Cross Street, a Chicago-based residential real estate firm, today announced three executive promotions and a new hire as the company continues its rapid expansion in markets nationwide, including Chicago, Denver and Cleveland. Oren Pollack has been promoted to managing partner, Erin Higgins has been named vice president of leasing and Taylor Maggi was promoted to vice president of marketing and systems. In addition, Laura Ballou has joined the firm as senior market analyst.

President Shane Rachman said the promotions reflect the depth of talent driving Cross Street’s growth. “Oren, Erin, Taylor and Laura embody the collaborative, relationship-driven approach that defines our brand and has allowed us to quickly and strategically scale operations,” said Rachman. “Their various roles as multifamily experts, including leading the leasing, sales and marketing efforts for some of Chicago’s most successful and recognizable developments, give them institutional knowledge that can only be accrued over time. Having worked for developers or as part of an integrated development team, they bring an owner’s perspective to every stage of a property’s life cycle — from conception through lease-up and ongoing operation. Combined with their understanding of evolving consumer preferences, this firsthand experience enables them to create differentiated, high-value products in today’s highly competitive landscape.”

Pollack, who has been promoted to managing partner from vice president of sales, has worked alongside Rachman for the last eight years building Cross Street into what it is today. He plays a pivotal role in driving Cross Street’s growth across multiple business lines in the Chicago, Denver and Cleveland markets. In his expanded role, Pollack will focus on continued expansion and execution of corporate strategy while strengthening partnerships with multifamily developers. Prior to his roles at Cross Street, he held senior sales and leasing positions at Peak Properties and, later, Peak Realty, which expanded and evolved into the Cross Street brand in 2024.

As vice president of leasing, Higgins will oversee Cross Street’s leasing efforts nationwide. She brings more than a decade of multifamily experience spanning business development, client relations, leasing and property management, including a senior role at CA Ventures. Known for her work on nearly 30 successful Class A mid-rise and high-rise lease-ups across Chicago and other major markets, including Related Midwest’s pioneering 500 Lake Shore Drive development, Higgins has built a reputation for crafting data-driven leasing strategies that accelerate absorption and enhance long-term asset performance. Her early professional roots in hospitality, including roles at Chicago’s Elysian Hotel (now the Waldorf Astoria) and Michelin-starred restaurants, influence her ability to provide exceptional client service and develop engaging customer experiences.

Maggi, who joined the firm in early 2025 and was recently promoted to vice president of marketing and systems, brings more than 15 years of multifamily experience to Cross Street and a proven track record of leading high-profile marketing, leasing and brand strategy initiatives across major U.S. markets. She began her career in multifamily leasing and property management and has since worked across nearly every facet of the multifamily sector, with roles at Crescent Heights, where she oversaw notable projects such as NEMA Chicago, and Lendlease, where she was responsible for leasing and marketing the firm’s national multifamily development portfolio. With more than 20 lease-ups to her credit, Maggi has a reputation for leading teams that build brands from the ground up and integrate the latest technology to drive operational performance and resident satisfaction.

Ballou, who recently joined Cross Street as a senior market analyst, brings a comprehensive background in commercial real estate, with experience in multifamily and retail leasing, development and investment sales. In prior roles as an analyst and associate broker, she advised institutional clients on asset positioning using data-driven insights while supporting transaction execution. She most recently worked at a private development company, collaborating with local and international partners on large-scale entertainment and hospitality projects in the Middle East. During her time at KIG CRE and following the firm’s acquisition by Cushman & Wakefield, Ballou developed the analytical foundation that underpins her market expertise, building a strong command of data and market intelligence that enhances Cross Street’s client service offerings.

About Cross Street:

Cross Street is a full-service residential real estate firm specializing in multifamily leasing, property management, home sales and third-party developer services. Founded in Chicago in 2019 as Peak Realty and rebranded as Cross Street in early 2024, the firm has offices in Chicago, Denver and Cleveland, with exclusive listings for approximately 12,000 rental units across more than 200 properties. As a brand situated at “The Corner of People and Place,” Cross Street brings a relationship-first approach to connecting people with the spaces they call home. Cross Street’s team of more than 40 licensed brokers and leasing agents maintains close relationships with clients ranging from renters and homebuyers to the developers and owners of mid- and high-rise apartment communities. Through high-impact brands, data-driven development and marketing strategies, and best-in-class management services, the firm delivers value through superior property performance. For more information, visit www.yourcrossstreet.com.