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Michael A. Pollack[1] is a real estate developer, businessperson, and philanthropist.[2][3][4] He the founder and CEO of Pollack Real Estate Investments,[5] a company based in Mesa, Arizona which owns dozens of strip malls in the Phoenix metropolitan area (or the "Valley" region).[6] As of 2011 the company manages over 12,000,000 square feet (1,100,000 m2) of commercial space in Arizona and California.[4] Pollack is also the owner of the Pollack Tempe Cinemas movie theater chain.

As of 2008 Pollack owns over 100 projects, with most of them being shopping centers.[7] In 2014 Eric Mungenast of the East Valley Tribune wrote that the name "Pollack" has "prevalence" in Greater Phoenix because he owns so many real estate projects there.[8] In 2010 Jan Buchholz of the Phoenix Business Journal said that Pollack is "known for his full head of hair, flashy cars and eccentric collection of advertising memorabilia".[9] In the 1980s Pollack became a local celebrity in Greater Houston due to the promotion of the Colonial House Apartments (now called Lantern Village) in the Gulfton community.

History

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Early life and early career in California

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Pollack's father and grandfather, Robert Pollack and Sidney Gambord,[10] were real estate developers in California.[11] Michael Pollack attended Lincoln High School in San Jose, California.[10] A 2006 article by East Valley Tribune stated that Pollack never attended a higher education institution.[10] A 2014 profile in AZRE Magazine listed San Jose State University as an alma mater.[12] In California Pollack had developed several retail developments and apartment complexes.[13]

Career in Houston

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The Lantern Village Apartments, formerly Colonial House Apartments

In 1980 Pollack traveled to Houston.[7] Pollack said he went to Houston because it was the "land of opportunity."[13] Pollack's first project was redeveloping the Orchard Apartments; Pollack said that prior to the redevelopment, the complex had resembled "a war zone."[7]

Landmark Mortgage Co.,[13] the company owning the Colonial House apartments (now known as Lantern Village) in Gulfton, hired him to be a consultant and spokesperson for the complex. David Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle said that the conventional wisdom of the time stated that he was the owner of the complex, when this was not the case.[7] Landmark had remodeled all of the units in a short period of time, and after the remodeling was complete, Landmark asked Pollack to go on a media campaign to convince people to rent units at the apartment complex.[13]

Most of the complex's units were one bedroom units, so Pollack believed that the complex should be marketed to singles.[7] Pollack appeared in several television advertisements promoting the complex.[7] In those advertisements Pollack offered potential tenants free furniture, personal computers, color televisions, and other amenities.[14] Prospective tenants were allowed to choose between the furniture, the computer, or the televisions, and the company continued the offer until 1985, when the company decided that once inventory ran out, it would offer no more extra amenities.[15] One of the advertisements portrays a woman, dressed in a bikini, emerging from a swimming pool while holding a videocassette recorder.[14] In a 1984 profile in the Houston Post Pollack said that the advertisements were designed to evoke a "happening type of feeling."[7] Pollack had recorded a commercial jingle for the advertisements, and as part of the jingle he played the drums and sang the lyrics.[7]

Pollack became a local celebrity in Greater Houston due to his placement on large billboards and due to frequent airing of television advertisements with Pollack. Pollack appeared at various Houston nightclubs, emceed beauty pageants, and hosted a local talk show.[13] David Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle said "Pollack mania grew out of" the television advertisements.[7] A Houston Post article in 1984 referred to Pollack as a "modern folk hero in Houston."[7] At the time Pollack had the image of being a highly glamorous stud. In 2008 Pollack said that the image was an act he put on so he could promote the apartment complex. Pollack said "I was promoting day and night. To me, it was a job."[7] Media reports at that time stated that Pollack lived at Colonial House in the "Dream Suite," a very upscale apartment unit. In 2008 Pollack said that he never lived in the "Dream Suite," which did exist, but instead initially in the Four Leaf Towers and later at The Houstonian Hotel.[7] When the Farah Fawcett-Ryan O'Neal entourage visited Houston in 1985, Pollack loaned his automobile to them.[16]

Ralph Bivins of the Houston Chronicle said "The project's marketing budget, rumored to be $500,000 [about $1466367.71 in today's money] per month, transformed Pollack into a local celebrity, but it did little to produce the high occupancy the project needed to survive."[14] In July 1985 Pollack's contract with Landmark ended.[13] In 1986 Pollack left the Houston market. Pollack said that he did so because the economy and the apartment markets in Houston had increasingly poor prospects.[7] Patrick O'Connor, the owner of the real estate brokerage company O'Connor and Associates, said that the marketing campaign for Colonial House "was like trying to sell a stripped down Chevy at Cadillac prices. I think the project became a laughingstock because of Michael Pollack and his ravings."[14] In 1989 Jim Barlow of the Houston Chronicle ranked Pollack as the "Worst Houston Apartment Operator."[17]

Later career in California

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After leaving Houston, Pollack worked in California for several years.[7] In 1986 he opened a jewelry store, Contemporary Jewelry Center, in San Jose, California, and he announced plans to open more outlets in other parts of the United States, including Texas. As of February 1987 he spent 20% of his time designing jewelry for celebrities, including Tanya Tucker, and overseeing the operations of the San Jose Contemporary Jewelry Center.[13]

Career in Arizona and western states

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In 1991,[18] Pollack moved to Mesa, Arizona.[7] He became an active businessperson in the East Valley region.[9] In Greater Phoenix he became known for purchasing and remodeling inexpensive,[19] poorly maintained,[9] declining retail strip centers and remodeled them so they appeared to be new.[20] This gave him the nickname "Plastic Surgeon of Real Estate."[10]

By 2001 he had become one of the largest independent owners and operators of shopping centers in the State of Arizona.[21] In 2001 Pollack's company owned or controlled owned or controlled over 3,000,000 square feet (280,000 m2) of retail space in Arizona, California, and Nevada; this included over 50 shopping centers in Greater Phoenix.[21] In 2002 the number of shopping centers in the Valley area had increased to 60 and his company controlled 25 or more shopping centers in California and Nevada.[11] From his arrival in Arizona to 2004 Pollack had been involved in the redevelopment of over 9,000,000 square feet (840,000 m2) of commercial building space.[18]

In 2006 Luci Scott of The Arizona Republic said that Chandler's building projects "dominate[d]" the city of Chandler, Arizona.[22] Pollack had entered the investment market, and left the market during the increase in real estate prices from 2005 to early 2008.[9] In 2008 Pollack's real estate portfolio was worth over $300 million ($424544049.46 in today's money).[23] In 2010 Pollack announced that he was re-entering the investment market.[9] In 2011 the company owned 39 shopping centers, with 15 of them being in Chandler.[24] In 2012 the Phoenix Business Journal ranked Pollack as one of its "Most Admired CEOs."[25] That year Matthew Casey of The Arizona Republic said that Pollack's name "is emblazoned on trailers at worksites across the region".[1]

Michael Pollack campaigns against copper theft in the State of Arizona.[26] Pollack and police in the Glendale, Arizona area advocated for the establishment of state rules and restrictions regarding scrap metal transactions and copper recycling, which would prohibit entities other than businesses bonded and registered with the state and contractors, from submitting scrap metal and copper to scrap metal dealers and recyclers.[26]

Pollack is also the CEO of the Pollack Tempe Cinemas movie theater chain in Greater Phoenix.[27][28] The Phoenix New Times ranked the chain the "Best Budget Movie Theater" for the year 2012.[29]

Personal life

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Michael Pollack has a wife, Cheryl,[30] had a son, Daniel Pollack, and has two younger children.[31] Pollack also has a distant cousin, Kevin Pollak [sic], who is a comedian.[32][33] For an eleven year period,[34] Daniel assisted his father's business,[7] working for Michael Pollack International Management Inc. as a vice president and a designated broker.[35] Daniel Pollack died after he was struck in a hit and run accident in Scottsdale, Arizona on September 11, 2011.[34] As of 2013 Michael Pollack lives in Chandler, Arizona.[36]

Michael Pollack is a drummer in "A Corporate Affair," a twelve piece R&B/rock/soul band.[37] In addition Pollack collects Frank Polk slot machines and three dimensional artwork.[1] In one strip center, which he had acquired around 1999, Pollack had established what Randy Cordova of The Arizona Republic referred to as "a museum of sorts throughout the multiplex" dedicated to advertising memorabilia at the southeast corner of Elliot Road and McClintock Drive.[38] Pollack wrote "Mom and Pop Saloons: Distillery and Breweriana Displays," a 320-page collector's price guide published in 2001.[11] His museum collections are discussed in an episode of A&E Barry'd Treasures, April 2014.[39]

Luci Scott of The Arizona Republic said "Michael Pollack is known for philanthropic contributions to the community."[4] His band often plays in charity events that support many agencies that Pollack supports.[10]

Publications

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Casey, Matthew. "Mesa-based real-estate mogul shows artsy side." Arizona Republic. July 24, 2012. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  2. ^ Holland, Catherine. "Family offers $50K reward for info in hit-and-run death." KTVK. Tuesday September 13, 2011. Retrieved on December 9, 2012. "[...]a well-known Valley businessman, real-estate developer and philanthropist."
  3. ^ Buchholz, Jan. "Michael Pollack offers $50,000 reward for info on son's case." Phoenix Business Journal. Tuesday September 13, 2011. Retrieved on December 14, 2012. "Mesa real estate investor and philanthropist Michael Pollack[...]"
  4. ^ a b c Scott, Luci. "Son of shopping-center magnate remembered." The Arizona Republic. September 12, 2011. Retrieved on November 22, 2012. "Michael Pollack is known for philanthropic contributions to the community."
  5. ^ Ducey, Lynn and Jan Buchholz. "Pollack gives Goodwill of Central Ariz. largest cash donation to date." Phoenix Business Journal. Friday December 3, 2010. Retrieved on November 23, 2012. p. 1.
  6. ^ Walsh, Jim. "Son of Valley shopping-center owner killed in hit-and-run." The Arizona Republic. September 12, 2011. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Kaplan, David. "WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ... / Ex-Houston pitchman Michael Pollack has made it in Arizona / Fame, fortune followed him West." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday April 15, 2008. Business 1. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  8. ^ Mungenast, Eric. "A closer look at the life of Michael Pollack." East Valley Tribune. Monday May 5, 2014. Updated Friday May 9, 2014. Retrieved on August 6, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d e Buchholz, Jan. "Michael Pollack is back in the game with Mesa strip center." Phoenix Business Journal. Sunday May 16, 2010. Last modified Thursday May 13, 2010. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d e Natale, Tony. "Real estate developer driven." East Valley Tribune. November 19, 2006. Updated Friday October 7, 2011. Retrieved on November 23, 2012. "He never attended college, but he is proud of his achievements." which means in American English that he never attended a university
  11. ^ a b c Padgett, Mike. "PROFILE: Michael Pollack, A rare find." (appears on ProQuest as "PROFILE: Michael Pollack, A rare fine [sic]") The Business Journal. American City Business Journals, March 1, 2002. Volume 22, Issue 23. p. 25. ISSN 08951632. Available on ProQuest.
  12. ^ "After Hours: Michael A. Pollack" (Archive). AZRE Magazine (Arizona Commercial Real Estate Magazine). AZ Big Media, April 22, 2014. Retrieved on August 6, 2014.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Sheridan, Mike. "Michael Pollack plans to return to Houston." Houston Chronicle. Thursday February 5, 1987. Business 1. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d Bivins, Ralph. "Colonial House to cost HUD/Insurance claim in millions." Houston Chronicle. Sunday September 11, 1988. Business 1. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  15. ^ Feldman, Claudia. "Apartment giveaways may soon come to halt." Houston Chronicle. Sunday September 8, 1985. Lifestyle p. 7. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  16. ^ Ewing, Betty. "Texas Artist of Year Umlauf praised by pupil who listened." Houston Chronicle. Monday April 15, 1985. Lifestyle p. 2. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  17. ^ Barlow, Jim. "Another decade, another wrap-up." Houston Chronicle. Sunday December 17, 1989. Business 1. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  18. ^ a b Biggs, Patricia. "REAL ESTATE MOGUL OUT 'TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE'." The Arizona Republic. June 30, 2004. Chandler Republic p. 7. Retrieved on November 23, 2012. "Since moving to Arizona in 1991, Pollack has been involved in developing and redeveloping more than 9 million square feet of commercial buildings."
  19. ^ "Michael Pollack buys north Phoenix fixer-upper." Phoenix Business Journal. Thursday May 24, 2012. Retrieved on November 22, 2012. "Valley real estate developer Michael Pollack, who is known for buying bargain properties and refurbishing them,[...]"
  20. ^ Jensen, Edythe. "2 AGING STRIP MALLS TO GET MAKEOVERS." The Arizona Republic. July 24, 2003. Chandler/Sun Lakes & Ocotillo Community p. 1. Retrieved on November 22, 2012. "Mesa developer Michael Pollack, known for buying declining shopping centers and making them look new,[...]"
  21. ^ a b Anonymous. "2001 Valley Influential: Michael Pollack." The Business Journal. American City Business Journals, October 12, 2001. Volume 22, Issue 2. p. 38. ISSN 08951632. Available at ProQuest.
  22. ^ Scott, Luci. "POLLACK WEIGHS OPTIONS OF ASIAN INVESTMENT." The Arizona Republic. August 5, 2006. Tempe Republic p. 8. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  23. ^ Graham, Chad. "Take a big whiff of strange happenings at Valley businesses." The Arizona Republic. March 29, 2008. Business D2. Retrieved on November 23, 2012. "Michael Pollack, Valley real-estate developer, holds a shopping-center portfolio worth more than $300 million and a museum in Mesa that holds more than 7,000 pieces of advertising memorabilia."
  24. ^ Jensen, Edythe. "Pollack decries intersection project near shopping centers." The Arizona Republic. November 2, 2011. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  25. ^ "Most Admired CEOs: Michael Pollack." Phoenix Business Journal. Tuesday April 24, 2012. Last updated Wednesday April 25, 2012. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  26. ^ a b Sunnucks, Mike and Patrick O'Grady. "New rules would rein in sales of copper AC coils." Phoenix Business Journal. Friday January 13, 2012. 1. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  27. ^ Buchholz, Jan. "Michael Pollack's son killed in accident." Phoenix Business Journal. Monday September 12, 2011. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  28. ^ Sunnucks, Mike. "Michael Pollack hosting NFL-themed event for Haiti relief." Phoenix Business Journal. Tuesday June 14, 2011. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  29. ^ "Pollack Tempe Cinemas." Phoenix New Times. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  30. ^ "Son of Scottsdale CEO Michael Pollack killed in hit-and-run." ABC 15. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  31. ^ Buchholz, Jan. "Michael Pollack learning to carry on after loss of son." Phoenix Business Journal. Friday October 28, 2011. p. 3. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  32. ^ Spies, Michael. "Making a good impression/Movie gives Pollak chance to show off mimic skills." Houston Chronicle. Monday June 15, 1987. Houston 1. Retrieved on November 19, 2012.
  33. ^ Spies, Michael. "Network star wars." Houston Chronicle. Thursday May 23, 1985. Section Weekend Preview p. 2. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  34. ^ a b Buchholz, Jan. "Michael Pollack learning to carry on after loss of son." Phoenix Business Journal. Friday October 28, 2011. p. 1. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  35. ^ King, James. "Real Estate Mogul Michael Pollack Offering $50,000 For Info on Son's Hit-and-Run Death." Phoenix New Times. Wednesday September 24, 2011. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  36. ^ Hanson, Ronald J. and Catherine Reagor. "Taxation Vexation: Phoenix-area home values went down; property taxes stayed up." The Arizona Republic. Monday June 17, 2013. Retrieved on June 19, 2013. "On his Chandler home, Pollack has paid $73,000 in special-district taxes since 2006, the most in Maricopa County in that time. About one-quarter of his annual property-tax bill goes to the Sun Lakes Volunteer Fire Department. Pollack’s house, valued at more than $3 million, is one of the area’s most expensive, so he must pay much more to the special district than many other homeowners in the community, with houses valued at $300,000."
  37. ^ Lomax, John Nova. "Back in the High Life: Michael Pollack and the VCR Bikini Hottie." Houston Press. Friday December 7, 2007. Retrieved on November 22, 2012.
  38. ^ Cordova, Randy. "PROPS TO POLLACK TEMPE CINEMAS' FIGURES." The Arizona Republic. August 25, 2007. Tempe Republic section p. 10. Retrieved on November 23, 2012.
  39. ^ "Michael Pollack to Make National TV Debut in ‘Barry’d Treasure’" (Archive). AZRE Magazine (Arizona Commercial Real Estate Magazine). AZ Big Media, April 1, 2014. Retrieved on August 6, 2014.

Further reading

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DEFAULTSORT:Pollack, Michael Category:Living people

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