ABOUT US

Real Estate Development with a Mission

At Orchestra Partners, we approach real estate with a purpose. Unlike traditional real estate firms, we take an innovative, community-first approach to redevelopment by giving a leading role to existing properties, buildings and assets that are closing the gap between potential and prosperity in our neighborhoods. We target walkable urban communities with existing functional, historic buildings and properties located in markets that have intrinsic value.

Proudly headquartered in downtown Birmingham, we compose a symphony of purposeful partnerships for livable, thriving neighborhoods. Our co-founders Hunter Renfroe and John Boone moved back to Birmingham and founded Orchestra Partners, their own unique contribution to the city’s revitalization. With a shared vision to preserve history while creating a brighter future, Hunter and John set their sights on redevelopment that would positively impact Birmingham.

Orchestra Partners focuses on leveraging real estate opportunities that restore the past, strengthen the present, and ensure a sustainable future. We bring entities together to work in concert to create a lasting impact on the place we call home. This redevelopment approach allows us to think outside the box, take risks and create initiatives that help achieve our goal of building a better Birmingham.

Interested in working here? Check out our Careers page openings and opportunities.

OUR TEAM

Hunter Renfroe

Principal

Hunter focuses on organizational strategy, finance, construction management and project management. He’s had a passion for real estate and construction all of his life, earning his real estate agent’s license at the age of 21. Hunter worked through college as a laborer and later an engineer for a large Birmingham construction company, Hunter spent several years managing the growth and leadership of his family’s staffing business, where he also led the development and construction of its new headquarters. After studying in Boston for two years, Hunter returned to Birmingham where he and his wife, Whitney, became proud parents of their first daughter, Marley.

Hunter is a LEED Accredited Professional and a licensed real estate agent.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Birmingham-Southern College
B.S. in Business Administration & Management, 2007
B.S. in Physics, 2008

University of Alabama at Birmingham
M.S. in Civil Engineering, 2010

Boston University
M.B.A. in Strategy & Finance, 2015 (High Honors)

John Boone

Principal

John specializes in organizational strategy, market analysis, community development and project management. After flirting with a Ph.D. in History, he decided his skill set was better suited for the business world. He joined a capital markets firm in Washington D.C., where he also interned at the Woodrow Wilson International Center. Two years later, he left to pursue a real estate development career in South Florida, where he directed site selection and inception-stage planning of charter schools.

John is a member of the Five Points Alliance, the economic development council for Five Points South. He also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, and is actively engaged in community development throughout the city.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Birmingham-Southern College
B.A. in History, 2006

University of Alabama at Birmingham
M.A. in History, 2010

Sarah Miller

Director of Execution

Sarah joined Orchestra on the asset management team, but soon switched to the development side and worked her way up to Director. She is responsible for carrying our development projects from the planning phase through construction to completion and stabilization. Sarah spent several years in the development and property management industry. After receiving her real estate license, Sarah knew she wanted to pursue a career in real estate development where she could help impact the future of Birmingham.

Sarah lives in Birmingham with her husband Brandon. She enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen, planting seasonal gardens and traveling.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

University of Alabama
B.A. in Political Science, 2012

Mary Claire Weeks

Managing Director

Mary Claire Weeks manages Orchestra’s financial infrastructure and general business operations. Mary Claire joined us from Atlanta, GA where she most recently spent time as a Corporate Accountant for a publicly traded REIT. Previously, she worked for a public accounting firm as part of the financial services audit team. Mary Claire is a Certified Public Accountant (active).

Mary Claire lives in Birmingham with her husband, Andy, and two dogs, Daisy-Mae and Milo. She enjoys running, weekend trips to the lake, and spending time with her family.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

University of Alabama

B.A. in Accounting, 2012

Georgia State University

M.S. in Accounting, 2014

Paula Comunelli

Director of People & Culture

Paula is responsible for supporting leadership development and forwarding a positive culture throughout the company. She has a passion for accessing and unleashing the power of people and does this by seeking out the positive in any situation. Paula joins us from Northern California where she worked in a variety of Human Resources roles in corporations and not-for-profit organizations.

Paula enjoys exploring her new hometown in Birmingham, meeting new people, trying new restaurants, tasting wine and craft beer, and being walked by her four-legged buddy, Camille.

Contact

pcomunelli @orchestra-partners.com
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

California State University, East Bay

B.S. in Business Administration

Pepperdine University

M.S. in Organization Development

Henry Costa

Director of Assets & Experiences

Henry is responsible for the management of our assets, both physical and operational. Most importantly, he leads The Downtown Experience division, which encompasses all in-house hospitality, retail and lifestyle projects (e.g. The Woolworth, Unplugged, McFly’s, etc). Prior to joining Orchestra Partners, Henry was most recently the co-founder and President of two Los Angeles based restaurant groups: J. Fall Group and LINK Restaurant Group, the former having been purchased by a large restaurant group in 2019. Henry began his career on Wall Street for 9 years as an Investment Banker.

In addition to enjoying time with his wife Lauren and their rescue pup Alfie, Henry likes to explore hiking trails, try new restaurants/bars, and travel the world (44 countries and counting!).

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Georgetown University

B.S. in Business Administration

Kyle Fessler

Director of Business Development

Kyle brings a decade of experience in off-market property acquisition, contract negotiation, and project financing. Prior to joining Orchestra, he led the deal desk at a publicly traded fund, he co-founded a shop that sold single-family homes directly to investors, and he managed M&A activity for an Atlanta CRE firm. His passion is rooted in complex deal-making, and he is a licensed real estate agent.

He and his wife, Margaret Kyle, moved back to Birmingham in 2017. They are members at Independent Presbyterian Church. In 2019, the two welcomed their first child, Robert “Dare” Fessler, who will grow up wearing orange like his dad.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

University of Tennessee

B.S./B.A. in Marketing and Supply Chain Management, 2009

Howard McKay

Manager of Planning

Howard joined Orchestra Partners in 2018, where he began as a development associate. He is responsible for planning and scheduling the team’s creative tasks leading up to the management phases in the development process. Prior to joining Orchestra Partners, he was involved in a variety of brokerage and project management capacities, including 2 years at a REIT in Linz, Austria. Howard is a registered real estate broker.

Howard, his wife Julia (a native of Austria), and their three children enjoy traveling and spending weekends exploring all that Birmingham and the region have to offer.

Contact

[email protected]
O: (205) 590-5015

Education

Auburn University

B.S. in Civil Engineering

To revitalize communities, we collaborate with local property owners and community partners to identify real estate preservation opportunities in our neighborhoods. Through community partnerships, intentional design, strategic construction, and transparency, we lay the foundation for communities to thrive. By becoming immersed in neighborhoods as a true community partner, we help create sustainable growth and long-term impact.

WORK WITH THE BEST PEOPLE IN BIRMINGHAM

“We have a shared vision around creating a more vibrant Birmingham and bringing people together by producing great places. It’s inspiring to work here.”

– Hunter Renfroe, Principal