BOSTON–In the high-stakes world of commercial real estate, performance is measured in numbers—and no numbers speak louder than these: $27.5 billion in closed transactions, 132,602 multifamily units sold, and nearly 50% of all multifamily investment sales in Greater Boston since 2012.
These are the staggering figures behind CBRE’s Boston Multifamily Capital Markets Group, led by Vice Chairmen Simon Butler and Biria St. John, the 2025 Brokers of the Year in Multifamily Investments, as recognized by Boston Real Estate Times.
In a market challenged by inflation, rising interest rates, and shifting capital markets, this powerhouse duo has continued to outperform the industry. In 2024 alone, Butler and St. John closed $1.63 billion in transactions, totaling 4,784 units across 29 deals. With $1.4 billion already closed in 2025, and $570 million under agreement, the CBRE team is once again on track to lead the market with both volume and velocity.
Dominating the Multifamily Sector—From Core to Value-Add
The team’s recent portfolio of high-impact deals includes:
- Hill Estates, Belmont, MA – 396 Units | $175 Millio
- Hanover Crossing, Hanover, MA – 297 Units | $155.85 Million
- 508-Unit Luxury Community – Boston, MA
- 787 Units – Hamden, CT
- 640 Units – Manchester, NH.
Their work spans the entire spectrum of multifamily—from luxury urban developments and suburban garden-style assets to value-add repositioning, affordable housing, and joint venture equity raises. Their client roster includes the most prominent names in real estate: institutional investors, REITs, developers, syndicators, family offices, and private equity firms.
But it’s not just the quantity of transactions—it’s the quality of the execution. Their ability to strategically position assets, bring the right buyers to the table, and close under pressure makes them not just dealmakers, but market makers.
Meet the Dealmakers
Simon Butler, Vice Chairman, CBRE
Simon Butler is one of the most respected names in multifamily investment sales nationwide. With over $24 billion in closed multifamily deals, Simon has led some of the most significant transactions in Greater Boston and across New England. Known for his institutional expertise and strategic foresight, Simon has consistently ranked among CBRE’s top producers nationwide, including being the #2 CBRE multifamily broker in 2013, #4 in 2016, and Top 3 in both 2019 and 2020.
His long-standing relationships, data-driven approach, and leadership within CBRE have been instrumental in shaping the region’s multifamily landscape. He has represented high-profile sales across Cambridge, Somerville, Framingham, Dedham, Marlborough, and beyond—driving top-dollar returns for clients and elevating CBRE’s dominance in the space.
Biria St. John, Vice Chairman, CBRE
Biria St. John combines sharp valuation skills with a dealmaker’s instinct. With a foundation in CBRE’s Consulting and Valuation Group, Biria brings a nuanced financial lens to every transaction. He has been involved in over $24 billion in multifamily deals, alongside Simon, and is especially known for his leadership in the affordable housing sector—having closed over $550 million in affordable transactions over the past five years alone.
Biria is a perennial member of CBRE’s elite Colbert Coldwell Circle (top 3% of producers nationwide), and his reputation for delivering results in complex regulatory and financing environments has made him a go-to broker for institutional and mission-driven investors alike.
Backed by the Global Power of CBRE
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE) is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with over 140,000 employees across 100+ countries. Headquartered in Dallas, CBRE operates across four core business segments:
- Advisory (Leasing, Capital Markets, Valuation)
- Building Operations & Experience (Facilities and Property Management)
- Project Management
- Real Estate Investments
CBRE’s platform provides the Boston Multifamily team with an unmatched combination of data, analytics, global reach, and localized expertise—allowing them to deliver superior outcomes for every asset class and investment strategy.
CBRE’s Boston multifamily group isn’t slowing down. With a robust deal pipeline, a constantly evolving investor landscape, and ongoing demand for rental housing across Massachusetts and New England, the team is doubling down on its core mission: to help clients realize maximum value while shaping the next chapter of multifamily living.
They continue to expand their footprint in both market-rate and affordable housing, while also targeting land sales, joint ventures, and emerging suburban hubs—all supported by CBRE’s deep research, technology, and global investment capabilities.
In a market that demands precision, resilience, and vision, Simon Butler and Biria St. John have proven—again and again—that they are the brokers investors want in their corner.
Congratulations to CBRE’s Boston Multifamily Investment Sales Team, the 2025 Brokers of the Year—setting the pace, raising the bar, and defining the future of multifamily real estate in New England.
