Aligned from the Ground Up: Building with Intention through the AB&B + MC&G Partnership
July 14, 2025
In commercial real estate, not all partnerships are created equal. Some are transactional – brief alignments around timelines, budgets, and leasing targets. Others are transformational. They build something lasting, not just physically, but philosophically.
That’s what defines the partnership between AB&B Commercial Real Estate and MC&G Commercial – a shared commitment to long-term value, strategic growth, and tenant relationships that go beyond occupancy.
From Mentorship to Trust
When I transitioned into commercial real estate, it was AB&B’s co-founder, Dr. Hesham Baky, who helped open that door. His background as an engineer, dentist, and developer gave me a different lens on leasing – one that prioritized user experience and practical design as much as financial return.
From the start, he treated leasing as a strategy, not just a step. That perspective shaped how I now approach every project, especially those in the medical and service-based sectors.
At MC&G Commercial, we partner with AB&B to lease and support several of their properties across North Carolina, including sites in the Triangle, Charlotte, Fayetteville, and most recently, Lexington. We work closely with both the AB&B team and Blue Ridge Capital Fund, also led by Dr. Baky. Together, we’ve aligned around a clear goal: develop and activate spaces where businesses don’t just launch – they stay.
What Alignment Looks Like in Practice
At its core, our partnership works because we value the same things:
• Early involvement: AB&B brings us into projects long before the “For Lease” signs go up. That allows us to weigh in on layout, parking, co-tenancy, and buildout planning – all of which improve tenant fit and retention.
• Landlord-first leasing: Our focus is on representing owners and developers who care about the long-term performance of their assets. That means filling space thoughtfully, not just quickly.
• Strategic mix of medical + service retail: AB&B’s “medtail” strategy is one we understand deeply. We know how to attract healthcare tenants with specific space needs and how to position those tenants alongside complementary neighbors.
• Relationships at every level: Whether we’re working with a local medical group or a national developer, we lead with clarity, preparation, and respect. That’s how trust builds, and how partnerships last.
More Than a Space
One of the things I appreciate most about working with AB&B and BRC Fund is that they don’t just develop space – they develop vision. They think about how a property will perform not just next year, but five years from now. They ask what the neighborhood needs. They understand that good leasing isn’t about flashy signage or fast occupancy…it’s about consistency, stewardship, and clarity of purpose.
That’s a mindset we share at MC&G, and it’s what makes the work feel less like a series of projects and more like a shared path.
Looking Ahead
There’s no shortage of challenges in this industry. Market shifts. Construction costs. Tenant turnover. But when you’re aligned on values – and willing to put strategy ahead of speed – it’s possible to build partnerships that are resilient, responsive, and rewarding.
For anyone out there navigating the space between development and leasing, I’d encourage you to think about who you’re building with, and whether they see the process as more than just a deal.
I’m grateful to say that in AB&B, we’ve found a partner that sees the full picture.
Author Note
Laura Saleh is a Commercial Broker with MC&G Commercial, where she specializes in leasing strategy and landlord representation across medical, retail, and office properties throughout North Carolina. She brings a people-first, detail-driven approach to every project and is proud to support property owners in building long-term value through trusted tenant relationships.
In commercial real estate, not all partnerships are created equal. Some are transactional – brief alignments around timelines, budgets, and leasing targets. Others are transformational. They build something lasting, not just physically, but philosophically.
That’s what defines the partnership between AB&B Commercial Real Estate and MC&G Commercial – a shared commitment to long-term value, strategic growth, and tenant relationships that go beyond occupancy.
From Mentorship to Trust
When I transitioned into commercial real estate, it was AB&B’s co-founder, Dr. Hesham Baky, who helped open that door. His background as an engineer, dentist, and developer gave me a different lens on leasing – one that prioritized user experience and practical design as much as financial return.
From the start, he treated leasing as a strategy, not just a step. That perspective shaped how I now approach every project, especially those in the medical and service-based sectors.
At MC&G Commercial, we partner with AB&B to lease and support several of their properties across North Carolina, including sites in the Triangle, Charlotte, Fayetteville, and most recently, Lexington. We work closely with both the AB&B team and Blue Ridge Capital Fund, also led by Dr. Baky. Together, we’ve aligned around a clear goal: develop and activate spaces where businesses don’t just launch – they stay.
What Alignment Looks Like in Practice
At its core, our partnership works because we value the same things:
• Early involvement: AB&B brings us into projects long before the “For Lease” signs go up. That allows us to weigh in on layout, parking, co-tenancy, and buildout planning – all of which improve tenant fit and retention.
• Landlord-first leasing: Our focus is on representing owners and developers who care about the long-term performance of their assets. That means filling space thoughtfully, not just quickly.
• Strategic mix of medical + service retail: AB&B’s “medtail” strategy is one we understand deeply. We know how to attract healthcare tenants with specific space needs and how to position those tenants alongside complementary neighbors.
• Relationships at every level: Whether we’re working with a local medical group or a national developer, we lead with clarity, preparation, and respect. That’s how trust builds, and how partnerships last.
More Than a Space
One of the things I appreciate most about working with AB&B and BRC Fund is that they don’t just develop space – they develop vision. They think about how a property will perform not just next year, but five years from now. They ask what the neighborhood needs. They understand that good leasing isn’t about flashy signage or fast occupancy…it’s about consistency, stewardship, and clarity of purpose.
That’s a mindset we share at MC&G, and it’s what makes the work feel less like a series of projects and more like a shared path.
Looking Ahead
There’s no shortage of challenges in this industry. Market shifts. Construction costs. Tenant turnover. But when you’re aligned on values – and willing to put strategy ahead of speed – it’s possible to build partnerships that are resilient, responsive, and rewarding.
For anyone out there navigating the space between development and leasing, I’d encourage you to think about who you’re building with, and whether they see the process as more than just a deal.
I’m grateful to say that in AB&B, we’ve found a partner that sees the full picture.
Author Note
Laura Saleh is a Commercial Broker with MC&G Commercial, where she specializes in leasing strategy and landlord representation across medical, retail, and office properties throughout North Carolina. She brings a people-first, detail-driven approach to every project and is proud to support property owners in building long-term value through trusted tenant relationships.
Like what you see? Share with a friend.