With more than thirty years of commercial real estate experience, Mr. Baird has an impeccable record and stellar reputation for his work in representing top-tier tenants and landlords as well as assembling, developing and leasing new development projects in Austin, Texas. He has executed in excess of 450 transactions totaling nearly 6 million square feet of space and $900 million in volume. 

He joined Avison Young, formerly Commercial Texas, LLC, in 2011, with the task of strengthening the company’s office, industrial, and land platforms, as well as expanding sales and development consulting services.

While at Avison Young, Mr. Baird has completed several notable transactions including Scott, Douglass McConnico leasing 40,000 square feet, LKQ leasing 220,000 square feet, a 500-acre land assemblage in Cedar Park, Texas, and the sale and placement of $65 million in a 1031 exchange.

Mr. Baird spent the previous 16 years with Lincoln Property Company, where he was recruited to coordinate leasing activities for five suburban office buildings in Houston, Texas, owned by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. There, he increased the 800,000 sq ft portfolio’s occupancy level to more than 90 percent within nine months. Lincoln then asked that he relocate to Austin, Texas in 1995, and coordinate leasing activities for MetLife’s high-profile downtown Class A office tower called 100 Congress Avenue – an assignment he held for 12 years.

While with Lincoln, Mr. Baird also spearheaded the company’s development activity and leasing of new projects in the Austin market. Examples include: Las Cimas II and III, where Dell Inc. leased 320,000 sq ft; Parmer Lane Business Park, where Sun Microsystems leased 260,000 sq ft; Las Cimas IV, where Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati leased 35,000 sq ft; and Lincoln Vista I & II, where Owens & Minor leased 85,000 sq ft and Dr. Pepper / Snapple Group leased 42,000 sq ft.

Throughout his 30+ year career in commercial real estate, John has gained experience in tenant representation, land acquisition & deposition, and development and marketing of office and industrial properties.

John is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Economics. He is married to his wife Leslie and has two grown children.

Affiliations et certifications

Education

• The University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Economics and Accounting

Organizations

• Real Estate Council of Austin
• Urban Land Institute
• Commercial Brokers Association

Acknowledgements

• Austin Business Journal’s Heavy Hitters
• CoStar Power Broker