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Chris Nelson

First Vice President & Senior Director | industrial | San Diego, CA
Direct:+1 (858) 257-4562
Mobile:+1 (949) 280-6217
Email:chris.nelson@matthews.com
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About Chris

Chris Nelson currently serves as First Vice President and Senior Director for Matthews™, specializing in middle-market industrial investment sales, agency leasing, and strategic portfolio advisory throughout Southern California. Chris has transacted north of $600 million of real estate throughout his career. He has worked with a diverse range of clients, spanning from real estate private equity groups to publicly traded corporations. His ability to provide creative industrial investment solutions and strategic portfolio advisory has helped him become one of San Diego’s most active industrial brokers. Chris’s strategic vision and market knowledge have helped him assist clients in complex real estate dealings and deliver high returns on their investments. Chris’ experience has helped to give him a unique understanding of construction, management, and property-level accounting, which has allowed him to be able to provide clients with streamlined advisory over the life cycle of their real estate assets.


Before working with Matthews™, Chris was a Managing Partner at Inland Pacific and worked as a broker with Stream Realty Partners, Marcus & Millichap, and the Saywitz company, specializing in investment sales and leasing. Chris is currently attending USC’s Marshall School of Business to obtain his Master’s in Business Administration.


B.S., Finance and Marketing

University of San Diego


Professional Accomplishments
  • 2024, 2025 – Chairman’s Award – Matthews™
  • 2024 Q1 CoStar Quarterly Deal Winner

President of University of San Diego Sales Club

Senator for University of San Diego Associated Students Board


Affiliations & Memberships
  • California Bureau of Real Estate
  • License No. 02055962 (CA)
Contact Chris

Chris Nelson in the Media

Industrial Evolution

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Q125 | Industrial Market Report | San Diego, CA image

Q125 | Industrial Market Report | San Diego, CA

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Industrial Market Report | San Diego, CA image

Industrial Market Report | San Diego, CA

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Q&A: Sam Sukut and Chris Nelson image

Q&A: Sam Sukut and Chris Nelson

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Case Studies

Image of How Matthews™ Converted an Aging Owner-User Facility into Passive, Long-Term Retirement Income Success Story

How Matthews™ Converted an Aging Owner-User Facility into Passive, Long-Term Retirement Income

A long-time owner-user held an industrial property at 8645 Argent Street in Santee, California and was approaching retirement. While the asset had appreciated over time, it suffered from significant deferred maintenance, making a re-lease at attractive market rates both capital intensive and operationally burdensome. The client’s objective was to transition out of active ownership and into a stable, passive investment that could generate reliable long-term income. Matthews™ identified a neighboring property owner and structured an as-is sale, unlocking the client’s equity and positioning the proceeds for a 1031 exchange.   Challenge The client needed to exit a management-intensive asset without investing additional capital into deferred maintenance or facing leasing uncertainty. At the same time, the replacement property had to provide dependable, passive income suitable for retirement, with minimal management requirements and long-term stability. Identifying a high-quality replacement within exchange timelines required both speed and access to institutional-grade net-leased opportunities.   Strategy Matthews™ leveraged its internal national platform to source and evaluate multiple exchange opportunities, focusing on long-term, single-tenant net-leased retail assets. Multiple offers were submitted across several properties to create competitive leverage, allowing for disciplined pricing negotiations and favorable terms. The emphasis remained on credit quality, lease duration, and predictable income streams that aligned with the client’s retirement goals.   Result The client ultimately acquired a fully off-market, single-tenant net-leased early childcare facility located at 2874 East Cherokee Drive in Canton, Georgia. The property was secured with a newly executed 15-year lease, providing long-term income stability and minimal management responsibility. The acquisition closed at a 6.11% capitalization rate and generated $218,775 in annual income. The transaction successfully transformed an aging, maintenance-heavy owner-user asset into a passive, stable investment designed to support the client through retirement.

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Chris Nelson

First Vice President & Senior Director

Image of How Matthews™ Turned a Vacant San Diego Asset into a Stable, Credit-Leased National Investment Success Story

How Matthews™ Turned a Vacant San Diego Asset into a Stable, Credit-Leased National Investment

A client had acquired an 11,991 square foot industrial property at 2202 Verus Street in Chula Vista, California, where a long-term tenant was in the process of vacating. Rather than re-leasing the property and holding it as a local investment, Matthews™ identified the asset as a strong candidate for an owner-user disposition, a strategy that offered materially higher value. An off-market buyer was sourced through Matthews™’ network, resulting in a market-high price per square foot sale. With proceeds in hand, the client elected to pursue a geographically unconstrained exchange, prioritizing credit tenancy, income stability, and yield.   Challenge The primary challenge was maximizing value on a soon-to-be-vacant asset while minimizing downtime and leasing risk. Following the sale, the client needed to redeploy capital outside of the local San Diego market into an asset that delivered stronger cash flow without increasing operational complexity. Identifying high-quality, credit-leased opportunities with attractive yields required broad market coverage and access to opportunities not widely available.   Strategy Matthews™ leveraged its national platform to source and evaluate off-market and pre-market opportunities across multiple markets. The search focused on single-tenant assets backed by strong credit tenants with long-term lease commitments, offering higher cash flow than comparable local investments. By utilizing internal agent relationships nationwide, Matthews™ was able to surface opportunities before they reached the open market and position the client for a decisive acquisition.   Result The exchange culminated in the acquisition of a fully off-market industrial facility at 2155 West Nordale Drive in Appleton, Wisconsin, leased to ABC Supply Co. The tenant had recently executed a long-term lease renewal, demonstrating a strong commitment to the location and providing durable, stabilized income. The transaction expanded the client’s total owned square footage from 11,991 square feet to 62,358 square feet and increased annual net operating income from $129,502 to $307,762. The result was a transformation from a single, vacancy-exposed local asset into a diversified, credit-backed national investment with significantly enhanced cash flow.

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Chris Nelson

First Vice President & Senior Director

Image of How Matthews™ Transformed a Mis-Marketed Front Street Asset into a Diversified Higher-Yield Portfolio Success Story

How Matthews™ Transformed a Mis-Marketed Front Street Asset into a Diversified Higher-Yield Portfolio

In October 2022, Matthews™ identified a mis-marketed property at 635 Front Street in El Cajon that was being positioned as an owner-user opportunity despite operating as a multi-tenant industrial asset with five month-to-month tenants in place. The property was acquired for $4.1 million, followed by a light value-add program that included releasing the units at higher market rates. Approximately one year later, the asset was sold for $6.0 million, creating a significant equity gain and placing the client into a 1031 exchange with approximately $3.0 million of equity. The client’s objective was to redeploy capital into a diversified group of assets with a blended return profile.   Challenge The exchange occurred during a period of rising interest rates and declining transaction velocity, when many sellers were slow to adjust pricing expectations. The client needed to identify suitable replacement properties within a compressed exchange timeline while balancing income stability with value-add upside. Sourcing attractive opportunities in a market with limited on-market inventory required creativity, speed, and access to off-market deal f low.   Strategy Matthews™ leveraged its off-market pipeline to present multiple acquisition opportunities that aligned with the client’s risk and return objectives. The strategy focused on assembling a diversified portfolio consisting of a stabilized asset, a medium value-add opportunity, and a deep value-add investment. By targeting fully off-market transactions, Matthews™ was able to avoid competitive bidding environments and negotiate favorable pricing and terms despite broader market headwinds.   Result The exchange was completed with the acquisition of three fully off-market properties, each serving a distinct role within the portfolio.   The stabilized asset was a retail and showroom property located at 2645 Auto Parkway in Escondido, acquired for $2.465 million. The property was fully leased to Off-Road Warehouse, a regional operator with more than 50 locations across the western United States, providing durable, credit-backed cash flow.   The medium value-add acquisition was 601 Front Street in El Cajon, purchased for $2.55 million. The single-tenant property was leased to Western Water Works, with a near-term lease maturity at rents determined to be well below market. Shortly after closing, the lease was renewed at a substantial increase without requiring any out-of-pocket capital expenditures.   The deep value-add component of the strategy was 10149 Channel Road, acquired for $3.3 million. The property was a multi-tenant industrial asset with short-term leases, offering significant repositioning and income growth potential.   Following the exchange, the client increased total portfolio square footage from 25,085 square feet to 30,700 square feet and achieved a stabilized portfolio yield of 7.47%, successfully converting a single opportunistic sale into a more diversified, higher-performing investment portfolio.

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Chris Nelson

First Vice President & Senior Director

Image of How Matthews™ Leverages Strategic Exits and a Targeted Refinance to Secure a Discounted Otay Industrial Portfolio Success Story

How Matthews™ Leverages Strategic Exits and a Targeted Refinance to Secure a Discounted Otay Industrial Portfolio

In late 2022, Matthews™ guided a client through the acquisition of three industrial properties as part of a 1031 exchange, including 110 Venture Drive and 935 Bailey Court in San Marcos, both sourced off-market, as well as 1061 La Mirada in Vista. By early 2025, Matthews™ successfully executed high-watermark sales of both La Mirada and Venture to separate owner-users, triggering two concurrent exchanges. During this period, 935 Bailey Court had been fully stabilized since acquisition, creating an opportunity to refinance the asset and extract equity to further support the client’s next acquisition phase.   Challenge The client faced the complexity of coordinating multiple exchange timelines while maximizing total purchasing power. Executing two down-leg dispositions simultaneously, determining the optimal role of the remaining stabilized asset, and ensuring sufficient equity for a larger replacement acquisition, required precise timing and structuring. In addition, identifying a suitable replacement opportunity with meaningful value advantages, while accommodating exchange proceeds and potential refinance capital, presented a narrow margin for error.   Strategy Matthews™ identified a unique off-market industrial portfolio in Otay that had been tracked for several years. A recent shift in the seller’s personal circumstances created a limited opportunity to acquire the portfolio at a significant discount to market, driven by its atypical mix of asset types. Matthews™ coordinated the closing timelines of the two exchanges while structuring a refinance of 935 Bailey Court to supplement available equity. A cost-basis allocation strategy was implemented, assigning a lower basis to the multi-tenant assets intended for long-term ownership while isolating shorter-term assets for a different exit strategy.   Result The client acquired a 12-property industrial portfolio in Otay for $13.2 million, consisting of two multi-tenant industrial parks and ten industrial condominium units. The portfolio was purchased at a meaningful discount to market due to its non-institutional asset composition. Exchange proceeds were allocated to the multi-tenant properties designated for long-term hold, while refinance equity was used to acquire the condominium units. Those condos were positioned for resale shortly after acquisition, with proceeds intended to reduce the overall portfolio basis. This structure lowered long-term cost basis, enhanced portfolio efficiency, and demonstrated Matthews™’ ability to integrate sales, refinancing, and off-market acquisitions into a cohesive, value-driven investment strategy.

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Chris Nelson

First Vice President & Senior Director

Image of How Matthews™ Transformed a Legacy Park Street Holding into Higher-Quality, Inflation-Resistant Cash Flow Success Story

How Matthews™ Transformed a Legacy Park Street Holding into Higher-Quality, Inflation-Resistant Cash Flow

A long-held industrial portfolio located at 8701–8711, 8732, and 8828 Park Street in Bellflower, California had generated substantial equity growth for the owner over time and was maintained at a low leverage position. Despite strong appreciation, the income profile had become less attractive due to an anchor tenant on a long-term lease with 2% annual increases that lagged inflation. Matthews™ identified an active 1031 exchange buyer whose acquisition requirements aligned precisely with the asset profile and negotiated a market premium sale of $9.2 million. The transaction positioned the client in an equity-heavy exchange seeking higher-quality, stabilized replacement properties with durable credit tenancy.   Challenge The client faced declining real income growth from a well-performing but structurally constrained asset. Long-term lease terms limited upside, while the client’s additional stream of income introduced volatility that was no longer aligned with their investment objectives. Following the sale, the client needed to redeploy exchange proceeds into assets that could restore leverage efficiency, improve cash f low durability, and provide stronger inflation protection, all within the strict timing constraints of a 1031 exchange.   Strategy Matthews™ leveraged its deal pipeline to identify and underwrite ten potential replacement assets, the majority of which were sourced off-market. Multiple opportunities were pursued simultaneously, allowing offers to be structured across several properties to create negotiating leverage. This approach enabled favorable pricing discussions, flexible escrow timelines, and the ability to shop financing during diligence. The focus centered on truly single-tenant assets in high-barrier-to-entry markets with strong credit tenants and contractual rent growth that exceeded inflationary trends.   Result The client ultimately acquired two properties with a combined value of $14.9 million, rebalancing this portion of the portfolio to approximately 50% leverage while significantly upgrading asset quality.   The first acquisition was a fully off-market, direct-to-principal transaction at 8315 Buckhorn Street in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa submarket, purchased for $7.5 million. The property featured the same tenant as the relinquished Park Street asset but was structured as a true single-tenant investment with 3% annual rent increases, located in one of San Diego’s most supply-constrained industrial markets.   The second acquisition was 1360 North Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon, secured for $7.4 million. Through established relationships, Matthews™ was alerted that the property was likely to fall out of escrow, allowing the client to preempt a broader remarketing process. The asset is fully leased to Sunstate Equipment Rentals on a long-term lease with 4% annual increases.   Together, these acquisitions replaced lower-growth, less durable income with stabilized cash flow backed by strong credit tenancy, improved annual rent escalations, and superior market fundamentals, marking a clear upgrade in both portfolio quality and long-term performance.

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Chris Nelson

First Vice President & Senior Director

Image of How Matthews™ Turned a Single Off-Market Opportunity into a High-Growth Portfolio Success Story

How Matthews™ Turned a Single Off-Market Opportunity into a High-Growth Portfolio

In September 2021, Matthews™ facilitated a fully off-market acquisition of 2070 Las Palmas in Carlsbad for $6 million. The property was purchased at a significantly discounted rate, driven by a medium-term lease that was well below prevailing rental rates. The client’s initial business plan focused on holding the asset at a favorable cap rate while pursuing an early lease termination. After successfully negotiating a termination with the tenant, the property was re-leased at nearly double the inplace rental rate and sold shortly thereafter for $11.8 million in March 2023. The sale generated substantial equity gains for a client who was actively completing a 1031 exchange and needed to harbor proceeds efficiently.   Challenge The primary challenge was twofold. First, the client needed to unlock value from a mispriced asset restricted by a below-market lease without disrupting cash flow. Second, following the disposition, the client required suitable replacement properties that could absorb significant exchange equity while balancing risk, return, and longterm growth. The market environment was increasingly competitive, particularly among institutional buyers, making it difficult to source attractively priced opportunities that aligned with the client’s objectives.   Strategy Matthews™ leveraged an extensive pipeline of both on- and off-market opportunities to present more than 25 potential acquisition options. The strategy ultimately focused on acquiring multiple assets rather than a single large property to diversify risk and remain competitive in a pricing range dominated by private buyers. A diversified return profile was intentionally targeted, consisting of a fully stabilized asset, a light value-add opportunity, and a deep value-add acquisition. This approach allowed the client to balance immediate income with future upside while maintaining flexibility within the exchange timeline.   Result The exchange resulted in the acquisition of three properties sourced directly through the Matthews™ deal pipeline. The stabilized asset, acquired fully off-market through a direct-to-seller relationship, was 1814 Roosevelt in National City, purchased for $3.54 million. This property was leased long term to Crash Champions and acquired at a basis significantly below replacement cost.   The light value-add acquisition was a multi-tenant business park at 1991 Don Lee in Escondido, purchased for $5.95 million and was fully leased at closing, with rents below market and near-term rollover providing embedded upside.   The deep value-add component of the strategy was 22702280 Meyers in Escondido, acquired for $2.05 million. This transaction represented the lowest price per square foot for a multi-tenant asset in Escondido in multiple years and featured month-to-month leases and significant deferred maintenance, positioning it for substantial repositioning potential.   This exchange increased the client’s portfolio size from 32,506 square feet to 52,598 square feet and boosted cash flow by 223%, successfully transforming a single value-driven disposition into a diversified, higher-performing portfolio.

Image of Chris Nelson Author

Chris Nelson

First Vice President & Senior Director