Real Estate Project Manager - It’Sugar
As the Real Estate Project Manager for candy retailer IT’SUGAR, I oversee the design and construction of new stores as well as spearhead corporate initiatives and special projects. In my tenure, I have accomplished:
- Design of 50+ new stores including defining scope, managing consultants, and construction managers.
- Developed the first Design & Construction Playbook defining the company’s design criteria and construction standards including full specifications and the creation of plans and construction details.
- Oversight of predevelopment due diligence, overall design, and scope definition to reinforce portfolio continuity and budgetary definition and controls.
- Lead a corporate initiative to overhaul store experience through design and construction changes, fixture re-design, and new experiential elements, including collaborating with all internal departments.
Notable Projects managed in this position:
West Edmonton Mall - West Edmonton, Canada – It’Sugar’s first international location was the renovation of a second-generation space into a brand-defining location. The location, at approximately 4,000 square feet included signature brand elements such as a gumball column, a lollipop garden with a maple tree and other Canadian-themed elements. The store features a new storefront concept that I designed, which became a brand standard.
San Francisco Flagship – San Francisco, CA – It’Sugar’s third flagship location was the conversion of a former Rain Forest Café restaurant into a 32,000 square foot, three-story, candy department store. The location featured a San Francisco-themed lollipop garden, familiar candy characters, a larger-than-life gumball wall, and other signature design elements, some of which became brand standards.
Miami Flagship – Miami, FL – It’Sugar’s fourth flagship location was the transformation of over 10 separate tenant spaces into one 18,000 square foot, two-story candy department store. Major features of the location include murals, a Miami-themed lollipop garden filled with candied animals, and a two-story illuminated acrylic stair wall that I designed.
Vice President of Development - DoveHill Capital Management
Previously, as the Vice President of Development at DoveHill Capital Management, a hospitality owner, operator, and developer, my key responsibilities included:
- Overall management of development and renovation projects including budget, schedule, and teams
- Acting as ownership’s representatives with all consultants, contractors, municipalities, and the public
- Management of all project-related vendors and consultants
- Directing design development and implementation of design intent
- Oversight of construction including general contractor and direct subcontractors
- Management of contractor pay applications, monthly draws, submittal and shop drawing review
- Assisting in underwriting and asset management before, during, and after construction
Projects managed in this position:
1 Hotel West Hollywood - West Hollywood, CA - The renovation of The Jeremy Hotel, a 286-key, 388,000 square foot dual-tower structure in West Hollywood, CA. The conversion to the 1 Hotel, the eco-brand brainchild of Barry Sternlicht, included renovating all guest rooms and public spaces as well as extensive landscaping improvements. The resulting hotel includes numerous designs of my own creation as well as many I developed in conjunction with the A&E team.
Sheraton Reston - Reston, VA - The renovation of a 1970's-era Sheraton in the DC suburb of Reston, VA, including all guest rooms, public spaces, and landscape improvements. The $31MM renovation was a full gut of all guest rooms and baths and all the public spaces as well as meeting and ballroom spaces were expanded, re-programmed, and fully modernized.
The Dalmar / Element by Westin - Fort Lauderdale, FL - A ground-up, dual-brand project comprised of a 114-key Element by Westin and a 209-key Tribute Portfolio hotel named The Dalmar. The property includes a rooftop bar, Sparrow, and ground-level restaurant, The Terrace Grill, a special area of focus of mine during construction. The Dalmar featured a heavy design emphasis and opened in January 2019, with Terrace and Sparrow opening shortly thereafter.Vice President of Development - DoveHill Capital Management
Project Manager - Optimum Development
As the Project Manager for multiple real estate development projects in various phases, I oversaw every aspect of their development including:
- Overseeing an internal team of development, accounting, and support staff
- Provide weekly and other periodic reporting to ownership, investment partners, and lenders
- Management of all project-related vendors, consultants, schedules, and budgets
- Lease and sales contract negotiation
- Management of sales team, marketing campaigns, events, and advertising
- Oversight of construction including contractors, pay apps, change orders and submittals
- Oversee all project entitlements and permits to align with project schedule
Projects managed in this position:
3480 Main Hwy - Miami, FL - A 69,000 square foot Class A Office building in Coconut Grove the featured subterranean parking and a ground floor restaurant with a rooftop bar.
Monaco Yacht Club & Residences - Miami Beach, FL - Featuring 39 units, the MYC is a 168,000 square foot boutique waterfront residential condominium on the last remaining waterfront lot in Miami Beach on Biscayne Bay. The project featured interiors by Piero Lissoni and large vessel dockage.
Assistant Project Manager - The Related Group
Assistant Project Manager for two mixed-use, high-rise projects: Hyde Suites & Residences Midtown Miami, a $240+MM 32-story residential condominium, hotel, and retail building; and SLS Lux Brickell, a $450+MM 60-story residential condominium, hotel, and retail building. For both projects I oversaw and assisted with all aspects and phases of development including:
- Acting as ownership’s representative with all consultants, municipalities, and the public
- Continuation of business plan and assuring adherence to project schedule and proforma
- Management of all project-related vendors, consultants, schedules, and budgets
- Assisting with implementation of design development and implementation
- Sales contract negotiation, buyer relations; management of marketing campaigns, events, and advertising
- Oversight of construction including an internal team, general contractor, and subcontractors
- Management and review of contractor pay applications and monthly draws
- Submittal and shop drawing review and coordination of ownership approvals
- Investor relations and management of required partnership involvement and approvals
- Obtaining entitlements and permits including coordination of submittals and payment of fees
- Assist with construction financing; preparation and negotiation of legal documents; lender reporting
- Supervise closing walk-throughs and punch-out; management of construction and legal teams for closing
Projects managed in this position:
Hyde Suites & Residences Midtown Miami - Miami, FL - A $240MM 32-story residential condominium, hotel, and retail building featured interiors by Rockwell Group including an expansive amenity floor with pool, tennis court, media room, spa, and fitness center with spin studio. The project included 60 hotel suites and 410 residential condos.
SLS Lux Brickell - Miami, FL - $450MM 60-story residential condominium, hotel, and retail building that boasted interior design by Yabu Pushelberg. The project totaled 84 hotel suites and 450 residential condo units and featured highly-designed public spaces and a ground floor restaurant, Katsuya.
Acquisition Manager - Lidl US
Lidl, one of the largest retailers in the world with over 10,000 stores worldwide, is making an entrance into the US. As the Acquisition Manager for Southern Virginia, my responsibilities and accomplishments include:
- Identified, negotiatied and placed under contract 10 properties during my tenure
- Placed into Real Estate Director Development & Leadership Program
- Developed, refined, and executed upon a strategy of over two-dozen stores across 8 cities
- Oversaw due diligence and entitlements including meeting with and presenting to municipalities and the public
- Managed consultant, engineering, construction, legal, and corporate governance teams
- Developed and leveraged relationships with industry players and with key decision makers in local municipalities
- Worked with economic development authorities to obtain incentives and fast track entitlements
- Managed internal construction management team regarding design, budgets, and entitlements
- Acted as a “brand ambassador” to establish a positive reputation for the company, reinforced by business decisions
Dispositions Analyst - CW Financial Services LLC
Working collaboratively with CWCapital Asset Management, the CW Financial Services Dispositions Team manages the disposition of CMBS real assets and debt for our clients. The Dispositions Team oversaw the sale of $3B worth of loan and REO assets in 2013 and $2B in 2012. As the analyst for this group, some of my responsibilities and accomplishments included the following:
- As a part of a $3.5B sale in 4Q13, managed the auction sale of $698MM worth of assets
- Managed, negotiated, and closed on the sale of over $1B worth of assets
- Maintained complex databases of all asset dispositions and report weekly to senior management
- Collaborated with and managed asset management, legal, valuation, and brokerage teams
- Coordinated and managed auction sales of loan and REO assets of <$25MM UPB
- Ad hoc analysis and reporting including budgeting, revenue tracking, and trust impact analyses
- Provided financial, property, and market analysis for all property types and classes nationwide
- Assisted in the creation and analysis of due diligence materials including financial, legal, and property information
Senior Research Analyst - Cushman & Wakefield (formerly DTZ)
As the senior research analyst in Cushman & Wakefield's (formerly DTZ) Washington, D.C. office, my role is to further the mission of the company through research and analysis used by the many branches of our company.
Some of my responsibilities included the following:
- Provide high level, in-depth analysis of portfolios, properties, and markets to clients and prospects
- Assist Business Development teams by providing analytical support to new and existing clients
- Facilitate collaboration and joint business development between CRE and FM branches
- Consult with new and existing corporate clients in development and execution of services
- Built, maintain and report on expansive, detailed market intelligence for the Washington, DC Area
- Produce multiple quarterly office market reports and ad hoc research for the Washington, DC Area
- Generate customized GIS mapping, research, and marketing collateral for client deliverables
- Advise brokers and clients on investment and capital markets and their impact on client goals
For more information and to connect with me, please visit my LinkedIn profile or contact me via the below:
e. daniel@danieljrussell.com m. 202.805.4200