Morgan Stanley banker to retire after $850B in real estate deals

Morgan Stanley banker to retire after $850B in real estate deals
Guy Metcalf has been with the Wall Street firm for 33 years.
SEP 27, 2023

Morgan Stanley’s Guy Metcalfe, who helped build out the bank’s real estate banking business, will retire after 33 years at the firm.

Metcalfe, 56, had been chairman of the unit and was involved in transactions totaling more than $850 billion, according to an internal memo disclosing his departure. His presence in the business grew at a time when the real estate sector was moving more toward corporate ownership and involved an increasing number of institutional investors.

“He’s liked and trusted by everybody in real estate,” Blackstone Inc. President Jon Gray said Tuesday in a phone interview. “Guy played a leading role in some of the largest dispositions and sales of public companies. He carved out a successful niche in that area.”

Gray, who previously led Blackstone’s real estate business as it grew into one of the largest operators of commercial properties, said he had been involved in countless deals with Metcalfe. That included Blackstone’s $39 billion purchase of Sam Zell’s Equity Office Properties Trust in 2007 — the largest leveraged buyout at the time.

Metcalfe started at New York-based Morgan Stanley in 1990 and was promoted to managing director in 2002. He also played a key role in critical real estate deals for the bank itself, including the sale of Canary Wharf Group, the disposition of the firm’s original European headquarters, as well as helping Morgan Stanley get out of Revel Casino in Atlantic City in the wake of 2008 financial crisis.

Latest News

GWG’s Heppner hires Puff Daddy’s attorneys as criminal sentencing looms
GWG’s Heppner hires Puff Daddy’s attorneys as criminal sentencing looms

According to a federal charges Bradley Heppner, 60, received more than $150 million in payments through funneling money from GWG Holdings to a shell company.

Investors accuse Broadstreet fund of alleged billion-dollar 'Ponzi-like' scheme
Investors accuse Broadstreet fund of alleged billion-dollar 'Ponzi-like' scheme

A $1B fund allegedly skimmed 30% off the top, then swapped cash for locked-up stock.

Lawsuit alleges Skechers founders manipulated $9.4B buyout to shortchange investors
Lawsuit alleges Skechers founders manipulated $9.4B buyout to shortchange investors

Insiders allegedly rewrote projections three times in four days.

Fintech bytes: FINNY signs Visionary Square for pay-as-you-go AI prospecting program
Fintech bytes: FINNY signs Visionary Square for pay-as-you-go AI prospecting program

TCI Wealth Advisors also has also tapped JIFFYAI to unify onboarding and servicing, while TradePMR adds ICE market data to its Fusion advisor platform

RIA moves: Kintra Wealth adds $355M Great Scott Financial practice
RIA moves: Kintra Wealth adds $355M Great Scott Financial practice

Also, CAPTRUST adds a $300 million planning team from Sanctuary in its home market of Raleigh, and Sequoia Financial Group buys a Boulder family office.

SPONSORED Built on insurance experience to deliver on long-term promises

Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.

SPONSORED In the Age of AI, Trust Becomes the Advisor's Greatest Asset

As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor