About RCLCO

In 1967, Bob Lesser, then an architect and developer, was asked to help craft the development program for what is now Thousand Oaks Town Center in Southern California. In carrying out this assignment, he found that the creativity and financial imagination required for the study were extremely stimulating—so much so that he started Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (now RCLCO).

For over 55 years, RCLCO is proud to be the “first call” for organizations seeking strategic and tactical advice regarding property investment, planning, and real estate development. Our team leverages quantitative analytics and a strategic planning framework and a cutting-edge analytics platform to provide end-to-end business planning and implementation solutions at an entity, portfolio, or project level. RCLCO is organized into three service areas:

Backed by more than five decades of experience analyzing demographic and lifestyle trends, market analysis and dynamics, and capital market realities. Clients turn to us for quantitative rigor, market knowledge and cutting-edge financial analysis regarding highest and best use, product definition, market positioning, and underwriting support for any proposed investment or development concept, site, or product type.

Provides tailored and executable strategic advice to real estate companies across all industry sectors and geographies. Our management consulting practice is comprised of the following offerings: Strategic Planning; Organizational Consulting; Capital Strategy; Portfolio Strategy; Operational Strategy; Compensation Consulting; and Executive Search.

Aims to improve the institutional real estate investment model by providing customized and aligned consulting and advisory solutions to institutional investors, leveraging our diverse team’s analytical approach, deep knowledge, and experience in research, consulting, investment management, property operations, and lending. Established in 2011, RFA has been an SEC Registered Investment Advisor since 2014.

Leadership

RCLCO is able to consistently deliver leading-edge solutions by bringing together highly talented people in a creative and collaborative environment. The diverse experiences and knowledge bases of our team allow us to partner with clients to answer key questions and solve complex issues, with strategic guidance that is market driven, analytically based, and financially sound.  Use the filter to view the team leadership by service area or office location.

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ESG Initiatives

Leading the industry toward effective ESG solutions

RCLCO’s mission and core values are the firm’s “true north” and guide our approach to addressing real estate’s, and our own business’, environmental, social, and governance implications. As stewards of the built environment, we seek to positively impact the environmental sustainability and societal implications of real estate. As an industry leader for 5+ decades, aiming to grow for at least 5 decades more, we look inward to determine ways to improve our environmental impacts and the lives of our team members.

RCLCO leadership has charged its ESG Committee to measure, analyze, and recommend concrete actions to improve the firm’s environmental impact, diversity, equity, inclusion, and governance.

A focus on ESG is fundamentally about identifying the risks and opportunities to our clients and ourselves that arise from factors that haven’t traditionally been appreciated in conventional diligence or other analyses. Specific ways in which we’re bringing this focus to bear include:

Within our analyses, we identify opportunities to preserve/create housing affordability, eco-friendly features, and highlight risks to resiliency.

We are thought leaders on key ESG topics, including affordable & workforce housing, conservation communities, and impacts of climate change.

For RFA’s investor clients, we integrate ESG into due-diligence & manager selection, and climate risk into investment decisions & asset monitoring.

RCLCO Foundation

Changing Lives Through Initiatives That Provide Affordable Homes

The RCLCO Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was formed in 2006 as a means to positively influence the availability and development of affordable housing.

Funding to the RCLCO Foundation is provided by RCLCO, which annually contributes a share of its profits, along with contributions and grants provided by RCLCO team members, alumni, clients, and other organizations who are interested in advancing the cause of affordable housing.

Our Focus

The Foundation is committed to advancing the practice and policy of increasing and preserving the amount of affordable housing and preventing homelessness.

  • Innovative Ideas – Funding thought leadership in affordable housing
  • Local Funding – Targeting organizations that create affordable housing in communities where RCLCO has offices
  • Leading by Example – Matching RCLCO team members’ contributions to fundraising or other activities that impact affordable housing

Donations – Support Affordable Housing Development

Your generous gifts amplify The RCLCO Foundation’s unique work to increase the development of affordable housing across the United States. With your help, we can ensure the most vulnerable populations in the U.S. have access to the housing that all human beings deserve. Need additional tax information for your donation? Email Justin Cremer, Vice President, FP&A.

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