Cresa, a commercial real estate advisory firm, has appointed Robert Gutman as managing principal to lead structured finance for its data center capital markets platform. Gutman started his role in the firm's New York office on June 8, arriving from Compass Datacenters, where he held a position with the multinational data center operator.
The hire reflects Cresa's expansion into the data center sector, a market segment experiencing rapid growth driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure demand and cloud computing expansion. Gutman brings direct experience from the operating side of the data center industry, positioning him to advise clients on financing strategies, deal structures, and capital sourcing for data center projects.
For data center owners and operators seeking capital, Gutman's appointment strengthens Cresa's advisory capabilities in structured finance. This matters because data center transactions involve complex financing arrangements. Operators often combine traditional debt, mezzanine financing, and equity partnerships to fund multi-billion-dollar facilities. Cresa's structured finance team can now guide clients through these negotiations and help identify lenders and capital sources.
For lenders, this signals heightened institutional focus on data center lending. Gutman's background at Compass Datacenters means he understands the operational metrics lenders scrutinize. His expertise can help developers secure favorable terms by positioning projects effectively to institutional investors and debt providers.
For commercial real estate professionals competing in this space, Cresa's move demonstrates where capital is flowing. Data centers now rival office and retail as transaction drivers in major markets. Firms that can advise on specialized financing win mandates.
The data center market remains white-hot. Major operators like Equinix, Digital Realty, and CoreWeave continue raising capital for expansion. Regional players pursue similar strategies. Gutman's hiring suggests Cresa sees opportunity to capture advisory fees from this sustained activity.
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