March 2013.  The Peakstone Group, the Chicago-based investment bank, has created a new Real Estate Investment Banking Practice headed by industry veteran, David R. Brown, joining Peakstone as Managing Director.

Over his 27-year professional real estate career, David has been in a leadership position with some of the world’s top real estate companies including ORIX Real Estate Capital (where he was President and CEO), Lehman Brothers, Jones Lang LaSalle and Jones Lang Wootton.  Under David’s leadership, Peakstone will be advising property developers, investment companies, brokerage firms, property management firms, construction companies, investment managers and other real estate companies on mergers and acquisitions, strategic alternatives and capital transactions.

David is also president of Harrington Brown LLC, a commercial real estate investment and services firm that advises clients nationwide on asset management, property management, leasing and brokerage, while also pursuing principal investment and development opportunities.

David has a breadth of relationships throughout the real estate industry and has completed billions of dollars of transactions both as advisor and principal, involving office, retail, industrial, hotel and multifamily assets.  He has advised real estate operating companies, real estate investment trusts, pension fund advisors, private equity firms and banks and has experience throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Peakstone co-founder, Alex Fridman said, “When Peakstone made the decision to build a platform to service real estate clients nationally, we knew that David was the right person to lead this effort.  We are now coming out of a difficult time for the real estate sector and anticipate increased M&A activity, consolidation, restructuring and recapitalization.”

David received his Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, majoring in Urban Studies and Political Science. He also received a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, with a concentration in Housing and Community Development. David has long been active in his community on the north side of Chicago, serving as a volunteer and board member with several community groups and non-profit organizations.