(Oak Brook, IL – October 15, 2026) – Cullinan Properties, a leading national provider of real estate services specializing in commercial and mixed-use developments and acquisitions, today announced that Patrick Cairns has joined the company as Executive Vice President, Leasing.
In his new role, Cairns will oversee all leasing matters across the Company’s portfolio, including new developments, redevelopment projects, and existing retail, office, and medical office properties. He will lead the Company’s leasing strategy and execution, working closely with Construction, Asset Management, Finance, Development, and other teams to drive portfolio performance and support the Company’s continued growth.
Cairns brings more than 25 years of experience in retail and commercial real estate, spanning leasing, development, asset management, and market strategy for some of the nation’s most recognized owners and retailers. Most recently, he served as Vice President at Starwood Retail Partners/Starwood Capital Group, where he was the nationwide point of contact for the firm’s commercial real estate assets and third-party broker network. In that role, he directed leasing and asset management across retail, medical office, and industrial assets, including more than 4 million square feet of U.S. retail, 35 medical office buildings totaling 2.0 million square feet, and 14 industrial complexes totaling 20 million square feet. He also led national land acquisition efforts and all phases of dealmaking, from prospecting and underwriting through lease negotiation, permitting, and construction.
Prior to Starwood, Cairns served as Senior Director, Box Leasing and Development at Brookfield Properties Retail, where he led a regional development team responsible for retail box leasing and development at 40 shopping centers across eight states and executed 580,000 square feet of new leases and renewals. Earlier, he spent more than 14 years with Kohl’s Corporation, rising to Director and Head of Real Estate, Property Development. There he oversaw all real estate matters for more than 1,100 department stores and the company’s distribution, fulfillment, and corporate facilities, and developed more than 300 new store locations totaling 21 million square feet. He began his career in real estate market research and development roles with Shoe Carnival, Inc. and Walgreen Company.
“Patrick is an accomplished leasing executive with a unique combination of owner-side and retailer-side experience,” said Diane Cullinan Oberhelman, Chairman of Cullinan Properties. “He has led leasing and development for national portfolios spanning retail, medical office, and industrial assets, and he understands what it takes to build lasting relationships with tenants. As we continue to advance transformative developments across the country, including Rock Run Collection and our growing portfolio, Patrick’s expertise will be instrumental in driving leasing performance and delivering value for our partners, tenants, and the communities we serve.”
Cairns holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography/GIS from Carthage College and has completed executive education through the University of Wisconsin Center for Professional & Executive Development and the University of Dallas School of Shopping Center Law. He is a longtime leader within the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), having served as Illinois Government Relations Chair, Wisconsin State Director, and Retail Chair, and was named one of Chain Store Age’s “10 Under 40 – Rising Stars of Retail Real Estate.” He also served as Leadership Board Chair of the Arthritis Foundation from 2015 to 2021.
“I am thrilled to join Cullinan Properties and work alongside a team with such a strong reputation for thoughtful, high-quality development,” said Patrick Cairns. “Cullinan has built an exceptional portfolio across retail, mixed-use, and healthcare, and the pipeline ahead is exciting. I look forward to leading the leasing effort and helping create vibrant, successful properties for our tenants, partners, and the communities we serve.”
About Cullinan Properties
For more than 40 years, Cullinan Properties has been a leading developer of commercial real estate specializing in mixed-use developments, acquisitions, and property management. With offices in Peoria and Oak Brook, IL, and St. Louis, MO, the company develops, owns, and manages mixed-use, retail, multifamily, office, governmental, and healthcare properties throughout the United States. Cullinan Properties is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). For additional information, visit CullinanProperties.com and follow Cullinan Properties on LinkedIn.
