Hudson Pacific Launches New Impact Investing Platform, EquiBlue, to Promote Upward Economic Mobility for Women and People of Color

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE: HPP) today launched EquiBlue, a new and differentiated impact investing platform that seeks to leverage commercial real estate to holistically provide economic opportunity and upward mobility for women and people of color. EquiBlue‘s Black- and women-led team will look to manage a series of private funds on behalf of institutional investors, kicking off with an initial capital investment target of $300 million. EquiBlue will focus on transforming obsolete properties into vibrant, amenitized office and mixed-use space with direct benefits for under-resourced communities, while generating strong financial returns.

“Commercial development plays a key role in shaping the makeup of a community. The last few years inspired a renewed focus for businesses to attract and retain diverse talent beyond city centers and to empower communities,” said Chris Pearson, Co-Fund Manager. “With EquiBlue, we hope to create a new blueprint for real estate investors and corporate tenants alike to be more intentional in promoting holistic economic inclusion and avoiding gentrification.”

More than just investing in property revitalization, EquiBlue’s goal is to create a virtuous cycle focused on engaging the community around property construction, leasing and operations. The model is grounded in delivering and leasing high-end office space to leading tech and media anchor tenants, including many of Hudson Pacific’s largest tenants, who share a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and increasingly want to provide workspaces for current and future employees where they live. Additional leasing is planned to target local community businesses owned by women and people of color, and partner and vendor selection will also prioritize diverse populations.

EquiBlue’s initial fund is set up with a “community carry share,” which will return 25% of its “carried interest” profits to local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and community partners that will in turn establish small business loan and grant programs to be invested with thriving businesses owned by women and people of color within these communities.

EquiBlue will commence raising capital while concurrently identifying and evaluating potential investment opportunities in what it views as under-resourced markets proximate to Hudson Pacific’s core markets in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and Vancouver. Collectively, Hudson Pacific and CBRE (and their respective affiliates), as sponsor and strategic partner, respectively, will commit at least 20% of the total capital commitment for EquiBlue’s initial fund. Hudson Pacific executives Chris Pearson and Chris Lewis will serve as Co-Fund Managers and oversee EquiBlue’s day-to-day operations, with additional oversight from Victor Coleman as Investment Committee Chair and Laura Campbell as Head of Investor Relations.