In the competitive world of multifamily development, the structure of a development firm can significantly influence the final product. Companies that handle development, construction, leasing, and property management in-house operate differently from those that outsource each phase, often resulting in distinct advantages in speed and quality.
TAY Investments, a vertically integrated real estate development company based in Hackensack, New Jersey, exemplifies this approach. The firm is currently delivering LAZUL WEST, a 202-unit residential property at 301 West Side Avenue in Jersey City. By keeping all stages of the project under one roof, TAY Investments aims to optimize decision-making and long-term value.
Yuval Shram, Founder and CEO of TAY Investments, emphasizes the importance of full lifecycle ownership. "When you own the full life cycle, you understand everything," Shram said. "You make every decision knowing you will own the property for the long term, so you build it to last." This perspective ensures that choices are made with durability and resident experience in mind, rather than for a quick handoff to another party.
Vertical integration also enables the company to move faster without losing control. Since TAY acts as its own general contractor, design refinements and construction can proceed in parallel, coordinated internally rather than renegotiated across separate contracts. Shram describes this as managing a large, interconnected system with a single hand on every piece. For instance, altering a building entrance affects utilities, access, and site planning; keeping these relationships within one organization allows the project to advance smoothly and reflect the team's exact intentions. On LAZUL WEST, this coordination kept construction on schedule while plans were refined to a higher standard.
The benefits extend into operations. TAY's leasing and management teams participate in the design phase, ensuring the building is shaped around how residents will actually use it. "Our leasing agent will look at the plans and tell us where we can make them better," Shram noted. "She might say a layout needs more walk-in closet space, because that is something residents value, so we build it in." Similarly, electric-vehicle charging was added early because the operating team knew residents would want it. "Those small touches are what create the value of a building," he added.
As development expands into emerging neighborhoods like Jersey City's West Side, the ability to control quality end-to-end becomes a genuine differentiator. A developer that builds and operates its own assets can maintain a consistent standard from the first drawing through years of management. LAZUL WEST, now delivered and leasing, is a clear expression of this approach.
This model has broader implications for the industry. In a market where speed and quality are often seen as trade-offs, vertical integration offers a way to achieve both. By aligning incentives across the entire lifecycle, developers can avoid the compromises that typically arise when projects are handed off between separate entities. For residents, this can mean better-designed spaces and more responsive management. For investors, it can lead to more predictable outcomes and higher long-term returns.
TAY Investments specializes in multifamily properties across New Jersey, with in-house capabilities in development, general contracting, property management, and asset management. The company maintains a long-term holding strategy, focusing on creating exceptional residential communities in strategic locations. As the West Side of Jersey City continues to grow, TAY's integrated approach may serve as a model for other developers looking to compete on both speed and quality.
