Institutional investors & funds
Deciding whether to sell, reposition, or pursue a zoning change.
We align the strategy with the portfolio objective—return capital, maximize value before exit, or stabilize for a long-term hold.
Commercial Real Estate Advisory · Repositioning · Execution
Commercial real estate strategy starts with what the asset needs to accomplish.
Chicago-based Sterling Group helps institutional investors, banks, special servicers, and commercial property owners evaluate, reposition, and execute strategies for complex commercial real estate assets.
Commercial Construction
Direct oversight from planning through completion
Zoning & Property Repositioning
Strategies shaped by the asset and its market
Commercial Real Estate Advisory
One accountable team from evaluation through execution
How we think
The objective determines the strategy. The strategy determines the investment.
Before recommending a zoning change, repositioning, or an as-is sale, we determine what the asset needs to accomplish. That objective shapes the plan, required investment, timeline, and appropriate level of risk.
ObjectiveLikely strategyIndicative timeline
Clean, timely exitSell as-is with limited pre-market workWeeks to months
Maximize sale valueTest rezoning, a variance, or conditional use before listingApproximately 3–9 months
Unlock value and holdSecure approvals, reposition, and stabilize through leasingTypically 12+ months
Recover basisAssess whether targeted land-use work expands the buyer poolWeeks to months
Who we work with
Three types of clients.
Three distinct objectives.
Every engagement looks different depending on who holds the asset and what that organization needs it to accomplish. The discipline behind the decision remains the same.
Banks & special servicers
Moving an asset cleanly and without surprises.
We assess whether a zoning change, variance, permit, or targeted repositioning could broaden the buyer pool and improve recovery.
Commercial owners & buyers
Selling, acquiring, or growing a portfolio.
We source and underwrite opportunities, represent transactions, and coordinate leasing when an asset needs to be stabilized.
Scope of services
Advisory and execution—together or independently.
Many clients begin with focused advisory work and retain Sterling Group for execution once the strategy is established. Others bring us in for a specific phase.
Disposition & Repositioning Strategy
Model sell-as-is, reposition, and rezone-and-hold scenarios against the objective for the asset—with practical assumptions behind each path.
- Highest-and-best-use analysis
- Disposition-versus-repositioning modeling
- Written recommendations with investment, timing, and risk
Land-Use, Zoning & Rezoning
Evaluate and pursue changes to how a property may be used when a new use or development plan can create a stronger outcome.
- Existing zoning and permitted-use analysis
- Rezoning feasibility and application management
- Coordination with counsel, architects, engineers, and staff
Variances & Permits
Pursue the relief and special approvals required when a proposed project does not conform to existing zoning standards.
- Height, density, setback, parking, and lot-coverage variances
- Conditional-use and special-use permits
- Building and development permit coordination
Environmental Reviews
Coordinate the studies and documentation needed to evaluate effects on the property and surrounding community.
- Traffic and transportation studies
- Water, drainage, and infrastructure analysis
- Environmental consultant coordination
Public Hearings
Prepare the project team and present plans to the government bodies and community stakeholders involved in approval.
- Planning commission and zoning-board presentations
- Municipal, elected-official, and community meetings
- Follow-up responses and approval-condition management
Development & Construction
Represent the owner through design, permitting, procurement, construction, and closeout once the strategy is set.
- Project-team assembly and management
- Budget, schedule, and change-order oversight
- Construction management and lender reporting
Our network
The right team for every stage of the project.
Our direct experience as a general contractor, borrower, owner’s representative, and land-use applicant has enabled us to build a trusted network of land-use attorneys, architects, engineers, environmental consultants, subcontractors, lenders, and other specialists.
We assemble the right specialists and manage them through zoning, permits, environmental review, public hearings, financing, construction, and closeout.
Track record
Selected prior engagements.
Additional project information is available upon request and under a nondisclosure agreement where appropriate.
Financed · Licensed · Operating
Freestanding commercial building
Repositioned into a licensed childcare center.
Secured acquisition and construction financing, oversaw the build-out, and guided the project through municipal building and zoning approval alongside state childcare licensing.
Cash flow increased
Multifamily residential building
Added units to an existing structure.
Used an additional-dwelling-unit program, prepared the construction budget, obtained permits, and oversaw construction through completion.
Start a conversation
Have a specific asset—or an entire portfolio—requiring a decision?
Tell us what you need the asset to accomplish and where the process currently stands. Most inquiries receive a response within one business day.
Ready to discuss your commercial real estate asset?
Schedule a Consultation