by leading state pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and endowments.
Our Founder
Jeremiah W. O’Connor, Jr.
1942 – 2010
Jeremiah W. O’Connor, Jr. began his career at Lazard Frèrès & Co. where, with their sponsorship, he helped found Corporate Property Investors (“CPI”), one of the first private REITs. As Chief Investment Officer, Jerry helped develop CPI into a leading real estate investment firm with a Class A investment portfolio of retail and office assets. Significant holdings included the General Motors Building in New York, Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, and Roosevelt Field on Long Island.
Jerry started The O’Connor Group (now known as O’Connor) in 1983 and continued to focus much of his effort in the shopping center industry, investing in and developing many notable properties, among them The Westchester in White Plains, New York and Menlo Park Mall in Edison, New Jersey. From its beginnings as primarily a retail specialist, the firm expanded into the investment advisory and private equity real estate businesses. This fiduciary investment and asset management portion of the O’Connor business is now known as O’Connor Capital Partners.
Jerry was an early pioneer in the development of the regional mall business. He was a past president of the International Council of Shopping Centers. He enjoyed every detail of development including selecting the art for the properties. In Menlo Park, a sculpture with six children playing over a puddle serves as a memento of Jerry’s most important accomplishment, his children.
Meet The Team
Bill O’Connor
CEO, Corporate
Bill is the Chief Executive Officer of O’Connor Capital Partners. Prior to his current role, Bill served as Head of Investments for the U.S. and was based in London from 1999-2002 where he was a senior acquisitions officer. Prior to joining O’Connor in 1996, Bill was an Associate in the Real Estate Investment Banking Group of Merrill Lynch & Co., based in New York. Bill is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Pension Real Estate Association. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross (B.A.) and the Columbia Business School (M.B.A.).
- T (212) 546-0809
Joel Bayer
President
Joel is the President of O’Connor Capital Partners. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2011, Joel was with General Growth Properties, Inc. (“GGP”) where he last served as Chief Investment Officer. While with GGP, Joel was instrumental in expediting the successful acquisition of CenterMark Properties, Homart, The Rouse Corporation and various other transactions with a combined dollar value of more than $40 billion. Prior to joining GGP in 1993, Joel held various positions with Equity Financial and Management Company (“Equity”). Among his responsibilities during the five years he was employed by Equity were supervising retail acquisitions for the Zell/Merrill Lynch Opportunity Fund and Equity Properties and Development Company. Joel is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Pension Real Estate Association, and the Chicago Council on foreign Relations. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois (B.S.) and the University of Michigan (M.B.A.).
- T (212) 546-0812
John O’Connor
SVP, Head Of Acquisitions
John is a Senior Vice President, Head of Acquisitions at O’Connor Capital Partners. In this role, he is responsible for the sourcing and structuring of new acquisitions and joint-ventures in the retail and residential sectors. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2009, John worked as an analyst in the Investment Banking division of Citigroup focused on real estate equity offerings, and as a credit analyst for a high yield hedge fund in Greenwich, CT. John is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Urban Land Institute. He is a graduate of Williams College (B.A.) and Columbia Business School (M.B.A.).
- T (212) 546-0813
Peter Bergner
President, O'Connor Property Mgmt.
Peter is President at O’Connor Property Management. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2016, he served as acquisition manager for The Wilder Company and President for Breslin Realty. For the past 30 years, he has been involved in several management, leasing, and development transactions throughout the country. At O’Connor, he is responsible for the site selection and development of several large-scale retail assets.
- T (212) 546-0866
Suzanne Albright
Controller, Property Management
Suzanne Albright is the Controller for Property Management at O’Connor Capital Partners. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2021, Suzanne was with Ram Realty Advisors 20+ years and provided leadership for all accounting functions, including property management, corporate accounting, treasury management, and financial reporting. Suzanne graduated from Northwood University with a B.S. in Accounting.
- T (212) 546-0867
Brett Buehrer
Senior Vice President, Development
Brett is a Senior Vice President at O’Connor. Brett is responsible for development management, including management of approvals, planning, zoning, architecture, and scheduling. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2000, he served as a Regional Manager for both Wilder Richman Management and Wesley Housing Corporation. Over the last 30 years, Brett has been directly responsible for or participated in the management and or development of 15,000 residential units. Brett is a graduate of Ohio State University (B.A.) with degrees in Finance and Real Estate and the University of Memphis Business School (M.S.).
- T (212) 546-0816
Ya Wen Chang
Senior Vice President, Tax
Yawen is Senior Vice President – Tax at O’Connor. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2006, she was a senior consultant in the Real Estate Tax Group at Deloitte & Touche. Yawen is a graduate of the University of Illinois (M.S. in B.A.) and Fordham University (M.B.A. in Accounting & M.S. in Tax).
- T (212) 308-7700
Antonio Crespo
Vice President
Antonio is a Vice President at O’Connor and is based at its Mexico City office. He is responsible for asset and development management and is involved in new business activities. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2006, he was with Promotora Hausbau, a residential real estate developer, performing project/development management and new business activities. Before joining Hausbau, he worked at Michael Baker International, a global provider of engineering and consulting services focused on infrastructure projects. He also co-founded and managed a successful small food & beverage company, selling his interest in 2004. Antonio is a graduate with honors of the Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City (Civil Engineering). Awarded a partial scholarship, he obtained an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from INSEAD, one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools.
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Ojas Desai
Senior Vice President, Asset Management
Ojas is currently a Vice President at O’Connor. He joined the company in July 2015 after working at Brixmor Property Group (formerly Centro Properties Group) in their New York corporate office for seven years. While at Brixmor, he was focused on Capital Markets and Portfolio Management and was a key team member during both the acquisition by Blackstone in 2011 and the company’s eventual public offering in 2013. Ojas is a graduate of New York University’s Stern School of Business (B.S.) and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business (M.B.A.).
- T (212) 308-7700
Santiago Garcia-Moreno
Senior Vice President, Head of Mexico Office
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Kate Gilbert
Leasing Representative
Kate is the Senior Leasing Representative at O’Connor handling the leasing for the large-scale retail assets in O’Connor’s portfolio. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2016, she served as the Senior Leasing Representative for Menin Development since 2003 where she was responsible for leasing and redevelopment of Menin’s portfolio of lifestyle and regional shopping centers in South Florida. Ms. Gilbert began her career in the shopping center industry working for Leonard L. Farber Incorporated as Director of Lease Administration/Tenant Coordination and subsequently was employed by Darryl R. Kaplan Company as Leasing Agent/Tenant Representative representing local, regional and national tenants throughout Florida and the United States. Ms. Gilbert holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida and is a Licensed Real Estate Broker in Florida.
- T (212) 546-0860
Thomas Huth
Senior Vice President, Capital Markets
Tom is a Senior Vice President – Capital Markets at O’Connor Capital Partners. In this role, Tom is responsible for leading the firm’s capital markets activities, executing acquisition transactions, development asset management and asset strategy. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2005, he spent two years at UBS Investment Bank in their Real Estate, Lodging and Leisure group focusing on REIT M&A and equity offerings. Tom is member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Urban Land Institute. He is a graduate of Columbia University – Columbia College (B.A.).
- T (212) 546-0821
Joshua Lerner
Senior Vice President, Asset Management
Joshua is Senior Vice President of Asset Management at O’Connor Capital Partners, overseeing a portfolio of real estate investments across the United States. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Joshua manages all financial, leasing and operational aspects of his commercial real estate investments. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2011, he was Vice President of Asset Management at real estate private equity firms in New York City and New Jersey, managing national real estate portfolios of retail, office, hotel and residential properties. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. Joshua graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania (B.A.).
- T (212) 308-7700
Frank Nuccio
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Frank Nuccio is a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at O’Connor. Frank has over 20 years of experience at O’Connor, including overseeing all aspects of accounting, financial and investor reporting and insurance. He also works with the property management, development and asset management teams at O’Connor in overseeing investment operations and performance. Prior to joining O’Connor in 2002, Frank was an audit manager at the Real Estate Services Group at Ernst & Young. Frank is a graduate of Hofstra University where he earned a degree in Accounting. Frank is a CPA and a CGMA and a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and New York State Society of CPAs.
- T (212) 546-0829
Andrew Piccola
Vice President, Technology
Andrew Piccola has been working as a Vice President, Technology at O’Connor Capital Partners for 24 years.
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Natina Rotolo
Senior Vice President, Treasury
Natina is a Senior Vice President and Treasurer at O’Connor. Prior to joining O’Connor in 1999, Natina was a Senior Manager in the Real Estate Services Group at Arthur Andersen LLP. Natina is a graduate of Binghamton University (B.S.).
- T (212) 308-7700
Adam Schwartz
Senior Vice President, Construction
Adam is Senior Vice President of Development and Construction at O’Connor. He is responsible for leading all construction initiatives as well as major capital projects within the operating properties. Prior to joining O’Connor Adam was a vice president in the construction department of Forest City Ratner Companies, a Brooklyn based real estate developer. Adam is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Engineering (BS, Civil and Environmental Engineering) and has a Master of Civil Engineering degree from NC State University (Construction Engineering and Management).
- T (212) 546-0824
Our History
1992
O’Connor partnered with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in the joint sponsorship and management of four real estate private equity funds. Together, O’Connor and JP Morgan co-sponsored Argo Partnership, Argo Partnership II, Peabody International Real Estate Partners, and Peabody Global Real Estate Partners.
2003
O’Connor sponsored O’Connor North American Property Partners, L.P. and in 2007, sponsored O’Connor North American Property Partners II. Both ONA I and ONA II deployed a diversified opportunistic strategy, which included direct investments in office, industrial, retail, multifamily, lodging, and mixed-use properties in the U.S.A. and Mexico
2013
O’Connor created O’Connor Property Management to formalize its in-house retail operating expertise, providing leasing and management services for institutional partners.
2013 – 2017
Acting on behalf of a number of Sovereign Wealth Fund/Pension Fund separate accounts, O’Connor entered into a series of regional mall and open-air portfolio joint ventures. O’Connor currently represents these clients on a total of 22 investments alongside listed REITs Westfield Group and Washington Prime Group.
2016
O’Connor established a $250 million separate account with an institutional investor to develop and acquire retail property in Mexico. The separate account has thus far acquired four assets.
2016
O’Connor acquired 230 and 240 Royal Palm Way, boutique office buildings in Palm Beach, FL through a bankruptcy auction.
2017
O’Connor Capital Partners strengthened its existing development business and bifurcated it from the institutional asset management business under the name The O’Connor Group.
2017
O’Connor in partnership with George Comfort & Sons and The Feil Organization acquired the 176,000 sf former Avon corporate headquarters in Rye, NY.
2018
O’Connor and Olshan Properties consolidated their ownership of Parkchester – a 171 building, 12,221 unit multifamily community in the Bronx, New York through the acquisition of 2,192 units it did not previously own.
2020
O’Connor acquired the corporate headquarters via sale lease back and remaining land holdings: 800+ acres of Tupperware Brands. O’Connor is in pre-development for a multi-year multi-phase mixed use development.
2021
O’Connor began pre-development for an additional 115 unit multi-family unit project in Charlottesville, VA. Stonefield Residential – Phase 2
2002
O’Connor and JP Morgan mutually agreed to pursue their business initiatives independently and that any future funds would be raised and managed separately.
2010
O’Connor sponsored Open Air Vehicle I, the first of two fully discretionary single investor vehicles on behalf of a Sovereign Wealth Fund. These two vehicles acquired a total of 6 open-air retail properties between December 2010 and July 2012. Open Air Vehicle 1 was fully realized in September 2012. O’Connor continues to manage Open Air Vehicle 2.
2014
O’Connor developed a 188 unit multi-family property in Long Island City, NY in partnership with Rose Associates – The Maximilian.
2014
O’Connor developed a 428 unit multi-family property in Cambridge, MA – The Atmark.
2014
O’Connor developed The Crosslands in Orlando, FL, a grocery anchored power center that was the second largest retail development in the U.S. at the time of construction. In April 2017, O’Connor commenced a second retail development in Kissimmee, FL called Cinque Terre.
2014 – 2016
Acting on behalf of a U.S. State Pension Plan, O’Connor acquired 150 Worth Avenue and The Esplanade in Palm Beach, FL. and The Shops at Canal Place in New Orleans, LA., two prime High Street retail properties.
2016
O’Connor acquired The Shops at Stonefield, a lifestyle center in Charlottesville, VA in partnership with a leading pension fund advisor.
2016
O’Connor Capital Partners expanded its existing joint venture with Washington Prime Group via the acquisition of 2.1M sf of open air lifestyle centers.
2019
O’Connor began the development of a 227 unit multi-family residential building in Charlottesville, VA in partnership with a publicly traded REIT as its partner.
2020
O’Connor acquired 230 acres of land in Columbus, OH in partnership with an industrial operating company and is developing 3.5M sf of logistics space.
2020
O’Connor began pre-development for a 150 unit multi-family project in Watertown, MA.
