Robert LaChapelle is Vice Chairman for CBRE’s Debt & Structured Finance Group in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon graduating from Tulane University in 1983, Mr. LaChapelle began his career with Coldwell Banker in New Orleans, Louisiana as an apartment broker. In 1986, he accepted a position with Coldwell Banker’s Financial Services division in Atlanta as a mortgage banker specializing in multifamily finance.
In 1988, Mr. LaChapelle accepted a position with First Fidelity Mortgage in Atlanta where he continued his specialization in multifamily finance and expanded his relationships to include numerous life insurance correspondents and pension clients. In 1993, Mr. LaChapelle joined Shoptaw-James, Inc., later becoming a partner in the firm. L.J. Melody & Company (now CBRE’s Debt & Structured Finance Group) acquired Shoptaw-James, Inc. in May 1998.
Since 1993, Mr. LaChapelle has continued to focus his efforts on maintaining existing relationships as well as procuring new sources of debt and equity for the company’s clientele. He has also developed relationships with Agency Lenders such as Freddie Mac and FNMA. Mr. LaChapelle’s transactional experience is extensive, totaling more than $28.0 billion.
Education
- B.S., Management, Tulane University
Professional Affiliations/Accreditations
- Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Georgia
- Mortgage Bankers Association, Member
- State Farm Life insurance, Former Advisory Board Member
- PPM America, Former Advisory Board Member
- Nationwide Life Insurance, Former Advisory Board Member
- Freddie Mac, Former Advisory Board Co-Chair
Career Achievements
- Top 25 producer within entire CBRE platform – 2011
- Recipient of Coldwell Colbert Circle Award which recognizes the top 3 percent of commissioned salespeople worldwide – 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008-2016, 2018
Philanthropy
- EduHousing – Founding Board Member. EduHousing is a 501(c3) that operates an education model with a workforce housing solution in low-income neighborhoods with low performing schools. EduHousing buys apartments with PRI (Program Related Investments) and donated funds next to failing schools, keeps rents low, and implements landlord-funded social programs that promote community and reduces student transiency at nearby schools. We offer these social programs through Star-C Programs. https://eduhousing.org/
- Open Doors – Founding Board Member. Since 2013, Open Doors has been making connections to bring people home. Each year Open Doors helps their non-profit partners place about a thousand people into permanent, sable housing. The process saves time, money, and heart ache for residents – and just as importantly, delivers dependable, well-supported renters to property partners. https://opendoorsatl.org/
- Bobby Dodd Institute (“BDI”) – Past Board Member. BDI believes in an inclusive world. By embracing people of differing abilities, BDI creates a more inclusive community where each person’s unique strengths are empowered and employed. BDI offers a continuum of support for all ages, stages, and levels of need for people with disabilities and their families. BDI Navigates: helping clients and their families locate and avail themselves of critical services and resources. BDI Advocates: Helping clients achieve aptly suited employment opportunities. BDI is an ally empowering those with differing abilities lead more independent lives. https://bobbydodd.org/
- Hope Atlanta - Annual Supporter; Past recipient Heroes for Hope Award. For 120 years Hope Atlanta has served the Metro and has become the region’s most established agency dedicated to fighting homelessness. Stable housing is paramount to a person’s ability to thrive. Hope Atlanta works with individuals and families to prevent evictions, secure temporary housing solutions, and address the underlying causes of homelessness. https://hopeatlanta.org/
- Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund – Founding Board Member. Launched in January 2020, the Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund is a social impact fund designed to provide low interest rate gap/mezzanine financing for affordable housing projects that might otherwise not be developed. Affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues facing our region. There are 340,000 households in metro Atlanta paying more than 30% of their income on housing, which is not sustainable. The fund was founded by a group of highly seasoned real estate professionals. The goal is to make loans in the 3-5% interest rate range to qualified developers/sponsors who will either create or preserve affordable housing units. The Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund and its successor funds are now managed by the Greater Atlanta Community Foundation and more information can be found at https://cfgreateratlanta.org/goatl-fund/.
