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Our Strategy

Delivering exceptional risk-adjusted returns for our investors across each step of the value chain.

Columnar aspires to become a leading Sunbelt-focused, vertically-integrated, real estate investment and development platform capable of executing on opportunities ranging from complex greenfield entitlement projects to ground up development of multi-family, industrial, retail, and single-family homes as well as opportunistic non-core development and value-add acquisitions.

During its 15-year history, the Columnar companies have invested in over 40 distinct properties while delivering best-in-class returns.  Today, Columnar is developing over 4,000 acres of land, including 3,500 single-family lots, 3,000 multifamily units, 5 million square feet of industrial distribution, and over 2 million square feet of retail and medical uses.  

Our track record is only possible because we maintain an investor mentality rather than an asset-aggregator mentality.  We are in the business of compounding our limited partners' capital alongside the Traylor family’s capital on a risk-adjusted basis, not pushing capital out per a narrow mandate with our sights set on the next investment or the next fund.  We assess each real estate investment through the lens of the broader investment landscape across all sectors and always place our precious capital according to associated opportunity cost.

Furthermore, our real estate investment success is firmly grounded in our alignment with limited partners. The Traylor Family is often among the largest limited partners in each platform investment.  As a diversified multi-generational family business enterprise, we take great care to first preserve and protect our capital alongside our partners, while taking opportunistic risk to grow it only when the odds are in our favor.  It is the avoidance of costly drawdowns that drives consistent performance over the long term.  We pride ourselves on exercising the discipline to patiently wait on the sidelines during times of market euphoria.

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Be Local
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Be Local

Land development is a local endeavor. Columnar drives growth through investment in local talent rather than acquisition from afar. Our commitment to build on the knowledge, abilities, and connections of our team members within target markets allows us to uncover unique opportunities.

Columnar targets efforts within MSAs that exhibit favorable population, employment, and wage growth, healthy median incomes, and other signals of commercial and housing demand. We specifically gravitate to areas with limited remaining developable land, favorable entitlement environments, and variable site conditions which typically lead to opportunities where our competitive advantages and uncommon skill allow us to create the most value.

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Be Focused

Columnar focuses on acquisitions and developments in high-growth regions with strong, sustainable economies.

Columnar targets efforts within MSAs that exhibit favorable population, employment, and wage growth, healthy median incomes, and other signals of commercial and housing demand. We specifically gravitate to areas with limited remaining developable land, favorable entitlement environments, and variable site conditions which typically lead to opportunities where our competitive advantages and uncommon skill allow us to create the most value.

People in hard hats working on a jobsite
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Be Patient

Columnar is led by a team that has persevered through three real estate cycles.

We understand the perils of debt and prioritize capital preservation ahead of rapid growth. With significant family investment and a mindset of “protect, then grow,” we take the long view, positioning each project to weather the most severe downturn, and sometimes choose to remain on the sidelines while competitors press aggressively forward.

Our Verticals
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Columnar Land

Executing entitlements & approvals, developing stakeholder trust, and creating opportunity from undeveloped land banks.

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Columnar Communities

Shepherding entitled land through every step to becoming finished lots ready for delivery of high-quality housing.

Commercial structure being built

Columnar Commercial

Exceptional vertical developments that capture highest & best use and spark growth in the neighborhoods which they serve.