St. Louis Development Corp. hires Gerard Hollins Jr. to oversee city's real estate pipeline

July 30, 2026 - 02:43

Gerard Hollins Jr. has been brought on board by the St. Louis Development Corporation to lead the city's growing portfolio of real estate projects and business investments. He steps into the role of executive vice president of development, a position that puts him in charge of managing the entire pipeline of property deals and commercial growth initiatives across the city.

Hollins arrives with a background in urban planning and economic development, having previously worked on large-scale revitalization efforts in other Midwestern markets. His new responsibilities will include overseeing the negotiation of land sales, coordinating with private developers, and ensuring that city-backed projects align with broader community goals. The St. Louis Development Corporation, often referred to as SLDC, acts as the city's primary agency for driving economic growth through real estate.

The appointment comes at a time when St. Louis is pushing to accelerate development in key neighborhoods and attract new businesses to vacant lots and underused buildings. Hollins will work closely with the mayor's office and other local stakeholders to streamline the approval process for new construction and redevelopment. His focus will be on creating a steady flow of projects that generate jobs and tax revenue while also addressing housing needs.

City officials have expressed confidence that Hollins' experience will help move stalled projects forward and bring more private investment into the city. He is expected to prioritize transparency and community input as he takes on the oversight of the real estate pipeline.