Cushman & Wakefield Unveils Asset Optimization Group for Underperforming and Distressed Assets

CHICAGO - Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK), today announced its Asset Optimization Group, renewing the company's commitment to supporting lenders, investors and servicers of underperforming assets.

“Commercial real estate is a highly cyclical business and, over the past few years has seen significant headwinds – from the pandemic to a significant shift in the cost of money and inflation,” said Revathi Greenwood, Head of Real Estate Optimization at Cushman & Wakefield. “The Asset Optimization Group provides integrated, tailored solutions to maximize recovery for office, industrial, retail, and multifamily properties that are underperforming or distressed in this new environment.”

Cushman & Wakefield will leverage its comprehensive suite of services, including receivership, property management, leasing, market research, asset and note sales, asset finance, valuation, and advisory. The goal is to optimize asset recovery, mitigate deterioration, and swiftly pursue the best resolution.

"Our clients need strategic solutions to maximize the recovery of underperforming assets," said Andrew McDonald, Global President, Cushman & Wakefield. "Given the current market conditions, we formed the Asset Optimization Group – leveraging the expertise of our Capital Markets, Asset Management, Asset Services, Valuation & Advisory, Agency Leasing and Project Development Services professionals in addition to our market research to support our clients with immediate solutions for their assets.”

"These solutions for assets under duress are just one of the responses we’re providing clients as they explore longer-term solutions such as comprehensive property repositioning and even repurposing,” said Marla Maloney, President of Americas Services at Cushman & Wakefield. “Our relationships with investors, lenders and servicers -- and our focus on understanding the uniqueness of each asset -- contributes to a smooth receivership, stabilization and maximum return on their investments.”

Cushman & Wakefield’s strategic insights and deep expertise helps clients manage the complexity of today’s market – from asset-level cashflows, funding tenant improvements, regulatory and accounting issues, Greenwood said.

“What’s different this time around from the GFC is that today in a lot of assets – particularly office - cashflows are compromised,” said Greenwood. “Creating an asset-level business plan and cashflow is critical to stabilize the asset and ultimately provide liquidity. Our clients will be able to utilize the breadth of our platform, wealth of information and deep market insights to help them consider their options – both on individual asset-level business plans and across portfolios of assets.”