Illinois' real estate industry is ambitious, growing, and teeming with top-class investment companies. These entities typically specialize in the acquisition, management, and possibly even development of property assets, providing high-quality commercial or residential environments. Their primary offerings revolve around asset management, strategic investment, property development, and more. The sector is constantly evolving with the introduction of innovative investment vehicles tailored for specific investor requirements. As the competition intensifies, these firms strive to offer top-notch retail, office, and multifamily real estate to add significant value for investors. Illinois is gearing towards becoming a hub for these companies, driving economic growth in the state.


Top 19 real estate investment companies in Illinois

1. Highland Ventures, LTD

Highland Ventures Ltd is a company that strategically grows its footprint through the acquisition, development, and investment in retail and office real estate markets. They currently own and operate over 650 properties across 21 states. With a focus on entrepreneurialism and motivated individuals, they are the largest owner and operator of Marco's Pizza franchises.


2. CA Ventures

CA Ventures is an innovative global real estate investment management company that specializes in crafting targeted investment vehicles and providing asset and property management services. They create customized built environments that enhance the experiences of residents and workers while delivering exceptional results for their capital partners.


3. Waterton

  • Website: waterton.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1995
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Private Equity
  • LinkedIn

Waterton is a real estate investment and property management company specializing in U.S. multifamily, senior living, and hospitality properties. With over 25 years of experience, Waterton executes value add strategies and manages a national portfolio of properties for institutional investors, family offices, and financial institutions.


4. The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc.

The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc. is one of the nation's largest commercial real estate and finance groups. They specialize in creating, developing, and supporting member companies that provide commercial real estate-related services and alternative investment funds.


5. Sterling Bay

Sterling Bay is a real estate development company that sets the new standard in the industry. They build powerful, provocative, and personal spaces that reimagines how people interact with their surroundings. Their portfolio includes creative office spaces, life sciences campuses, residential buildings, and retail establishments.


6. Ventas, Inc.

  • Website: ventasreit.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1998
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

Ventas is a real estate investment trust (REIT) operating at the intersection of healthcare and real estate. With a portfolio of over 1,200 properties, the company unlocks the value of senior living communities, life science, research & innovation properties, medical office facilities, and other healthcare real estate. Ventas collaborates with leading care providers, developers, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations to capitalize on the demographic tailwind of a growing aging population.


7. Starwood Retail Partners

Starwood Retail Partners is a company specializing in the retail real estate sector. They have the expertise and capacity to handle transactions involving various types of retail properties, from malls to power centers to grocery-anchored centers. They offer services for acquisitions, dispositions, and portfolios of assets.


8. Urban Retail Properties

Urban Retail Properties is a privately held commercial real estate investment and operating company based in Boca Raton, Florida. They offer investment, development, property management, leasing, and accounting services in the shopping center industry. With over 40 years of experience, they provide their clients with a team of highly experienced senior employees and executives for financial evaluation.


9. First Industrial Realty Trust

  • Website: firstindustrial.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1994
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Post Ipo Debt
  • LinkedIn

First Industrial is a leading provider of industrial real estate solutions in the United States. They own, operate, and develop logistics properties in key markets across the country.


10. Brennan Investment Group

Brennan Investment Group is an industrial real estate firm focused on acquiring, developing, and operating industrial properties.


11. Pine Tree

  • Website: pinetree.com
  • Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Pine Tree is a retail real estate company with a nationwide presence and a risk-agnostic approach. With nearly 200 projects across the risk spectrum, Pine Tree offers deep capital relationships and a unique understanding of the new retail paradigm.


12. Bridge Industrial

BRIDGE is a real estate operating company and investment manager specialized in the development and acquisition of industrial properties in supply-constrained core markets in the U.S. and the U.K.


13. Newcastle Limited

Newcastle Limited is a Chicago-based investment and development company specializing in retail, multifamily, and mixed-use properties. With institutional backing, we have the capability to deploy significant capital and execute complex transactions efficiently. Our focus is on delivering value to our capital partners while providing quality service to our residents and retail tenants.


14. CenterPoint Properties

  • Website: centerpoint.com
  • Headquarters: Oak Brook, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1993
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Series D
  • LinkedIn

CenterPoint is an industrial real estate and transportation infrastructure investment and development company. They specialize in strategically investing in port, highway, and rail-proximate properties for 30 years.


15. Trilogy Real Estate Group

Trilogy Real Estate Group is a privately held real estate investment and property management firm specializing in multifamily apartments and commercial real estate. With over 18 years of experience, Trilogy has successfully invested in real estate assets valued at over $4 billion. They source and manage outstanding properties in major markets across the United States on behalf of their investment partners.


16. Golub & Company

Golub & Company is a leading real estate development and investment firm with a rich history of managing investments across the U.S. and Europe. They specialize in commercial, mixed-use, and multifamily properties, with a portfolio valued at over $10 billion. With a focus on design and construction excellence, they prioritize attention to detail and respect for people and communities.


17. Hilco Redevelopment Partners

Hilco Redevelopment Partners is a vertically integrated real estate investment and redevelopment company that reimagines, remediates, and redevelops obsolete industrial sites across the United States. They prioritize economic, community, and environmental sustainability in their holistic approach to development.


18. Foresite Realty Partners, LLC

Foresite Realty offers comprehensive real estate services, specializing in the acquisition, development, and management of commercial properties. With expertise in property valuation, leasing, and investment strategies, we provide tailored solutions to maximize returns for our clients.


19. Orion Residential Management, LLC

Orion Residential is a real estate investment company specializing in the renovation and repositioning of apartment homes across the country. By creating value in everything they do, Orion Residential delivers returns in excess of market expectations. Their residential communities aim to create a true sense of place, with modern amenities and extended living spaces. With a portfolio of over 83 properties and 22,000 units across nine states, Orion Residential has deep industry experience.


Want to find more real estate investment companies?


If you want to find more companies that offer services like property management, strategic acquisition and investment you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.


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  • Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
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...and a lot more!