Ayush Kapahi is a seasoned commercial real estate finance professional with a proven track record of structuring complex transactions and navigating dynamic capital markets. He began his career at Pergolis & Swartz Associates in 2005 before co-founding HKS Real Estate Advisors in 2011 alongside industry veterans Jerry Swartz and Jonathan Harrington. Since then, Ayush has facilitated over $15 billion in financing across all asset classes nationwide. With deep expertise in structured finance, Ayush specializes in securing innovative debt and equity solutions for a diverse range of projects. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding HKS beyond financing into investment sales, direct lending, and ground-up development. Under his guidance, the firm has grown from three partners to a team of 30+ professionals and has earned recognition as one of GlobeSt.'s 2025 Rainmakers in CRE Debt, Equity & Finance. Ayush has successfully arranged financing for several high-profile deals, including: ● $206 million construction loan for Metro Parc North, a 661-unit residential tower in Hialeah, FL. ● $75 million refinance of a high-rise mixed-use building in Manhattan, featuring 359 residential units and 21,700 square feet of commercial space. ● $52 million refinancing for a 13.9-acre development site in Northern New Jersey. ● $30 million refinance loan for Hotel Giraffe, a 72-key luxury boutique hotel at 365 Park Avenue South in Midtown Manhattan. Beyond his professional achievements, Ayush is committed to mentorship and community support. He dedicates time to guiding young professionals through the HKS summer internship program and guest lectures at college real estate courses. He also leads firm-wide philanthropic initiatives, such as HKS’s partnership with City Harvest during the peak of the pandemic, where he mobilized his network to raise $25,000 to combat food insecurity. Recognized for his expertise and leadership, Ayush has been named a Top 20 Mortgage Broker by Commercial Observer three times, featured in Mortgage Professional America’s Hot 100 list, and named one of Crain’s New York’s Notable Real Estate Leaders in 2024. A native New Yorker, Ayush holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Skidmore College.