Office to Residential Conversion Panel Discussion

As more office leases end and space becomes available, housing continues to be in very high demand. Office to residential conversion opportunities are a pressing topic across the country and specifically in dense, urban areas like Los Angeles. Please join us for a panel discussion on the implications and challenges of converting office towers with industry leaders in design, construction and development. A hosted network reception will follow.

 

**NEW VENUE LOCATION**

Wilshire Country Club

301 N Rossmore Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90004

 

PANELISTS

 

ERIN ANDERSON, PALISADES INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Vice President

Erin leads acquisitions, development and business plan strategy for Palisades’ investments across Southern California. His work with Palisades includes the successful entitlement approvals of 1111 Sunset for 827-units across 6- acres in three high-rise towers, and the market-leading lease ups of The Fitz at Fairfax (West Hollywood) and Gardenhouse Beverly Hills. Last year, he opened 200 West Ocean, a 106-unit adaptive reuse of the former Verizon office tower in Downtown Long Beach, and is currently in design phase of a second, 270-unit high rise office conversion nearby. In Erin’s 15-year career he has executed more than $1.75 billion of hospitality, multifamily, and office investment with private and institutional Los Angeles investors.

 

AARON BELLISTON, BMR ENTERPRISES

Founder and President

Mr. Belliston is responsible for financing, brokerage, and investor outreach for the company’s private placements. His real estate expertise lies in analysis, product positioning, transaction negotiations, tax impacts, risk mitigation, and property management focused on asset value appreciation. He possesses a thorough understanding of land use, and entitlement processes and is an advocate of new urbanism and smart growth seeking out transit-oriented infill projects. He is a student of sustainable development practices, and a member of the Urban Land Institute. He also has experience in transacting all property types: residential, multi-family, retail, light industrial, warehouse. Mr. Belliston is a licensed Broker and General Contractor in the State of California.

 

KELLY FARRELL, GENSLER

Principal

As a Co-global Residential Practice leader, Kelly is a sought-after thought leader, speaker, and practitioner shaping the future of residential and mixed-use development. Spurred by a belief that a full spectrum of housing allows cities to compete, she is passionate about the future of Cities and their post-pandemic renaissance, advising cities and clients on the opportunities for Office to residential conversion and affordable and attainable housing. Kelly continues to play an integral role in downtown L.A.’s redevelopment, working extensively on award-winning projects, including the 717 Olympic residential tower, 888 at Grand Hope Park, and L.A. LIVE, as well as several future downtown Los Angeles projects. Looking beyond downtown, Kelly has completed the Four Seasons Los Angeles Private Residences and is leading developments in both Culver City and Pasadena. An established thought leader, Kelly has been invited to be a speaker for various industry organizations such as the Los Angeles Headquarters Association (LAHQ), the local chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in addition to industry events such as Haworth’s Women in Design panel. As a practitioner, she developed a reputation for working closely with her clients to generate forward-thinking, sustainable, and pragmatic solutions. She is passionate about design and its impact on the world, the environment, and, most importantly, the community.

 

SERENA WINNER, GENSLER

Principal

Serena Winner is a Principal and Project Director at Gensler, one of the world's leading global design firms. At Gensler she focuses on commercial office, education and life science projects and has been a leader in the commercial office Practice Area for the last 8 years. Serena is also an active member of the USC Guild Board, where she brings her insights and experience to support the connection between the industry and the student community. She believes in the power of knowledge and mentorship to shape young future designers. Some projects that she has led include the award-winning Hyundai headquarters projects in Orange County, the conversion of the Westside Pavilion into a creative office space for a single tech tenant and the conversion of the single-tenant Sony Building in Culver City to a mixed-use tech and media project.

 

ZACH WINNER, PROSPERITY CRE

CEO

Zach is a founding partner and the CEO of Prosperity CRE, a private equity firm specializing in providing passive investment opportunities in multifamily apartment complexes. Mr. Winner focuses on overseeing the real estate investment portfolios and advising and assisting clients who choose to invest with Prosperity CRE. Mr. Winner has successfully owned and operated a residential real estate company, mortgage brokerage company, and escrow company, with offices in Northern and Southern California, assisting clients in the purchase, finance and sale of properties throughout the United States. Mr. Winner also has extensive legal, public affairs and ballot measure campaign management experience, including representing clients in a wide variety of commercial real estate and land use transactions. Mr. Winner is a licensed attorney and member of the California Bar Association. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California, and the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific.