Seren Shvo Continues to Build Shvo Real Estate As The Head of Communications

In recent years, Michael Shvo and his eponymous firm SHVO expanded their already impressive portfolio to include several trophy assets throughout the United States, with over $8 billion in assets under management and over 4.5 million square feet across the portfolio.

The Transamerica Pyramid Center in San Francisco, the Big Red building in Chicago, and 711 Fifth Avenue in New York City have all come under the ownership of SHVO. Other notable assets owned or being developed by the group include The Raleigh in Miami as well as the Mandarin Oriental Residences at 685 Fifth Avenue in New York City and 9200 Wilshire in Beverly Hills.

Shvo is taking big bets on the market. “Despite what the naysayers have said, the need for office space will always be there,” he explained. “Major companies, particularly those that put employee well-being at the forefront, will always invest in great space especially at trophy properties such as the Transamerica Pyramid”. With the properties being appraised by third party firms such as Colliers at values higher than the acquisition prices SHVO paid, he seems to be proving right. 

This has been borne out by occupancy rates across SHVO’s office portfolio, which average above 90%, with the firm recently announcing a 20-year lease with New York’s exclusive CORE Club at both the Transamerica building in San Francisco as well as 711 Fifth Avenue in New York.

Recently, the firm has also been making headlines for its partnerships with Mandarin Oriental, with SHVO is bringing a new form of luxury living to both New York City and Beverly Hills at its Mandarin Oriental Residences developments on Fifth Avenue and Beverly Hills. Think of the experience they offer as being one of a hotel without the guests - everything is ready for you at move-in, including linens, toiletries and even groceries. Shvo explains, “True luxury is having everything taken care of. A stress-free lifestyle where everything in your home is handled. You show up, have the experience of a lifetime, and lock the door behind you when you leave.” 

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that time is the biggest luxury one can have. “I believe luxury living is shifting to this narrative, and buyers will continue to look for an ease-of-access residence that caters to this lifestyle,” notes Shvo. “Luxury buyers are looking for homes that complement their lifestyle - turnkey properties where they don’t have to worry about anything. Hotel brands are the ones that do that best, Mandarin Oriental has built an empire based on service.”

With the expansion of his portfolio, and communications playing an ever important role given the high profile nature of the projects, Shvo’s wife - Seren Shvo - has returned to run communications for the firm. Mrs. Shvo first joined the firm in 2013 but took a sabbatical to raise the couple’s two young children. Now, back working alongside Michael Shvo as the Head of Communications at SHVO, she’s enthusiastic about what the future holds. “Under Michael’s leadership, the company’s portfolio has expanded significantly. I’m thrilled to be rejoining the firm at this exciting time as we look to build upon the progress of the past few years.”