Mark S. Stapp
Mark Stapp has planned, designed, established investments in and/or managed more than 70 real estate projects in North America within the past 30 years. Mr. Stapp’s background is in planning and investment in real property and providing asset management and design consultation services to investors and clients. Mr. Stapp’s primary objective is to maximize the value of real property through planning and design services, creation of unique ownership and financialstructures and implementation of management, development and/or disposition programs for properties located throughout the US and the Bahamas.
General Work History
Mr. Stapp holds several positions concurrently. He is the Executive Director of the Masters of Real Estate Development, W.P. Carrey School of Business, Arizona State University;Managing Member of Pyramid Community Developers, LLC., a company he formed in 2000 to design and develop socially and environmentally responsible real estate; President of M.S. Stapp Investments, Inc. hisfamily’s trust and President of Naef Development, Inc., the US operations arm of a Swiss investment and development company From 1994 until July 2000 Mr. Stapp served as Chairman of the Board of Taliesin Architects, Inc. In 1993 he founded First City Homes, Inc., a Phoenix-based homebuilding company having sold his majority and management interest in late 1998. Mr. Stapp has also been the COO and Vice President of Planning and Development Services for Lendrum Design Group, one of Arizona's largest architecture and engineering firms; Managing Director of Mountain West Research, the largest real estate consulting firm based in the South Western US and Senior Vice President of The Ellman Companies, a real estate investment firm with projects located throughout North America. Mr. Stapp is currently an adjunct faculty member of ArizonaStateUniversity where he teaches both graduate and undergraduate level courses in real estate and urban planning.
Organizations
- Mr. Stapp is the Co-Chairman of the Master of Real Estate Development program at Arizona State University;
- Vice-Chairman- Board of Directors of Valley Froward Association;
- Member of the Provosts Advisory Council for Arizona School of Health Sciences and Oral and Dental Health;
- Chairman of the Board Taliesin Architects, the company founded by Frank Lloyd Wright;
- Formerly a Panel Member of the American Arbitration Association and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association and;
- Appointed to numerous Boards or Committees including the Kyrene School District Capital and Schools Planning Committee; the Phoenix Mayors Ad Hoc Committee on Capital Budgeting and Design as well as the Governors Committee on Energy and Education.
Education
- 1973 – 1976 William Patterson University -- B.A in Environmental Studieswith an emphasis in urban design;
- 1983 – 1986 Arizona State University –where he studied Urban Economics,Population Processes and Urban Geography;
- 2000 Stanford University - Graduate School of Business Executive and Professional Education program;
- 2007 Arizona School of Health Sciences ad eundemDoctor of Humane Lettersforhis body of work in community sustainability,health and wellness.
Past and Present Partners and/or Clients
Arizona State University
Northern Arizona University
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona
Sands Family Trust
City of Glendale, Arizona
The Ellman Companies
Constructa, US (French Development Company)
Valley National Bank/ Bank One of Arizona
First Interstate Bank of Arizona
Naef International Management (Swiss Investment Company)
C.Itho (Japanese investment Firm)
Kobe Japanese Steak House (Hawaiian Investment Company)
Arizona State Land Department
Texas General Land office
New Mexico Land Department
Salt River Project
Selvaag, US (Norwegian real estate Company)
Father Flannigan’s Boys Home
Select Project Experience (The following is a description of some projects Mr. Stapp has planned)
MASTER PLANNINGand COMMUNITY DESIGN
Manistee Ranch - (1997) 147 acre mixed use, infill master plan - For the Sands Family Trust, an Arizona pioneer family, Mr. Stapp organized the predevelopment and design team and established the original plans and concepts for rezoning and developing the 147 acre, infill property, located in the center of Glendale, Arizona. Mr. Stapp prepared the initial land plan; handled all negotiations with the City regarding the zoning and development and wrote the supporting PAD text and design guidelines. Mr. Stapp also advised the family on disposition of the property. Services provided include project administration and accounting and management of the design team.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evens Happy Trails Resort - (1985) 960 residential retirement master plan – Mr. Stapp was the project manager for this unique 960 acre master planned community located in Surprise, Arizona. Mr. Stapp managed the site selection analysis, acquisition due diligence and rezoning of the property. Following the rezoning he developed the master plan design program, assembled the planning and design team that consisted of planning, landscape architecture, architecture, and civil engineering and related disciplines. Mr. Stapp also managed the site design and building design teams for all first phase development. Phase 1 consists of 2,200 units, the first 9-holes of a championship golf course as well as a 50,000 square foot community center and four () 2,500 neighborhood centers.
City of Glendale (1997) 1,70 acre mixed use master plan - Mr. Stapp was retained by the City to establish a unique way to control and direct growth on the West Side of Glendale, Arizona. Mr. Stapp organized all landowners and prepared a master plan for 1,800 acres. This plan, known as "Delta,” was prepared under the direction of Mr. Stapp, who coordinated the acceptance by landowners and City officials, with a senior planner in the City planning department.
ASU Tempe Center Redevelopment, Arizona State University – (1986) 15 acre commercial redevelopment plan - For Arizona State University, Mr. Stapp organized and managed the consulting team which prepared an economic feasibility and implementation program for a 10 acre retail center located at the edge of downtown Tempe, and at the entry to the University. The consulting team was also responsible for the architectural and urban analysis that served as a basis for development of economic development strategies.
Salt River Project Corporate Headquarters Master Plan – (1986) 38.97 acres office/corporate headquarters - For the Salt River Project, a quasi-public utility company, as part of the planning of its headquarters land (this is worded awkwardly), Papago Park Center, Mr. Stapp managed the consulting team which prepared a plan to establish phased development to accommodate up totwo million square feet of new corporate office space in six separate office towers specifically for the administrative use by Salt River Project.
Papago Park Center – (1986) 480 acre office and industrial master plan- For the Salt River Project a quasi-public utility company, Mr. Stapp prepared the plans for and managed the consulting team thatestablished a master plan for the 540 acre multi-use development which includes over 9 million square feet of office and retail uses to be developed over a 30 year time frame. The SRP headquarters forms the centerpiece to this development. The master plan also included designs for utilizing the Grand Canal as an active water feature and pedestrian promenade. A complete set of design guidelines for site, art and building implementation was developed to assure a quality development. Continuing involvement includes all P.A.D. revisions working with the City of Tempe and the coordination with consultant design teams for final plat approvals. This project received the Planning Project of the Year from the Arizona Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Adobes de la Tierra - (1987) 20 acre residential custom home subdivision- With a prominent local artist, Mr. Stapp planned and managed the design and development of this 32 lot custom home project built on 20 acres within the Boulders Resort Development, Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr. Stapp was responsible for establishing and managing the design and development team for the principals. The team prepared an in-depth environmental site analysis, conceptual and final plans and engineering as well as coordination of design review process with the City of Scottsdale. Mr. Stapp also managed a multi-disciplined project team responsible for the preparation of construction documents and field coordination. Homes built within Adobes de la Tierra have been built and sold for as much as $5 million.
Frijoilas Village, Santa Fe, New Mexico – (1997) 460 acre residential master planned community - Mr. Stapp was retained by the owners of this 400-acre property located in Santa Fe New Mexico, to assist in the organization and analysis of the project. Mr. Stapp was responsible for reviewing plans prepared for the property and coordinating the design and development team. Mr. Stapp and his associates are responsible for establishing a business plan that reviewed and modified the design, arranged for infrastructure financing and established the actual development and sales process.
Solono Bella – (1998) .80 acre residential development– Mr. Stapp was retained by the owners of this .80-acre infill parcel to design and develop a “For Sale” townhouse project. Plans called for 16 units of approximately 1,800 SF in size with 3 bedrooms with a sale price of approximately $175,000/unit.
WestRock – (1999) 850-acre ski resort and mixed-use community – Mr. Stapp was retained by a French development company to organize the development of this new ski resort located north of Boise, Idaho along the western shore of Lake Cascade. This 850-acre project consists of 2 golf courses, a major ski resort with lodges, restaurants, ski lifts, condo’s, custom home sites and retail facilities.
Copper Basin - (1999) 840 acre residential master planned community – Mr. Stapp purchased and organized the planning and development team for this 840-acre, 3,359 single family lot project located in southeast metro Phoenix. The teams prepared a new master land-use plan and all engineering for underground utilities, grading and drainage for the entire property. In addition to the overall master plan, a final plat and all associated engineering for the 1st 3 phases, totaling 1,250 lots,have been prepared. Mr. Stapp has also directed negotiationof lot sales to homebuilders and secured the necessary entitlements to allow construction of the project.
Mitchell Place - (1997) 3.2-acre residential infill development- Mr. Stapp purchased the land, designed, and built this 22 home infill project in central Phoenix. The project is now complete and all homes have been sold. This project was highly published as the example of infill housing in the central Phoenix area and was the model for the City of Phoenix Infill Housing Incentive Program. This project won the 1998 Best Small Residential project.
Wildflower - (1997) 15-acre residential development – When purchased in 1996 by Mr. Stapp, this project consisted of 45 vacant lots in a finished subdivision that was 10 years old but never developed with housing units. Mr. Stapp redesigned the proposed housing units, modified the existing infrastructure and built homes on all 45-lots. This is a small gated project adjacent to SouthMountainPark that utilizes an existing subdivision. Mr. Stapp designed the homes, organized the sales and marketing and managed all aspects of the development.
Wiidflower II - (1998) 20.25 acre residential development - Mr. Stapp purchased this 20.25-acre parcel and prepared a plan to develop it as a gated 31 lot custom home subdivision. The property is located adjacent to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve with excellent views to the City and the adjacent SouthMountains. Mr. Stapp designed and managed the development and sale of the project.
Saguaro Ranch Place - (1998) 6.5 acre residential development - Mr. Stapp purchased, designed, and built this 31-lot infill project located in Glendale, Arizona. The overall plan included a Walgreens a Boston Market and a small retail/office building in addition to the 31-lot subdivision and homes buffering the adjacent existing single family homes.
Superstition Views Estates - (1997) 15.5 acre residential development- Mr. Stapp purchased and prepared plans for a 59-lot subdivision located in Mesa, Arizona. The property was planned, zoned, engineered and sold to a local homebuilder.
Westland Plantation Master Planned Community - (1998) 364 acre residential master planned community - Mr. Stapp was retained to organize and manage the redesign and master development of this 364-acre, 836 residential unit project located in Jacksonville, Florida.
Goldfield Heights - (1985) 532 acre residential master planned community – Mr. Stapp was retained to master plan this 532-acre parcel of land located in east metro Phoenix. The project consists of an 18-hole golf course and 532 single-family lots. The primary objective of the master plan was to integrate the development into the high desert environment and create an environmentally sensitive yet developable project.
Stetson Hills(1986) - 2,300-acre residential master planned community – Mr. Stapp organized and managed the planning and design team for this 2,300-acre master planned community located in northwest metro Phoenix. Mr. Stapp represented the Arizona State Land Department and Coventry Homes in the planning, design, engineering and zoning of the project.
DEVELOPMENT
Desert Enclave (1998) 38-acre custom home subdivision - Mr. Stapp was the senior officer in the company that owned and developed the property. Mr. Stapp conceived, designed and managed the implementation of this high desert, environmentally sensitive 38-acre custom home project located in Cave Creek, Arizona. The property provides for preservation of 90% of the property and development of 11 exclusive home sites. Mr. Stapp advised the partners on developing the property and managed the design and rezoning process. The plans resulted in a 125% increase in revenue potential.
GilbertCorporateCenter(1997) 82-acre residential and industrial development- For more than 10 years Mr. Stapp has been the advisor to the Chilcott family regarding the design and disposition of their 82 acres located in Gilbert, Arizona. Mr. Stapp advises on the day to day affairs of the ownership entity including all design and sale efforts. Mr. Stapp also provides project accounting and administration. Mr. Stapp negotiated the sale of the south 40 acres and coordinated the design and rezoning for 164-lot subdivision built on the property.
GrovesMixedUseCenter (1993) 78 acre mixed use master planned development - For the Ellman Companies, Mr. Stapp was the project director for the acquisition, design and development of a 78 acre mixed use project located in Phoenix. The project consists of approximately 470,000 square feet of retail, a 106 lot single family subdivision (sold to D.R. Horton Homes), a 240-unit apartment complex and a central open space and recreation trail system. Mr. Stapp conceived the development scheme and managed its design as well as its actual development. Currently all aspects of the project are either built or under construction.
Wildflower (1997) 15 acre residential development - Mr. Stapp purchased and builtthis 45-lot infill project located in south central Phoenix. This is a small gated project adjacent to SouthMountainPark that utilizes an existing subdivision. Mr. Stapp designed the homes, organized the sales and marketing and managed all aspects of the development.
Wiidflower II (1998) 20.25 acre residential development - Mr. Stapp purchased this 20.25-acre parcel and prepared a plan to develop it as a gated 31 lot custom home subdivision. The property is located adjacent to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve with excellent views to the City and the adjacent SouthMountains. Mr. Stapp designed and managed the development and sale of the project.
Saguaro Ranch Place (1998) 6.5 acre residentail development - Mr. Stapp purchased and designed and is now building this 31-lot infill project located in Glendale, Arizona. The overall plan included a Walgreens a Boston Market and a small retail/office building in addition to the 31-lot subdivision buffering the adjacent existing single family homes.
Mitchell Place (1997) 3.2-acre residential infill development- Mr. Stapp purchased the land for and designed and built this 22 home infill project in central Phoenix. The project is now complete and all homes have been sold. This project was highly published as the example of infill housing in the central Phoenix area and was the model for the City of Phoenix Infill Housing Incentive Program. This project won the 1998 Best Small Residential project.
Superstition Views Estates (1997) 15.5-acre residential development- Mr. Stapp purchased and prepared plans for a 59-lot subdivision located in Mesa, Arizona. The property was planned, zoned, engineered and sold to a local homebuilder.
Westland Plantation Master Planned Community (1998) 364 acre residential master planned community - Mr. Stapp was retained to organize and manage the redesign and master development of this 364-acre, 800 residential unit project located in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Stapp is the President of the entity that owns the property and oversees all aspects of developing the land and managing the investment. Currently he is developing the 2st and 3rd Phases of the project that consists of 132 single-family lots.