Since its inception in 1979, Tolkin Group has developed twenty-seven (27) downtown "Urban Village" projects, totaling approximately 900,000 square feet, valued in excess of $100,000,000.

Tolkin Group is a driving force behind several of California's most successful downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment districts, including: Main Street and Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica; Old Pasadena; Pine Avenue in Long Beach; Glendale Marketplace, a 185,000 square foot shopping, dining and entertainment destination in Downtown Glendale, California; Vroman's Bookstore and Laemmle Theatres in the Pasadena Playhouse District, a 60,000 square foot bookstore & fine arts oriented cinema destination; and Mainplace Merced a 70,000 square foot entertainment and dining destination in Downtown Merced, California.

Current projects under development include: Metlox Block Project in Downtown Manhattan; Tolkin Group was awarded this exciting project by the City of Manhattan Beach, currently under construction, the Metlox Project is envisioned to be a +/- 65,000 square foot mixed-use extension of the downtown, featuring upscale retail and dining uses, a boutique hotel, and loft style office space.; the Claremont Village Expansion in the City of Claremont; the Historic Bank of Italy Building, in Downtown Merced, future downtown offices to the chancellors and executives of the new University of California at Merced (UC Merced) and County Bank; and MLofts in Downtown Merced, a new affordable live-work loft project.

Tolkin Group’s success in creating urban places where people live, work, shop, dine, and play, is a result of Tolkin Group’s: I) understanding of the unique elements which comprise successful downtown; ii) sensitivity to the needs of the community; iii) interest in quality urban design and architecture; iv) established relationships with desirable tenants and an ability formulate unique tenant mix; and v) ability to finance its projects



URBAN VILLAGE: LARGE FORMAT RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT

TOLKIN GROUP had successfully integrating larger format ("big box") retailers into urban village downtown shopping, dining and entertainment districts; in locations where such retailers are appropriate and desirable. These projects designed with a pedestrian friendly, street orientation can generate tremendous activity for downtown shopping, dining and entertainment districts, and can provide otherwise unavailable shopping options to an already densely developed community. Tolkin Group is undertaking one such project in Glendale, California, and pursuing this hybrid product type in several other appropriate densely populated urban locations.



REDEVELOPMENT AND ADAPTIVE RE-USE

TOLKIN GROUP has considerable experience in the renovation and adaptive re-use of structurally and functionally obsolete, under-performing properties. Tolkin Group has recycled over twenty such buildings (all URM buildings), including six certified historic tax credit restoration projects. Tolkin Group’s has successfully completed building adaptive re-use conversions involving retail, restaurant, entertainment, residential, live/work loft, artist loft, industrial, and office uses. These complex projects highlight Tolkin Group expertise and creativity. Tolkin Group continues to pursue opportunities to recycle obsolete buildings. Tolkin Group also pursues a strategy of integrating architecturally significant older buildings into its newer projects; where the result can be spectacular.



EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH GOVERNMENT

TOLKIN GROUP, as a result of its track record developing projects in downtown redevelopment areas, has considerable experience and much success working closely and partnering with government, and specifically redevelopment agencies. This success is a result of Tolkin Group’s philosophy that a well conceived project is one that achieves the goals and vision of the owner, the tenants, the community, and government.



TEAM APPROACH

TOLKIN GROUP assembles a qualified project team of professionals (architects, contractors, designers, marketing representatives, legal counsel, accountants etc.) to assist in the implementation of each project. The success of Tolkin Group’s project team result from the expertise of Tolkin Group’s key executives, who combine strong and multi-faceted real estate and law backgrounds with creative, hands-on project management skills.



TOLKIN GROUP’S PRINCIPALS

Jonathan Tolkin and Francine Tolkin Cooper, the principals of Tolkin Group, are primarily responsible for all of Tolkin Group's business activities. Jonathan and Francine have earned a reputation for vision, attention to detail and overall project quality. They are frequently asked to assist Cities in the creation of redevelopment strategies.

Jonathan is a licensed attorney, and a licensed real estate broker, his present and past affiliations include Urban Land Institute, International Council of Shopping Centers, City of Pasadena Parking Commissioner, Board Member Long Beach Museum of Art, Board Member Old Pasadena Business Improvement Association; Pasadena Unified School District (Mentor), City of Pasadena Bond Underwriter Interview Panel. Jonathan is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley’s School of Economics and Loyola Law School.

Francine is a licensed real estate salesperson, and her present or past affiliations include Board Member Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena Educational Foundation Business Development, Pasadena Partners (Founding Board Member), Pasadena Art Council (Vice President), Venice Family Clinic, Urban Land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers.