GK DEVELOPMENT, INC.
BARRINGTON, IL

About: GK Development, Inc. GK Development, Inc. is a commercial real estate firm based in Barrington, Illinois. Guided by an experienced and tightly knit management team, GK Development acquires, develops, owns and operates a diversified portfolio of commercial and retail property across the United States. GK Development specializes in identifying the potential in smaller, niche markets that are in robust trade areas. To ensure the feasibility of target properties, we maintain strict underwriting standards for our acquisitions, focusing on those properties that are the dominant retail draw within their trade area. “With 20 years in the business, GK Development is an established presence in the national retail real estate community.” GK Development maintains a hands-on approach for property operations and leasing, allowing for stronger performance at the properties. Our close and active relationship with our properties fosters opportunities for creative management, helping to build incremental value in the investments. Offering gainful opportunities for investors, GK Development has a long track record of acquiring and repositioning under-performing properties, cultivating their latent profitability. These value-added properties form the backbone of GK Development’s investment strategy and create the potential for excellent risk-adjusted returns. Investor equity is always reinforced by GK Development’s own investments; we believe in the properties we develop and are right alongside our investors for both the risk and the return. GK Development’s discipline in acquisitions utilizes insightful and thorough research of markets, due diligence and investment analysis, securing those properties that can be developed into strong, long-term investment performers. GK Development has repeatedly taken properties full-cycle, realizing solid returns on investment. Stringent analytics ensure that we don’t waste time or resources on properties without the capability of becoming strong earners. The future is always in mind at GK Development, where creative vision and ideas are always sought. Our team is a vibrant blend of youth and experience, assuring there’s a unique perspective at every meeting. Helmed by industry veterans and committed to high standards of analytical acuity and hands-on operations, GK Development, Inc. is constantly looking forward, always seeking new avenues for growth. Learn more about who we are Meet the GK Development Team Garo Kholamian founded GK Development in 1995 with a vision of acquiring and developing properties with a focus on intelligent growth. Garo’s forward-thinking business approach has driven GK Development, Inc. to succeed and grow for two decades. Before founding GK Development, he was a Senior Vice President of Development at Homart Development Company, Sears Roebuck’s real estate development arm. At Homart, Garo managed the development of more than 2.2 million square feet of commercial office and retail shopping centers. Trained as an architect, Garo worked at the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, and in planning, architecture and construction at Montgomery Ward. Garo holds a degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology and Master's Degree in Business Administration from Loyola University of Chicago.  Sherry is Principal – Leasing at GK Development, where she currently directs all leasing activities for the company's commercial portfolio. GK Development, Inc.'s aggregate occupancy rate is 92% for all properties; and 97% of GK Development’s tenants have renewed their leases. Mast joined GK Development, Inc. as a property manager in 1997, and in 2003 she was promoted to direct leasing for GK's regional malls, neighborhood shopping centers and office properties. Prior to her tenure with GK Development, Inc., Sherry spent four years as a Quality Assurance Associate for Hyatt Hotel Corporation, then joined BakeMark (a national bakery supply company) as Marketing Manager. There she worked with several national retailers including Starbucks Coffee and Wal-Mart. Greg is Principal - Development at GK Development, Inc. He joined the company in 2002 to spearhead the company's ground-up development team by identifying opportunities in emerging growth markets. He also directs new development and ongoing capital construction. During his tenure, GK Development has specialized in projects that deliver steady, increasing value for our investors, tenants and community. Previously, Greg was Senior Vice President-Operations with fiscal and operational responsibility for the company's portfolio. Before he joined GK Development, Inc., he was Vice President of Asset Management in the retail group of Lend Lease Real Estate Investments, where he was responsible for project oversight for power center development in the western United States. At Homart Development Company, the real estate development arm of Sears Roebuck, Greg was National Director of the Community Centers group, where he oversaw asset and property management for the company's power and community centers portfolio. Greg graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, and holds both the Certified Shopping Center Manager and Certified Retail Property Executive designations from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Susan Dewar joined GK Development in 2004, enriching the team with her extensive background in retail, office and industrial real estate. Susan is responsible for reviewing and assessing each potential acquisition for GK Development, Inc. She has been actively involved in the acquisition and financing of several regional malls, including a portfolio of 4 malls totaling more than 1.74 million square feet. She was previously involved in obtaining financing for several of GK Development's properties, and maintains a presence in both the local and national banking communities.