The Model Group

What The Model Group does

The Model Group is an integrated real estate development, construction, advisory, and property management firm founded in 1978 and headquartered at 1826 Race Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, operating as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) under CEO Bobby Maly and founder Art Reckman. The company executes complex urban mixed-use, historic-preservation, neighborhood-revitalization, and affordable-housing projects across the Ohio-Indiana-Kentucky tri-state region, with a disclosed lifetime development portfolio exceeding $1.5 billion. Its service platform spans six lines: Development Services, Construction Services (delivered through the Model Construction DBA), Advisory Services, Property Management, Residential Leasing, and Commercial Leasing, all coordinated in-house to control project economics and community outcomes.

The firm's core technical capability is financial-structuring expertise: layering New Markets Tax Credits, Federal & State Historic Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, TIF, CDBG loans, and Opportunity Zone capital to make otherwise unviable urban projects pencil out. Construction is executed through an in-house general-contracting arm with dedicated Ohio and Kentucky offices, supported by a self-serve subcontractor plan-room portal. Property management and leasing are operationalized through a Securecafe-based residential portal and a LoopNet-listed commercial leasing channel. Underlying technology is standard operational SaaS (RentCafe, LoopNet, Google Analytics) rather than proprietary IP.

The business model generates revenue across five streams: developer fees on third-party and joint-venture projects, construction-services revenue (including third-party general contracting), property management fees on owned/managed residential and commercial assets, advisory fees for financing strategy and public-incentive structuring, and commercial leasing income. Customers include individual residents (market-rate and 50–80% AMI affordable), local entrepreneurs and small businesses, property owners seeking a construction partner, and development partners/nonprofits/government entities seeking advisory and co-development support. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Name

The Model Group

Legal name

Model Group

Website

https://modelgroup.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Model Group is an employee-owned, Cincinnati-based integrated real estate developer, general contractor, advisor, and property manager executing complex urban mixed-use, historic-preservation, and affordable-housing revitalization projects across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, with a lifetime development portfolio exceeding $1.5 billion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Property Management: Property management fees from residential apartments and commercial spaces they own and manage across their developments
2. Real Estate Development: Development fees from orchestrating complex mixed-use urban development projects, neighborhood revitalization initiatives, and historic preservation projects
3. Construction Services: Third-party general contracting and construction management services for property owners on complex construction projects including new construction, historic preservation, and nonprofit services
4. Advisory Services: Real estate development advisory services providing perspective, guidance, and financing strategy support to partners, with core capability in securing public incentives and mixed capital stack integration
5. Commercial Leasing: Revenue from leasing commercial spaces to local entrepreneurs and businesses in their revitalized neighborhoods

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Model Group is an integrated real estate company that develops, builds, and manages mixed-use urban properties, neighborhood revitalization projects, historic preservation developments, and affordable housing. Its core service lines are Development Services, Construction Services, Advisory Services, Property Management, Residential Leasing, and Commercial Leasing, with a focus on layering complex public and private financing structures.

Product overview

The Model Group is an integrated real estate development, construction, and property management company operating as a unified platform with multiple service lines. The core offering consists of Development Services, Construction Services, Advisory Services, Property Management, Residential Leasing, and Commercial Leasing—all working together to positively transform communities. The company has developed over $1.5 billion in real estate through projects including The Landing Exchange (Fort Wayne, IN), Walnut Hills Revitalization, Over The Rhine Revitalization, The Mercantile, Pendleton Revitalization/Broadway Square, The Dayton Arcade, and CityLink Center Expansion. These projects span neighborhood revitalization, historic preservation, new construction, affordable housing, and supportive housing categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Development Services
• Construction Services Third-party construction services including general contracting, preconstruction, estimating, logistics, and construction management for property owners with complex urban projects, historic preservation, and sustainable construction.
• Advisory Services Real estate development advisory services providing perspective and guidance on project planning, financing strategies, and execution. Core capability includes securing public incentives and integrating them into mixed capital stacks for partners, nonprofits, and government entities.
• Property Management Property management services for residential and commercial properties, ensuring residents and tenants are supported and communities thrive across the firm's owned and managed portfolio.
• Residential Leasing Residential apartment leasing services across multiple urban neighborhoods including Findlay Parkside, Market Square, Broadway Square, Paramount Square, Willkommen, The Landing, The Mercantile, and Paramount Launch properties, with units ranging from market-rate to affordable housing for households at 50-80% AMI.
• Commercial Leasing Commercial space leasing services offering prime spaces in revitalized historic districts including The Landing (Fort Wayne), The Mercantile (downtown Cincinnati), Walnut Hills, and Findlay Market District, with hands-on tenant support services for business setup.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1.5 billion in real estate developed
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation (WHRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for comprehensive Walnut Hills neighborhood revitalization, including Paramount Square development with 51 apartments and 56,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. WHRF is a key local partner in the $105.3 million multi-phase revitalization effort.
• City of CincinnaticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing support for Walnut Hills revitalization including City HOME Funds and regulatory approvals for the $105.3 million multi-phase neighborhood transformation project.
• The PortmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in Cincinnati development projects providing financing and development support for neighborhood revitalization initiatives.
• Cincinnati Union BethelmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner in Walnut Hills projects contributing to community services and supportive housing components of the revitalization.
• Preservation of Affordable HousingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit partner providing expertise and support for affordable housing preservation and development within Model Group revitalization projects.
• Fort Wayne Downtown Development TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal development authority spearheading The Landing Exchange $68 million revitalization with Model Group. Partnership aims to restore seven historic buildings and add new construction in Fort Wayne's most historically significant blighted neighborhood.
• City of Fort WaynemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner supporting The Landing Exchange development with Mayor Tom Henry publicly endorsing Model Group's work and adaptive reuse approach.
• 3CDC (Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading Cincinnati development organization collaborating with Model Group on Over-The-Rhine $114 million revitalization spanning 52 buildings and 299 apartments.
• GBBN ArchitectsmajorTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firm providing design services for Over-The-Rhine revitalization, specializing in historic preservation integration with modern development standards.
• OTR Community HousingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity housing organization partner in Over-The-Rhine $114 million redevelopment supporting affordable housing components.
• Cross Street PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment, construction, financial advisory and property management company co-developing Dayton Arcade $93.4 million project with Model Group and McCormack Baron Salazar.
• McCormack Baron SalazarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational urban real estate development firm specializing in affordable housing, partnering on Dayton Arcade $93.4 million mixed-use redevelopment.
• The Entrepreneurs CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDayton-based entrepreneurship support organization partnering with University of Dayton on Arcade Innovation Hub anchor tenant for Dayton Arcade project.
• University of DaytonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner in Dayton Arcade Innovation Hub, bringing faculty, staff, students, and entrepreneurial support services to the historic redevelopment.
• Pendleton Community CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community organization providing neighborhood input and support for Pendleton revitalization transformation.
• Corporation for Findlay MarketmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization managing Findlay Market, collaborating on Over-The-Rhine neighborhood revitalization with Model Group.
• CityLinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner for $5 million CityLink Center Expansion providing workforce and family support services. Model Group led construction expansion adding training capacity for 300 additional individuals annually.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 3CDC (Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation): Cincinnati-based nonprofit real estate developer focused on downtown and Over-The-Rhine revitalization. Co-develops with Model Group on the $114M OTR project; nearly identical urban revitalization, historic preservation, and mixed-income housing mandate in overlapping Cincinnati submarkets.
• The Community Builders: National nonprofit developer of affordable, mixed-income, and mixed-use housing in urban neighborhoods. Direct mission alignment with Model Group on affordable housing, community engagement, and historic preservation-driven urban revitalization.
• BRP Companies: Multifamily and mixed-use real estate developer with comparable affordable, mixed-income, and market-rate housing focus. Operates in Midwest and East Coast markets with an integrated development, construction management, and property management platform.
• Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH): National nonprofit developer and manager of affordable and mixed-income rental housing. Active partner in Model Group's Walnut Hills and broader revitalization projects; directly comparable in mission, resident services model, and preservation/development focus.
• Cross Street Partners: Real estate development, construction, financial advisory, and property management firm co-developing the Dayton Arcade with Model Group. Highly comparable in scale, integrated service model, and focus on historic adaptive reuse urban projects.
• Pennrose: National real estate development and management company specializing in mixed-income, mixed-use, and affordable housing. Comparable in LIHTC-driven development pipeline, urban/suburban revitalization, and integration of property management with development.
• McCormack Baron Salazar: National urban real estate development firm specializing in affordable housing and mixed-use revitalization. Direct co-development partner with Model Group on the $93.4M Dayton Arcade project; operates a similar vertically integrated development, construction, and property management model in mid-sized American cities.
• The NRP Group: Cleveland-based vertically integrated developer, general contractor, and property manager of multifamily affordable and market-rate housing. Closely comparable in operating model, geographic Midwest focus, and integration of development, construction, and management.

Broad incumbents

• L+M Development Partners: Larger New York-headquartered affordable and mixed-income housing developer with similar mixed-use, historic preservation, and community revitalization mandate. Operates at greater scale and broader geography than Model Group but with overlapping business model and product mix.

Regional players

• The Port (Cincinnati): Cincinnati Port Authority providing real estate financing and development support. Strategic partner in Walnut Hills and other Model Group projects; comparable in local urban revitalization mission but serves primarily as a public financing/development vehicle rather than a private developer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/p/The-Model-Group-100057394460590
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/model-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/modelgroup_mg
• Xx.com/the_model_group

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Model Group