We are in the business of creating places. We are a real estate firm run by a meaningful, seasoned team that has a deep understanding touching some of the most transformational retail environments.
Our distinctive placemaking, coupled with unmatched retail knowledge and industry relationships, continue to set a new benchmark for the modern retail environment. We continue to embrace the changing lifestyle of today’s individual and provide our clients with a long-term roadmap and above all, a personal touch.
Our core services include advisory for both exceptional landlords and expanding retailers where thoughtful collaboration creates vibrant places, data-driven site selection leads to financial strength and long-term business value and success is gained by all.
We believe in the principle “better together” – when you thrive, we thrive.
What We Do
Landlord advisory
Finding you tenants. It’s what we do.
We support projects that value high touch in design, relevant merchandising and great energy. We provide strategic expertise to property owners who seek collaborative vision and exceptional deal making at all stages – from predevelopment through opening, to repositioning of an active project. We are not afraid to touch each and every aspect from social marketing to branding. We continue to embrace the changing lifestyle and needs of today’s individual and are proud to offer:
- Placemaking for high profile, mixed-use assets
- Proforma analysis to space planning
- Deal negotiation and transaction management
Tenant Services
Connecting you to your best customer, and then some. Our strengths range from market entry to multi-market expansion from coast to coast.
As the role of retail continues to be redefined, we work with retail leaders to identify opportunities that align with their purpose, timing and growth goals.
We serve as our client’s external real estate department with great authority; our ability to work in tandem with our client’s leadership teams exemplifies our forever focus on and for our partnerships. We are proud to offer:
- Portfolio Optimization
- Site selection, market analysis and comprehensive market tours
- Deal negotiation and detailed transaction management
Our Leadership
Jillian Sabaugh
Following a near ten-year career working in house with the most well-respected development players and marquee projects in Southern California, Jillian founded Ukropina Sabaugh and has expanded the firm’s services to include both property owner and tenant representation while building a thriving advisory practice dedicated to merchandise planning, brand positioning and market research. Jillian personally specializes in high street retail tenant and landlord advisory.
Known for her all sides win approach (brand, property owner and neighborhood), Jillian prides herself on creating destinations with a high quality of product, a strong sense of place and energy that attracts active consumers. Jillian’s launch of Ukropina Sabaugh has allowed her to work in tandem with leaders like Taubman, Rockwood Capital and DJM. Through Ukropina Sabaugh, Jillian’s impact can be seen throughout Southern California, where her expertise of masterminding a bespoke line-up of retail, showrooms and restaurants shines bright.
Jillian graduated from the University of Southern California with degrees in Print Journalism and Business, has worked in house for The Irvine Company and Westfield, and is an active member of ICSC. She loves nothing more than to host a magnificent dinner party and travel. She makes a point to never miss the smallest moments with her three young children who remain her absolute world.
Erin Drapkowski
Erin joined Ukropina Sabaugh in the spring of 2020 after a five-year career with The Irvine Company. As Director, Erin specialized in shopping center merchandising and leasing, working on a variety of retail assets.
Erin is known for her national and retail roll-outs, redevelopment leasing and critical merchandising, all of which contribute to the everlasting retail environments she supports now with Ukropina Sabaugh. Erin has completed transactions valued at nearly $500 million over the last 14 years, including many spent in house with Westfield (now Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield) as an integral part of the leasing team focused on the $460M San Francisco Center redevelopment.
Erin graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelors of the Arts in Communication. She remains an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and resides in Orange County with her husband, Andy, and twin toddlers.
Our Work
We know the ins and outs of the retail real estate industry. Outside of our borders, we’ve amassed an exceptional network to support our clients from coast to coast. We can say that with confidence.
Our work creates destinations that instantly ingratiate themselves with the communities they serve and equally make a name for themselves to the national audience. Whether indulgent or purposeful, we create elevated places where time slows down, the day feels a little less hectic and it is time and money very well spent.