The EMMES Group of Companies Initiates Western Region Expansion; Robert Shibuya Appointed Managing Director to Grow Portfolio

    NEWPORT BEACH, CA, May 05, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The EMMES Group of Companies, a New York-based privately-owned real estate investment company, has bolstered its expansion strategy for its Western Region portfolio. The firm has hired Robert Shibuya as Managing Director to lead this initiative by sourcing value-add acquisitions and developing new business lines that provide asset management solutions to financial institutions and investors seeking to restructure and reposition real estate assets.

"There are vast opportunities for growth throughout the Western Region and Bob brings a proven ability to execute expansion strategies," said Richard A.C. Coles, Managing Principal at EMMES. "Under Bob's leadership, we will look to increase our presence throughout multiple Western US markets, product types and additional service lines."

According to Coles, EMMES will pursue acquisition opportunities for a breadth of product types, including office, retail, industrial and multifamily assets throughout the Western Region. Specified markets of interest include Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, San Diego, San Francisco and the Silicon Valley. EMMES will also look to expand its business platform into additional service categories, such as third party asset management and debt solutions.

"EMMES has consistently demonstrated leadership in identifying under-performing assets and executing strategies that increase value," said Shibuya. "I will work to deploy this strategy throughout the Western Region to build a diverse portfolio of assets that achieve their full potential and consistently perform at a high level. I look forward to bringing the EMMES concept of high quality and exceptional value to these new markets."

Shibuya brings a longstanding reputation for successfully executing aggressive growth initiatives for various business platforms. Prior to joining EMMES, Shibuya served three years with DTZ Holdings, a London-based global real estate investment firm, where he served as Chief Operating Officer for the North America region.

Prior to DTZ, Shibuya was a Managing Director/Principal with Trammel Crow, where he was responsible for overseeing the company's leasing and investment sales business in the US, which included more than 600 brokers who generated $400 million in revenue in 2007. Shibuya was also instrumental in establishing Insignia ESG's Western Region operations from the mid 90s through 2003, creating one of the region's largest commercial property management and brokerage businesses with an 80 million-square-foot portfolio and 200 brokers.

In June 2009, The EMMES Group of Companies entered the Southern California market for the first time by acquiring The Michelson, a landmark 532,000-square-foot office building in Irvine, Calif. Located in the heart of Orange County at the southeast corner of Jamboree Road and the 405 Freeway, the 19-story tower is the County's most luxurious office tower offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, San Gabriel Mountains and Orange County skyline. The property is located at 3161 Michelson Drive.

The EMMES Group of Companies
Since 1992, The EMMES Group of Companies on behalf of its affiliated entities, capital partners and investors, has acquired and managed more than 35 million square feet of retail, office, industrial and multifamily property types. The company's current portfolio includes encompasses nearly 10 million square feet located in 19 states. Learn more at www.emmesco.com.

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