ELIE KASSAB

Elie Kassab, of Vancouver, Washington, is a man of vision. In addition to being a talented jeweler and real estate developer, he can see precisely why and how urban landscapes need to be developed, as well as find the resources required to make that happen.

He and his family started their own jewelry business called Kassab Bros. Jewelers, and during this time, he simultaneously worked at Prestige Jewelers as well. His expertise and talent helped his family’s company grow into one of Portland’s top 5 jewelry stores. Not merely satisfied with conquering just one industry, Elie then set his sights on the world of real estate.

He moved to Vancouver, Washington and founded Prestige Development, a real estate company that specialized in affordably-priced, high-quality real estate projects, businesses & services aimed at under resourced communities. Determined to revitalize downtown Vancouver, Elie set his sights on building projects that would attract more businesses and people. His company acquired MJ Murdoch Executive Plaza and he built a massive movie theater. Regal Cinema ended up leasing the property and it was a huge success and a catalyst for the next exciting changes to come. It was his contribution that helped put Vancouver on the map as one of America’s most hipster cities, a fact that makes him quite proud. In 2001, Prestige Development built another cinema back in Oregon at the request of the Mayor. This led to the development of three additional retail complexes nearby.

In 2003, his company built the Lewis & Clark Plaza, which was a 46-unit senior housing structure. Because of the reasonable pricing, the building is at maximum occupancy and has remained that way for years. The substantial waiting list is further proof of its success. Two years after this development, and again at the request of the mayor, Prestige built the Gardner Center in Battle Ground, WA. Not soon afterward, other investors joined in and more buildings were created. Eventually, Prestige Plaza, a 100-unit apartment building was built on a full city block. Next up was a mixed-use project called Our Heroes Place, 3,500 square feet of commercial retail space with 49 residential apartments. There are also plans underway to build another 100-unit residential project in NE Vancouver in the near future.