Highland Development
Peter C. Abrams, President. Mr. Abrams brings seventeen years of commercial real estate development experience to the Company. Prior to his career as a developer, Mr. Abrams spent seven years as a certified public accountant in the tax department of Grant Thornton, specializing in the representation of developers and syndicators.
Fred R. Levin, CEO. Mr. Levin has been developing commercial real estate for over fifteen years. Most of the projects he has developed were in fact re-developments of existing commercial property. Prior to 1995, Mr. Levin practiced law in the real estate and corporate fields for eight years with the Philadelphia law firm of White and Williams, representing developers, financial institutions and investors.
Outside of the real estate world, Mr. Levin serves as President of the Wissahickon Skating Club; Board Member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League; on numerous committees for Germantown Academy; and as a member of the Cricket Committee of the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
Messrs. Abrams and Levin have earned a reputation within the development community for aggressive hard work, talent and the ability to complete difficult development projects. They have successfully developed a core group of retailer, broker, and lending relationships, which are the foundation of their success and future. We specialize in the redevelopment of existing commercial properties and are proud to have developed centers for such notable retailers as Target, Kohl’s, Walgreens, Giant Foods, Staples, Super Fresh, Shop Rite, CVS, Ross Dress For Less, K-Mart/Sears, Brunswick Zone, Pier I Imports, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Petco, as well as many other nationally known retailers.
The Highland Development Group specializes in the redevelopment of existing commercial properties. We have successfully renovated several dilapidated, sparsely occupied properties into thriving centers serving their respective communities. Messrs. Abrams and Levin have earned a reputation within the development community for aggressive hard work, talent and the ability to complete difficult development projects. They have successfully developed a core group of retailer, broker, and lending relationships, which are the foundation of their success and future. We specialize in the redevelopment of existing commercial properties.
At The Highland Development Group, we take pride in our accomplishments, which we measure in more ways than mere short term profitability. Our philosophy is to combine hard-working, talented people, and focus ourselves towards the completion of successful retail development projects. Highland Development has assembled a team of high quality professionals in the financial, legal, engineering, brokerage and architectural fields. We endeavor to create and maintain mutually beneficial long term business relationships with retailers, brokers, financing institutions and other members of the retail development community. As a result of our successes, our relationships and our reputation, we continue to be presented with attractive development opportunities. Our business plan is to select only the most valuable projects, measured in terms of the location, profitability over the long term, and the speed with which we can obtain proper zoning, leasing and financing.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss retail development ventures with people who share the same goals and philosophy.
Here is a sample of projects developed by
Highland Development:
The Court at Upper Providence, Upper Providence Township, Pennsylvania. In October 2006, Highland Development completed the 400,000 square foot power center located on 45 acres at the intersection of Ridge Pike and Township Line Road in Upper Providence, Pennsylvania. This project is a joint venture with another Montgomery County developer. The tenants include Target, Giant Foods, Staples, AC Moore, Petco, Ross Dress for Less, Famous Footwear and others.
Yorktown Plaza, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. In 2005 Highland Development completed construction of a new 75,000 square foot retail and office complex on this highly visible five acre site located at the northwest corner of Route 611 and Church Road. Tenants include Walgreens Pharmacy, Cosi, T-Mobile and the corporate offices of The Highland Development Group, as well as Siegal and Drossner Certified Public Accountants.
Lower Southampton Village, Feasterville, Pennsylvania. In November 2005, Highland Development completed the redevelopment of a new 120,000 square foot center on Street Road, in Lower Southampton Township. The site formerly consisted of a Hechinger store together with the adjacent bowling alley. The former Hechinger store was replaced with a 60,000 Brunswick Zone in June 2002. In late 2005 phase two of this redevelopment was completed. The 60,000 square foot expansion added Pier 1 Imports, Panera Bread, Starbucks, Wine & Spirits, Sleepy’s, Five Below and others into the 120,000 square foot center.
Holmesburg Theater Renovation, Frankford Avenue and Welsh Road, Philadelphia. In the Spring of 200,7 the transformation and renovation of the former Art Deco movie theater building into a retail center was completed. It houses Dollar Tree, Pizza Hut, Cricket and others.
Dollar Tree, Market Street, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. In August 2005, Highland Development purchased the former closed Pep Boys converting it to a free-standing Dollar Tree.
Trainers Corner Shopping Center, Quakertown, Pennsylvania. In 2003, Highland Development commenced the renovation and expansion of a 260,000 square foot shopping center located at the northeast intersection of Routes 309 and 663, formerly anchored solely by K-Mart. Our project added Kohl’s Department Store, Michaels Crafts, Dress Barn and Famous Footwear to the best located center in the Quakertown marketplace. In 2006 an additional retail strip was added along 309 bringing Starbucks, T-Mobile, UPS, Game Stop and Five Guys to the center.
Park Place Plaza, Delsea Drive, Vineland, New Jersey. In 2001, Highland Development acquired the former 75,000 square foot Kingdale Plaza and completed extensive renovations to this rejuvenated center. This 126,000+ square foot retail center includes Forman Mills, Save-A-Lot Supermarkets, Fashion Bug, Payless Shoes and Dollar Tree Stores.
Sears Hardware, East Norriton, Pennsylvania. Highland Development has successfully developed another former Hechinger property, which opened in 2001 as a 60,000 square foot Sears Paint and Hardware Store.
Assi Plaza (Formerly Bell Run Plaza), Welsh Road, Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. In September 1998, Highland Development completed a new 115,000 square foot community shopping center at the corner of Welsh Road (Route 63) and Bell Run Boulevard, just off Route 202 in Montgomeryville. This community center is well located in an area adjacent to Lansdale, Lower Gwynedd, Upper Gwynedd, North Wales and Montgomeryville in Montgomery County. The tenant roster now includes Rhee Brothers Supermarkets, George’s Music Superstore, Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centers, Sovereign Bank, and others. In 2004 Highland Development sold this project to Rhee Brothers Supermarkets.
Lawndale Plaza, Oxford Avenue and Levick Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In November 1998, Highland Development completed construction of a new 93,000+ square foot community shopping center in the densely populated Lawndale section of Northeast Philadelphia. The tenant roster includes Wakefern Food Corporation (Shop Rite), Advance Auto, T-Mobile, Domino’s, Dunkin Donuts and others.
CVS Pharmacy at High Street and Sunnybrook Road, Lower Pottsgrove Township, Pennsylvania. In late summer of 1999, Highland Development completed construction of a free standing 10,125 square foot CVS Pharmacy just outside Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Schoolhouse Shopping Center, Richboro, Pennsylvania. In April of 1998, Highland Development led the acquisition of this 30,000 square foot CVS anchored center in exclusive Richboro, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. which was renovated in 2004 to expand the CVS Store.
CVS Pharmacy at Aramingo Avenue and Cumberland Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In late 1997 Highland Development completed the development and construction of a free standing CVS Pharmacy on Aramingo Avenue just off the I-95 exit ramp in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia.
Amoco Oil Company, Kelly Drive, Ridge Avenue and Calumet Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In late 1997, Highland Development completed the development of a free standing Amoco “Quick Start” Convenience Store at this busy intersection in the East Falls Section of Philadelphia.
The Shops at Trainer's Station, Routes 309 and 663, Quakertown, Pennsylvania. This project is an 80,000 plus square foot retail center which was completed in December of 1995. It is located at the intersection of Routes 309 and 663 in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. The 8.5 acre site was the former home of Trainer's Restaurant, which occupied the site for decades. The tenant roster includes Staples, Sears Hardware, Verizon Wireless, TGI Friday’s, Dollar Tree, and McDonald’s.
Muhlenberg Square, Route 222, Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. This project is a 45,000 square foot retail center located at the corner of Route 222 and Elizabeth Avenue, in Muhlenberg Township, one of the retail corridors in the greater Reading, Pennsylvania area. The tenants included Goodwill Shops, Advance Auto, Rita’s Water Ice and others.