Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments Opens New Headquarters Office OFFICE
Date: 06-01
Newspaper: Monthly Business Review - Arizona Edition
Location: Front Page
Author: Monthly Business Review
In Michael A. Pollack's world, everything old deserves to be new again. His company, Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments, puts that proverb into practice, most recently by carving its sparkling, new corporate headquarters office out of a tired, old warehouse.
The 31,000-square-foot office, at Alma School and Baseline roads in Mesa, was borne of the same philosophy that built much of the company's successful real estate empire--renovation and repositioning of an ugly duckling property. Once a dilapidated furniture warehouse, the building now sports a Mediterranean, Santa Barbara architectural style with pitched tile roofs.
"We could have started from scratch, but I believe it's better to practice the infill redevelopment philosophy that we preach," Michael Pollack said. "With 60 percent of our Arizona properties in the East Valley and 40 percent in the Central and West Valley area, this is an ideal location for us."
A first look at the building reveals lushly landscaped grounds surrounding a showcase entrance. The dramatic lobby features decorative Roman columns and arches, while crystal chandeliers descend from high Victorian ceilings.
Then come the surprises, ranging from a full video arcade with simulated road racers to an employee lunchroom modeled after a vintage 1950s cafe. Hand-painted, mythical-themed artworks -- one figure bearing a purposeful resemblance to Pollack's grandfather -- adorn domed ceilings, and personal correspondence from the likes of Vice President Al Gore and Donald Trump is prominently displayed in the hallways. In Pollack's own 2,000-square-foot personal office sits a baby grand piano.
Perhaps most unexpected of all is an area devoted to Pollack's passion for collecting. The result is the world's largest private antique advertising memorabilia museum subject of a book scheduled for publication in 2001.
Pollack said the offices were designed to be fun. "From the time I was 12 years old, I'd had a vision of exactly what I wanted. For years, our new offices have existed, but only in my imagination."
The vision was put to paper by the architectural firm of Ewers & Associates, and, with around the clock activity, the renovation was completed in a record-breaking four months. Pollack and his staff moved into the new offices in October 2000.
Pollack's employees and special guests now enjoy a billiards room, complete with air hockey and ping-gong tables; a workout room filled with state-of-the-art fitness equipment; and a carnival game room. One of Arizona's largest independent shopping center owners and operators, Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments specializes in asset management, property management, real estate sales and leasing, real estate financing and construction management. The company and its affiliated entities own and operate more than 50 shopping centers in the metropolitan Phoenix area totaling more than 2 million square feet. The Arizona portfolio is valued at more than $200 million, according to industry sources.
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