What is the secret of CA’s success?

The Chicago‐based vertically integrated real estate investment management company reports $13 billion in gross asset value for the first quarter of 2020. CA plans to scale its business more than twofold over the next five years. All this from a company that opened its doors scarcely 16 years ago.

Consider one of their latest property openings, The Link Evanston, a $60 million, 241‐unit apartment community developed in partnership with Focus Development. The U-shaped, transit-oriented structure lives up to its name: The downtown Evanston location is near the Northwestern University campus and major transit stations. The Link Evanston opened in late fall 2019 to strong occupancy.

Ownership Mentality

The Link Evanston (TLE) helps illustrate the lengths CA goes to sweat the details. Few know that backstory better than John Kitson, CA senior vice president of development and the lead for TLE’s development and construction.

“We plan, design, construct, and manage properties for longevity,” says Kitson, a licensed architect. “We never think of ‘let’s go with this because it’s the lowest cost.’ An ownership mentality is infused in every step of the operation.”

High-End Look

Residents may be especially appreciative of the owner’s attention to detail in the wake of the pandemic. The lighting, accessories, European cabinetry, door hardware, and the trim are welcome features for residents that may be required to work or study at home.

“High‐end finishes and fixtures are standard in our apartments. Details matter, and residents notice the difference,” explains Kitson. “The overall apartment design presents a clean, modern look. A prospective resident walks in and often turns to the kitchen cabinets and countertops. Then they’ll check out the faucet.”

Quality and Value

To maximize style and minimize budget risk, Kitson specifies Peerless kitchen and bathroom faucets, a go‐to brand for growing numbers of multifamily developers and owners. The Peerless line includes the Xander collection. The sleek single‐handle, pull‐down kitchen model in a chrome finish and ADA compliant matches well with a unit’s other hardware, including the shower door hinges, entry door handle, and cabinet handles.

“The kitchen faucet, as much as anything, represents the quality of the unit. We pay a lot of attention to completing the holistic look, feel, and quality. Just a faucet? Not with us,” Kitson says.

He also understands how the power of brand influences residents’ decision-making too. But it has to be scaled to fit the property and market demographic. What works best in a penthouse doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for a studio or a three‐bedroom apartment. Peerless works great for the TLE target market.

Strong Partnership

The early leasing success affirms that selection, as does one other metric: resident feedback. “We’ve had great feedback from residents on the units, and we are 100% leased this year, which speaks for itself,” Kitson says. “We’re happy to be able to partner with Peerless, who understood what was important to us on this development.”

As for CA’s ambitious 2024 goal, don’t bet against them. If its focus on getting every detail right is any indicator of success, the sky is the limit.

Learn more about why the Xander Collection from Peerless Faucet may be right for your next project.