Town Hall: A Discussion with PegasusAblon Principal Mike Ablon

Michael Ablon is the founding partner of PegasusAblon, a multidisciplinary developer and investor focused on the integration of emerging markets and evolving demographic trends. Combining this strategy with nationally recognized institutional capital and private capital, PegasusAblon focuses its practice specifically in the Dallas/Fort Worth area–where they have developed a commanding understanding of the growth patterns and demographic shifts. Mr. Ablon has completed numerous noteworthy projects in the course of his pursuit of a cutting edge ethos. He is fortunate to have led the redevelopment of the Dallas Design District from a warehouse/showroom district of the 1950’s-­‐1970’s into a vibrant neighborhood with showrooms and galleries, unique restaurants and local retailers, and lofts and apartments while maintaining the history, vibe, and character of the district’s past. In addition to the Design District, PegasusAblon has aggregated a dominant presence in the Preston Center Office Submarket, which has the highest-­‐ average rent and occupancy of any office submarket in Dallas/Fort Worth. Mr. Ablon’s multifamily experience includes the creation of highly innovative developments in the high-­‐growth Frisco submarket and the Design District, among others. PegasusAblon has a reputable award-­‐winning focus on quality and is honored to have been recognized for Best Multifamily Design Projects, the Dallas Regional Chamber Momentum Award- Community Investor, Best Deal Award for Best Public/Private Partnership, 100 Fastest Growing Companies, and named the #1 Best Place to Work in DFW for small companies. Mr. Ablon’s work within PegasusAblon has led to the completion of over a $1 billion of investment transactions in DFW since its inception in 2007. Mr. Ablon received his Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Architecture degrees at the University of Texas at Austin, and earned his Master’s Degree from Harvard University. Early in his career, Ablon worked as an apprentice under the world- ­‐renowned theorist and architect Robert Venturi in Philadelphia and has been a visiting lecturer at multiple universities including Harvard and Yale. Prior to founding PegasusAblon, Mr. Ablon held senior positions at Hillwood Development, CarrAmerica, Cousins Properties, and The Retail Connection. Among other awards and recognitions, he is a recipient of a Lloyd Warren Travelling Fellowship in Europe for the Paris Prize Competition, a two-­‐time finalist for the Fulbright United States Scholar Fellowship for architectural theory, named one of the 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas/Fort Worth, and the first recipient of the Pioneer Award for Real Estate Impact in Dallas. Mr. Ablon is heavily involved in the community, including being the founding Chairman of the Trinity River Corridor LGC, focused on the development of a great new central park for Dallas - The Harold Simmons Park, Chairman of the TREC Foundation, Vice Chair of The Real Estate Council, Vice Chair of Legacy Senior Living, and on the Advisory Board of the Coalition for a New Dallas, and on the Dallas Advisory Board of BBVA Compass Bank.

Born and raised in South East London, Adam has always been a ken sportsman; representing his high school in Soccer, Rugby and Cricket. He started his working life as a Police Constable in Central London and then moved on to becoming a “Mens Grooming Expert” (which led to him appearing on The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent & GQ). This career path bought Adam to Dallas, Texas where he met his wife and decided to settle down. In Texas, Adam chose to start over or “re-tool”, and pursued a Management Degree at SMU. Once his studies were complete, Adam moved into sales of HVAC where he touched many commercial construction projects. Adam loves the thrill of new challenges, and meeting new people and can't wait to start his career with Bisnow in Dallas.