CRG Hires Struan Robertson As Vice President of Investments
CHICAGO – CRG, the real estate development and investment arm of Chicago-based Clayco, announced today that Struan Robertson has joined the firm as a Vice President of Investments for its rapidly-growing residential business.
The strategic move brings another seasoned and accomplished development executive to CRG’s multifamily platform, which tapped industry veteran J.J. Smith as Managing Partner in April. Smith hired Robertson while at CA Ventures and the duo went on to execute nearly $2 billion of multifamily development together in nearly 35 markets.
“Struan is as savvy as they come on the investment front and an absolute workhorse,” said Smith, who in over 10 years at CA Ventures developed more than 40,000 units and over $6 billion in projects. “He’s capable of sourcing and managing multiple deals with a unique ability to float between the micro-analytics of an individual deal while never losing site of the big picture. We intend to build CRG’s residential business into a household name by recruiting and developing the industry’s top talent to source and execute an enviable pipeline of assets much like we did at CA Ventures.”
Based in Chicago, Robertson will lead financing and underwriting for CRG’s national multifamily projects alongside Smith. His role will include procuring capital partners, as well as overseeing investment underwriting, deal due diligence and transactions and asset management. In his last role, Robertson led and managed deal teams from sourcing through execution resulting in nearly 6,000 beds.
“I see CRG as a company with tremendous opportunity,” Robertson said. “They’ve established themselves nationally, and after working with J.J. for a number of years, I’ve seen first-hand what can happen when he executes his vision. When you align that vision with the Clayco enterprise, you have the resources and pieces to create a very powerful and innovative residential platform. I’m excited to get to work.”
CRG created its multifamily arm in 2013 and has developed a diverse portfolio of multifamily projects across the country, including Chicago’s A.M. 1980, a 132-unit development in the Bucktown neighborhood. The firm also established its own residential brand, Chapter, a collection of upscale apartments designed to provide spaces and experiences for residents.
Chapter includes projects like Chicago’s Upshore Chapter, a 149-unit property in Uptown, and Broadway Chapter, a 242-unit project in Fort Worth, Texas. The firm’s initial strategy, according to Smith, will target a mix of urban and suburban multifamily in 25 select major markets as well as student housing near the top 40 flagship university campuses.
“CRG thrives on an entrepreneurial spirit and a team of the best and brightest,” said Shawn Clark, President of CRG. “Struan is an exciting addition to the team in the wake of J.J.’s arrival. Our deep residential expertise, paired with Clayco’s national design-build platform, allows CRG to positively impact our communities with meaningful places to live while creating value for our investors.”
Prior to joining CA Ventures, Robertson spent five years with the investment bank Keefe, Bruyette & Woods in Chicago and New York City and was directly involved in more than $6.9 billion in M&A activity and $1.6 billion in capital markets transactions while with the firm.
Robertson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance, with honors, from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
About CRG
CRG is a privately held real estate development firm that has developed more than 8,500 acres of land and delivered over 197 million square feet of commercial, industrial, institutional and multifamily assets exceeding $12 billion in value. CRG, headquartered in St. Louis, leverages a powerful North American platform with local market expertise and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Southern California and Philadelphia. CRG’s philosophy of developing for the future and anticipating the enhanced needs of next generation users led to the creation of its industrial brand, The Cubes, and its multifamily brand, Chapter. For more information, visit CRG’s website at www.realcrg.com.
About Chapter
Chapter is a multifamily brand is owned and developed by CRG. Chapter is a national collection of neighborhood apartments designed to provide spaces and experiences that help residents write their life story with greater intention. The Chapter portfolio offers cohesive amenities that promote mindfulness, creativity and personal growth for all residents. To learn more about Chapter, visit www.realcrg.com/chapter.