CHICAGO (Aug. 12, 2026) – Bradford Allen, a national full-service real estate firm, has strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Nick Placek as executive vice president, development. In this role, Placek will oversee the firm’s broad spectrum of multifamily, office, hospitality and mixed-use development and redevelopment projects from acquisition through completion.
With nearly three decades of experience, Placek comes to Bradford Allen with a background that incorporates expertise in construction, engineering and finance. Throughout his career, he has managed developments totaling more than $2 billion in capital value, delivering more than $75 million in documented savings across his portfolio. He began his career working for general contractors and rose through project management and leadership positions at notable firms like JLL and Baker Tilly. Most recently, he founded Epic Real Estate Consulting, providing owner’s representative and advisory services in the sports and entertainment, commercial, multifamily and affordable housing sectors.
“Nick is a proven leader with an exceptional full-scope view of the development process and strong instincts for the highest and best use of projects as well as their risk profiles,” said Jeffrey Bernstein, co-founder and principal of Bradford Allen. “Nick brings experience leading a wide range of projects, from sports-themed developments and amusement parks to offices and housing, making him an excellent fit for the kind of growth we are undergoing and the future direction of our firm.”
Some of the high-profile projects Placek has contributed to include LEGOLAND New York Resort in Orange County, N.Y; the height-record-breaking mixed-use Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia; and the Shard London Bridge in London, which, at 95 stories, is the tallest building in the United Kingdom and Western Europe.
Placek holds an MBA in real estate, strategy and finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is a LEED Accredited Professional, holds multiple OSHA certifications and is Six Sigma certified.
Bradford Allen has offices in Chicago, Manhattan and Fort Lauderdale. In addition to its development business, the firm also has investment and brokerage arms with active projects in suburban Chicago, Indianapolis, Nashville, Jacksonville and other major markets nationwide.
About Bradford Allen:
Bradford Allen is a national commercial real estate services and investment firm headquartered in downtown Chicago. Founded in 2003 by Jeffrey Bernstein and Laurence Elbaum, the company’s vertically integrated platform services entrepreneurial, corporate and not-for-profit clients in every sector. Bradford Allen offers end-to-end solutions to owners, occupiers and investors through brokerage and advisory services, building operations and management, program management and consulting, and real estate investments and development. For more information, visit bradfordallen.com.
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Editors:
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Matt Baker, [email protected], (312) 267-4512, or Abe Tekippe, [email protected], (312) 267-4528.