Sourcing Commercial Real Estate Development
ForeFront’s approach to creating commercial real estate development investment opportunities is that of a vertically integrated, full-service, design-build developer and contractor. The principals of the company possess over 50 years of combined construction and development expertise, having served for decades as senior level construction and development company executives, prior to creating the ForeFront Company. Our entrepreneurial spirit is integrated with a unique mix of creativity and proven strategic practices to generate robust risk-adjusted returns for our investors and partners.
Cultivating High-Value Communities
With a unique focus in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Northeast regions, ForeFront seeks out niche high-value multifamily and mixed-use real estate development opportunities. Our critical evaluation of markets, entitlements, design, and construction risk, coupled with proven development practices, provides organic value and risk mitigation across the full life-cycle of each investment, contributing to the success of each community we develop.
Navigating Complex Markets with Expertise
Our principals are not just leaders; they possess a rare combination of development and construction acumen, buttressed by an established and trusted network of professionals forged over the course of their prior history of delivering complex commercial real estate projects collectively valued over $2.5B. At ForeFront, we navigate complex markets with an in-depth knowledge of property acquisition, architectural design, land planning, construction and property management, to deliver compelling returns for commercial real estate investors and owners.
ABOUT US
ForeFront is a boutique mixed-use development company headed by principals with the experience of delivering over 2M square feet of mixed-use commercial development and 25,000 multifamily units, with a specific focus in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Northeast regions. ForeFront strategically leverages the skills of trusted third-party professionals to complement its best-in-class commercial real estate industry practices and holistic evaluation of real estate investment opportunities.
INVEST WITH FOREFRONT
With a combined 50 years of development and construction experience, the two principals of the Company bring to each project an in-depth knowledge of property acquisition, design, development, construction, and property management, providing organic value and risk mitigation for investors and owners. Prior to partnering together in the formation of ForeFront, the members’ expansive personal and trusted relationships with capital sources resulted in the delivery of projects valuing over $2.5B.
PARTNERS
Michael J. Perine
Principal & Managing Director
Leads the Executive Committee and the Investment Committee for ForeFront. Responsible for the continued growth of ForeFront and the strategic planning of each development opportunity. Manages the full spectrum of day-to-day operations of each project as applicable, from initial feasibility studies, underwriting, site acquisition, and financing to design, permitting, construction and property management. Qualified as an expert witness in the fields of commercial real estate zoning, development and finance, he has developed over 2M square feet of transit-oriented office, multifamily, retail and industrial properties over the course of his career ranging from $50M to $250M TDC per project.
George Vomvolakis
Managing Member & President of Construction
Sits on the Executive Committee and Investment Committee for ForeFront. Possesses over thirty years of experience in large scale Type IA and Type IIIA construction, aggregating in excess of 15,000 units and $2.5B, across all classes of apartment, student housing, assisted living, and memory care assets. Approves all construction budgets, schedules, contracts and means and methods. With long established ties to the subcontracting construction community across the southeastern and northeastern United States, he brings an in-depth knowledge of both existing and forward construction pricing trends and market conditions to optimize construction pricing strategy, execution and risk mitigation for each project.
MEET THE TEAM
Kevin Munkittrick
Vice President of Construction
Sits on the Executive Committee for ForeFront. Holds 25 years of experience in the management of Type IIIA ground-up multi-family construction projects as well as Type IA mid-rise hospitality new construction and renovation of existing high-rise buildings across both the office and hospitality sector. In depth expertise and mastery of construction project scheduling, buy-out, field operations and application for payment requisitioning, proactively engages across all facets of construction from design, value engineering, pricing and day-to-day operations to ensure quality control and on-time delivery of projects. Responsible for $347M+ of construction costs throughout his career and over 2,200+ units in the Washington DC Metro Region alone.
Katherine Aguilar Smith
Director of Acquisitions & Investor Relations
Sits on the Investment Committee for ForeFront. Over nineteen years of career experience in business management and commercial real estate. Identifies new potential investment opportunities through an established network of commercial real estate brokers and property investors. In charge of investor outreach and the syndication of the firm’s new multifamily value-add and ground-up development investment opportunities. Manages investment inquiries, preparation of financial proformas and investment publications and investor relations. A successful business entrepreneur in her own right in the international arts and entertainment industry, she brings multi-faceted small business management expertise to assist in the growth of the firm.
Lee E. Smith Jr
Director of Marketing
In charge of marketing and branding for ForeFront. With 30 years of experience in marketing & business development, this serial entrepreneur has founded numerous six and seven-figure enterprises in several business industries including events, entertainment, communication/media, technology, and travel. Leveraging long-held strategic alliances and comprehensive marketing strategies, he leads the firm’s marketing efforts to build its brand across traditional and social media platforms. Over the course of his career, has driven over $80M in business development nationally and internationally.
PRIOR EXPERIENCE
CURRENT PROJECTS
Prince Georges’ County TOD Development Opportunity
Prince Georges’ County TOD Development Opportunity 386 units; 10,000 GSF Retail, On-site existing grocer, $142M TDC
1701 H Street, NE, Link Apartments®
Forefront Company was hired as the lead developer of this project by Grubb Properties, the owner and creator of the exquisitely curated “LINK” national multifamily luxury apartment brand. Delivered 4th quarter of 2023.
This transit-oriented development, comprised of 191 apartment units in a 10-story building with 6,000 sf of ground floor retail, is located astride the Washington DC Streetcar line at 1701 H Street, NE. This mixed-use building provides convenient multimodal rail, bus, and bicycle transit options for its residents, with 40% more bicycle parking spaces than vehicle parking spaces.
WHAT WE DO
ForeFront uses an entrepreneurial perspective along with proven development practices to deliver compelling risk-adjusted returns for investors and partners through the development of mixed-use and multifamily communities in high-barrier-to-entry markets.