Bo Okoroji: The Real Estate Investor Revitalizing Malls for Community

by William Jones / ⠀Entrepreneurship / May 7, 2025

Amid the rise of online shopping, stagnant or declining consumer income, and a lack of adaptation, shopping malls have been struggling. Despite their seemingly imminent demise, real estate expert Bo Okoroji sees an opportunity for the revitalization of mall properties. As the founder of the real estate investment firm Steerpoint Capital, Okoroji has begun to transform malls into mixed-use community centers.

Determination and Vision

Bo Okoroji learned early the value of resilience and adaptability—but even more formative was his drive to build something bigger. That ambition was sparked during his time working retail at Abercrombie & Fitch inside Dallas’ Galleria Mall. There, he saw firsthand how malls function as more than just shopping centers—they’re community anchors, cultural spaces, and platforms for connection. That experience planted a seed: retail real estate wasn’t just commerce, it was opportunity.

Carving a Path in Real Estate

Okoroji pursued that opportunity with intention. After gaining frontline experience in retail, he pivoted into real estate investment—first as an acquisitions analyst at Campus Apartments, then in asset management at Balfour Beatty Investments. In 2013, he was selected for a competitive summer associate role at Simon Property Group, one of the world’s largest mall operators. He joined Simon full-time the next year and rose quickly, becoming a senior manager within 12 months. During his five-year tenure, he honed his expertise in asset strategy, investment analysis, and partnership development, while learning directly from seasoned executives and navigating one of the most dynamic periods in the industry. In 2019, Okoroji was recruited to Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) to launch the company’s U.S. Investment Group. Tasked with building the function from the ground up, he led the team through the uncertainty of the pandemic, overseeing major transactions and helping shape the firm’s portfolio strategy across the Americas. The role sharpened his global perspective and deepened his understanding of large-scale redevelopment—a foundation he would later draw on to launch his own platform.

Breaking a Frustrating Pattern

From his leadership perspective, Okoroji began to notice a recurring issue: institutional investors were consistently overlooking strong retail assets—not because the fundamentals weren’t there, but because their criteria had become too rigid, too risk-averse. Great properties were being dismissed for lacking a clear story, even when the path forward was obvious to someone with operational experience and vision. In that gap, Okoroji saw opportunity. In January 2022, he launched Steerpoint Capital to break the mold—acquiring overlooked malls and repositioning them as dynamic, mixed-use communities rooted in the needs of their surrounding neighborhoods. Backed by Bridge Group Investments, he began building a portfolio with a hands-on approach to redevelopment, marrying institutional discipline with entrepreneurial creativity.

Creating Long-Term Community Impact

Steerpoint Capital’s mission is to elevate traditional retail settings like malls through the integration of spaces that meet the needs of a community. In addition to areas for shopping, the company incorporates residential, office, entertainment spaces, and even healthcare facilities into malls. Following Okoroji’s vision, Steerpoint is emphasizing long-term community impact by creating spaces that do more for consumers than selling products. “Retail isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving rapidly,” Okoroji explains. “Successful malls today emphasize experiential retail and diversified uses. We confidently invest in well-located malls primed for thoughtful reinvention.”

A Strategy for Success

Okoroji cites his acquisition of Northridge Mall in California as an example of his philosophy. Where other investors ignored the property, Steerpoint worked to rejuvenate tenant businesses and organize community engagement. Okoroji recognizes that malls can remain valuable community assets; they merely need to be steered in the right direction. This isn’t contrarianism or stubbornness, but a carefully considered strategy backed by experience.

An Advocate for Diversity in Real Estate

Beyond his business operations, Okoroji is an outspoken advocate for diversity in commercial real estate leadership. He promotes mentorship, inclusive hiring, and better capital access for diverse entrepreneurs as methods for tangible industry change. “By genuinely opening doors,” he explained, “the industry benefits from richer perspectives and stronger leadership.”

Plans for the Future

Okoroji remains optimistic about Steerpoint’s trajectory. With a current portfolio concentrated in California and Nevada, his next move is a strategic expansion into Texas and other Western U.S. markets. While Steerpoint’s focus remains domestic, Okoroji is open to exploring select international opportunities that align with the firm’s mission and values. “Done thoughtfully,” Okoroji said, “our work uplifts neighborhoods, creates meaningful employment, and drives long-term economic vitality.”