R
ussell Tepper, a seasoned industry veteran with over three decades of experience, has joined Skylight Real Estate Partners as the leader of its new residential development business. As the head of Skylight Residential Group, Tepper will oversee ground-up multifamily development and day-to-day operations.

    Tepper's extensive background in residential development includes nearly 11 years at Mill Creek Residential Trust, where he managed a portfolio of over 4,600 apartments and $2.2 billion in capitalization for development in the Northeast. Prior to that, he spent more than two decades at Matrix Development Group, overseeing the development of various property types.

    "I'm excited to join Skylight and leverage my expertise to build a multifamily ground-up development portfolio in the Northeast," Tepper said. "The region is familiar territory for me, and I see great potential for growth and value creation."

    Tepper's initial focus will be on developing multifamily properties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, with plans to expand to other markets within the Northeast as the platform grows. He believes that the current market conditions make it an ideal time to start building a portfolio from scratch.

    "We're seeing more active construction debt, landowners are getting a reality check, and underwriting deals has become easier," Tepper said. "It's a great opportunity to set the stage for growth and build a strong foundation for our business."

    As Skylight Residential Group progresses, it will likely partner with other firms on development deals. Tepper is looking forward to building relationships with institutional and non-institutional partners in the region.

    Skylight was founded in March 2021 by Gavin Evans, Ben Joseph, and Andrew Miller, who bring diverse expertise across multiple asset classes and markets. Miller sees Tepper as a key addition to the team, citing his extensive knowledge of high-barrier-to-entry markets in the New York tri-state region.

    "Russell has a trusted reputation, his own relationships, and a deep understanding of these markets," Miller said. "He's the perfect person to lead our suburban residential development business."

    Tepper's background and expertise make him an ideal fit for Skylight Residential Group. As he begins this new chapter in his career, he remains grateful for the serendipitous meeting that led him to join the team.

    "One of the things I've learned is that you never know where something will lead," Tepper said. "Maintaining relationships and being open to opportunities has been key to my success."