The Schuster Group aims to create exceptional environments and experiences for people to live, work, and recreate by leveraging expertise, innovation, and sustainability. We differentiate ourselves from typical advisory consultants by:
As Charles Eames once said “The details are not the details. They make the design.” The entire essence of The Schuster Group’s culture is focused around the concepts of design, attention to detail, and functionality. We believe that it is the small, seemingly intangible details that when combined to form the full fabric of a community, create value and lasting quality.
Founded in 1989, Mark Schuster started the company at the age of 22 after gaining a foothold and interest in Real Estate in his teens, including being the youngest licensed real estate agent in the state of Washington. Initially, the company focused on consultation services, helping regional and national clients with land acquisition and leasing. Mark’s vision soon led to the expansion of services into third-party commercial brokerage and property management. By age 26, Schuster had achieved a significant milestone: he completed his first investment syndication, partnering to purchase a 40-unit apartment building in Tacoma, WA.
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The executive leaders at The Schuster Group provide a wealth of experience, expertise and proven results.
President & Managing Principal
President & Managing Principal
As President and Managing Principal, Holly Gardner leads operations at The Schuster Group, its consulting division, and affiliated investment companies. With nearly two decades of experience in real estate, she oversees all facets of the business, including asset and development management, acquisitions and dispositions, marketing, finance, private equity, and public relations.
Holly’s expertise has been instrumental in numerous award-winning developments and consulting projects such as Mosler Lofts, Joseph Arnold Lofts, Muriel’s Landing, Walton Lofts, and The Residences at Rainier Square. Her leadership and vision have made her a sought-after consultant and speaker at key industry events, including Bisnow and the Annual Interface Seattle Multifamily Conference.
Holly’s extensive experience spans commercial multifamily developments—from affordable to high-end housing—office, retail, mixed-use, and master planning. Her recent achievements include collaborating with governmental agencies like the Port of Everett and the Port of Skagit to bring private-sector efficiency and quality to affordable housing.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Holly is deeply committed to community service. She serves on the board of Uplift NW, where she was formerly Chair, and co-founded Elphie’s Animal Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to animal rescue. She also contributes to various organizations supported by the Schuster Foundation and remains actively involved in the Pacific Real Estate Institute.
Founder & Chairman
Founder & Chairman
Founder and Chairman of The Schuster Group, Mark is a recognized expert and leader in the real estate and green building industry.
Mark began his real estate career when he was only 18 and formed The Schuster Group at the age of 22. Over the next two decades, Mark grew the one man shop into a multi-faceted group of companies and one of the most successful private equity investment and development firms in the Pacific Northwest.
A passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mark created a formula for success that connects successful business practices with community enhancement. This approach has served as the catalyst for several of the company’s landmark projects over the past twenty years, establishing an exceptional track record within the real estate and private equity industries along the way.
Mark’s visionary leadership led to the creation of Mosler Lofts, the first LEED® Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified high-rise condominium building in Seattle. Mosler Lofts ultimately became the most nationally acclaimed “green” residential high-rise building of 2008. Noted for its exceptional design, Mosler Lofts received over 60 forms of awards, recognition and accolades, including top awards from the National Association of Home Builders and sweeping the Gold Nugget awards at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference.
Since Mosler, Mark has built The Schuster Group reputation as one of the premier residential developers in Seattle with the development of Joseph Arnold Lofts, Muriel’s Landing, and Walton Lofts. His talent for visionary design has redefined Seattle’s definition of downtown living and created communities that thrive and maintain unprecedented value for generations to come.
Mark’s personal commitment to community enhancement extends beyond environmental practices. He has served on several non-profit Boards including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), MAZON-A Jewish Response to Hunger, and is a founding member of the Seattle Advisory Council for UNICEF. Mark has been recognized on numerous occasions by the community for his business acumen and civic involvement, and is the recipient of several regional and national awards. Published in 2010, Mark is the author of the business memoir, Lofty Pursuits—Repairing the World One Building at a Time. Lofty Pursuits was the recipient of the Eric Hoffer Book Award and Reader Views Choice Award.
Sr. Development Manager
Sr. Development Manager
Chad Mathis brings extensive experience to The Schuster Group, beginning his career as a Civil Engineer Officer in the military, where he managed government construction, design, and capital improvement projects after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. With over thirty years in real estate, his expertise spans construction, design, development, facilities, and operations management in both the public and private sectors.
After selling his general contracting business in 2013 and moving to Washington state, Chad led the development of notable Seattle projects, including Nexus, a 41-story condominium with 389 units and seven floors of below-grade parking, and Ren, a 41-story mixed-use tower with 457 residential units, ground-level commercial retail, and below-grade parking. He also directed the Belltown on First project, a 14-story mixed-use high-rise with 221 residential units and ground-level retail. These projects collectively represent an investment of over $722M. At The Schuster Group, Chad has served as an owner’s representative for affordable housing projects and a non-profit, along with other construction projects meeting our clients’ needs.
Project Assistant
Project Assistant
Executive Assistant to the President
Executive Assistant to the President
A executive assistant and administrative professional, Kim brings a meticulous approach to managing tasks with efficiency and precision. With a proactive mindset and the ability to anticipate needs, she is an invaluable asset to our organization.
With a rich history of leadership roles, she has honed her skills in a variety of environments. Kim’s experience spans across diverse organizations, from leading operations at Summit Public Schools and Green Dot Public Schools to driving the expansion of programs at Camp Fire Orca. These roles have equipped her with the expertise to manage complex operational challenges, collaborate effectively with teams, and contribute meaningfully to organizational success.
