{"id":1004752036,"date":"2025-04-02T07:12:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T15:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/?p=1004752036"},"modified":"2025-04-02T11:13:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T19:13:07","slug":"how-a-minority-led-organization-is-making-a-major-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/how-a-minority-led-organization-is-making-a-major-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"BIG Impact: Inside Basis Investment Group\u2019s Partnership Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The biggest challenge of any minority-owned investment firm is being recognized for its capabilities as a defining factor first, according to Egeonu. Image courtesy of Basis Investment Group<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Basis Investment Group made history last year after acquiring a Freddie Mac B-piece in a CMBS pool exceeding $235 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our firm was built on excellence and with a track record of demonstrated success and milestones, such as being the first African American- and female-owned investment firm to purchase a Freddie Mac B-piece,” said Patrick Egeonu, co-founder & managing director of Basis’ BIG Equity Investors platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Egeonu credits strategic partnerships for helping the company stay active during economically uncertain times. Last month, Basis and Lion Creek Real Estate Capital joined forces to form an alliance known as BIG Lion<\/a>. Under the agreement, Lion Creek will source commercial real estate debt and equity investments for Basis, which will then handle due diligence, underwriting, closing and asset management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commercial Property Executive<\/em> spoke with Egeonu about how minority-led companies like Basis can succeed in the current environment. Egeonu brings more than 17 years of experience in finance and real estate, and to date has been responsible for transactions and development projects totaling more than $10 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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READ ALSO<\/strong>: Meet the Women Disrupting CRE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are some of the biggest challenges for companies like yours in today\u2019s real estate landscape?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Egeonu<\/strong>: The biggest challenge of any minority-owned investment firm is being recognized for its capabilities as a defining factor, first. It is a fact that we are minority-owned … in an industry where minority-owned firms are largely underrepresented for a variety of reasons. But we excel in demonstrated track record, investment execution, return on investment and other capabilities within the investment space. We are competitive with the best and brightest in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the day, we’re seeking to uphold and be recognized for that excellence and to deliver on behalf of our clients. That is our first and primary responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How difficult is it to assess investment opportunities in the current economic environment?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Egeonu<\/strong>: It is a challenge. There is a lot of uncertainty throughout the geopolitical and macroeconomic climate.<\/a> This level of uncertainty is affecting different asset classes and different markets in a variety of ways and can be challenging to navigate. However, largely in part due to our firm\u2019s focus on due diligence and partnership with the right people, we remain nimble and confident in our abilities as well as our trusted operating partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell us about one of the more complex or rewarding deals you\u2019ve been involved in recently<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Egeonu<\/strong>: I\u2019m most proud of our involvement in the Philadelphia Navy Yard\u2019s AVE Navy Yard, a 614-unit mixed-use development coming online later this year. The development features the first-ever market-rate residential units on the site, along with luxury, furnished and affordable units. The uniquely designed complex will offer more than 75,000 square feet of private indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, including a 7,000-square-foot fitness space and spa and 25,000 square feet of retail across two buildings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also exciting that the buildings are situated on the newly constructed Chapel Plaza, a 35,000-square-foot public space designed by Olin, which will include outdoor dining, lounge seating and performance areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n