Navigating the Waters of Private Market Investing

Ballast Rock provides diversification with a risk-focused approach to private market investing.

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Private Wealth

Asset Management

Welcome

At Ballast Rock we understand how hard you have worked to earn your investable capital which is why we create investments and manage your capital with a significant focus on diversification, and why we always invest our own capital alongside our investors. Our Asset Management and Wealth Management teams are dedicated to delivering curated portfolios with attractive risk-adjusted returns, accurate and timely advice, high quality frequent reporting, and direct access to management.

Why Invest with Ballast Rock?

We leverage our leadership’s Wall St. risk management experience and Southeast regional relationships to originate opportunities and manage funds in real estate, venture capital, and private equity.

Performance

Reporting

Management

Press

As Seen On…

No.1,145 on Inc. 5000’s List of Fastest Growing Private Companies

As of May 18, 2023 past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Ballast Rock
Private Wealth

Ballast Rock Private Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor providing tailored holistic financial advice to accredited investors, with a focus on alternative investments, generating alpha while reducing volatility and risk.

Our Mission

To provide objective institutional grade financial advice and bespoke solutions for accredited investors and their families.

BALLAST ROCK ASSET MANAGEMENT

At Ballast Rock Asset Managment our mission is to create and manage exclusive access to alternative investment funds for accredited investors that offer attractive risk-adjusted returns with a positive social or environmental impact. This includes real estate, private equity, and venture capital funds.

Leadership

Bringing you over 100 years of combined real estate, venture capital, and private equity experience.

Ballast Rock Foundation

We Proudly Support These Worthy Causes

Articles
A Year of Impact - Value Added in 2023
Firm News, All
Thomas Carroll
A Year of Impact - Value Added in 2023
Firm News, All
Thomas Carroll

As we look forward to the year ahead, Danielle Miner takes the opportunity to highlight some of the notable wins for the Sunbelt Properties team in 2023.

Read More →
Firm News, All
Thomas Carroll
Venture Capital Market Update
Venture Capital, All
Simon O'Shea
Venture Capital Market Update
Venture Capital, All
Simon O'Shea

To date, the economy has proven to be more resilient than many had anticipated and there is still a small chance that we might achieve a soft landing, despite rates remaining higher for longer than expected. However, despite the relative health of the economy for now, the funding market for startups has been and continues to be extremely challenging.

Read More →
Venture Capital, All
Simon O'Shea
Ballast Rock Real Estate Market Update
Real Estate, Market Updates, All
Simon O'Shea
Ballast Rock Real Estate Market Update
Real Estate, Market Updates, All
Simon O'Shea

The economy continues to appear relatively robust, though there are some signs of cooling, e.g., the 07/07 jobs report reflected a slowdown in job creation from previous months. We are also seeing rental growth in our markets start to normalize – with rent increases typically more broadly in line with CPI rather than significantly leading it, as had been the case for the last couple of years.

Read More →
Real Estate, Market Updates, All
Simon O'Shea
Multifamily Trends in the Southeast Differ from the Broader CRE Market 
Real Estate, Market Updates, All
Thomas Carroll
Multifamily Trends in the Southeast Differ from the Broader CRE Market 
Real Estate, Market Updates, All
Thomas Carroll

The broader U.S. real estate market is at a turning point after more than 12 months of rate increases from the Federal Reserve. According to research from Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, more than half of $2.9 trillion in commercial mortgages will need to be renegotiated in the next 24 months when new lending rates are likely to be up by 350 to 450 basis points.

Read More →
Real Estate, Market Updates, All
Thomas Carroll
Ballast Rock Foundation Sponsors Memminger Fun Run
Firm News, All
Simon O'Shea
Ballast Rock Foundation Sponsors Memminger Fun Run
Firm News, All
Simon O'Shea

Ballast Rock sponsored the Memminger Fun Run this year. Children, parents and staff all had a wonderful time and, most importantly, the PTO raised close to $30,000 in much needed funds from both sponsors, like Ballast Rock, and through the community's own fundraising efforts.

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Firm News, All
Simon O'Shea
Ballast Rock Foundation: Giving Back During 2022 and Beyond
Firm News, All
Thomas Carroll
Ballast Rock Foundation: Giving Back During 2022 and Beyond
Firm News, All
Thomas Carroll

This year we established the Ballast Rock Foundation as the vehicle for our organization's charitable giving. The mission of the foundation is to help alleviate housing insecurity in all its forms while providing transparency to donors.

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Firm News, All
Thomas Carroll
Ballast Rock Real Estate: 2022 in Review – Value Added
Real Estate, All
Simon O'Shea
Ballast Rock Real Estate: 2022 in Review – Value Added
Real Estate, All
Simon O'Shea

One of Ballast Rock’s core principles is focusing on investments that have a positive social or environmental impact. For us, real estate investing is not just about cutting costs, increasing net operating income (“NOI”) and “sweating the assets.” It is about enhancing our residents’ living experience, empowering our staff to be the best they can be, and giving back to our local communities.

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Real Estate, All
Simon O'Shea
Ballast Rock forms Ballast Rock Private Wealth
Firm News, All
Thomas Carroll
Ballast Rock forms Ballast Rock Private Wealth
Firm News, All
Thomas Carroll

Ballast Rock Group will internally reorganize to create distinct asset management and broker-dealer divisions to support its private equity, real estate, and venture capital offerings.

Read More →
Firm News, All
Thomas Carroll
Using Fixed vs Floating Rate Debt for Real Estate Acquisitions
Real Estate, All
Simon O'Shea
Using Fixed vs Floating Rate Debt for Real Estate Acquisitions
Real Estate, All
Simon O'Shea

At Ballast Rock, we tailor the debt structure we use to each individual real estate acquisition. We base our decision on the type of debt to use based on the nature of the property, the debt markets at the time of acquisition, our business plan for a given asset, and the expected timeframe for holding the asset, along with many other factors.

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Real Estate, All
Simon O'Shea
College Park Apartments Sale
Real Estate, All
Thomas Carroll
College Park Apartments Sale
Real Estate, All
Thomas Carroll

We are excited to announce the sale of College Park Apartments in Macon, GA, our fourth disposition in Sunbelt Multifamily Fund I (“SB1”).

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Real Estate, All
Thomas Carroll
Stone Brooke & Arbordale Apartments Closing
Real Estate, All
Thomas Carroll
Stone Brooke & Arbordale Apartments Closing
Real Estate, All
Thomas Carroll

We are excited to announce the fifth acquisition of Sunbelt Multifamily Fund II – Stone Brooke and Arbordale Apartments – 139-unit and 78-unit communities located in Dalton, GA. 

Read More →
Real Estate, All
Thomas Carroll
What’s on Real Estate Investors' Minds?
Real Estate, All
Thomas Carroll
What’s on Real Estate Investors' Minds?
Real Estate, All
Thomas Carroll

Last week Simon O'Shea (Ballast Rock CIO), Ian Garcia (Ballast Rock COO & Treasurer) and I were asked to present at a US Real Estate conference in Miami for Latin American Investors. Here are some of the topics on investors' minds at the conference.

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Real Estate, All
Thomas Carroll

Noteworthy Press

  • Real Estate Alts Sponsor Adds Licensed Broker/Dealer

    June 20, 2023
    Ballast Rock Group’s Simon O’Shea shares insights on the launch of the firm's new SEC registered broker/dealer and why it felt the move was necessary.

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  • Ballast Rock Launches Ballast Rock Capital

    May 30, 2023
    Ballast Rock Group has announced the formation of Ballast Rock Capital (BRC), a SEC-registered broker dealer.

    READ MORE

  • Ballast Rock Group Announces Formation of Ballast Rock Capital, its SEC Registered Broker-Dealer

    May 25, 2023
    Establishing a broker-dealer is part of Ballast Rock’s continued evolution as a diversified investment management firm, focused on private-market opportunities for investors and advisors.

    READ MORE

  • As the Market Corrects, Startups and VCs Must Prove Their Worth

    May 18, 2023
    From mass layoffs to rising interest rates, venture capital is entering a uniquely challenging environment. Yet, with crisis and chaos comes opportunity, and this type of economy is also ripe for innovation.

    READ MORE

  • Ballast Rock Group CEO On Why Some Real Estate Is Riskier Than Others

    May 1, 2023
    Ballast Rock Group is an integrated investment management company. CEO Tom Carroll gives an overview of the company as it operates Ballast Rock Asset Management, Ballast Rock Private Wealth, and Ballast Rock Capital.

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  • It's Time To Stop Painting Private-Market Investing With An ‘Alts' Brush

    Mar. 9, 2023
    It may seem like mere semantics, but the words used to describe any investment asset class outside of publicly trade stocks or bonds matter now more than ever before. In 2022, the publicly traded stocks and bonds that make up the standard 60/40 portfolio had one of their worst performances on record.

    READ MORE

  • Ballast Rock lands South Carolina property

    Feb. 8, 2023
    After getting a discount, the apartment owner closed on the 132-unit Bentree Apartments.

    READ MORE

  • Finding a loan will be more difficult in 2023

    Jan. 27, 2023
    The agencies remain in the game, but questions surround other debt sources.

    READ MORE

  • Apartment sales volume drops 17% in 2022

    Jan. 20, 2023
    “Obviously, the Fed was hiking funds,” said Thomas Carroll, founder and CEO of Charleston, South Carolina-based owner and manager Ballast Rock Group. “At the same time, that was driving what’s going on in the long end of the market, which ultimately drives our cost of borrowing.”

    READ MORE

  • Sunbelt Multifamily Fund II Makes Final Acquisition: Bentree Apartments

    Jan. 12, 2023
    Sunbelt Multifamily Fund II (SB2) has completed its final acquisition, Bentree Apartments. With the SB2 acquisition stage now fully completed and all investor capital deployed, Ballast Rock expects to launch Sunbelt Multifamily Fund III (SB3) shortly.

    READ MORE

  • Ballast Rock Group Announces 2022 Year-End Performance of its Sunbelt Real Estate Funds

    January 05, 2023
    Ballast Rock Group anticipates launching its third Southeast-focused workforce multifamily fund in Q1 2023.

    READ MORE

  • Ballast Rock Group Forms Ballast Rock Private Wealth to Provide Financial Advice to High-Net Worth Individuals with a Focus on Alternative Investments

    Nov. 28, 2022
    Ballast Rock Group will internally reorganize to create distinct asset management and broker-dealer divisions to support its private equity, real estate, and venture capital offerings.

    READ MORE

  • Webcast Recording: Workforce Housing Proves Its Value

    Dec 31, 2021
    The pandemic underscored the strength and vitality of workforce housing, which all too often has been seen as a solid but unexceptional corner of the multifamily market. During the past year, suburban workforce housing assets outperformed Class A urban properties, with rents and occupancy maintaining pre-pandemic levels.

    READ MORE

  • South Carolina Investment Group Bolsters Multifamily Portfolio With Latest Purchase in Alabama

    March 31, 2021
    Ballast Rock Capital, a Charleston, South Carolina-based investment group, continues to grow its multifamily portfolio with its latest purchase in Alabama. The firm purchased the 95-unit Coleman Place apartments in Anniston, Alabama, located at 2320 Coleman Road and sold for $7.25 million, or about $76,000 per unit, according to CoStar data.

    READ MORE

  • Charleston-Based Investment Firm Buys Columbia Multifamily Property

    Feb. 25, 2021
    Charleston, South Carolina-based Ballast Rock Capital acquired the Gleneagle Apartments in Columbia, South Carolina, for $17.5 million, or approximately $78,125 per unit.

    READ MORE

  • COVID-19 Recession Reconfirms Watermark Partners’ Focus on Workforce Housing

    Managing partner Thomas Carroll shares why he thinks this multifamily sector will be one of the most resilient in commercial real estate.

    READ MORE

What Our Investors Say

  • "I have invested with over 200 sponsors, and the monthly asset management reports for Ballast Rock's real estate funds are the best updates I receive. They are clear to understand, focused on the most important performance indicators and demonstrate accountability to investors. Just another testament to the management team's commitment to clear and effective communication.”

    Multiple Fund Investor

  • Phenomenal company with very strong operating model and management team! Communication is top shelf.

    Sunbelt Fund II Investor

  • Always transparent, available and accessible. Work very hard for their clients interests. My whole family and I are more than satisfied clients

    • Multiple Fund Investor

  • Put simply, I chose to invest with Ballast Rock for the following reasons. The background and experience of the principal, Thomas Carroll, and his entire management team. They don’t leverage as much as other funds, so I have more equity protecting my investment. They have skin in the game by putting their own money in. They don’t front load (they earn most of their profit upon sale) which equates to grinding better deals. They maintain active, in-house, on-site property management which is incentivized to act with alacrity. I have direct access to management who is always available to answer my questions about specific prospective investments. Their reporting and payouts are timely and easy to understand, with full transparency. Thomas and the entire team are fine individuals, and socially conscious and sensitive.

    • SB1 & SB2 Investor

  • Multiple investments with this firm which offers on diversified multifamily housing limited partnerships and its in house management services appear to improve operational performance and capital gains. Quality and frequency of reporting is excellent, and rate of distributions including sales are typically close to projections. These guys tend to underpromise and overdeliver.

    • Multiple Fund Investor

  • Simon and Tom are top notch. Have been extremely pleased with their insight, expertise, and professionalism. Ballastrock is unique in its alternative investments. Would highly recommend the firm as your investment partner.

    • Multiple Fund Investor

  • Tom Carroll has made Ballast Rock into a vehicle for investors to invest into Multifamily assets. He and his team have been running it real well and are demonstrating excellent returns through their management skills and ability to pick good assets. I have been very happy with his expertise and clearly so have others as the amount of investors has grown over the last few years.

    • SB1 & SB2 Investor

  • The performance of Sunbelt 1 during 2020 blew me away, particularly given what was happening with the broader economy. It was one of the most challenging years in recent memory, and they crushed it, so the time the team spent defining their Multifamily strategy was clearly worth it! ​

    • Sunbelt Fund I Investor

  • I invest with 6 other real estate operators. You are one of the only operators to put out commentary addressing potentially extreme market/national conditions and how it may impact our investment and you always put it out before anybody else does. I find it very helpful and it shows you and the team are mindful of these broader macro issues as you build and manage the real estate portfolio.

    • Sunbelt Fund II Investor

  • The communication and reporting is excellent. Getting monthly updates property by property on occupancy levels and income, as well as commentary on maintenance and upgrades has been so reassuring. I feel like I know exactly what’s going on in the portfolio at all times.

    • Sunbelt Fund I Investor

  • Most firms are only giving me quarterly updates with thoughts and feelings. I love having ex-Goldman guys managing my CRE investment.

    • Sunbelt Fund I Investor

  • I have been very happy with how the Sunbelt Fund is going, very happy to have invested with your company.

    • Sunbelt Fund I Investor

  • “We are in another deal elsewhere, and the level of transparency & market knowledge you put forth is unparalleled. Performance too."

    Sunbelt Fund II Investor