Leon

Over the past 15 years, Leon I. Walker, Esq. has led visionary community  development projects that have generated thousands of new jobs, and brought grocery stores and health care services into the food and health care deserts on Chicago’s south side.

As the Managing Principal of DL3 Realty Advisors, LLC, Mr. Walker works closely with municipalities, anchor institutions, and Fortune 500 companies to execute projects that are sensitive to a neighborhood’s character while creating economic opportunities for local businesses and residents. 

Mr. Walker’s projects are more than just bricks and mortar; they are designed to provide a
stimulus that ultimately lifts economic prospects and the quality-of-life in urban communities.

Prior to taking on the leadership of DL3, Mr. Walker worked in corporate real estate services at Jones Lang LaSalle, and in real estate capital markets at Citicorp Securities. Mr. Walker is an innovator who continues to be at the forefront of utilizing new financing tools
and blended funding streams in developments
that involve public-private partnerships. During his career, Mr. Walker has structured more than $100 million in New Markets Tax Credits. He was also the first Chicago developer to use crowdfunding for new construction, as part of the capital stack for the nationally recognized Englewood Square retail center, anchored by Whole Foods.

He is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s Law School and Booth School of Business and received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.