Lawrence, MA Lupoli Development has hired Karen McShea as manager of real estate development. McShea brings 25 years of national and international commercial real estate experience to Lupoli’s rapidly growing real estate team. Throughout her career, she has specialized in destination consulting, corporate relocation strategies, the development of waterfront and urban revitalization projects, marketing and asset positioning, public private partnerships, deal structuring, and strategic planning.

As manager of real estate development, McShea will utilize her real estate network and skills to contribute to the growth of Lupoli’s portfolio. She will be responsible for overseeing the transformation of the old Thorndike Factory Outlet and Comfort Furniture mill into a work-live-play ecosystem of commercial, retail and residential space. The renamed Thorndike Exchange will be a major mixed-use development for Lowell, one of Massachusetts’ key Gateway cities. The project includes the meticulous restoration of the original structure as well as the addition of a new, modern multi-story tower which will offer market-rate loft style apartments, modern dining options and Class A office space. Thorndike Exchange’s dynamic transit-oriented concept located immediately adjacent to the MBTA Commuter Rail at the Gallagher Terminal will help foster innovation and growth in Lowell by appealing to the growing tech sector seeking a work-live environment with immediate access to public transportation.

“Karen’s expertise will be instrumental to ensuring the success of Thorndike Exchange, managing all aspects of the project including design, construction, marketing and leasing.” said Sal Lupoli, President and CEO of Lupoli Companies. “Lupoli Development has seen tremendous growth in the past of couple years, and Karen’s unparalleled experience will be an asset to the team moving forward.”

McShea has held a number of strategic advisory roles in the commercial real estate industry. Most recently she worked as a Senior Vice President for Avison Young, where she provided development consulting services for substantial mixed-use projects nationally. Prior to that, she was an Executive Director and Principal at Colliers International, where she oversaw large-scale mixed-use developments both in the U.S. and abroad including San Francisco, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Latvia and the British West Indies. Karen began her career at one of Boston’s former blue chip development firms, Spaulding & Slye, where she led business development efforts for development consulting. Her impressive portfolio includes the revitalization of the San Juan waterfront, The Puerto Rico Convention Center District and the Fan Pier development along Boston’s waterfront among others.

In addition to her extensive real estate experience, McShea served the United States Government as an Economic Attaché to the American Embassy in Moscow where she was responsible for the privatization of real estate, intellectual property rights, among other matters. While there, she traveled extensively studying economic policy and was called upon to coordinate presidential, vice presidential and cabinet level visits. She holds degrees from Boston College and the United States Foreign Service Institute.

Lupoli Development is a vertically integrated owner, operator and developer of a mixed-use real estate portfolio that includes more than 4 million square feet of commercial, retail and residential property. From adaptive reuse and asset repositioning of historic mill buildings to ground-up construction and comprehensive property management, Lupoli Development combines proven expertise, a diverse set of capabilities, and a strategic approach to enhance operational performance and productivity. With large-scale projects throughout Northern New England Lupoli Development stimulates economic growth within the region with a notable focus on Gateway Cities.