We are entrepreneurial at our core, combined with an institutional standard of execution and risk management. Given our unique experiences, we take risks, but limit our downside, making us a shrewd and pragmatic investor and partner.
Our Team
Benjamin McLoughlin
Managing Partner
Benjamin McLoughlin is a Managing Partner at Canvas Companies, LLC, a real estate development firm based in Atlanta, Georgia focused on creative non-commodity development. Benjamin has over 15 years of real estate investment, development and operating experience. Prior to forming Canvas, Benjamin was the Managing Partner of Haverhill Holdings, LLC, an Atlanta based real estate development firm focused on creating unique and authentic places. Prior to Haverhill, Benjamin held various roles at Eastcote Resources, LLC, an Atlanta based real estate and hard asset investment firm, where he was responsible for deploying opportunistic capital and asset management. Benjamin holds a BA Communication from the University of Maryland at College Park and is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Georgia. Benjamin is also a member of ULI and ICSC.
Michael Garber
Managing Partner
Michael Garber is a Managing Partner at Canvas Companies, LLC, a real estate development firm based in Atlanta, Georgia focused on creative non-commodity development. Prior to forming Canvas, Michael was the Managing Partner of Gimbal Group, LLC, an Atlanta based development firm focused on the development of neighborhood-centric historic properties connecting people to where they live. Michael holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Texas and practiced law as a litigator in New York City for 5 years before moving to Johannesburg, South Africa. In South Africa, Michael worked with Global Capital Pty, a local private equity fund, as operations manager to streamline and bring efficiencies to new investments within the portfolio. Michael is an active member of the community and is the Vice President of the Old Fourth Ward Business Association.
What We Do
Investment
We are deeply involved in the neighborhoods that we work in. With our local focus, we’re able to spot supply/demand trends and capitalize on acquisition opportunities where others can’t.
We acquire undervalued irreplaceable real estate with good fundamentals, in need of some or all of the following:
1. Recapitalization
2. Redesign / Physical Improvements / Repurpose
3. Upgraded Management Team / Business Plan
We have our own capital, as well as strong relationships with outside equity and debt capital. With a deep understanding of the capital markets and macro trends, we underwrite our projects conservatively using actual existing numbers. We invest knowing the now. The future is upside or “icing on the cake”, but doesn’t make or break us.
Development
We look for development opportunities where we can create unique places that cater to the wants and needs of a neighborhood on a granular level.
We are not programmatic developers, so we look for ways to fit into the fabric of a neighborhood versus trying to force the neighborhood to fit our vision. We’re usually drawn to neighborhoods in transition.
We place a strong emphasis on thoughtful design. While respecting the past, we try to reimagine what’s possible. The end result is a property that fits seamlessly into a given neighborhood like it’s been there forever. Old yet new. That sweet spot between art and science.
We look at the development process in an organic way that constantly changes and naturally takes shape.
Management
Through our subsidiary, Canvas Management, LLC, we provide leasing, development, asset and property management services to our projects.
We almost always have a substantial amount of our own capital in the projects we take on. Being an owner/operator allows us to make decisions quickly without layers of bureaucracy with an eye towards what’s in the best long term interest of the project.
Our interests are aligned with our partners, investors, tenants, customers and the neighborhood. We maintain institutional risk management and reporting practices, with a local feel.