Arthur Holmer is the Co-Chair, Co-CEO, and Co-Founder of Revitalize Communities, Inc. He concurrently serves as the President at Boardwalk Capital Holdings, a Chicago-based commercial real estate and investment management firm he founded in 2014.
For the past two decades, Arthur has expressed his professional passions in commercial real estate investment, development, and management. Arthur began his career as a Director of Residential Financing for Baird & Warner in their mortgage banking division. In this capacity, he helped to finance over 1,200 homes, was the leading loan originator for 5 years, and learned first-hand how the ability to obtain a mortgage and to invest in a home could change the course of one’s life and enhance the vibrancy of a community.
In 2000, Arthur purchased his first commercial property at the age of 24. Since that time, Arthur has orchestrated over 70 real estate transactions with a value in excess of $150 million in high profile Chicago neighborhoods such as the Loop District, River North, Wicker Park, and Lakeview along with branching outside of Chicago with investments in Dekalb, IL.
While seeking opportunities in these already thriving communities, Arthur observed how new commercial and residential construction buoyed the surrounding blocks, attracting new residents and new construction in a virtuous economic cycle. His first-hand experience as a Jewish emigree from Ukraine had a profound impact on his belief that investments into neighborhoods could transform both neighborhoods and lives for generations to come.
If a systematic, analytical approach to investing in a rough 1980’s neighborhood like Andersonville succeed, why wouldn’t the same analytical, holistic approach work on both the South and West side neighborhoods? While further researching this idea, Arthur found a lack of development and rehabilitation in these neighborhoods despite the high housing demand for those coming from middle to low income backgrounds. He began connecting with others who share the same passion to restore Chicago’s neighborhoods. From this, he found a likeminded partner and together brought Revitalize Communities to reality.
Outside of Revitalize Communities, Arthur is the Co-Founder and Secretary for the Never Had A Bad Day Foundation. The organization distributes grants to pediatric cancer patients and their families to alleviate some of the financial hardship that accompanies a cancer diagnosis. Arthur and his wife, Robin, share their home with their beloved aracari, Zazu, and cat, Kennedy. He is an avid cyclist and runner, and participates in several charity cycling and running events each year.