McMillan will lead and grow the firm’s Office Agency Leasing business
JLL today announces that Elizabeth McMillan has been hired to lead Agency Leasing in the firm’s Charlotte office. As Executive Vice President, McMillan will leverage her extensive experience in project development, commercial real estate and leadership to drive growth and innovation for the firm. This strategic hire reinforces JLL’s commitment to strengthening and enhancing our service offerings to our clients.
McMillan will be primarily focused on developing and expanding JLL’s Charlotte portfolio, drawing on her deep knowledge of the market and ability to manage complex projects. Her unique perspective, gained from years on the client side, will be instrumental in elevating JLL’s marketing and leasing strategies for properties across the region. McMillan will work alongside Vice President Emily Hill and Associate Kennedy Fertitta, who have significantly advanced JLL Charlotte’s agency leasing portfolio over the past year. Recent leasing assignments include Levine Properties’ Charlotte office portfolio, which includes 304,878 square feet across five buildings, Belk Headquarters, and Proximity Park, among others.
“Elizabeth has the ideal combination of industry experience, client relationships and market knowledge to provide even more comprehensive and tailored solutions to our clients,” said Chris Schaaf, Executive Managing Director and Broker co-lead with JLL. “Her leadership will be crucial in helping our clients navigate the evolving office market landscape and maximize the value of their assets.”
McMillan spent the past 22 years of her career with Crescent Communities, where she most recently served as Vice President of its commercial business. Her track record includes developing over two million square feet of commercial space, entitling over 2,200 acres for more than 9 million square feet of space, and successfully negotiating over $70 million in public incentives. Among her most noteworthy accomplishments is leading development efforts for Ally Charlotte Center, a mixed-use project in Uptown that includes a 750,000-square-foot office tower and 380-key JW Marriott hotel. After achieving 100% leasing stabilization ahead of schedule, the project was sold for an impressive $390 million.
McMillan is recognized as a leader within the Charlotte community, and she currently holds board positions with Dream Key Partners, Alexander Youth Network and ULI Charlotte. She is the immediate past Chair for ULI Charlotte and recently served two terms as a member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission. She has received several awards, including Charlotte Business Journal’s Women in Business and Charlotte Business Journal’s Forty Under 40. McMillan is a LEED-accredited professional and a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“After two decades working in Charlotte’s commercial real estate sector, I look forward to leveraging my experience with JLL’s proven platform and team,” said McMillan. “JLL is known throughout the industry for its ability to build and foster long-term client relationships by providing data, technology and services that are unique. I look forward to joining the exceptional team in place and continuing to grow our business.”
According to JLL Charlotte’s Q3 2024 Office Outlook, leasing activity continues to be robust, with approximately 750,000 square feet of deals signed last quarter. The market is showcasing steady recovery, led by the absorption of high-end properties and strong leasing velocity in Class-A and Trophy assets. With market occupancy stabilized at 78%, the current availability of premium space in top-tier buildings aligns well with the growing demand for modern, efficient and sustainable workplaces. Going into 2025, Charlotte’s market outlook is bright, driven by increased investment, leasing activity, population growth and long-term economic resilience.
About JLL
For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $20.8 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 106,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.
