Irvine, Orange County, California, August 16, 2025
News Summary
CBRE has bolstered its Orange County presence with the appointment of Mark Damiani to its National Retail Partners team and the relocation of more than 400 employees to a new 52,749 sq. ft. Workplace360 office in The Boardwalk, Irvine. The move highlights hybrid-work design with collaborative rooms, enhanced video conferencing and regional artwork. Several other senior hires were announced across Parkview Financial, Buchalter, The Ardent Cos. and HLCI, while CBRE reported recent regional transactions including office sales in Orange and a Class A building trade in Irvine. The activity signals continued institutional interest and office repositioning in the market.
Major hires and a new Irvine office mark a busy period for Orange County commercial real estate
A flurry of senior hires and property deals is reshaping Orange County’s commercial real estate scene. The most notable moves include Mark Damiani joining a national retail investment team at a major broker and the opening of a new, large Workplace360 office in Irvine. Several other regional firms also announced senior appointments that strengthen development, lending and investment teams across the Western United States.
Top-line personnel and office changes
Mark Damiani has joined the National Retail Partners team at a leading commercial real estate firm as an executive vice president based in Irvine. Damiani arrives with nearly two decades of experience, having led roles at Eastdil Secured and HFF, and has been involved in more than 150 transactions totaling over $30 billion, primarily for institutional and private clients across the Western U.S. He will focus on institutional sales of retail properties. The firm’s national retail group reports handling more than $57 billion in investment sales across about 2,400 transactions and 336 million square feet to date.
In tandem with that hire, the same firm relocated and opened a new Orange County office within a development called The Boardwalk in Irvine. The new suite totals 52,749 square feet, split between the north and south towers and connected by an outdoor bridge with seating and Wi‑Fi. The space is presented under the firm’s Workplace360 model, which highlights flexible, technology-forward layouts for hybrid work. The office includes a central open lobby known as the Heart, a work lounge, a large conference room equipped with a cinematic digital screen system, multiple video‑enabled collaboration rooms, and a large media display for events.
The Boardwalk was developed by Trammell Crow Company, a global commercial developer that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the brokerage. The new office will house more than 400 employees and also accommodates the local Trammell Crow team. The move vacated a prior office in Newport Beach and concentrates a broad set of services locally, including investment sales, property and project management, valuations, debt and equity financing, and specialized consulting.
Recent deal activity in Orange County and Irvine
The firm also disclosed several local transactions. One sale closed for $15.45 million on a 90,191‑square‑foot office property at 725 West Town and Country Road in Orange. The buyer was a local purchaser; the asset offers strong highway access and a zoning overlay that presents options for investment, owner‑use, or residential redevelopment.
Separately, an investment arm sold a 310,925‑square‑foot Class A office tower at 2600 Michelson Drive in Irvine for $42 million. The 16‑story building includes recent lobby upgrades, EV charging, a conference facility and a fitness center, and is LEED Gold certified. The buyer was a Southern California investment trust; the sale team included senior brokerage and capital markets professionals who have also handled other recent regional office trades.
Other senior hires across the region
Several other firms announced strategic senior hires:
- Parkview Financial, an alternative investment firm based in Los Angeles, named Scott Denham as managing director and head of nationwide construction. Denham will underwrite and monitor construction loans across property types after more than 25 years in development and investment roles. Parkview also added Abe Kohn as vice president of construction based in its New York office to oversee Northeast projects; Kohn brings more than 13 years of development experience.
- National business law firm Buchalter elevated two Pacific Northwest attorneys to shareholder status in its real estate practice: Michelle Da Rosa in Portland, who handles traditional real estate, development and renewable energy projects, and Ian Taylor in Seattle, who represents landlords and tenants across office, retail and logistics, and advises on regulatory matters including eminent domain.
- The Ardent Cos., an Atlanta‑based investment firm with about $3 billion in assets under management and presence in 39 states, added Matt Snyder as managing director in Chicago to lead regional debt sourcing and product development. Snyder brings more than 20 years of debt experience and has worked on transactions exceeding $50 billion.
- Dallas‑based Holt Lunsford Commercial Investments hired Matthew Sibley as a vice president focused on sourcing and completing investments in the Houston region, including oversight of due diligence, zoning, design and construction. Sibley previously managed industrial development and asset functions for regional teams.
Why these moves matter
The combination of senior hires, a large new office, and active sales points to firms positioning for continued investment and development activity in Orange County and the broader Western market. New leadership roles emphasize construction lending and debt sourcing, while the workplace redesign highlights demand for hybrid work solutions as brokers and investors seek efficient collaboration and presentation space for clients.
FAQ
What is Workplace360 and why is it significant?
Workplace360 is a flexible office model emphasizing collaborative rooms, technology for hybrid meetings, and unassigned seating. It aims to show clients practical ways to support hybrid and flexible work.
How large is the new Irvine office?
The new suite totals 52,749 square feet, split across the north and south towers of The Boardwalk and connected by an outdoor bridge area.
Who is Mark Damiani and what will he do?
Mark Damiani joined a national retail investment team as an executive vice president based in Irvine. He will focus on institutional retail sales and brings extensive transaction experience across the Western U.S.
What recent property sales were announced?
Two notable sales: a 90,191‑square‑foot office in Orange sold for $15.45 million, and a 310,925‑square‑foot Class A office in Irvine sold for $42 million.
What other firms made hires?
Parkview Financial, Buchalter, The Ardent Cos., and Holt Lunsford Commercial Investments all announced senior hires focused on construction lending, legal counsel for real estate, debt sourcing and regional investments.
Key features at a glance
| Item | Key details |
|---|---|
| New Irvine office | 52,749 sq ft across two towers at The Boardwalk; Workplace360 design; outdoor bridge; tech-enabled collaboration rooms |
| Mark Damiani | Executive vice president focused on institutional retail sales; ~20 years experience; 150+ transactions; >$30B handled |
| 725 W. Town & Country Rd. (Orange) | 90,191 sq ft office sold for $15.45M; local buyer; strong freeway access; flexible zoning options |
| 2600 Michelson Drive (Irvine) | 310,925 sq ft Class A tower sold for $42M; LEED Gold; EV charging; 1,013 parking spots |
| Parkview Financial hires | Scott Denham as head of nationwide construction; Abe Kohn VP of construction (Northeast) |
| Buchalter additions | Two new shareholders in Pacific Northwest real estate practice covering development, renewables and leasing |
| The Ardent Cos. | Matt Snyder joining as managing director in Chicago; Ardent manages about $3B in assets across 39 states |
| HLCI hire | Matthew Sibley named VP for Houston investments overseeing sourcing, due diligence and construction |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- CBRE: CBRE opens new tech-enabled office in The Boardwalk
- Wikipedia: CBRE Group
- CBRE: CBRE facilitates $15.45 million sale of office property in Orange, California
- Google Search: 725 West Town and Country Road Orange sale
- YieldPro: Eastside Costa Mesa
- Wikipedia: Costa Mesa, California
- Orange County Business Journal: CBRE moves into new digs in Irvine
- Google Search: CBRE Workplace360 Irvine The Boardwalk
- CommercialSearch: CBRE IM sells Orange County office asset for $42M
- Google News: 2600 Michelson Drive Irvine $42 million
