33Floors was born from a simple truth: Our founders were Yardi users long before they became Yardi consultants. In fact, when we say, “We’ve been where you are,” it’s not just talk — it’s the 33Floors origin story. Back in the 1990s and 2000s, partners David Burberry, Bob Horn, and Donald Luna each found themselves pioneering the use of Yardi software in their respective roles at global real estate firms. They didn’t know it then, but those experiences were planting the seeds for what would become 33Floors a decade later.
How it Began
In 2000, David Burberry was part of the first Yardi Voyager implementation outside the U.S. He recalls the Yardi team’s amazement at the unique needs of the UK property market (think 999-year leases and rents due on quarter-days!). David worked hand-in-hand with Yardi to adapt the system, and he went on to implement Yardi in 55 countries over the years — gaining a truly global perspective on real estate technology. He learned that the real estate industry in each market is so different, which is exactly why he dedicated his entire career to this field. David is now one of 33Floors’ co-founders and a driving force behind our international projects.
Bob Horn started using Yardi in 1996 to manage a small portfolio in Oklahoma City. “I’d like to say I predicted what was coming for Yardi, but truthfully, I doubt even Anant Yardi himself anticipated this level of success,” Bob says with a smile. Today, Bob is a hands-on Yardi expert.
Before co-founding 33Floors in 2011, he led financial systems and accounting teams at Cushman & Wakefield. Bob’s blend of accounting acumen and software know-how shaped our company’s client-focused ethos. He often notes that Yardi’s selection back in 1996 ended up defining his career and even opened doors for two of his sons who also pursued careers working with Yardi. Talk about coming full circle! Bob’s story is a great reminder of how one piece of technology, adopted at the right time, can influence lives and companies in profound ways.
Donald Luna encountered Yardi in the mid-90s, around the same time as Bob, while working in an entirely different sector — parking management! The fact that he managed to fit a parking garage business into a property management software speaks volumes about his ingenuity. Donald says he “jumped right in” when tasked with that project, converting monthly parking customers into “tenants” in Yardi and parking spots into “units.” He laughs about how he’s “not competitive or anything,” but clearly, that early challenge ignited a lifelong passion.
Donald spent 15 years at Cushman & Wakefield as a Yardi specialist, collaborating frequently with Yardi’s development team. “My 15-year tenure at C&W provided countless opportunities to work with some of Yardi’s brilliant minds, including Anant Yardi himself,” he recalls. By the time Donald left C&W in 2013, he had supported, implemented, and developed Yardi solutions across the globe – from the era of floppy disks to web-based Voyager. He then reunited with David and Bob, who had a two-year head start building 33Floors. As Donald puts it, “Once you start with Yardi, you never look back. It’s been an amazing journey.”
How It’s Going
Together, David, Bob, and Donald forged 33Floors out of a shared belief that Yardi could empower more companies if only they had the right guidance. They knew firsthand what clients truly need when undertaking a Yardi implementation or upgrade. After all, they had been those clients in their previous careers. They also understood the incredible potential of the Yardi platform, having pushed its boundaries in large, complex projects. It’s no surprise that when 33Floors launched in 2011, it combined “the expertise of longtime Yardi consulting specialists” with a mission to make the power of Yardi effortless for others.
Our founders’ transition from Yardi end-users to expert Yardi advisors set the tone for 33Floors’ culture. They built a team that speaks the language of property accountants, asset managers, and IT specialists alike. Today, that team has grown to more than 75 employees across five continents. Collectively, we bring over 600 years of Yardi experience to the table, delivering an unparalleled depth and breadth of expertise. When we say we “live and breathe all things Yardi,” it’s backed by the credentials of a team that has implemented, developed, or supported Yardi in thousands of projects worldwide.
What Does The 33Floors Origin Story Mean for Clients?
So, yes, the 33Floors team has literally been where you’re standing. We know the pressure of a global system rollout, the nitty-gritty of migrating off legacy software, and the importance of getting that custom report just right. We’ve experienced the challenges of Yardi implementations, so we strive to make the process smoother for our clients. We’ve felt the excitement of Yardi’s new features (from the early Voyager 6 days to the new Voyager 8), and we love sharing that fervor through expert Yardi training and support.
Our roots as Yardi users-turned-experts mean we approach every project with empathy and pragmatism. We’re not here to push a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we craft the right Yardi approach as a knowledgeable partner who truly understands your business.
Our founders started out in the trenches of property management and accounting, grappling with Yardi software as clients. That experience is the bedrock of 33Floors today. It gives us the confidence to tackle any Yardi challenge and the drive to achieve optimal client success. Contact us today, and put the power of 33Floors origin story to work for you.
