The company's properties consist of 126 million square feet and include more than 560 office buildings, 125 apartment communities with 65,000 units, 40 shopping centers, a coastal resort, two hotels, three golf courses, and five marinas.
Donald Bren, chairman of the board of directors of Irvine Company, has been deeply involved in California real estate as a master planner and master builder for 50 years.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Bren earned a bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from the University of Washington. After his education, he served three years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, according to his biography, which is taken from one of its pages.
According to Forbes magazine, his current net worth is $16.2 billion, making him the wealthiest real estate baron in the United States, with over 126 million square feet of real estate, primarily in Southern California, including more than 560 office buildings and 125 apartment complexes. Forbes reports that Bren owns a 97% stake in the MetLife Building in Manhattan and is the son of a real estate investor who worked as a carpenter's assistant on his father's buildings. Forbes ranks him #132 on its 2021 Billionaires list .
From the Irvine Company website, we share the story of this real estate tycoon.
Irvine Company traces its roots back to the 1860s with the initial formation of Irvine Ranch, encompassing 120,000 acres. Today, it is a privately held real estate investment company governed by an independent board of directors.
Irvine Company is respected for its master planning and environmental stewardship of the Irvine Ranch in Orange County, including diversified operations along the California coast. It brings to life sustainable neighborhoods and communities with a full range of housing, jobs, shopping centers, schools, parks, and open spaces.
The company's properties consist of 126 million square feet and include more than 560 office buildings, 125 apartment communities with 65,000 units, 40 shopping centers, a coastal resort, two hotels, three golf courses, and five marinas.
The company's investment property portfolio is primarily located in Orange County, with approximately 35 percent of the portfolio located in Silicon Valley, San Diego, West Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City.
As an environmental planner, Irvine Company has a long and successful history of land conservation. Irvine Company established one of California's largest nature reserves by permanently dedicating more than half of Irvine Ranch (57,500 acres) to open spaces and parks. It is the only land in California to receive the designation of a National Natural Landmark from both the State of California and the United States.
Apartments
Irvine Company Apartment Communities creates and maintains distinctive apartment residences where a culture of extraordinary service and continuous innovation delivers not just a better place, but a better way of living.
Each of its more than 125 communities is uniquely cultivated to create an aspirational sense of home for more than 65,000 households in the most desirable locations on the California coast, including San Diego, Orange County, West Los Angeles, and the Bay Area.
New houses
The award-winning Villages of Irvine, planned with the entire community in mind, offer some of the nation's finest schools, quality homes with timeless architecture, resort-style recreation, access to open spaces, convenience, safety, and economic prosperity. Within the Villages, individuals and families can confidently establish their own traditions and stories that will last for generations.
Some of the finest home builders in the United States, including Irvine Pacific by Irvine Company, are introducing thoughtfully designed and meticulously constructed new neighborhoods in Villages of Irvine. Throughout Orchard Hills Village, Eastwood Village, Irvine Spectrum, and Portola Springs, Irvine Pacific creates exceptional homes that provide lasting value.
Office communities
Irvine Company's commitment to long-term ownership and continuous reinvestment ensures that what is exceptional today will be even better tomorrow for the more than 3,000 customers who call their workplaces the home of their businesses.
Retail, restaurants and entertainment
Since opening its first neighborhood retail center in 1963, it has focused on developing, managing, and marketing retail environments designed to enhance the surrounding community.
From regional centers like Fashion Island in Newport Beach to neighborhood shopping centers like Woodbury Town Center in Irvine, each offers its own unique blend of shopping, dining, and entertainment amidst lush landscaping, soothing fountains, and comfortable, inviting gathering spaces. With forward-thinking mixes of retail and amenities, each destination is meticulously planned and ideally located to support the community it serves.
Resorts, hotels, golf courses and marinas
Whether it's a memorable round of golf at The Resort at Pelican Hill or Oak Creek, an exciting boating adventure from one of their marinas, or the perfect visit to one of their hotels or resorts, their intention is to design properties that will last for a long time.
Master planners and builders
As master planners and builders, Irvine Company has developed the new city of Irvine and the Newport waterfront, creating one of the most desirable regions in the United States. The city of Irvine is the safest large city in the United States, its public schools are ranked among the best in California, and its distinct villages provide residents with a wide variety of vibrant and balanced communities in which to live, work, and play. The knowledge and experience gained at Irvine Ranch continue to drive the company's progress.
Preservation of open spaces
The Irvine Company has permanently preserved more than half of Irvine Ranch, setting aside 57,500 acres of open space and parks to create the largest urban open space network in the United States. The land is now owned by the municipalities in perpetuity for public use, recreation, and enjoyment. It is the only land in California to have received designations as both a U.S. National Natural Landmark and a California State Landmark.
In 2021, it celebrated its 50th anniversary as a city and has become known as one of the greenest and most livable cities in the United States, while in 2018 it completed the world's first fleet of hybrid electric buildings with state-of-the-art Tesla Powerpack battery systems in 21 high-rise office buildings.
The Irvine Spectrum Center opened in 1995 and immediately became popular with the local community and visitors from around the world. Today it welcomes more than 17 million visitors annually.
