MEET THE TEAM

Shy Cohen is a Co-founder and Head of Development at Urban Stearns. He has completed 50+ real estate projects and value-add investment transactions that contributed to the growth and development of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. His experience includes $300 million in a collection of mixed-use developments, mid-rise apartments and condominiums, luxury and affordable housing projects, and single family dwellings.

Shy’s strength lies in creating real estate investment value and offering extensive expertise in all facets of property development including acquisitions, permitting, entitlements, zoning, financing, development and operations. In Addition to his meritable work ethic, Shy has a proven track record of navigating political and regulatory complexities and building successful teams of lawyers, designers, and contractors.  

Prior to Urban Stearns, Shy began Cohen Development in 1998 which, similarly to Urban Stearns, capitalized on creating attractive investment opportunities in high-return real estate developments.

Lee Rubinoff is the Head of Acquisitions & Operations at Urban Stearns. Leveraging 10+ years of experience, skills and knowledge of real estate finance and consulting, Lee develops and implements the acquisition and investment strategy for the Urban Stearns. 

Prior to co-founding Urban Stearns, Lee was responsible for asset management and acquisition activities at James Investment Partners. He managed the firm's quarter billion dollar portfolio and assisted in the acquisition of $100+ million of multifamily value-add real estate. 

Lee previously worked as a Senior Consultant for Deloitte’s advisory practice. His responsibilities included supporting AECOM, an international real estate developer, in managing capital expenditures on a $6 billion building program which constructed 60+ new structures in Los Angeles. He also consulted for businesses in the financial services, entertainment and technology sectors. 

Lee was born in San Diego and received a BA in Business Economics with a minor in Accounting from the University of California Los Angeles. Lee was a guest speaker at Urban Land Institute’s Young Leaders Event. He is also  a volunteer first responder at Hatzolah LA.