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Arkhouse
Arkhouse was established by Gavriel Kahane and Jonathon Blackwell, two former colleagues who met at a real estate private equity firm.
Arkhouse
Arkhouse was established by Gavriel Kahane and Jonathon Blackwell, two former colleagues who met at a real estate private equity firm. The firm's founding year is not publicly documented, but it gained prominence in the early 2020s for activist campaigns targeting retail companies with valuable real estate assets. The underlying wealth origin for Arkhouse's principals has not been disclosed. Arkhouse focuses on real estate and retail investments, targeting publicly traded companies it believes are undervalued. The firm's strategy often involves taking significant equity stakes and pushing for transactions that unlock value, such as sales or go-private deals. In December 2023, Arkhouse and Brigade Capital Management submitted a $5.8 billion bid to acquire Macy's (per Reuters, December 2023). The firm also built a stake in Kohl's in 2021 and pushed for a sale (per The Wall Street Journal, November 2021). Geographically, Arkhouse focuses primarily on the United States. The firm's total assets under management and team size are not publicly known. Arkhouse operates from a single office in New York City. No separate philanthropic vehicles or adjacent operating businesses have been publicly identified. What distinguishes Arkhouse is its narrow sector focus on real estate and retail, combined with an activist approach. Unlike many real estate-focused asset managers that invest solely in private property, Arkhouse uses public equity positions to force corporate actions that reveal underlying real estate value. This dual expertise in retail operations and property valuation shapes the firm's sourcing and engagement model.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
New York, NY, United States
Principals
Gavriel Kahane
Managing Partner
Jonathon Blackwell
Managing Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who controls investment decisions at Arkhouse?
Managing Partners Gavriel Kahane and Jonathon Blackwell jointly control investment decisions. The two are former colleagues from a real estate private equity firm, per public record. No other named senior investment professionals have been publicly identified.
What is Arkhouse's investment strategy?
Arkhouse invests in undervalued public companies, particularly retailers with significant real estate holdings. The firm takes activist positions, often pushing for sales, spinoffs, or other transactions that unlock the value of underlying property assets. It targets real estate and retail sectors, per public filings and press reports.
Does Arkhouse invest through funds or only as a single entity?
Arkhouse appears to invest through a pooled fund structure, as evidenced by its 2023 bid for Macy's alongside Brigade Capital Management, which is a hedge fund. The firm does not publicly disclose how its capital is raised or whether it operates as a family office or an asset manager.
Has Arkhouse been involved in any notable activist campaigns?
Yes. In November 2021, Arkhouse disclosed a stake in Kohl's and pushed the company to consider a sale (per The Wall Street Journal, November 2021). In December 2023, the firm joined Brigade Capital to make a $5.8 billion bid for Macy's (per Reuters, December 2023). Both campaigns center on unlocking the value of the retailers' real estate.
What is Arkhouse's track record on deal completion?
The Kohl's activist campaign did not result in a sale; the company explored a process but remained independent. As of mid-2024, the Macy's bid has not been completed, but the firm continues to engage with the company's board. Arkhouse has not publicly disclosed any prior real estate transactions or exits.
Where does the underlying wealth at Arkhouse come from?
The wealth origin of Arkhouse's founders has not been publicly disclosed. Gavriel Kahane and Jonathon Blackwell previously worked at a real estate private equity firm but their personal capital sources are not known.
What sectors does Arkhouse explicitly avoid?
Arkhouse has not publicly stated any explicitly avoided sectors. Based on publicly known activity, the firm concentrates entirely on real estate and retail, suggesting it does not invest in technology, healthcare, or other industries.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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