CARTER.

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CARTER REAL ESTATE INC. – THE BANKS PROJECT

Carter Real Estate says its extensive in-house expertise allows
it to complete large-scale, complex projects successfully.

Tackling Complex Projects

Carter Real Estate operates as a full-service development firm, and says the company has the know-how
to complete the complex, high-profile projects that many firms are reluctant to take on.

By Kate Burrows ditional developers cannot manage. Griffin says the compa-

F or Atlanta-based Carter Real Estate, a companywide

commitment to customer service has fueled its suc-
cess, ultimately earning it the position as the
Southeast’s oldest and largest full-service real estate firm.
Founded in 1958, Carter Real Estate has developed a rep-
utation for success through its four business lines: invest-
ments, development, transaction services, and property
and facility management.
Project Manager Laura Griffin says a large portion of its
business comes from repeat clients. “We pride ourselves on
the high level of customer service that we provide,” Griffin
says. “Most of our business is performed
Carter Real Estate Inc.
www.carterusa.com for longtime clients, and we love working
Location: Cincinnati with them.”
Project value: $800 million Carter Real Estate performs the majori-
Employees: 400
Services: Real estate develop- ty of its work for outside clients, but also
ment and construction owns properties and provides property
Laura Griffin, project manager: management services. The firm’s exten-
“We pride ourselves on the high
level of customer service that we sive in-house capabilities also allow it to
provide.” take on large-scale projects that many tra-
ny completes complex projects by maintaining clear com-
munication among all disciplines involved in the job.
“These projects require a tremendous amount of coordina-
tion,” she says.
“After working so closely with some of these people on a
project, we often become good friends by the time the proj-
ect is complete,” Griffin continues.
Carter Real Estate is currently building The Banks project,
a 2.8 million-square-foot mixed-use facility in Cincinnati. Set
for completion in 2010, the project will include office, resi-
dential, retail and hospitality spaces situated on 18 acres.
Although the project itself uses traditional construc-
tion methods, its sheer size alone is presenting unique chal-
lenges. “There are literally hundreds of people touching this
project, from property developers to leasing agents,” Griffin
explains. “There are so many players involved, that it’s impor-
tant to be highly sensitive to every deadline. Construction is
only one aspect of a very complicated project.”
The firm organizes regular meetings focused on impor-
tant issues, from budgeting to meeting scheduling goals.

180 ■ WWW.CONSTRUCTION-TODAY.COM ■ FEBRUARY 2009