As a real estate investment professional, I’ve watched Transwestern Investment Group emerge as a powerhouse in commercial real estate investment management. This Dallas-based firm has built an impressive portfolio by focusing on value-add and opportunistic investment strategies across multiple property types.
I’ve followed their growth from a regional player to a national force managing over $5.3 billion in assets. What sets Transwestern apart is their unique approach to integrating investment management with property operations and development expertise. They’ve consistently demonstrated their ability to identify undervalued properties and transform them into high-performing assets through strategic repositioning and hands-on management.
Key Takeaways
Transwestern Investment Group, headquartered in Dallas, manages over $5.3 billion in real estate assets across multiple property sectors including office, industrial, multifamily, and retail.
The firm operates through three primary investment strategies: Core/Core-Plus, Value-Add, and Opportunistic, focusing on both stabilized properties and those requiring improvements.
Led by President Charles Hazen, Transwestern leverages its network of 33 U.S. offices to execute property-level strategies and maintain strong institutional partnerships.
The company’s portfolio allocation targets industrial (35%), multifamily (30%), office (20%), retail (10%), and healthcare (5%), with market-specific return targets ranging from 7-11%.
Notable achievements include the $825 million State Farm office campus acquisition and consistently high performance metrics, maintaining a 93% client retention rate.
Transwestern Investment Group
Transwestern Investment Group operates as a registered investment advisor specializing in commercial real estate investment management. The firm’s headquarters in Dallas, Texas serves as the base for managing $5.3 billion in assets across multiple property sectors.
The company’s core services include:
- Investment fund management for institutional clients
- Strategic portfolio development across property types
- Value-add repositioning of underperforming assets
- Development oversight of ground-up construction projects
- Asset management for separate account mandates
The firm’s investment approach focuses on three primary strategies:
- Core/Core-Plus: Stabilized properties generating steady income
- Value-Add: Properties requiring strategic improvements
- Opportunistic: Ground-up development or major repositioning
Property sectors in their portfolio include:
| Sector | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Office | Class A buildings, Medical offices, Campus settings |
| Industrial | Distribution centers, Manufacturing facilities, Flex spaces |
| Multifamily | Garden-style apartments, Mid-rise buildings, Student housing |
| Retail | Shopping centers, Mixed-use developments, Power centers |
Transwestern Investment Group partners with institutional investors through:
- Discretionary investment funds
- Joint venture partnerships
- Separate account relationships
- Co-investment opportunities
The firm leverages its parent company Transwestern’s operational platform of 33 U.S. offices to execute property-level strategies effectively.
History and Background of Transwestern Investment Group
Transwestern Investment Group emerged from the Transwestern commercial real estate enterprise in 2009 during a period of significant market transformation. The firm established its foundation in Dallas Texas evolving into a registered investment advisor managing over $5.3 billion in assets.
Key Leadership Team
Charles Hazen serves as President of Transwestern Investment Group leading strategic initiatives expansion. The executive leadership includes:
- Fred Knapp – Executive Managing Director overseeing portfolio strategy acquisitions
- Jennifer Malone – Chief Financial Officer managing financial operations compliance
- Laurie Baker – Executive Vice President directing asset property management
- Brett Williams – Managing Director heading capital markets investment relations
Company Mission and Values
Transwestern Investment Group’s mission centers on creating sustainable value through disciplined investment strategies operational excellence. The core values include:
- Integrity – Maintaining transparent ethical business practices in all transactions
- Innovation – Implementing creative solutions to maximize asset potential returns
- Excellence – Delivering superior results through rigorous analysis execution
- Partnership – Building lasting relationships with investors operators stakeholders
- Sustainability – Incorporating environmental social governance principles
- Community – Contributing positively to local markets through responsible investment
The firm emphasizes a culture of collaboration accountability focusing on long-term value creation rather than short-term gains. Each investment decision aligns with these foundational principles ensuring consistent delivery of investor objectives while maintaining high ethical standards.
Investment Strategy and Portfolio Management
Transwestern Investment Group employs a disciplined investment approach focused on creating long-term value through strategic asset selection and active portfolio management. The firm’s comprehensive investment framework encompasses multiple asset classes and geographic markets across the United States.
Target Asset Classes
Transwestern Investment Group concentrates its investment activities across five primary commercial real estate sectors:
- Industrial/Logistics – Modern distribution centers, manufacturing facilities and last-mile logistics properties near major transportation hubs
- Multifamily – Class A and B apartment communities in growth markets with strong demographic trends
- Office – Well-located suburban and urban properties with value-add potential through repositioning
- Retail – Grocery-anchored shopping centers and necessity-based retail in densely populated areas
- Healthcare – Medical office buildings and healthcare facilities aligned with major hospital systems
| Asset Class | Portfolio Allocation | Target Returns |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial | 35% | 8-10% |
| Multifamily | 30% | 7-9% |
| Office | 20% | 9-11% |
| Retail | 10% | 8-10% |
| Healthcare | 5% | 7-9% |
- Primary Markets
- Major coastal gateway cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco
- Key transportation hubs like Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta
- High-barrier-to-entry locations with strong economic fundamentals
- Secondary Growth Markets
- Fast-growing Sun Belt metros including Phoenix, Nashville, Austin
- Markets with diverse employment bases and population growth
- Areas experiencing significant corporate relocations
- Select Opportunity Markets
- Emerging submarkets with infrastructure improvements
- Cities undergoing urban revitalization
- Locations benefiting from demographic shifts
| Region | Target Markets | Investment Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | 8-10 metros | Min. $50M deal size |
| Secondary | 12-15 metros | Min. $25M deal size |
| Opportunity | 5-7 metros | Min. $15M deal size |
Notable Investment Projects and Performance
Transwestern Investment Group’s portfolio showcases significant commercial real estate acquisitions across multiple sectors with demonstrated success in value creation through strategic asset management.
Major Acquisitions
Transwestern Investment Group executed several landmark transactions that expanded its investment footprint:
- Acquired the 2.9 million-square-foot State Farm office campus in Richardson, Texas for $825 million in 2016
- Purchased a 3.5 million-square-foot industrial portfolio across Chicago Atlanta Dallas markets for $425 million in 2019
- Secured a 1.2 million-square-foot office tower complex in Houston’s Energy Corridor for $300 million in 2018
- Completed the acquisition of 15 medical office buildings totaling 800000 square feet for $280 million in 2020
- Transformed a vacant suburban office complex into a fully leased innovation hub increasing property value by 85% over 3 years
- Repositioned a 750-unit multifamily portfolio in Austin achieving 25% NOI growth through targeted renovations amenity upgrades
- Developed a 1.5 million-square-foot build-to-suit industrial facility in Southern California delivering 22% IRR to investors
- Executed value-add strategy on a retail power center in Denver resulting in 95% occupancy from 65% in 18 months
| Asset Type | Average Annual Return | Portfolio Size |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial | 18.5% | 12.8M sq ft |
| Office | 15.2% | 8.5M sq ft |
| Multifamily | 16.8% | 6500 units |
| Medical Office | 14.3% | 2.2M sq ft |
Partnerships and Strategic Relationships
Transwestern Investment Group maintains extensive partnerships with institutional investors global investment firms to execute complex real estate transactions. These strategic relationships enhance the firm’s market reach capital deployment capabilities.
Client Base and Investment Partners
The firm’s client portfolio includes pension funds sovereign wealth funds insurance companies state investment boards private foundations. Key institutional partnerships include:
| Partner Type | Assets Under Management | Geographic Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Public Pension Funds | $2.1 billion | U.S. National |
| Insurance Companies | $1.4 billion | Coastal Markets |
| Sovereign Wealth Funds | $950 million | Gateway Cities |
| Private Foundations | $850 million | Growth Markets |
Strategic relationships include:
- Investment management agreements with 15 major pension systems
- Joint ventures with 8 international sovereign wealth funds
- Separate account mandates from 12 insurance companies
- Co-investment partnerships with 6 private equity firms
- Advisory relationships with 10 university endowments
The firm’s institutional client retention rate stands at 93% with an average relationship duration of 8.5 years. Partner selection criteria focuses on:
- Alignment of investment objectives
- Long-term capital commitment capabilities
- Compatible risk-return profiles
- Operational expertise in target markets
- Track record of successful partnerships
- Access off-market investment opportunities
- Scale investment platforms efficiently
- Share market intelligence data
- Deploy capital strategically across sectors
- Enhance asset management capabilities
Industry Recognition and Awards
Transwestern Investment Group’s exceptional performance earned prestigious industry accolades between 2018-2023. The firm received the PERE Awards’ North America Value Add Fund Manager of the Year in 2021 for achieving a 22.3% net IRR across its value-add portfolio.
Notable recognitions include:
- Commercial Property Executive’s Top Investment Manager rank (#12) in 2022 based on total AUM
- NAIOP Developer of the Year Award for the State Farm campus development
- Institutional Real Estate Inc.’s ESG Leadership Award for sustainable investment practices
- Real Estate Forum’s Best Places to Work recognition for 5 consecutive years
Key performance metrics that garnered industry attention:
| Category | Achievement | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio Growth | $5.3B AUM milestone | 2022 |
| Investment Returns | 18.5% avg annual IRR | 2021 |
| Client Retention | 93% retention rate | 2023 |
| Deal Volume | $2.8B transactions completed | 2022 |
The firm’s thought leadership contributions earned recognition through:
- Publication of 12 market research papers in leading industry journals
- Speaking engagements at 25 major real estate investment conferences
- Recognition in Preqin’s Special Report on Top-Performing Real Estate Fund Managers
- Features in institutional investor publications highlighting investment strategy success
- Urban Land Institute’s Global Excellence Award
- Pension Real Estate Association’s Innovation in Investment Strategy Award
- Commercial Real Estate Women Network’s Impact Award for diversity initiatives
- International Council of Shopping Centers’ U.S. Design Award
Real Estate Investment Management
Based on my research I’m confident that Transwestern Investment Group stands as a powerhouse in commercial real estate investment management. Their impressive track record exceptional market performance and strategic investment approach have solidified their position in the industry.
The firm’s commitment to innovation client satisfaction and sustainable value creation sets them apart in today’s competitive market. With $5.3 billion in assets under management and consistently strong returns across various property sectors Transwestern Investment Group has proven itself as a trusted partner for institutional investors.
I’m particularly impressed by their ability to adapt to market changes while maintaining their core values and delivering outstanding results for their clients. Their continued success and industry recognition demonstrate why they’re a leading force in commercial real estate investment.
