Evan Bell, Unity Capital

Name: Evan Bell

Title: Principal

Company Name: Unity Capital

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?

It would have to be a recent mezzanine loan we funded on a mid-construction condo development in Brooklyn with a repeat borrower. There was a lot to get your head around in a very short timeframe and required a high level of dexterity in inserting ourselves into an ongoing project. Seeing the project progress and units starting to go into contract has been very fulfilling.

How do you contribute to your community or your profession?

I have always felt that giving your time to those coming up in the business (whether within your organization or outside of it) is a very personal and meaningful way to give back to the real estate community. I have been very fortunate to have been helped throughout my career by others in the industry who gave generously of their time to me, and to be able to share what I have learned.

with the young men and women getting started has been very rewarding.

What led you to your current profession?

I began my career as a “biglaw” real estate attorney in the weeks following 9/11 (not an opportune time to start a career) and spent the next several years representing large banks and financial institutions in connection with large and complex mortgage and mezzanine loan originations. It was a great education and when the market turned in 2008/9 I began to think about how I could fill what I saw as a growing need for alternative sources of capital, which led me to found Unity Capital in the wake of the financial crisis.

Top three things on your bucket list:

Watch the Mets win another World Series; break 80 in golf; and write a book of history.

Favorite quote:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill