Key Takeaways
- • Starwood Capital Group hired Michael Eglit as U.S. Head of Originations, effective September 8, 2026, from Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies where he spent nearly 15 years in the same role.
- • Eglit's appointment follows Jonathan Pollack's move to Starwood Capital as president approximately 17 months prior, establishing continuity and cultural alignment between the two former Blackstone colleagues.
- • The hire is strategically positioned to expand Starwood's commercial real estate debt originations business by leveraging Eglit's extensive borrower relationships, particularly those previously competitive with Blackstone.
- • Eglit will be based across Greenwich, Connecticut and New York City, underscoring Starwood's commitment to strengthening its presence in major financial centers during the fourth quarter market cycle.
- • The move reflects competitive dynamics in the institutional real estate debt market, with Starwood seeking to recapture deal flow and borrower relationships from Blackstone and strengthen its positioning as one of the country's leading debt providers.
Summary
Starwood Capital Group has reinforced its commercial real estate debt originations platform by recruiting Michael Eglit from Blackstone, marking a significant leadership addition to the firm's institutional debt business. Eglit assumed his role as U.S. Head of Originations on September 8, 2026, transitioning from Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies, where he spent nearly 15 years building and overseeing the firm's origination strategy across all asset types and borrower segments.
The hiring represents a strategic expansion of Starwood's debt capabilities at a critical juncture in the fourth quarter cycle. Eglit's appointment creates a leadership pipeline built on prior relationships—he joins Jonathan Pollack, who moved to Starwood Capital as president approximately 17 months earlier. Both executives bring institutional knowledge and established networks from their tenure at Blackstone, positioning Starwood to capitalize on cultural continuity and operational alignment during the transition.
Industry sources characterized the move as a natural strategic fit, noting that Starwood's debt business is among the most prominent in the country. Eglit's mandate is to expand the firm's origination volume and penetrate borrower relationships that have historically favored Blackstone in competitive situations. Since Starwood's loan portfolio is heavily concentrated among repeat borrowers, Eglit's extensive relationship network addresses a key business development gap—bringing into Starwood's fold borrowers and deal opportunities that the firm previously could not access.
Eglit will split his operational presence between Greenwich, Connecticut and New York City, reflecting the geographic concentration of institutional real estate debt markets and Starwood's commitment to maintaining proximity to its institutional borrower base and capital partners. The timing underscores Starwood's conviction in market conditions heading into the final quarter of 2026, as the firm positions itself to capitalize on origination opportunities in a competitive institutional debt marketplace.
The hiring represents a strategic expansion of Starwood's debt capabilities at a critical juncture in the fourth quarter cycle. Eglit's appointment creates a leadership pipeline built on prior relationships—he joins Jonathan Pollack, who moved to Starwood Capital as president approximately 17 months earlier. Both executives bring institutional knowledge and established networks from their tenure at Blackstone, positioning Starwood to capitalize on cultural continuity and operational alignment during the transition.
Industry sources characterized the move as a natural strategic fit, noting that Starwood's debt business is among the most prominent in the country. Eglit's mandate is to expand the firm's origination volume and penetrate borrower relationships that have historically favored Blackstone in competitive situations. Since Starwood's loan portfolio is heavily concentrated among repeat borrowers, Eglit's extensive relationship network addresses a key business development gap—bringing into Starwood's fold borrowers and deal opportunities that the firm previously could not access.
Eglit will split his operational presence between Greenwich, Connecticut and New York City, reflecting the geographic concentration of institutional real estate debt markets and Starwood's commitment to maintaining proximity to its institutional borrower base and capital partners. The timing underscores Starwood's conviction in market conditions heading into the final quarter of 2026, as the firm positions itself to capitalize on origination opportunities in a competitive institutional debt marketplace.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.