Urban Retail
Investment & Development
For over 10 years, Eastman Equity has been investing in retail property in St. Petersburg. Our current portfolio includes some of the most valuable and strategically positioned retail and mixed-use assets along Central Avenue, the city’s primary commercial artery from downtown to the gulf beaches.
Our expertise in owning and operating retail throughout St. Pete gives us unparalleled market insight and first-hand knowledge of market trends and future development, making us experts on value. We have the foundational knowledge and vision to ensure a unique, strong, and healthy tenant mix. The result, a stellar destination retail experience.
Our offerings include retail, commercial and mixed-use main street. Many of our assets are located within Opportunity Zones, enhancing after-tax returns to our investors.
After 20 years working as a broker, pop up space innovator and investor in NYC, Jon relocated to St. Petersburg in 2014 and founded Eastman Equity. His fresh and visionary approach to investment and development are a perfect match for the explosive growth and energy in St. Pete.
He has consulted on marketing and experiential real estate strategy for a myriad of brands, including setting up the Illy Cafe’s West Broadway campaign in 2005. In 2007, Jon founded Openhouse.me in New York City to give brands a full-service, temporary space to host pop up events.
Jon is a licensed real estate broker specializing in redevelopment properties and a retail specialist consultant responsible for sales of over $300 million in investment and retail property in downtown Manhattan. His background in retail brokerage and development, along with his expertise in programming and events, has contributed to Eastman Equity’s success over the last 10 years.
Michael is responsible for the analysis and underwriting of new investments and executing approved business plans for the Firm’s investments, leading closing coordination and assisting with financing and capital market leads.
Prior to joining Eastman in 2022, Michael worked at Cantor Partners where he spearheaded acquisitions, managed the firm’s multi-family developments, and assisted in the management of a $170 million commercial real estate portfolio.
Michael earned his Master of Science in Real Estate and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentrated in Finance, from the University of Florida.
Lauren joined Eastman Equity in 2018 to facilitate the company’s marketing and event endeavors. In the past four years her role has transitioned into project management and executive assistant roles, working directly with Jon Daou, on Eastman’s newest acquisitions. Her current focus is a 78-acre Christmas tree farm and wedding venue located in the heart of Glenville, North Carolina.
A Florida native, Lauren received her Bachelor of Science at UCF for Molecular and Microbiology.
