Evercore Launches Real Estate Advisory Group

NEW YORK CITY-Evercore Partners said Thursday it has expanded its investment banking advisory business into commercial real estate with the acquisition of boutique firm MJC Associates and the appointment of industry veteran Martin J. Cicco as head of its real estate advisory practice. Transaction terms were not disclosed; Cicco will be based in New York City.

Before he founded MJC in 2007, Cicco spent 29 years at Merrill Lynch, ultimately rising to vice chairman of global commercial real estate and global head of real estate investment banking. MJC has focused on IPO and M&A assignments within commercial real estate, especially the hospitality sector. Two MJC employees, Greg Brooks and Robert Klein, also will be joining Evercore as a managing director and VP, respectively.

In a release, Evercore vice chairman Eduardo Mestre says that adding Cicco and his team “broadens Evercore’s industry and sector coverage to commercial real estate where there is a substantial opportunity for M&A, restructuring and capital raising advice as the industry continues to recover. We are fortunate he will be joining Evercore to head our real rstate business. Marty and his team bring to Evercore a deep client base and a proven track record of success in delivering independent advice to real estate clients.”

The MJC deal is one of a number of acquisitions or hires Evercore has made lately, consistent with what CEO Ralph Schlosstein says in a release is the company’s philosophy on growing its advisory business. In February, Evercore acquired Neuberger Berman’s private funds placement group, which focuses on commercial rel estate among other areas. On Thursday, the company also announced the hiring of F. Perkins Hixon, who will launch a mining, metals and materials practice group there.