Chicago-based The Habitat Company, a multifamily developer and property manager, has hired David P. Barnhart as vice president, condominium management and Shruti Kumar as regional manager, condominium division. Barnhart brings more than 30 years of experience in condo management to the position, while Kumar brings 16 years of experience to the team.
“David hit the ground running by bringing valuable insights and expertise to Habitat,” said Sheila Byrne, executive vice president, property management at Habitat. “With at least one RFP for Habitat already under his belt, we look forward to his continued commitment to both leading the division to continued growth and to working with the board members and unit owners at each of the properties we manage.”
In his new role, Barnhart will provide leadership and oversight for the 3,700 units in Habitat’s condominium portfolio in Chicago, Detroit and Tampa, including the Lofts at Rivertown, a 172-unit building in Detroit that is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. In 2018, Habitat was selected to manage the development, which was built in 1899 and originally home to the Sterns Pharmaceutical Warehouse. The property was converted to condos in 2005.
Barnhart most recently served as vice president and senior property supervisor at Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, condo division where he oversaw a portfolio of more than 7,000 condo units. He holds both Illinois Broker and Illinois Community Association Manager licenses and has received multiple awards and designations for his achievements in the management industry, including the Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designation from the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and CAI’s prestigious Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC).
“I’m honored to be among such talented and dedicated business unit leaders and impressed by the depth of talent and support services at Habitat—which is truly unprecedented in the industry,” said Barnhart. “I’m eager to get to know our diverse condominium portfolio and dedicated to continuing to provide residents and board members with the five-star service and leadership they expect from us.”
Kumar joined the Habitat team as a regional manager for the condominium division, working with Barnhart. Prior to joining Habitat, she served as an assistant vice president and property supervisor at Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, overseeing the operations of a portfolio of more than 2,000 residences. The buildings ranged from high-rises in Chicago’s Lincoln Park to small boutique buildings in the Gold Coast neighborhood, such as the Playboy Mansion.
“Shruti brings strong financial reporting skills and an exceptional ability to connect with people—whether team members or clients—to Habitat,” said Byrne. “Her years of experience are invaluable as we work together to continue to grow our condo portfolio.”
Kumar currently serves as a director on the ABOMA board (Apartment Building Owners and Managers’ Association), and volunteers on ABOMA’s Event Planning Committee. She previously served as secretary for the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) Chicago Chapter’s Executive Council in 2017 and was the recipient of the CPM of the Year award for the Chicago area in 2016.
