BNE Real Estate Group on Thursday said it hired Nick Buckner as director of acquisitions, a role in which he will pursue new opportunities throughout the tri-state area, focusing primarily on prospective ground-up residential and mixed-use projects.
In his new role, Buckner will lead all acquisitions efforts for BNE, with responsibilities ranging from sourcing new deals to facilitating underwriting efforts to providing support throughout the acquisition, predevelopment and development process.
“As we continue to expand our development presence, we are excited to add Nick to our leadership team,” Jonathan Schwartz, a partner at BNE Real Estate Group, said. “With extensive knowledge of the markets we’re active in and looking to enter, and a wealth of experience in managing all aspects of the land acquisition process, Nick will be a valuable contributor to our growth in 2023 and beyond.”
Buckner brings more than 10 years of land acquisition experience to BNE. He joins the firm after serving as director of land acquisition at D.R. Horton, the largest home builder by volume in the U.S., where he oversaw a pipeline of more than $1 billion in land and development commitments throughout New Jersey. Prior to that, he worked in land acquisition for Lidl U.S. where he was responsible for the overall strategy and new store development in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Buckner said his philosophy on land acquisition and development aligns with BNE’s core values and commitment to making a lasting, positive impact on a community.
“I am delighted to join BNE, a company with a strong reputation for quality development and a long-term commitment to the communities it invests in,” Buckner said. “I look forward to working with the rest of the team as we push to strategically grow our portfolio.”
Buckner’s hiring comes as BNE embarks on an active 2023, with grand openings and groundbreakings planned throughout the state. Among the communities scheduled to open this year is the Hillmont, a 175-unit luxury rental community in Hillsborough with 12,500 square feet of on-site retail. Other projects under construction include a 245-unit community with 38,000 square feet of upscale amenity space in Chatham and a collection of 425 luxury residences and 45,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor lifestyle amenities in West Orange.
BNE is also developing the second phase of its transformative waterfront rental community in South Amboy, Station Bay, which will add an additional 205 luxury residences and 26,000 square feet of amenities to the bayfront property, next to the South Amboy train station and a planned ferry terminal with direct service to Manhattan. The 291-unit first phase of Station Bay leased up in October.
