Offering a full range of real-estate services in the Puerto Rico market, Christiansen & Portela is ready to meet the needs of both local and multinational corporations. “Relentless persistence and determination has always been the key to serving our clients,” said Gerald Christiansen, principal at Christiansen & Portela. “We’ve grown consistently over the years and increased our market share as people become aware of the unique services we provide.”

Specializing in prime office, industrial and commercial properties, principal Rafael Portela pointed out that his firm is one of the few, if not the only, company of its kind in Puerto Rico that works strictly with the commercial and industrial sectors. “While other firms also do residential work, we are highly specialized and like to see ourselves as a niche player that serves a very specific market,” he said and pointed out that although his firm completes an average of 30 transactions a year, they typically add up to $80 million.

Having developed strong relationships with a number of global real-estate providers, Christiansen & Portela serves as the local representative in Puerto Rico and has worked with a number of well-known Fortune 500 companies and major corporations in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as financial institutions, federal and local government agencies, petroleum companies, retail and fast-food chains. Services include property acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, tenant representations, site selections and advisory services. “By bringing people who are experienced in the various industrial sectors into our business, we are in a better position to create more value and opportunities for our clients,” said Portela.

Currently working with Puerto Rico Telephone Co. to help the company reorganize its real-estate holdings, along with the leasing of major office project City View Plaza 2, both men commented their firm is also looking to do more work with the banking sector to provide additional services regarding solutions for real-estate loan portfolios. “We also hope to be able to assist the local government in its efforts to sell some of its underutilized real-estate holdings,” said Christiansen.

He also said his firm would like to play a bigger role in local developments and make its products more attractive to local investors. “While most local investors usually stick to bonds and investments of that nature, it would be to their advantage to consider real estate as well,” he said and added that much of the investing is currently done by companies and individuals outside Puerto Rico. “It’s time for local investors to start investing in local real-estate projects,” he said. “They are a safe and sound investment and this trend is way past due.”