India Tribune Newsdesk
Chicago, IL: On a vibrant Friday evening on April 24, 2026, the Waterford Banquet & Conference Center in Elmhurst, Illinois, came alive with energy as the Association of South Asian Real Estate Professionals (ASARP) hosted one of its signature gatherings. Celebrating a decade of connecting professionals, creating opportunities, and strengthening leadership pipelines for the next generation, ASARP partnered with Hawthorne World Group for an evening of networking, insight, and visionary discussion focused on design, sustainability, and the future of real estate.
The event opened with a lively networking reception where cocktails flowed and conversations quickly filled the room. Real estate professionals, investors, brokers, lenders, developers, and community leaders exchanged ideas on an industry undergoing rapid transformation. The central theme of the evening was clear: sustainability is no longer a fashionable slogan or optional moral gesture. It has become a critical driver of asset value, tenant demand, financing access, and long-term profitability in both residential and commercial markets.
The program was skillfully hosted by Anjali Mohanty, a respected Chicago-area real estate professional with American Star Realty. She established an inclusive and energetic tone, emphasizing collaboration, mentorship, and the importance of building relationships that extend beyond transactions. Her remarks reflected the spirit of the organization: when professionals unite through shared purpose, they create opportunities not only for themselves but for entire communities.
Shirin Marvi, Vice Chair of ASARP and owner of Shirin Marvi Real Estate, delivered inspiring opening remarks. Drawing from her global experience and more than two decades in the industry, she described ASARP as far more than a professional association. It is a movement committed to uplifting South Asian professionals across North America through education, advocacy, and leadership development. “When our professionals grow, our communities thrive,” she declared, inviting board and advisory members to stand for recognition and warm applause. Her message reinforced ASARP’s bold vision to become the most trusted resource and leadership platform for South Asian real estate professionals across the continent.
Nick Verma, founder and managing broker of Midwest Realty & Brokerage and a leading ASARP voice, followed with a practical and highly relevant presentation titled “Design, Sustainability, and Well-being in Commercial Real Estate.” Verma explained that sustainability has evolved into a financial necessity. Energy-efficient, ESG-compliant buildings increasingly attract better financing terms, stronger tenants, lower operating expenses, and higher valuations. Since 2020, he noted, tenants have placed greater emphasis on health-focused environments featuring superior indoor air quality, abundant natural light, and efficient utility systems.
He also warned of the risks of inaction. Buildings that fail to modernize may face higher future capital expenditures, shrinking buyer pools, and declining institutional interest. For brokers, consultants, and investors, he said, the opportunity lies in helping owners reposition aging assets through targeted upgrades that enhance both performance and marketability. “The real question is not whether we should invest in sustainability,” he observed, “but what is the cost if we don’t.”
Anil Punjwani, Business Relationship Manager at U.S. Bank and a co-sponsor of the event, offered practical guidance on financing strategies. Representing one of the largest lenders in the Chicagoland market, he outlined solutions available for real estate acquisitions, owner-occupied buildings, equipment purchases, investment properties, and SBA-backed programs. He emphasized competitive rates, streamlined approvals, and low-fee structures that can help entrepreneurs expand portfolios, refinance debt, and strengthen cash flow.
Pradeep B. Shukla, CPA, CCIM, and managing broker of American Star Realty, brought a deep financial perspective in his segment, “Building Bridges – A Decade of Vision & Perseverance.” He honored ASARP’s ten-year milestone while sharing current market updates, including the expanded national reach of the Private Listing Network through Compass. He then moved into sophisticated tax strategies made possible through recent legislation, including provisions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Shukla explained how cost segregation studies combined with 100 percent bonus depreciation can create substantial first-year deductions on fixtures, equipment, and qualified components of commercial acquisitions. In many cases, he noted, multimillion-dollar purchases can generate six-figure tax savings. He also discussed the continued power of 1031 exchanges for deferring capital gains, basis step-up advantages in estate planning, and long-term structures for generational wealth creation. He concluded with an important warning about AI-enabled fraud, urging attendees to remain vigilant as scams become increasingly sophisticated in the digital era.
The evening’s centerpiece was the keynote address by Dr. Ganesan Visvabharathy, widely known as Dr. Vish, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Hawthorne World Corporation. With more than four decades of experience in sustainable development, Dr. Vish has built a reputation for pioneering net-zero construction projects that merge profitability with environmental stewardship. His business interests span construction, development, finance, materials, clean energy, life sciences, and communications infrastructure.
Dr. Vish captivated the audience by sharing his entrepreneurial journey, beginning with an early three-flat renovation in Logan Square where a simple switch from electric to gas heating significantly improved returns. From those modest beginnings, he progressed to landmark developments including one of Chicago’s largest office-to-residential conversions in the South Loop.
Referencing the Passive House Institute’s philosophy that true sustainability means buildings designed to last a century, he emphasized that green development must also be practical, scalable, and profitable. He outlined solutions such as net-zero energy systems, net-zero carbon strategies, geothermal heating and cooling, solar generation, permeable pavements, rain gardens, bioswales, native landscaping, recycled materials, and superior indoor air quality standards.
He then highlighted two major investment opportunities. The first was the iconic Coco Palms Resort on Kauai, Hawaii, a historic 50-acre property once frequented by Elvis Presley and featured in classic films. Hawthorne World is redeveloping the site as the world’s first fully sustainable, carbon-neutral, net-zero resort under the Kimpton flag. Planned features include a restored historic church, gondola-style water taxis across the lagoon, multiple pools and restaurants, an expansive coconut grove, and a development model that respects Hawaiian culture and leading green standards. Geothermal cooling, solar energy, formaldehyde-free interiors, and smart systems are expected to dramatically reduce operating costs in one of America’s highest electricity markets.
Closer to Chicago, Dr. Vish described a 348-unit net-zero multifamily eco-community in DuPage County featuring geothermal systems, solar power, premium amenities, exceptional indoor air quality, and even a honeybee farm producing local honey. He explained that disciplined execution through fixed-price contracts, performance incentives, and contingency planning is essential to managing development risk.
He framed these projects as part of the “Fourth Wave” of sustainable investing, supported by trillions of dollars in ESG-focused capital. Benefits, he said, include lower operating costs, stronger valuations, insulation from energy volatility, healthier living environments, and alignment with changing tenant and lender expectations. “If I can’t make a difference in people’s lives,” he reflected, “why am I in this business?”
The program concluded with heartfelt thanks from Harsha G, followed by group photographs and an elegant dinner featuring chicken, fresh fish, and vibrant vegetarian selections. Guests continued networking late into the evening, energized by new ideas and renewed connections.
This ASARP-Hawthorne World collaboration demonstrated how education, capital, and community can converge to shape the future. In a rapidly evolving industry, gatherings like this ensure that South Asian professionals are not merely participants in change, but leaders driving a greener, stronger, and more prosperous real estate era.
