Garret Gilliland – Lee & Associates

It’ll be the finishing cap on a Goodman Commerce Center, a massive mixed-use development for which Lee & Associates- Riverside has been enlisting tenants since 2017. Eastvale, California, he explains, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Inland Empire. Located in Southern California, the onetime agricultural community having transitioned into a hustling and bustling business hotspot,  with its booming population and proximity to Interstates 15 and 60.  

Spanning 200 acres, the center provides Class A logistics, retail, and business park facilities, including two million square feet occupied by Amazon.   Now, it’s a matter of leasing the last five buildings, and Gilliland says he’s well on his way to doing so.

As one of Goodman’s prized partners,  the 32-year-old Gilliland is excited to add to the existing high-profile tenant base, including Amazon, Shred-It, In-N-Out Burger, Volkswagen and Costco. Goodman is set to complete the final buildings by Q4 2024, and Gilliland expects to fill them by the end of the year. 

When talking with Blueprint in May, he had to be tight-lipped about who the tenants would be. Details have yet to be finalized, and he will honor a prospect’s confidentiality until the deal is sealed. But he sure sounded like he had possibilities, as these tenants will be attracted to the A+ location next to a thoroughfare that attracts 43,000+ cars per day. He says that it is just business as usual and that his employer serves Goodman and other commercial clientele.   

“This is one of the highest-profile mixed-use developments in the Inland Empire. Our partnership with Goodman is a lasting one,” Gilliland says. “We understand their goals, and they understand ours. We deliver results.” 

On top of it all 

Well-known in Southern California’s booming real estate industry, Gilliland maintains a database of his fellow brokers and tenants, keeping them appraised of what’s available for commercial and industrial leasing and sales. He emphasizes how the Goodman properties have much to offer, including prestigious architecture, 32’ warehouse ceilings, ESFR sprinklers, dock doors, and other highly desirable class-A features. Plus, they are within walking distance of attractive retail amenities. “It’s not often you can lease a warehouse facility within walking distance of Costco and In-N-Out,” says Gilliland.

He does his market research, tracking trends for pricing, demand, and competitive developments.    

“Data has to tell a story. Our job is to interpret the market data for our clients, so we guide them on strategically positioning their assets to maximize returns.”.” he says. 

But it’s not just about the real estate, he’s quick to say. Equally important is how to do business in an industry where reputation matters. 

“We focus on serving our client’s best interests with integrity,” he says. “Our goal is to do the right things to build strong relationships. We strive to be the trusted, long-term advisors our clients can count on.” 

Gilliland lavishes much credit on his mentor, Larry Null, a senior vice president of Lee & Associates, who took the young Gilliland under his wing at a time when the commercial real estate industry was soon to be in flux. 

Whereas the business was going relatively smoothly in 2019, COVID-19 entered the picture one year later. Though Null couldn’t have anticipated the pandemic and its effect on real estate and the economy in general, he prepared Gilliland to overcome any challenge. 

“It’s a cyclical industry, and some months you earn, others you don’t,” Gilliland recalls Null saying. “Find a way to provide value to your clients, and the rest will take care of itself.” 

That shouldn’t be too much of a concern now, as Gilliland continues to focus on customer service, relationship building, and continuous improvement, which sets him apart from a sea of brokers. But, as Gilliland reminds, there’s nothing to be taken for granted in this business. He feels fortunate to work in a dynamic industry where he can deliver exceptional results.  

Suited for any task 

A high school football standout at Orange Lutheran High School, Gilliland earned a scholarship to the University of Washington. Recruited by Steve Sarkisian, he went on to coach some of the best players in the country, including Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck. At 18, he started as a linebacker against the 10-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers.

“Talk about getting thrown into the fire,” he recalls. “What a scary moment, but at the same time, the opportunity of a lifetime.” 

Gilliland says he’s applied lessons from the game to business. Brokering real estate deals is also about getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks, and winning big. 

Gilliland’s been doing it well for five-and-a-half years and expects to eventually own his own industrial real estate. In the meantime, he says he’s getting a daily education on this at Lee & Associates. Life in Southern California suits him and his beloved Jessica, and the couple enjoys the outdoors. 

“I love being in nature,” he says. “It calms me and brings me back to Earth.” 

But he’s seldom away from the office for long. Recreational time is tight when you’re young, ambitious and an integral part of a growing company. 

“I want to differentiate myself in a sea of brokers,” Gilliland says. “When people think of industrial real estate, hopefully they’ll know my name.”