Chicago-based Downtown Apartment Company (DAC), one of the city’s leading real estate brokerages specializing in luxury residential leasing in downtown Chicago, along with its for-sale arm Downtown Realty Company (DRC), announced today the promotion of Quentin Green, Aysha Hackert and Kati Baker as partners at the firm.
Green and Hackert will take on the respective roles of director of development and director of professional development, while Baker will continue on as director of recruitment. Additionally, Downtown Apartment Company has promoted Alexa Morgan to director of client relations and Jodi Dougherty to director of broker development.
The promotions come on the heels of a record-setting 2021 for the business. Downtown Apartment Company saw a 15% increase in rental closings from 2020 to 2021, and a 30% increase from 2019 to 2021. When DAC was founded in 2009, the firm worked with approximately 50 rental properties in Chicago. Today, DAC is active in over 300 buildings. On the for-sale side, Downtown Realty Company saw residential sales increase an unprecedented 98% over the past year and 120% between 2019 and 2021.
“As DAC/DRC continues to grow and further establish itself as a foremost authority within Chicago’s luxury rental and for-sale market, we’ve seen a similar progression with our newest partners and directors,” said Ben Creamer, DAC co-founder and DRC managing broker. “The past two years have been an extremely intense and active real estate market and Quentin, Aysha, and Kati were there each step of the way, helping guide our clients to a successful lease, home purchase or sale. In fact, in some cases, it was all of the above – where clients went from becoming renters to owners, and our team often worked both transactions. Their contributions have been instrumental to our firm’s success.”
A Chicago native, Green joined DAC in 2016 as a leasing agent and Realtor. In his new role as director of development, he will be responsible for creating and maintaining developer and investor relationships and developing marketing proposals for multifamily lease-ups. Green is active in the National Association of REALTORS® Young Professional Network and was recently named to REALTOR® Magazine’s 30 Under 30 class of 2022. Green was the sole Realtor from downtown Chicago to make the list this year.
Hackert also began her DAC career as a leasing agent after moving to Chicago from Iowa seven years ago. Shortly after joining the firm, she advanced to the role of broker and team lead. As director of professional development, she will oversee agent and team lead development, create and implement training standards for new and existing agents, and optimize internal resources to generate new business.
Baker, originally from Kenosha, Wis., joined DAC as a luxury leasing consultant in early 2010, shortly after the company opened its doors. She advanced to the to the role of director of recruitment in 2011 and also serves as luxury home staging specialist for Downtown Realty Company’s for-sale listings. As a partner, Baker will take on even an even larger role in helping the firm maintain its high standards and achieve its goals.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of running our own company has been having the privilege to help develop young professionals that are equally as passionate about real estate as we are,” said Ericka Rios, DAC co-founder and director of leasing. “Throughout their combined 25 years with the firm, Quentin, Aysha and Kati have shown an appetite for stepping into new challenges and leading by example at every turn. I know their leadership will propel the firm forward and I’m so proud to be part of their journey.”
About Downtown Apartment Company:
Downtown Apartment Company (DAC) was founded by Ben Creamer and Ericka Rios in 2009 to deliver the ultimate five-star service to renters searching for luxury apartments in downtown Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods. Working with over 300 buildings, DAC has curated an extensive database with detailed information on virtually every luxury rental, as well as the distinct characteristics of Chicago’s varied neighborhoods. DAC has become a trusted authority in the luxury apartment industry – with everyone from renters and developers to fellow agents and the media seeking their unmatched expertise. DAC’s for for-sale arm, Downtown Realty Company (DRC), is a boutique brokerage specializing in downtown Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods.
