Ashcroft Capital is a prominent name in the U.S. multifamily real estate investment industry. As real estate investment continues to attract both individual and institutional interest, many curious investors often ask: Who owns Ashcroft Capital? The answer lies in its privately held structure and the visionary leadership that has guided the company to acquire over $2 billion in assets.
This article explores the ownership of Ashcroft Capital, the key individuals behind it, the company’s organizational structure, and how its founders have influenced its strategy and success.
Founders of Ashcroft Capital: Who Really Owns the Firm?
The primary founders of Ashcroft Capital are Joe Fairless and Frank Roessler. While the company may have expanded its team and investor base over the years, the original ownership lies squarely with these two individuals who established the firm in 2015.
Joe Fairless: The Strategic Visionary
Joe Fairless is arguably the most recognizable figure associated with Ashcroft Capital. Before founding the company, Fairless had a career in advertising in New York City and eventually transitioned into real estate investing.
-
Background: He holds a Master’s degree from Texas Tech University and started investing in single-family homes before moving into multifamily properties.
-
Role in Ashcroft Capital: Joe Fairless brought a marketing-savvy approach to real estate, co-founding the firm with a focus on value-add multifamily investment.
-
Public Persona: He is also known for hosting the “Best Real Estate Investing Advice Ever” podcast, which further helped in building Ashcroft Capital’s reputation.
Frank Roessler: The Operational Backbone
Frank Roessler is another co-founder and a significant figure in the firm’s ownership.
-
Background: With an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA, Roessler has years of experience in real estate finance and property management.
-
Role in Ashcroft Capital: He initially played a dual role in managing both the strategic and day-to-day operations of the company. However, he later stepped away from Ashcroft Capital to start his own firm, Ashland Greene Capital, which focuses on similar multifamily investment strategies.
Despite his departure, Roessler’s contribution to Ashcroft’s foundation remains noteworthy.
Ownership Structure: Private and Closely Held
Ashcroft Capital remains a privately owned investment firm. This means it is not traded on the stock exchange and is not required to disclose detailed shareholder information publicly.
-
Primary Ownership: The original ownership was split between Fairless and Roessler. With Roessler’s departure, Joe Fairless is believed to be the primary owner and managing partner.
-
Limited Partners (LPs): While Fairless manages the firm, the capital for investments often comes from Limited Partners — high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional investors. These LPs don’t “own” the company but invest in its real estate offerings.
-
Ashcroft Capital Management Team: As the company has scaled, a team of managing directors and executives has taken on expanded roles, but the actual ownership remains concentrated.
What Does Ashcroft Capital Do?
Understanding who owns Ashcroft Capital is incomplete without a look at what the firm actually does. Ashcroft focuses on multifamily real estate, primarily targeting Class B and C apartment communities in growing U.S. markets.
Core Investment Strategy
The company utilizes a value-add investment model, which involves acquiring underperforming properties and upgrading them to improve cash flow and asset value.
Geographic Focus
Ashcroft Capital invests in high-growth U.S. markets, especially in the Sunbelt region, such as:
-
Dallas-Fort Worth
-
Tampa
-
Orlando
-
Atlanta
These regions offer job growth, population increases, and strong rental demand — key ingredients for successful multifamily investment.
How Ashcroft Capital Operates
Investor Relations
Ashcroft maintains a strong relationship with investors by offering transparency, monthly reporting, and clear communication.
-
Syndication Model: Ashcroft pools funds from multiple investors to purchase large apartment complexes.
-
Accredited Investors Only: Most offerings are available to accredited investors, in line with SEC regulations.
In-House Property Management
Ashcroft also owns and operates Birchstone Residential, an in-house property management company that handles the day-to-day operations of its assets. This vertical integration gives the company more control over tenant experience and property performance.
Recent Developments in Ashcroft Capital Ownership
With the rapid growth of Ashcroft Capital, questions have emerged regarding whether any new ownership stakes or partnerships have changed the original structure.
As of now, there is no public indication that Joe Fairless has sold any ownership stake or that Ashcroft Capital is under any corporate merger or acquisition.
However, it’s common in private equity real estate firms for owners to allocate equity shares to key executives or team members over time, especially as the firm scales. This incentivizes top talent to remain aligned with company goals.
Transparency and Accountability in Ownership
Being a private firm, Ashcroft Capital is not obligated to disclose intricate ownership details. However, it does maintain high transparency with its investors:
-
Investor Portals: LPs have access to live financial performance data.
-
Monthly and Quarterly Updates: Regular reporting and communications ensure that investors stay informed.
-
Audited Financials: Third-party audits and compliance with SEC rules boost investor confidence.
How Joe Fairless Maintains Control
Since Frank Roessler’s departure, Joe Fairless has maintained major control of the firm. He oversees strategic direction, public relations, and investor engagement.
He is also a frequent speaker at real estate conferences and contributes educational content for new and seasoned investors alike. His visibility and branding continue to anchor Ashcroft Capital’s growth.
Does Ashcroft Capital Have Institutional Owners?
Ashcroft Capital has not partnered with large institutional investors in a way that would dilute founder ownership.
-
No Public Ownership: The firm has avoided public listing or selling stakes to hedge funds or venture capital.
-
Investor Pool: Most of the firm’s capital comes from syndication and private investors, maintaining its independence and strategic flexibility.
This structure allows Ashcroft to make long-term decisions without the short-term pressure of public markets.
Future of Ashcroft Capital Ownership
While there’s no official word on changes in ownership or IPO plans, Ashcroft Capital’s growth suggests it may explore larger capital markets eventually.
Possible future developments include:
-
Expansion of Partner Group: Adding senior executives as partners or co-owners.
-
Joint Ventures: Partnering with larger institutional firms for specific projects.
-
Succession Planning: Preparing for leadership changes as the company matures.
For now, Joe Fairless remains the face and primary owner of Ashcroft Capital.
Conclusion: Who Owns Ashcroft Capital?
In summary, Ashcroft Capital is privately owned, with Joe Fairless as the primary owner and leader. The firm was co-founded with Frank Roessler, who has since moved on to establish a separate venture.
Despite being a private company, Ashcroft Capital maintains a high level of transparency with investors. Its success and leadership structure reflect a focused, founder-driven vision in the multifamily real estate sector.
So, the next time you wonder who owns Ashcroft Capital, remember it’s not just a question of names on paper, but about leadership, vision, and strategic execution — all of which Joe Fairless continues to provide.