METHOD NOUN\ me-THəd \ A particular form of procedure for accomplishing or approaching something, especially a systematic or established one. Orderliness of thought or behavior; systematic planning or action.
Amelia Patt Zamir
FOUNDING PARTNER
Amelia, a metro-Detroit native, brings over a decade of institutional experience in real estate investment and development.
Amelia began her career at Jones Lang LaSalle in the New York City-based Capital Markets Group, where her team originated nearly $1 billion in debt and equity financing on behalf of institutional and high-net-worth investors. Amelia later joined the Acquisitions team at Clarion Partners, a global institutional pension fund advisor. During her tenure, she was directly responsible for the underwriting and due diligence for the closing and financing of nearly $500 million across 2.0 million sq. ft. of residential, retail and office developments.
Prior to founding Method, Amelia oversaw the acquisition, pre-development and permitting of a 400,000-sq. ft. hotel and residential transit-oriented development in Boston’s Back Bay on behalf of New York City-based The Peebles Corporation.
Amelia studied architecture at Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) in New York, NY. She also holds a Masters in Real Estate Development from Columbia University, as well as, a Bachelor of Arts with distinction from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In her spare time, Amelia serves as adjunct faculty at GSAPP in the Masters of Real Estate Development graduate program.
Rakesh Lala
FOUNDING PARTNER
Rakesh (“Rocky”), a metro-Detroit native, has over a decade of real estate development, acquisitions, and asset management experience. Prior to founding Method, Rocky worked at Atlas Real Estate Partners, a New York based owner-operator where he identified, analyzed and helped negotiate multifamily value-add acquisition opportunities. Additionally, he assisted in the asset management of the existing portfolio, including, leasing, marketing, and financial analysis.
Rocky began his career at Rock Financial, Dan Gilbert’s Real Estate lending group. He later joined the finance team at Westside Development, assisting in the acquisition of several multi-family buildings in the Midwest and developing a 200,000 sq. ft. mixed-used center in Las Vegas. He also successfully led the workout and managed the construction of a 174-unit fractured creditor controlled condominium conversion in New York City.
In Detroit, Rocky oversaw the acquisition and development of a 14,000-sq. ft. industrial space and rehabbed it into residential condominiums, an art gallery and event space in the heart of Eastern Market. His significant asset management experience allows him to implement development project financial goals, to keep projects on time and under budget.
Rocky earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University. He also holds a Masters in Real Estate Development from Columbia University. In his spare time, he volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club of America in the “Be Great: Graduate” dropout prevention program.