By Kristine Hansen | Photo by Hillary Schave
Growing up in a family that worked in real estate taught Madison natives and sisters Anne Neujahr Morrison and Sarah Neujahr how to secure properties and develop new building projects. When Anne started New Year Investments, her boutique real estate development firm six years ago, her goal was to make a deeper impact on the city’s landscape — creating projects that blend walkability, housing and commercial spaces, and strong community connections.
“Frankly, our industry — real estate development and landlords — might not bring out all the warm and fuzzies for people,” admits Sarah. New Year Investments strives to change that.
Anne recruited Sarah to join the company four years ago to focus on asset and project management, and oversee construction. Anne leads the financial side of deals, as well as design.
“Construction and real estate are [each] a relatively male-majority field. We have created opportunities, including internships, for women to be in this business,” says Anne.
Their developments in turn, have attracted female tenants as partners. At their Ella Apartments building, Simple Cuts Salon and Smiling Coast Beauty Salon are both female and Black owned.
Through 2035, the firm’s main focus is Taking Shape, Our Triangle, a public-private partnership between the City of Madison’s Community Development Authority (CDA) and New Year Investments. At this 10-acre downtown location, 1,200 new apartment units will be built. Of those, 350 units will replace existing residences (which Anne notes will be done in phases so residents can transition from their old unit to their new one), while 850 additional units will expand housing near public transit, lakes and two hospitals. The first phase is slated for completion in 2027.
“The CDA was interested in doing this to better meet the needs of its current residents and to add more units to address our community housing crisis,” Anne points out.
“A major portion of this project was really finding out from the existing residents what their wants and needs for their new homes are,” says Anna Spiekerman, who joined the firm last year as its operations and project manager, and also assists with community engagement. “From a lifestyle standpoint, what feels like home to you?”
This ties into New Year Investments’ definition of success, which goes beyond its revenue or a list of accomplishments. “I want to be a part of improving the local environment: how it looks, [and] how it helps people, institutions and businesses.
That’s how I measure success,” says Anne.
How do you foster a strong supportive culture within your company?
“You have to be really intentional with hiring. Some people might not be a good fit in a smaller company. You have to wear a lot of hats.” — Anne
“The culture comes less from the brand and company, but more from the personalities and values of individuals. The combination is what creates our culture.” — Sarah
