Blackstone Installs New CEO, COO At EQ Office

Blackstone portfolio company EQ Office just announced a pair of key C-suite appointments, naming two executives most recently with Hudson Pacific Properties as the office owner's new CEO and chief operating officer.

Starting June 6, Alex Vouvalides will serve as CEO of Chicago-based EQ, and Josh Hatfield will serve as COO.

Current COO and interim CEO Frank Campbell, who has been with EQ for 26 years, will retire from the firm after a three-month transition period.

EQ operates a portfolio of 40M SF of creative office space spread across 13 major U.S. markets, and just completed a $500M renovation of the building that was once the tallest in the world, Chicago’s Willis Tower, a project honored with a Fast Company Innovation by Design Award.

Founded by Sam Zell in 1976, the firm formerly known as Equity Office Properties was acquired by Blackstone in 2007 for $39B, a deal that was seen as a poorly timed bet as the Great Financial Crisis took hold, but one that saw the private equity giant exit with a $7B profit, Bisnow previously reported.

“EQ Office has a deep and rich history, and I am honored to join such a talented team during a pivotal moment in the industry,” Vouvalides said in a statement. “At a time when the borders between work and life are blurring, EQ’s commitment to enhancing the entire tenant experience at its properties stands out.”

Vouvalides and Hatfield served as COO and chief investment officer at Hudson Pacific, and Hatfield worked as executive vice president of operations, overseeing a team of more than 250 employees and 1,000-plus tenants. Hudson Pacific and Blackstone launched a $1.6B joint venture in 2020 to acquire film and television production real estate.

Vouvalides and Hatfield also co-founded Eagle Point Capital Partners, an office development and investment firm.