C&W Adds New Senior Director in San Diego

SAN DIEGO-Cushman & Wakefield has added Steven M. Center to the firm as a senior director. Center will advise institutional owners of office and corporate headquarters properties in the central markets of San Diego County. 

A seasoned real estate executive with 21 years of experience, Center has completed the leasing, marketing and tenant improvement construction of more than 15.5 million square feet of office, R&D and industrial space. “We are delighted to have Steve on board serving our clients,” explains Joe Vargas, executive vice president and area leader of the west region of Cushman & Wakefield’s Southern California offices.

Vargas points out that “As a highly respected professional in the San Diego commercial real estate community, Steve adds a dynamic element of strength to our existing team and his appointment underscores our commitment to execute on our strategic growth initiative for the market.”

Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Center was a partner and senior executive with Bixby Land Co. where he oversaw the leasing, marketing and construction activities for the company’s 5.6-million-square-foot office, R&D, and industrial portfolio. He joins the team now led by Cushman & Wakefield executive director Eric A. Northbrook and senior director Matthew T. Carlson, and will focus on advising institutional owners of office and corporate headquarters properties in the central markets of San Diego County. 

“Having known Steve both as a client and a friend for nearly a decade, we are excited to welcome him as a partner on our team,” says Northbrook. “Given our history of transactions together, we expect a seamless transition and an immediate impact on our ability to service our clients.”

A leading professional in the San Diego commercial real estate market, Center was regional vice president of leasing in San Diego for the Irvine Co. from 2003 through 2006 where he managed the leasing of the Irvine Company’s 4.6-million-square-foot San Diego office and R&D portfolio. 

“It was during my time at Irvine Company that I experienced first-hand the exceptional service and market knowledge of Cushman & Wakefield’s institutional advisory group,” says Center.  “I knew that if I ever returned to brokerage, it would be with Cushman & Wakefield and specifically this San Diego team.”