Vandana Aggarwal, Vice President of Operations at Aggarwal Real Estate (ARE), emphasizes that commercial real estate is about creating spaces that benefit communities, not just about buildings and transactions. ARE, based in Gwinnett and operating primarily in Georgia, owns and manages over 4 million square feet of property across the Southeast. The company specializes in retail shopping centers designed to add long-term value to the neighborhoods they serve.
“We view our purchases as long-term investments; we’re not here to flip properties or simply make a quick profit,” says Aggarwal. “When we purchase a shopping center, we consider how a family could come and enjoy this space in addition to finding the businesses they want. For example, we’ve built playgrounds on some of our properties so people can come shop and play.”
ARE manages its properties internally, fostering strong relationships with tenants, brokers, vendors, and contractors. According to Aggarwal, these connections have contributed to many tenants staying with the company for more than ten years. “We manage all of our properties in-house and create a personal connection with everyone involved, from tenants and brokers to vendors and contractors,” she says. “These relationships are one of the reasons that many of our tenants have been with us a decade or more.”
Aggarwal’s background in real estate began early; she recalls visiting her father’s first property as a child and later working within her family’s hotel business. After graduating from Georgia Tech with a degree in business and marketing, she initially joined ARE before moving into corporate consultancy where she advised large companies on organizational design and operational strategy. This experience proved valuable when she returned to ARE during its recent period of accelerated growth.
Over the last decade, ARE has expanded rapidly. Aggarwal implemented new systems and processes to help the company scale while keeping its focus on people. “No matter how big we grow, we will always put people at the center of our work,” says Aggarwal.
Aggarwal also participates actively in the Gwinnett Chamber and its Chairman’s Club. She values these events for fostering purposeful conversations within the business community. “The Chamber events are structured well for intentional conversations and are a great place to create connections with the community around you,” she says. “I always approach conversations through the lens of seeing how I can help others in their businesses. What services can I offer? What mentorship or advice can I give? That’s the growth mindset in this group.”
She notes that her involvement has allowed her to meet women leaders from various industries: “I’ve met so many women who are in leadership roles or own businesses. It’s empowering — especially when working in a male-dominated industry like commercial real estate — to find a strong group of women succeeding in their fields.”
As someone who has lived in Gwinnett for many years, Aggarwal sees positive changes taking place locally: “I have seen this beautiful transformation of Gwinnett County,” she says. “You no longer have to drive to Atlanta to find specialty dining, shopping or entertainment. Gwinnett is becoming a place where people can truly live, work and play, and we’re proud to be part of that growth.”
