In the competitive world of multifamily real estate development, the organizational structure of a company can significantly influence the outcome of its projects. Developers who build, lease, and manage properties under one roof make decisions differently from those who hand off projects at each stage. This difference often manifests in both the speed of delivery and the quality of the final product.
TAY Investments, a vertically integrated real estate development company based in Hackensack, New Jersey, exemplifies this approach with its 202-unit LAZUL WEST project at 301 West Side Avenue in Jersey City. By controlling the entire life cycle—from initial design to long-term ownership—the firm aligns incentives across all phases. “When you own the full life cycle, you understand everything,” says Yuval Shram, Founder and CEO of TAY Investments. “You make every decision knowing you will own the property for the long term, so you build it to last.” This philosophy ensures that choices are optimized for durability and resident experience rather than for a quick handoff to another entity.
Vertical integration also allows for greater speed without sacrificing control. Since TAY serves as its own general contractor, design refinements and construction can proceed in parallel, coordinated internally rather than renegotiated across separate contracts. Shram describes this as managing a large, interconnected system with a single hand on every piece. For example, changing a building entrance affects utilities, access, and site planning simultaneously. Keeping these relationships within one organization allows the project to advance smoothly while maintaining a high standard. On LAZUL WEST, this coordination enabled construction to stay on schedule while the plans were refined to a higher standard.
The advantages of vertical integration extend well beyond construction. TAY’s leasing and management teams are involved during the design phase, ensuring the building is shaped around how residents will actually use it. “Our leasing agent will look at the plans and tell us where we can make them better,” Shram explains. “She might say a layout needs more walk-in closet space, because that is something residents value, so we build it in.” Electric-vehicle charging is another feature added early because the operating team knew it would be in demand. “Those small touches are what create the value of a building,” he adds.
As development expands into emerging neighborhoods like Jersey City’s West Side, the ability to control quality end to end is becoming a differentiator. A developer that builds and operates its own assets can maintain a consistent standard from the first drawing through years of management. LAZUL WEST, now delivered and leasing, is a clear expression of that approach, offering a model for how vertical integration can lead to better outcomes in multifamily development.
