Richard Kaplan

CEO & Founder

Richard Kaplan, Founder and CEO of Syndicated Equities, has been active in Chicago and national real estate markets for over 50 years. To date, Richard and the companies he has founded have participated in over $4 billion of real estate transactions. These transactions involve commercial and residential properties nationwide, condominium and apartment development, Section 1031 exchanges, and global real estate opportunity funds.

Richard founded Syndicated Equities in 1986. Under Richard’s leadership, Syndicated Equities has acquired approximately $3 billion of real estate assets on behalf of its investors. These assets have included retail, government, student housing, office, parking, and hotel properties throughout the country. The firm has assisted numerous 1031 exchange investors find suitable replacement property, including over 1,000 net leased properties. Richard also designed and implemented the Syndicated Access Funds, a series of global, real estate opportunity fund-of-funds.

Prior to Syndicated Equities, Richard founded (1972) Kaplan & Associates Realtors, which represented thousands of clients in the purchase and sale of personal and investment properties. Richard successfully sold Kaplan and Associates Realtors in 1986.

Richard has also been active in the acquisition, renovation and conversion of more than 1,000 Chicago-area apartment and condominium units, including 71 East Division, 2850 North Sheridan Road, 33 East Cedar and 2700 North Hampton. Richard is frequently quoted in national and local real estate publications and has spoken on a wide variety of topics at Northwestern University, University of Illinois, DePaul University, Loyola University, the Chicago Real Estate Board, Francis W. Parker School, The Latin School and the Chicago Bar Association. He also participates in numerous roundtables for industry, law and accounting forums.

Richard graduated from the University of Illinois in 1969 with a diploma in Psychology. He has served on the Board of Directors for Cole Taylor Bank. He was a member of The Standard Club of Chicago where he has served as board member and as President (1994-1996).

Richard has served as Varsity Tennis Coach for Francis W. Parker School and as a mentor for Chicago Hoops Express Girls Club Basketball Program. He supports Woodlawn Children’s Promise Community, Working In the Schools (WITS), the Rocky Mountain Institute, Chicago Sinai Congregation, Temple Sholom, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, The Jewish United Fund, The Kovler Diabetes Foundation, JDRF, Children’s Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Hospital. He is a member of Lake Shore Country Club and the Maroon Creek Club (Aspen). Richard and his wife Kathy, a former freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune, live in Chicago. They have two children, David and Lizzie, and five grandchildren. Richard is an avid athlete who enjoys swimming, fly fishing, paddle tennis, skiing and tennis. In 1993, Richard represented the United States in Tennis at the Maccabian Games in Israel.