2026 Multifamily Leadership Series: Larry Taylor, Christina Development

Connect CRE is focusing on multifamily in the fourth year of its annual Leadership Series. We invited 18 apartment heavyweights to provide their unfiltered views of the current market, its challenges and opportunities. The insights of these power players have been collected in a downloadable report, and we’re also presenting them individually, in alphabetical order. Here are insights from Larry Taylor, Founder and President, Christina Development.

Are the markets and products you’re investing in and developing changing? 

We remain focused on investing in our defined market, the Westside region of Los Angeles. Historically, demand in the primary submarkets of the region (Westwood, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Century City) has exceeded supply, resulting in value appreciation fairly consistent for the past five decades our firm has been in business. Of course, during this 50-year period, there have been ups and downs, but the net result has been positive.  

Essentially, there is minimal vacant land that is available for development in the region. Apartment rents have been flat for the past few years, with the exception of AAA-located properties and prime quality projects. By way of example, our West Hollywood multifamily rents have continued to increase, whereas older buildings in the general West Los Angeles areas outside of the prime submarkets have seen increased vacancy and some reduction in rent.  

What does construction lending look like in the current environment? 

Construction lending is generally available for the right projects that are well planned and have the best sponsors with verifiable track records. Again, the region does not have significant available vacant land thereby limiting new development. 

Is the equity environment improving for development? 

The equity environment for development is challenged. Investors remain reluctant to commit capital to development projects regardless of the historical strength in the region. 

Has the debt market changed compared to a year ago, and if so, how? 

The debt market has improved since last year as lenders have capital to deploy and need to make loans. Interest rates have declined in concert with lenders’ reduced cost of capital (bank deposits). 

Give your young self some advice.  

My advice is to open your pockets and take advantage of depressed prices in the region. As Warren Buffett has stated, “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” I believe the current market presents the best buying opportunities since 1991-1996. 

Malibu-based Christina is a real estate developer, manager and sponsor founded in 1977, specializing in the Westside of Los Angeles across eight prime submarkets that include Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Brentwood. It gives qualified investors access to ownership in select properties in these areas. 

Click here to read the series.