VTS Hires First COO, Opening First International Office [Updated]
By Lauren Elkies Schram December 7, 2015 2:00 pm
reprints
VTS is really growing up.
The commercial real estate asset management and leasing platform startup has grown its database to more than 2 billion square feet worldwide since launching as a virtual space tour creation platform in July 2013. And it has hired Charles Hough as its first chief operating officer, Commercial Observer has learned.
Ryan Masiello, a co-founder and the chief revenue officer for VTS (formerly View the Space), said with Mr. Hough’s hiring, VTS is the “first [commercial real estate] tech firm to attract Silicon Valley talent to our leadership team.”
In addition, the company is opening its first office outside of the U.S., in London, and has tapped Charlie Wade, a London executive with JLL, to oversee the office’s efforts.
“I think that we have the best synergy with the London market,” Mr. Masiello said. “The mindset is very much the way things are done in New York. Our client base has really pulled us into that market.”
VTS’ clients want one platform on which to manage their entire portfolio, Mr. Masiello said. The database has 105 million square feet outside the U.S. in its system of which 9 million represents Brookfield Property Partners, Hines and Blackstone Group managing their London portfolios via VTS.
Simon Ruck, vice president at Brookfield in London, said in a prepared statement: “VTS not only makes our team faster, but we expect it will enable us to leverage information and intelligence to help us make better leasing decisions.”
VTS has six offices in the U.S.: New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas and Chicago. The company is currently searching for its London digs.
Update: This story was edited to reflect that Brittany Wunsch, who was supposed to oversee VTS’ London office with Charlie Wade, had a change of plans and remained in New York City with VTS.
