ABOUT US

Sentinel was an early proponent of institutional ownership of multifamily properties. The firm began multifamily investing for institutions in 1976, well before residential assets became a broadly accepted institutional property sector.
 

The firm’s principal investing activities focus on acquiring well-located properties generating significant in-place income, and enhancing the value of each asset through the proficiency of its in-house property management professionals. In evaluating acquisitions, certain overriding investment principles guide our decisions:

 

Sentinel’s wide range of in-house functions creates operating efficiencies, facilitates risk controls and enhances reporting transparency throughout the investment process:

Acquisitions
Our acquisition teams maintain close relationships with brokers, merchant builders and lenders across all US target markets, providing Sentinel immediate access to investment opportunities as they arise.

Portfolio Management
Each of Sentinel’s investment entities is overseen by a two-person portfolio management team to provide seamless continuity of asset oversight and investor communication. This team is responsible for overall portfolio performance, ensuring that the investment objectives of the account are the primary consideration in the operation of the portfolio and that the investors are kept fully apprised of the status of the account through a timely reporting discipline.

Asset and Property Management
Sentinel’s fully integrated asset and property management functions hold each of its regional management teams accountable for the entire life cycle of each property within its assigned geographic or property type sector.

Capital Markets
Sentinel’s extensive experience as a borrower in the debt capital markets allows the firm to access and structure debt quickly and efficiently on comparatively favorable terms.

Legal and Tax
While outside counsel and tax professionals are utilized when necessary, Sentinel maintains a four-person legal team to oversee the administration of legal matters involving both Sentinel and its properties. In addition, a three-person team of in-house tax professionals handles routine tax matters and reporting for Sentinel’s funds. Another two real estate professionals manage the real estate tax assessment and appeals process.

Financial Reporting
Sentinel places great emphasis on timely transparent financial reporting, requiring compliance with both the Global Investment Performance Standards (“GIPS”) and the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (“NCREIF”) standards.

Transferred Portfolios
Sentinel has successfully managed numerous transferred asset assignments for which it has assumed full operational responsibility. In some instances assets were transferred as “workout” assignments that involved repositioning properties for potential sale, unwinding failed joint ventures and improving property management and operations. Transfer assignments have covered taking over direct equity ownership of apartment, office, retail and industrial properties, restructuring ownership of assets, as well as working through non-performing loans and loans in foreclosure.

With a client base in such diverse countries as Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the US, Sentinel is experienced in a wide variety of international reporting standards and tax issues. Investment vehicles are structured to fit the local regulatory environment and to minimize tax leakage where necessary. Funds may be organized as private REITs, partnerships, limited liability companies, Spezialfonds, GmbH & Co. KG or Shari’ah compliant structures. Investors can be provided with tailored reporting packages that include IFRS accounting standards and local language schedules.

Sentinel is prepared to align its interests with its clients by investing its own capital in both funds and direct purchases.

Client servicing offices are located in Munich, Germany and Adelaide, Australia.

Separate Accounts
Sentinel provides investment management services through separate accounts for institutional investors seeking to establish exclusive ownership of their real estate assets. These accounts are invested in apartments, office and industrial assets and pursue varying investment strategies (core, core-plus, value-added and ground-up development).

Sentinel Real Estate Fund
(open-end limited partnership, multifamily)
In continuous operation since 1976, this fund offers a core-style investment strategy focusing on acquisition and management of multifamily rental properties across the US.

Sentinel National Urban Residential Partners I
(closed-end limited partnership, multifamily)
This fund, which held its final closing in 2020, implements a value-enhancing investment program through the acquisition, renovation and management of classic apartment buildings in high-density urban locations throughout the US.

Sentinel US Core-Plus Multifamily Fund
(open-end limited partnership, multifamily)
This fund implements a core-plus apartment strategy, targeting a mix of core properties, value-added assets and ground-up development opportunities.

Other Investment Vehicles
We have from time to time formed funds to accomplish the specific investment goals of our clients. They have implemented special strategies and structures, including commercial acquisitions, value-added strategies, Shari’ah compliant strategies and domestically controlled REIT structures.