NEW YORK CITY-Cantor Commercial Real Estate announced Monday it has created a new investment management division and hired Chris Milner—a BlackRock veteran—to lead the new effort. The firm, an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald, provides financial solutions to the real estate capital markets.

In a statement separate from the announcement, CCRE CEO Anthony Orso says, “Under the new investment management platform, CCRE will form a series of joint ventures, capitalized by CCRE and a partner. The JV would initially focus on originating floating-rate loans on transitional properties. Co-investing with institutional partners is a natural extension of what CCRE is already doing.”

Of Milner's role, Orso adds, “Chris will help us find investment partners to help build real estate lending capabilities.” With over 20 years of experience in real estate debt, equity and capital markets, Milner served at BlackRock for 14 years until Dec., 2011. He was a co-founder of the firm's commercial real estate debt business, global head of CRE debt, and president of the carbon capital series of private real estate debt funds. In addition, he was responsible for global CRE debt portfolio management across all BlackRock accounts.

Prior to BlackRock, Milner held several senior positions at PNC Real Estate Capital Markets, where he co-founded the CMBS program and was responsible for origination, underwriting and securitization of all commercial mortgage conduit production and the resolution of distressed commercial real estate loans. Milner was also a member of the M&A teams at PNC that acquired BlackRock and Midland Loan Services. BlackRock declined to comment. A CCRE spokesperson did not respond to a GlobeSt.com request to interview Milner.

In the announcement, Orso explains the establishment of the new division. “Investment Management is a logical extension of CCRE's established national platform and will be a critical component of our business model,” he says. “We are very excited to have Chris join our senior management team to lead the development of this business and believe CCRE will benefit greatly from his institutional perspective and experience. We expect Chris' extensive knowledge and strong industry relationships will add immediate value to the team.”

Milner adds in the announcement, “During my tenure at BlackRock and PNC I was able to learn a great deal from some of the very best minds in investment management and commercial real estate lending. I hope to further contribute to the growth of CCRE and build on the firm's successes and world class commercial real estate platform.”

Instant Insights /

Cantor Fitz CRE Group Forays into Investment Management

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