People
David Helfand
David Helfand is founder and president of Helix Funds, a private real estate investment manager, and an adviser to Equity Group Investments. He chaired Equity Commonwealth through its 2025 liquidation and dissolution, after leading the office REIT as president and CEO from 2014.
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Known For
- Leading Equity Commonwealth’s transition from an externally managed office REIT to an internally managed company and later through its plan of sale.
- Founding Helix Funds and overseeing more than $2.2 billion in property acquisitions, management and dispositions, according to the company.
- Holding senior leadership roles at Equity Group Investments, Equity Office Properties and Equity LifeStyle Properties.
Career and Focus
Helfand previously served as co-president of Equity Group Investments, where he oversaw the firm’s real estate activities. He also founded Helix Funds, a private real estate investment management company, and was CEO of its American Residential Communities portfolio company. Earlier, he served as chief investment officer at Equity Office Properties Trust and CEO of Equity LifeStyle Properties. His experience spans commercial offices, manufactured housing and residential communities, with a focus on investment management and public-company operations.
Helfand became president and CEO of Equity Commonwealth in 2014 and board chair in 2023. Under his leadership the REIT completed $7.6 billion of dispositions and evaluated strategic alternatives, according to its board biography. Shareholders approved a plan of sale and dissolution in 2024; in June 2025 the company transferred remaining assets and liabilities to a liquidating trust and dissolved. Helfand became a trustee of that trust, a distinct role from his former EQC executive position. In February 2025 he joined GCM Grosvenor’s board and chairs its audit committee. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA from Northwestern. His current public work therefore includes private investment advice and board service, while Equity Commonwealth is no longer an operating REIT.
Related Pages
- Investor People Hub
- Equity Group Investments
- Chicago Geography Hub
- Source: Top CRE Leaders Major US Cities
Sources
- Equity Commonwealth director biography
- Equity Commonwealth dissolution announcement
- Liquidating trust agreement
- Source: Top 200 Global CRE People and Families