JLL Adds Charles Jonas to Charlotte Office Team

CHARLOTTE—Charles Jonas has signed on with Jonas Lang LaSalle as a senior vice president in the firm’s Charlotte office. The industry veteran will serve as co-leader of JLL’s Agency Leasing Group. Jonas will tap his local knowledge to advise existing office landlord clients and seek new business development throughout the Carolinas.

“Charles’ experience—from closing transactions to managing key client relationships—makes him the ideal fit for this role and I look forward to joining forces and leading the team together as we expand across the Carolinas,” Charley Leavitt, JLL senior vice president, said in a statement. “He’ll make an immediate impact on our team as well as our clients with his positive leadership skills, industry knowledge and commitment to the community.”

Jonas comes to JLL from Trinity Partners, where he oversaw the firm’s tenant representation and project leasing teams, as well as acting as firm’s national relationship and business development manager. During his tenure at Trinity Partners, Jonas developed relationships with global investment and real estate firms. Trinity could not immediately be reached for comment.

“Charlotte’s office market has recovered from the financial recession of 2009 and 2010, which directly impacted major commercial banks in the city,” Jonas tells GlobeSt.com. “These banks have primarily steadied their ships and have seen quality growth in employment and revenues over the past six quarters.”

Jonas says recession and its recovery had a dramatic impact on the Charlotte market, especially the CBD, pushing 1% vacancy up into the mid-teens. Now, he adds, the market is experiencing solid growth with increasing rents, decreasing concessions, and consistent positive net absorption, although there are building by building exceptions.  

Local confidence has risen with numerous recent announcements of corporate relocations, as well as the international publicity associated with the upcoming Democratic National Convention in the coming months, he says. But challenges still remain.

“One major challenge facing the Charlotte commercial real estate market is the ongoing industry diversification,” Jonas says. “Perception has been, and reality has proven, that Charlotte is primarily a banking center; but, the growth of motor sports, the steadying manufacturing sector and the completion of the intermodal yard at the airport all will lead to continued diversification. The Charlotte market continues to thrive and grow, even in spite of the tumultuous economy and constant threats to the financial sector.

Jonas is the current chairman of The May 20 Society, a local historical organization. He is also vice chairman of The Trail of History and president of NAIOP’s Charlotte Chapter. JLL leases more than 3.6 million square feet in the Charlotte region and manages 31.3 million square feet of assets across the Carolinas.