Ian Bel

Managing Principal and CEO, Olive Tree Holdings

At Olive Tree, Ian Bel oversees the company and all affiliate platforms – including Olive Tree Affordable Housing, and Olive Tree Ventures, the PropTech venture investment arm of Olive Tree Holdings. Under Ian’s leadership, Olive Tree has acquired and transformed over 16,000 units of workforce and affordable housing communities across 9 states and has deployed over $250 Million in capital expenditures to enhance the lifestyles of its residents.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
When I was a student at Binghamton University, I was exposed to landlords taking advantage of residents in the nearby campus housing options, offering poor customer service and living conditions for renters. As a result, in 2005, I invested in my first home and scaled my investment knowledge into a business – purchasing multifamily communities in the area, renovating them, and providing a greater quality of life for students in the area.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Union Square is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood located in the heart of New York City, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best places to spend time. With a vibrant atmosphere, bustling markets, and expansive green space – Union Square Park – this area fuses together the serene backdrop of greenery with a lively atmosphere of entertainment.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
In 2021, our leadership team formed Olive Tree Ventures, the standalone PropTech/ConTech venture investment arm of Olive Tree Holdings. Our goal was to create a dedicated ventures group to invest in built-world technologies. I have been focusing on shaping the companies’ investment strategy alongside the ventures team, creating unique initiatives like the Strategic Partner Network, a one-of-a-kind resource and knowledge-sharing network connecting traditional real estate & construction stakeholders with vetted technology solutions.

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