In an exclusive interview for the GRI Institute, the global network for real estate and infrastructure leaders, Martin Mane, CEO of Balfin Americas and Vice President of BALFIN Group for North America, reflects on the company’s early steps in the United States, its strategy for building a long-term presence in a highly competitive market, and its ambition to grow beyond the boundaries of traditional real estate.
Since 2023, Balfin Americas has extended the Group’s global footprint with four investments across New York and New Jersey, balancing multifamily developments with the acquisition of a premium Class-A office building.
Backed by academic credentials from some of the world’s leading institutions, and armed with extensive experience in management and finance, Mane brings a global, forward-looking perspective to the business. He views the complexity of the US market not as a barrier, but as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and strategic partnerships that enhance the Group’s international capabilities.
Looking ahead, Mane signals that Balfin Americas will push further into high-growth sectors such as Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology, complementing its real estate activity with a broader investment approach. As the company eyes expansion into new US cities, this diversified strategy aims to position Balfin Americas as a resilient, ambitious platform built for the future.
Hi Martin, could you please give us an overview of Balfin Americas and the role it plays within the larger BALFIN Group, as well as your own journey leading up to this point?
Balfin Americas represents an exciting new chapter in BALFIN Group’s ambition to become a truly multinational corporation. By 2023, the Group was already present in nine countries across Europe, and expanding into North America was the natural next step. After more than a year of market research, I saw the potential of the US and established our regional headquarters in New York City.
We began with multifamily ground-up developments in New York and soon diversified into value-add commercial acquisitions in New Jersey. What started as an investment office has grown into a platform for long-term expansion in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
Personally, this has been both a demanding and rewarding journey. It required me to take calculated risks, adapt quickly, and build a talented team capable of executing our vision. Together, we are laying strong foundations for Balfin Americas to succeed and expand its role within the Group’s global portfolio.
With a growing presence in the highly competitive US market since 2023, how are you positioning the company to differentiate it from the competition, and what have been some of the initial challenges and successes?
Breaking into the US market came with significant challenges, especially in building the right structure and team from scratch. Regulations, processes, and the overall pace of business here are very different from Europe. The key was to align with BALFIN Group’s governance and culture while also tailoring our operations to the US context.
Our differentiation lies in our agility and willingness to take calculated risks. We are quick decision-makers and rely on both our global expertise and strong network to act faster than many of our competitors. This has enabled us to secure opportunities early and establish credibility.
What started as a challenge has become one of our strengths, as we’ve proven that we can adapt and deliver results in a highly competitive environment.
The acquisition of 340 Mount Kemble in New Jersey marks a significant step in your commercial real estate strategy. Can you tell us more about this project and what makes it a strategic investment for Balfin Americas?
The acquisition of 340 Mount Kemble is a milestone for us as it marks BALFIN Group’s first commercial real estate investment in the United States. Until now, our portfolio had been primarily residential, and this move diversifies our exposure while aligning with our positive mid- to long-term outlook on the commercial market.
The property itself is a 40,000 square-metre Class-A office building with prestigious tenants such as Morgan Stanley and Marcum. It is a trophy asset, and one that significantly raises our profile in the US real estate market.
We made this move by partnering with First Mile Capital, one of New York’s leading real estate firms. Combining their local expertise with our asset management experience from projects like TEG and QTU has created a strong platform to unlock the building’s potential and create value for both tenants and the surrounding community.
How has the partnership with First Mile Capital impacted your strategy in the US market, and what role do strategic collaborations play in your broader investment approach?
Our partnership with First Mile Capital has been instrumental in our US expansion. Their deep local knowledge helped us see beyond the surface and identify 340 Mount Kemble as the ideal entry point for our first commercial acquisition. Just as important, their tenant-focused strategy aligns perfectly with our people-first approach, developed over three decades of international operations.
We place great importance on partnerships that are built on shared vision, strategy, and aligned incentives. These collaborations allow us to minimise risks, benefit from local know-how, and share the Group’s international experience in return.
Whether in the US or in Europe, strategic partnerships have always been central to BALFIN’s success, and they will continue to guide our approach in new markets.
How does Balfin Americas balance its real estate portfolio focus between commercial properties and residential developments across the US, and which sectors are seeing the best opportunities?
Currently, our portfolio is more weighted towards commercial real estate, as it offers strong potential in the mid-term. However, we also see residential developments as a crucial long-term driver of growth. Our objective is to strike an equal balance between the two over time, creating a diversified portfolio that can weather different market cycles.
At the same time, Balfin Americas operates with a flexible structure that allows us to look beyond real estate. We are actively exploring opportunities in other high-growth sectors, such as Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology, where we believe innovation will create significant value in the future.
Our ambition is not just to invest in assets, but to be recognised as a supporter of bold, forward-looking ideas.
Given the challenges of entering the US market, especially in a highly regulated environment, what strategies is Balfin Americas using to navigate market entry and ensure long-term success?
Our strategy is built on people and partnerships. First, we invest in building strong teams who share our vision and have the expertise to execute in a fast-paced, highly regulated market.
Second, we partner with trusted local firms who provide deep market knowledge and help us reduce risks while accelerating learning.
This combination, international know-how paired with local expertise, has proven to be the right formula for establishing ourselves in the US and positioning for long-term growth.
Looking ahead, how do you see the US real estate market evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what role do you envision Balfin Americas playing in that evolution?
I believe the US real estate market will continue to evolve significantly over the next decade. Mixed-use developments and community-driven projects will gain importance, and technology will transform how buildings are designed, managed, and experienced.
Balfin Americas aims to be at the forefront of these changes. With our current portfolio, growing structure, and forward-looking strategy, we are well-positioned to capitalise on these trends.
Our role will be to deliver projects that combine sustainability, innovation, and long-term value, ensuring we play a meaningful part in shaping the future of the US real estate market.
