Estate Lane Advisors provides comprehensive real estate consulting and portfolio management services to commercial real estate investors, developers, and retailers. Founder and owner Julia Burnham works directly with clients to make and execute strategic decisions. From big-picture portfolio analysis to single-store redirection, she meets client priorities and raises asset performance.

Areas of Expertise:

• Evaluating properties and portfolios
• Creating and implementing repositioning and remerchandising plans
• Planning and managing renovations and new development
• Analyzing retailer performance and proposing methods of improvement
• Negotiating leases on behalf of landlord or tenant
• Determining appropriate marketing strategies
• Developing specialized strategies for challenged properties

Estate Lane Advantages:

• Personal, responsive service tailored to client need
• 30 years of commercial real estate experience, with leadership responsibility in all asset types
• Direct retail ownership and merchandising experience
• Strong professional connections and industry relationships across markets
• Financial expertise and proven performance results

As a licensed broker in the State of Illinois and a senior advisor with Sperry Van Ness, Julia can also directly represent landlords or tenants in real estate negotiations. She specializes in the sale and leasing of retail and office properties on Chicago’s North Shore.

Client needs drive the scope and focus of Estate Lane services. Capabilities include:

• Merchandising and positioning
• Portfolio analysis
• Asset evaluation
• Due diligence
• Strategic planning
• Renovation design and management
• Lease negotiation
• Marketing plan development and implementation
• Financial management

For real estate investors and developers, we answer questions like these:

• How can I increase the value of my asset/portfolio for future sale or long-term retention?
• What is the right merchandise mix for a property?
• What is the competitive environment in this marketplace?
• How is the property positioned? How can it be improved?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the assets being considered for acquisition?

For retailers, we answer questions like these:

• How is the brand positioned in the marketplace? What merchandising or marketing strategies can enhance that position?
• What future locations offer the best opportunity for growth?
• What current locations are less than optimal—and what improvements or exit strategies will improve performance?
• Are physical/design upgrades needed?
• How can I negotiate a lease in my best interests?

Project Experience – Retail

900 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL:

Remerchandising Retail on the Magnificent Mile

900 North Michigan Avenue is a major mixed-use development in a prominent location on the Magnificent Mile. Just as Julia Burnham was being asked to take over the retail portion of the project for JMB, an important mini-anchor, Henri Bendel, announced plans to leave its 40,000-square-foot space. In a challenging economic climate, Julia led a successful remerchandising effort and oversaw related construction. She negotiated leases with brand-name retailers Williams-Sonoma, Max Mara, Stuart Weitzman, and Mark Shale. She managed the conversion of a two-screen movie theatre to a 30,000-square-foot Equinox Fitness Club. She also reconfigured lower-level common areas and storage to accommodate a 12,000-square-foot Mario Tricoci Salon and Spa.

Rush Walton, Chicago IL:

Re-Envisioning a Stalled Redevelopment for Retail Success

A property located in an increasingly desirable area of Chicago, just west of Michigan Avenue and south of Oak Street, was originally targeted for redevelopment as a boutique hotel and condominium conversion. When a lasting shift in market conditions changed the viability of those plans, Julia Burnham created a new vision for the underutilized property. The area was already home to several successful high-end retailers. Julia developed a remerchandising and renovation plan for the property that incorporated space for luxury retailers and a unique restaurant opportunity. Her plan reconfigured the lower level to establish retail addresses on desirable Rush Street, featured a second-story roof garden for the restaurant concept, and projected a significant overall increase in revenue and property value.

Cadillac Fairview U.S. Portfolio:

Integrating a Major Acquisition for Increased Value

JMB Realty Corporation acquired a large, Canadian-based firm with significant U.S. real estate assets, including nine regional shopping centers and a 1,000-acre land development. Julia Burnham integrated the acquisition of Cadillac Fairview U.S., including the restructuring and relocation of corporate headquarters. She directed all leasing, property management, marketing, expansion, renovation, and lender and partner relationships. She led the renovation of four shopping centers and the expansion of two shopping centers. Each expansion included the addition of a new anchor and 100,000 square feet of small shop gross leasable area. With a targeted re-leasing, marketing, and renovation plan, Julia subsequently increased portfolio value by 20%.

Project Experience – Office/Land

First City Tower, Houston TX:

Keeping an Office Tower Competitive

A 1.2 million-square-foot office building with a 25-year history in a premier downtown location was facing leasing competition from newer rivals. In her role as portfolio manager for JMB, Julia Burnham analyzed the marketplace and identified the need for a significant upgrade to First City Tower’s lobby and plaza. Ahead of the curve, in advance of final financial commitments, she selected a design team and general contractor. When ownership gave the go-ahead for a $15 million renovation, Julia was prepared to manage the effort in a minimum of time. The project transformed First City Tower’s competitive position in the marketplace and won a Toby award from the Building Owners and Managers Association.

200 South Wacker, Chicago IL:

Raising Occupancy with Innovative Space and Amenity Upgrades

This older, 750,000-square-foot office building was situated in a growth area of Chicago’s central business district. To achieve higher occupancy, the building needed to enhance its image and amenities. As the portfolio manager representing JMB’s ownership in a joint venture, Julia worked with leasing and property management to update the health club facilities and to add a full-service restaurant. She led a lobby renovation that elevated perceptions of the space. The transformation included the introduction of concierge services for tenants, one of the first such offerings in the city. Her work moved the building from Class B to Class A quality and drove higher occupancy and owner revenue.

I-20 East Land Development, Atlanta GA:

Transforming 1,000 Raw Acres into a Viable Community

I-20 East was a 1,000-acre mixed use planned community for retail, residential and commercial use. Julia took over management of the project when it was raw, undeveloped land. She coordinated the installation of essential infrastructure, including roads and power and water sources, while addressing wetland mitigation and the removal of hazardous materials discovered during the development process. She worked closely with government officials to ensure a coordinated effort with a positive public outcome and reputation. In addition, she oversaw the sale of land parcels and negotiated related contracts. Her efforts laid the groundwork for the successful development of the land and the community’s continued growth in a now-thriving area of Atlanta.

Julia Burnham
Commercial Real Estate Strategist
1536 Estate Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
Phone: 312-339-5242
Email: jburnham@estatelaneadvisors.com