Overview
Capital Trust's real estate finance and investment management
platform represent the culmination of over 20 years of corporate industry leadership,
development and market participation. The professionals of Capital Trust
have worked together for numerous years at Capital Trust and in previous companies.
Together, they combine extensive real estate experience and capital markets
expertise with a broad network of relationships to originate, underwrite,
structure, close and manage commercial real estate debt and related investments.
Creating A Public Platform
Capital Trust was created in July 1997 by Sam Zell, John Klopp and Craig Hatkoff
through the acquisition and recapitalization of an existing public
company. Steve Plavin (CEO) and Geoff Jervis (CFO) joined Capital Trust in 1998
; Tom Ruffing (CCO) in 2001. Since its formation, Capital Trust has established itself
as a leader in commercial real estate finance, having closed over
$14.0 billion of first mortgages, B-Notes, mezzanine loans, CMBS and other commercial
real estate debt and related investments in over 500
separate transactions. These investments reflect a variety
of asset classes located throughout the United States and other countries. In February 2003,
Capital Trust's Board of Directors approved a plan for the company to elect to be taxed as a real estate
investment trust ("REIT") for the year commencing January 1, 2003. Capital Trust is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CT".