For over three decades, zumBrunnen, Inc. has been the trusted partner for discerning investors in the multi-family facility industry. Their reputation is built on delivering unbiased, professional guidance that ensures project success, budget adherence and investor satisfaction. This is a recent collaboration with Origin Investments that highlights the value zumBrunnen brings to the table.
Ken Lodge, Associate Vice President of Investment Management with Origin Investments, has engaged zumBrunnen’s services for a number of multi-family projects. zumBrunnen’s role as owner’s representative involves comprehensive construction monitoring and reporting, effectively bridging the gap between financial stakeholders and development teams.
zumBrunnen’s approach is distinguished by its thoroughness and frequency of on-site inspections. This combined with a deep background in construction leads to invaluable insight into development projects. As Ken Lodge explains, “James Dixson, (Project Manager) is on-site once a month and he’s doing a detailed walkthrough of each job site. He’s cataloging any sort of construction deficiencies that he sees, any sort of risk potential and he’s providing a detailed accounting of all that to us and then following up with the development and general contracting teams to make sure that those issues are being addressed.” This hands-on methodology ensures that potential issues are identified and addressed promptly.
Rather than passively participating in meetings, zumBrunnen takes a proactive stance in risk identification and mitigation. This approach significantly reduces the burden on their clients, allowing them to focus on their core financial responsibilities while zumBrunnen manages the intricacies of construction oversight.
zumBrunnen’s value is particularly evident in complex projects involving multiple stakeholders. In Origin Investments’ partnership with RISE, a major developer, zumBrunnen’s involvement has streamlined communication and problem-solving processes. Ken Lodge observes, “They (developer and contractor) know him, they’re with him in a room once a month. And, you know, they know what his expectations are, he communicates those things clearly. And, they know that he represents Origin’s interests.”
When technical challenges arise, zumBrunnen’s expertise comes to the forefront. For instance, they played a crucial role in resolving a buckling gypcrete failure at the Linden House project, demonstrating their comprehensive understanding of construction processes and commitment to effective solutions. James developed an action item list and worked with the entire team to resolve the issue as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
“I come from a finance background and know real estate but I don’t know all the technical aspects of construction. I need to have somebody who is not engaged by anybody else in the ownership structure. They work for us, but that works to the benefit of the project, too” Lodge added.
zumBrunnen’s services extend beyond the construction phase, encompassing long-term capital planning and maintenance insights. As Ken Lodge notes, “Having James, who works for the owner, works for Origin, removes any doubt in my mind that our interests are being represented in areas where we may not have the technical expertise to really advocate for ourselves 100% of the time.”
For investors in any multi-family facility, zumBrunnen has established itself as an indispensable asset in development. By providing thorough, proactive, unbiased and technically sound guidance throughout the project lifecycle, they ensure their clients’ interests are protected and their projects are completed to the highest standards. zumBrunnen’s unique ability to thread the needle between financial considerations and construction realities continues to set them apart in this specialized field.
