You’ll learn valuable information about affordable housing, institutional investing, and senior living in this conversation with Chris Finlay. Chris is CEO and chairman of Lloyd Jones, a global real estate investment firm with subsidiaries in development and construction. It also has a platform called AVIVA Senior Living and concentrations in multifamily and the hospitality industry. Its investment partners include institutions, family offices, accredited investors, and its own principals.

Chris began his career as a commercial airline pilot with Eastern Airlines and invested in real estate on the side. His real estate business evolved, and in 1983 he shifted from the airline industry to focus exclusively on commercial real estate. He opened Finlay Company, which grew into one of the largest real estate firms in New England.

In 1990, Chris delved into real estate development and during the next 15 years developed, constructed, and managed approximately 40 multifamily and senior housing communities and luxury condominiums. When the Great Recession of 2008 hit, it provided numerous investment opportunities in the multifamily segment, and Chris began investing in the asset class. Those investments led to Lloyd Jones, a company that offered outside investors an opportunity to participate in the acquisitions. Several years later, Chris added senior living and development subsidiaries to capitalize on the exploding demand for senior housing. More recently, spotting opportunities in the hospitality industry, he added a hotel investment division to the company. 

Now with a 40-year track record in real estate, Chris also has educational credentials which include Upper Canada College and post-graduate studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He has completed extensive industry training and participates on the board of the National Multifamily Housing Council. Chris is a member of the American Seniors Housing Association and a strong supporter of Shelters to Shutters, a nonprofit organized to connect individuals facing homelessness to employment options and housing within the multifamily community.

During our conversation, Chris discusses how he has followed different segments and been able to make moves during downturns. His vast experience ranges from low-cost housing programs to raising institutional capital and building out a senior living operations business. For listeners starting their journey, he shares, “Primarily we’ve been a multifamily developer, investor, and owner, and I’m a believer that it’s the best asset class in the world for anybody to be in.” He also sees unique opportunities in senior living. Regarding what’s ahead, he says, “I think there’s been a disruption in the market, and we have a period of time here before it gets corrected—and then it will be a very nice ride up.”

You can connect with Chris at his company website Lloyd Jones and also AVIVA Senior Living.

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