John Cumbelich is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of John Cumbelich & Associates. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA, the firm has been responsible for several of the highest-profile retail real estate transactions in Northern California since its inception in 2000.
John has more than 30 years of retail real estate experience and has personally been involved in transactions totaling in excess of $3.5 billion. He has successfully built one of the most respected retail real estate firms in the west and the leading independent retail firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. The firm focuses on the representation of premier retailers and restaurants; select high profile retail centers, High Street leasing, and investment sales in the Bay Area’s premium retail submarkets.
Mr. Cumbelich is perhaps best known for his role in sourcing several of the landmark ground-up developments of the past generation in the Bay Area. Some of the major new developments sourced and sold by John include The Corners in downtown Walnut Creek (Tiffany & Co, Apple, GAP), Plaza San Jose (19 acres, Target), Jones Ranch (27 acres, Lowe’s), East Washington Place (34 acres, Target), Sycamore Crossing (13 acres, Lewis Retail Centers) and Bayside Marketplace (17 acres, Wal Mart).
John has worked on behalf of many of the nation’s premier retailers, including: Bank of America, Cost Plus World Market, Dunkin’ Brands, El Pollo Loco, Jared Jewelry, Kroger, Lowes, Petco, Pier 1 Imports, Smart & Final and Sport Chalet.
When engaged on leasing assignments for owner and investor clients, Mr. Cumbelich has completed transactions with several of the most prized retailers in America, including: Apple, AT&T, Bank of America, BevMo, Dick’s Sporting Goods, GAP, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, Orchard Supply Hardware, Paper Source, PetSmart, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Sprouts, Starbucks, Stein Mart, TD Ameritrade, Tommy Bahamas, Vineyard Vines, Walgreens, Walmart, Wells Fargo, Whole Foods and Z Gallerie.
Several of the most respected owners and investors in the industry have trusted Mr. Cumbelich and his firm in the representation of their Northern California assets, including: BlackRock, Browman Development Company, Cortese Investments, DDR, Essex Property Trust, Lewis Retail Centers, Regency Centers, UBS Realty Advisors and Urban Edge Properties.
John is a founder of X Team International, a partnership of 35 North American brokerage firms, and he served both as President of the organization and as a board member. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and has served as Chairman of the Northern California Conference on multiple occasions.
Throughout his distinguished career, John has also served as an advisor to local municipalities and institutions alike, such as the City of Walnut Creek, the City of Hercules and Mills College of California. John has served as a speaker and commentator both at industry conferences and in both regional and national publications including The Registry, The San Francisco Business Times, Shopping Center Business, BISNOW and GlobeSt.com.
