Brett Paulsrud

2023 presented one of the most challenging markets for CRE capital markets. Despite the challenges presented, JLL senior managing director Brett Paulsrud was able to close nearly $1.6 billion in transaction volume across 17 deals.  

The transactions closed by Paulsrud in 2023 were a mix of core-stabilized loans, acquisition loans, equity placements and construction financings across product types. Some of the more notable closings in 2023 include: 

• Enterprise Research Center – $750-million construction loan ($1.4-billion total project cost) for a mixed use – hotel, life science/office, residential – development on Harvard University’s campus. This reportedly was the largest construction financing closed in the U.S. in 2023. This execution required a syndication of multiple financial institutions. 

• 200 Quannapowitt – Secured the total capitalization (debt and equity) for a 440-unit residential development in Wakefield, MA. Total capitalization for this project was more than $200 million and was the largest multifamily development capitalized in 2023, adding a substantial number of units to a severely under-supplied housing market.  

• 275 Grove – Secured $93-million acquisition and repositioning financing for a Class A Office project in Newton, MA in an environment where the liquidity for office financing was extremely limited. 

• 100 Forge- Secured $150-million permanent financing from a life insurance company to take out the construction loan for a 165,000-square-foot, purpose-built life science facility that was 100% leased to 5 tenants. 

• Legacy Place – Secured a $190-million permanent financing, which was syndicated to two financial institutions. 

Colleagues say Paulsrud’s unique ability to execute across the risk and product type spectrum has been instrumental to his clients in helping them navigate an extremely challenging capital markets environment. In addition to his responsibility of originating transactions, Paulsrud co-leads the capital markets team at JLL Boston, which includes approximately 50 capital markets professionals.

These are some of the reasons we selected Brett Paulsrud for inclusion in the 2024 Connect CRE Top Mortgage Brokers and Lenders Awards. These awards recognize industry professionals who have demonstrated the highest standards in commercial real estate finance.