Bridge Industrial Hires Head of Europe
Bridge Industrial (“BRIDGE”), a privately-owned, vertically integrated real estate operating company and investment manager, has announced the appointment of Charles Baigler to lead its pan-European operations.
Baigler joins from Pictet Alternative Advisers, part of the Pictet Group, where he worked for five years as Head of Direct Real Estate managing the firm’s pan-European private equity real estate funds. Prior to this, he founded CBRE Investment Management’s flagship, value add fund series – Europe Value Partners – establishing, raising, and deploying two pan-European real estate funds.
Over his 25-year real estate career, Baigler has invested in excess of $10 bn across all real estate asset classes in over 15 countries, with a primary focus on the industrial and logistics sector. He has previously held senior roles at Rockspring, Catalyst Capital and RBS.
As of 1st April 2024, Baigler is appointed as Head of Europe and will be responsible for leading BRIDGE’s acquisition and development activities throughout Europe. Based in BRIDGE’s London office, Baigler will also lead the growth of the corporate and future regional teams, with an initial focus on the core industrial markets in France, Germany and the Netherlands.
BRIDGE was formed in 2000. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the firm focuses on the development of Class A industrial real estate in the supply-constrained core industrial markets of Chicago, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Los Angles/San Fransico, Seattle and London. Since its inception, BRIDGE has successfully acquired and developed more than 74 million sq ft (6.9 million sq m) of industrial buildings/projects valued at more than $15.8 billion.
The firm launched its UK operations in November 2020 and has since built a 750,000 sq ft (70,00 sq m) portfolio within the M25 across six sites, currently at various stages of development. In the UK, BRIDGE continues to actively pursue land and development opportunities throughout Greater London, the South East and selected supply constrained markets.
Steve Poulos, Founder, CEO and Partner at Bridge Industrial, says: “Having experienced a meaningful market correction across Europe over the last couple of years, now is the right time to invest in both standing assets and development sites in the core markets of France, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, acquiring high quality assets below replacement cost and starting the development process ready for a new cycle.”
Charles Baigler adds: “Our strategy, as with all BRIDGE’s assets, is to create core assets in irreplaceable locations which can be held on a long term basis. I’m delighted to be bringing my experience to this strong, international, entrepreneurial team which has a fantastic track record.”
