The CJUF Story
"...We are actively seeking partnerships like this one with Canyon-Johnson so we can create more economic development opportunities for Houstonians. We're looking forward to enjoying a little of the 'magic' we've heard Canyon-Johnson brings to urban communities throughout America."
— Bill White, Mayor of Houston
The Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund (CJUF) is the country's largest private real estate fund focused solely on the development of urban properties in underserved neighborhoods. A joint venture between Canyon Capital Realty Advisors and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, CJUF was formed to identify, enhance and capture value through the development and redevelopment of real estate in densely populated, ethnically diverse urban communities. CJUF's objectives are to seek current income and capital appreciation, and in addition to meeting their investment goals, CJUF is committed to providing for and fostering economic opportunities for the residents of the urban neighborhoods in which they invest. With nearly $2 billion in committed equity capital, CJUF is positioned to facilitate over $8 billion in development and revitalization in major U.S. metropolitan areas.
The Canyon-Johnson team has been at the forefront of urban development for over a decade. The team's extensive track record as an owner and operator of urban real estate has allowed the team to establish an unrivaled understanding of the disciplines necessary to successfully develop and operate within urban communities. The uniqueness of the CJUF team adds value to every step of the investment process. With individuals from diverse disciplines including government, architecture, construction, property management, law, and accounting, the CJUF team is equipped to create optimally tailored solutions and identify opportunities and strategies appropriate for current urban market conditions. CJUF also benefits from a proprietary network of government and corporate relationships including partnerships with Loews Cineplex Entertainment (Magic Johnson Theaters), Starbucks Coffee Company, Burger King, T.G.I. Friday's Restaurants, Linens and Things, Logan's Road House and 24 Hour Fitness. These relationships provide potentially strong anchor tenants for many of CJUF's prospective investments.
Over the past six years CJUF has experienced tremendous success on a number of fronts. First and foremost, CJUF has been able to effectively deploy capital and generate significant returns for their investors - as of this date, CJUF I has been fully invested and CJUF II is over 90% committed. The Funds 30 investments total more than $800 million in committed/invested capital and have facilitated more than $4 billion of urban revitalization. These investments have encompassed a diverse mix of property types including retail, residential, mixed use, commercial and industrial in a diverse group of urban markets including Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, San Diego, and Washington DC. Secondly, and equally as important, the Funds' investments have had a profound impact on the communities in which they have invested. To date, the Funds have been responsible for the creation of over 11,000 construction jobs and 5,000 permanent jobs, and the construction of more than 6,200 workforce housing units and 4.5 million square feet of community serving retail and commercial space.
To learn more about why CJUF believes communities in urban America are attractive investment opportunities, click here.
