Shawn Hurley will become president of Marcus Partners effective on Sept. 1.

BOSTON—Shawn Hurley, the president and CEO of Skanska USA Commercial Development, has left the firm to join Boston-based commercial real estate investment and development firm Marcus Partners as its president. He will take over his new post effective Sept. 1.

Skanska USA reports that it has replaced Hurley with Robert Ward, who most recently served as COO for Skanska USA Commercial Development. Ward, who will report to Skanska AB EVP Claes Larsson, who oversees Skanska's commercial development operations globally, will continue to be based in Arlington, VA and has taken on the leadership of the commercial development division as its new president and CEO effective immediately, according to a company spokesman.

Hurley is leaving Skanska after seven years with the firm. As president and CEO of Skanska USA Commercial Development he was responsible for setting the vision of the firm and managing the investment and development strategy in the U.S. with a focus on the growth and diversity of the portfolio. He was a member of the senior leadership team for Skanska's global commercial development group and Skanska's U.S. operation. He also served as a member of the board of Skanska's building construction group.

At Skanska, Hurley led the effort in the acquisition and development of 101 Seaport, a 440,000-square-foot office building in Boston, anchored by PwC, which was sold in 2016 for $452 million. Most recently, he was responsible for the development of 2.3 million square feet of office and nearly 550 multi-family units including Watermark Seaport (Boston, MA), 121 Seaport (Boston, MA), 2112 Penn (Washington, DC), Capitol Tower (Houston, and 2+U (Seattle). In his more than 20-year real estate career Hurley has developed more than $3 billion of commercial real estate. He began his career with Hines in Los Angeles.

“I am delighted to have Shawn join me in leading the firm,” states Paul Marcus, CEO of Marcus Partners. “He is a highly respected industry veteran with a deep and complementary skill set, demonstrated leadership acumen, and steadfast integrity. Shawn's expertise will further diversify our capabilities and enhance our ability to create value for our investors, partners, and tenants.”

In June, Marcus Partners added Bentall Kennedy's Ryan McDonough as a new principal with the firm.

Ward takes on the leadership position as president and CEO of Skanska USA Commercial Development with more than 20 years of experience in both the real estate development and construction industries. As COO at Skanska Commercial he drove several key elements of the company's development operations including evaluating all project investments, refining national leasing and customer strategy, exploring new market opportunities and managing the group's professional service functions.

Robert Ward, president, CEO, Skanska USA Commercial Development

He previously served as EVP of development operations in Washington, DC and the interim EVP of development operations in Houston. In the nation's capital, Ward oversaw the acquisition of more than 1.5 million square feet of office and multi-family development rights, as well as the delivery of two speculative office projects. In Houston, he also helped secure the Bank of America as anchor tenant for Skanska's Capitol Tower project in Downtown Houston. In 2009, Ward helped launch the company's commercial development business in the U.S., and was instrumental in the completion in 2011 of the company's first self-financed office development, 733 10th. Skanska sold the property in 2012 to Jamestown Properties for $140 million.

“I am excited to welcome Rob to his new role and look forward to his contributions as part of Skanska's U.S. leadership team,” says Anders Danielsson, president and CEO, Skanska USA. “In a variety of roles, Rob has been instrumental in the growth of our commercial development business in the United States and his knowledge of our markets and the real estate industry will make for a seamless transition.”

Ward is a member of the board of directors of Skanska Commercial Development Europe; the board of trustees of the Federal City Council; the Washington, D.C. Developer Roundtable; and the board of directors of the First Tee of Washington, DC.

In June, Marcus Partners added Bentall Kennedy's Ryan McDonough as a new principal with the firm.

Instant Insights /

Hurley Leaves Skanska Commercial for Marcus Partners; Replaced by COO Ward

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