Devan Sonderman

Devan Sonderman is the managing partner of Oak Hill Capital LLC, a privately held real estate investment and development firm specializing in the acquisition, rehabilitation, and repositioning of underutilized commercial properties in emerging markets. Devan leads all phases of the firm’s projects — from site selection, negotiation, and acquisition to financing, design, construction, and long-term asset management. His approach emphasizes value creation through design excellence, strong tenant curation, and partnerships that strengthen the surrounding community. Key Project: The District — Jacksonville, Alabama Devan is the visionary and lead developer behind The District, a multi-building retail and entertainment redevelopment located on the historic square in Jacksonville, Alabama. The project represents the largest private downtown revitalization effort in the city’s history. Phase I of The District involved the assemblage of five separately owned parcels, including a mix of historic buildings and vacant land. Through extensive negotiation and strategic structuring, Devan successfully consolidated the properties under unified ownership to enable comprehensive redevelopment of the block. Once complete, The District will feature a curated mix of local and national restaurant and retail tenants, a 100-space private parking lot, and multiple rooftop and event venues designed to activate the downtown core day and night. Early anchor tenants include a full-service restaurant, specialty café, boutique fitness, and a live-music and event venue, The Roost, which hosts private events and ticketed concerts. The redevelopment integrates adaptive reuse of 19th-century brick storefronts with new construction and infrastructure upgrades, including water, sewer, power, and drainage improvements. The result is a high-quality, pedestrian-friendly destination that supports economic growth, tourism, and student life at nearby Jacksonville State University. Other Projects & Experience Beyond The District, Devan’s work through Oak Hill Capital spans mixed-use redevelopment, residential infill, and value-add commercial investments throughout Alabama and the Pacific Northwest. He is actively involved in the repositioning of historic properties, creation of short-term rental housing, and development of boutique event venues that serve as catalysts for neighborhood renewal. Devan’s real estate background blends hands-on construction management with strategic capital structuring — including seller financing, preferred equity raises, and public-private partnerships. He is known for his ability to identify high-potential assets, execute complex negotiations, and deliver projects that balance financial performance with long-term community impact.

• Languages
  English
• Markets
  Atlanta, Birmingham, Charleston/N Charleston
• Property Types
  Retail, Multifamily
• Websites
  LINKEDIN PROFILE
• Education
  B.S. in Finance, Auburn University