The document discusses Jack Illes' experience in urban development projects across various markets in the US and internationally. It outlines his involvement in all aspects of development projects from initial planning through leasing and management. It highlights his skills in imagination, market strategy, project identity, securing approvals, design, tenant recruitment, and property management. It also discusses his relationship network in hospitality, retail, and other industries that he has worked with on various projects.

1. PEOPLE PLANET PROFIT
I M A G I N E A W O R L D
URBAN STRATEGIES

2. I like to think I specialize in creating places both of value and of meaning.
I have been lucky to have helped create some of the most famous urban and
resort destinations in this country and internationally, and have both planned,
and identified uses for, a wide variety of destinations that blend a thoughtful
public realm, unique space users and innovative space programming.
Over the course of my career so far I have been involved in almost every real
estate project task- from the initial due diligence, establishing the market
strategy, to crafting the project identity, securing entitlements, guiding the design
and development process, tenant merchandising and leasing, and property
management. I am likely best known for my imagination, big picture perspective
focused on both natural and created ecosystems, a highly outgoing nature, an
astute sense of history and culture, and my attention to detail.
Opening offices and markets around the country and internationally has
provided me with experience and relationships with a broad network of
resources. My relationship network encompasses hospitality, food and beverage,
retail, multifamily, creative work space, marketing and media technology
partners.
Common to all of this experience is an emphasis on the unique character and
value of each location- I look at every new project with an eye toward the
uniqueness of both the community and the associated opportunities to create
new value- both financial and human.
what
J A C K I L L E S

3. C O A S T T O C O A S T
BOSTON LOS ANGELESNEW YORK

4. Known as both a visionary and a rainmaker, Jack has built his career upon addressing unique development and
marketing challenges that require creative solutions, comprehensive market knowledge, and industry expertise.
Past clients range from hospitality and entertainment firms, to cities and business districts, development groups
and national investment trusts. In addition to experience from working in multiple markets across the country
and around the world, his expertise is derived from hands on involvement in past projects in a wide variety of
roles, from project inception through completion, stabilization and ongoing operations. Jack is widely known for
his uniquely creative, market-focused business strategies.
Starting with an academic background in Urban Planning and Public Policy at the University of Southern
California, Jack began his career with R & B Properties, the originators of lifestyle-oriented multifamily
properties. Jack had an exciting tenure with The Ernest Hahn Company, participating in the creation of many
award-winning retail, entertainment and hospitality projects in Southern California, across the US, and abroad.
Initial responsibilities for the leasing of then-groundbreaking urban projects such as Horton Plaza in downtown
San Diego, led to roles in strategic planning, conceptual design, branding and creative business development
strategies for new projects in New York, Boston, Denver, Mexico City, Toronto, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San
Diego, as well as Europe and Asia.
After founding Urban Labs, a design-focused planning and design practice, Jack secured the contract to create
a comprehensive Strategic Plan for the 18-block Waikiki Properties of The Queen Emma Foundation, and later
served as Creative Principal for the proposed International Market Place redevelopment in Waikiki. Jack also
led the Urban Labs creative efforts for mixed-use and hospitality projects for leading hospitality, real estate
and gaming companies including Harrah’s Entertainment, Madison Marquette, Alexander & Baldwin, and DMB
Associates.
Jack joined with a hospitality client to help create The Hardage Group, in charge of planning, design and
development for five-star luxury waterfront hotel and retail projects in San Diego and Los Angeles, as well as
mixed-use projects in Salt Lake City, Tampa and Silicon Valley. He also helped reposition the existing 17-hotel
portfolio, rebranding the hotels and redesigning hotel public areas and creating the prototype guest suite.
More recently, Jack led the conceptual design, branding, business development and community engagement
efforts for Miami Wilds, a proposed media-focused entertainment destination encompassing water and theme
parks, and hotel and retail uses at the Miami Zoo. He was responsible for forming strategic alliances with
Twentieth Century Fox, CAA, and Discovery Channel to secure project approval.
Jack serves on the Board of Trustees of Antioch University Los Angeles, where he is a member of the Executive
Committee and chairs the Academic Affairs Committee. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA, and lives in the
Koreatown district of Los Angeles atop a landmark building built in the golden era of Hollywood.
B A C K G R O U N D

5. A R O U N D T H E G L O B E
Prudential Center
Boston
University
Town
Center
La Jolla
West End City Center
Budapest, Hungary
World
Trade
Center
New York
World Trade Center
Mexico City
Times Square
New York
CN Tower
Toronto

6. Accomplished development executive with a unique background in public/private
partnerships and urban community development across the US and internationally.
Multi-market experience identifying new opportunities and developing business
development strategies to maximize new values for all stakeholders.
Multidisciplinary experience in consumer and B2B marketing, including developing targeted
narratives and presentation materials and presenting to audiences of all sizes.
Unique involvement in multiple aspects of the development process, from strategic
planning to design, business development, securing users, and management.
Exceptional background in developing unique, community-focused and market-based
strategies for maximizing potential business opportunities.
Academic studies and pro bono work in Public Policy and Urban Planning focused on
investment opportunities and economic development solutions to community issues.
Track record of identifying creative solutions through inclusive problem solving and
understanding and empathy for the needs and concerns of all colleagues and stakeholders.
Experienced in initiating new strategic partnerships including the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences and helping to create new special purpose entities such as the Times
Square Business Improvement District, and the Downtown San Diego Merchants Task Force.
Highly persuasive communicator practiced in cultivating cooperation of senior executives
and multidisciplinary project teams, public officials, and community stakeholders.
Known for building relationships with internal project teams and outside community
stakeholders to create win-win outcomes.
E X P E R I E N C E A D D S V A L U E
A C H I E V E M E N T S

7. P L A C E S O F M E A N I N G

8. I T S T A R T S W I T H A S T O R Y

9. S T Y L E A L L I T S O W N

10. M O R E T H A N A N A D D R E S S

11. E V E R Y T H I N G ‘ S I M P O R T A N T

12. Project Profile
Miami Wilds: GeoPark Florida
CASE STUDIES
Project: Miami Zoo Entertainment District Project
Location: South Miami Dade County
Opportunity: We were asked by Miami Dade County Parks
Department to respond to an RFP for the development of a
unique retail and entertainment destination to be located at
the gateway to Everglades National Park. The project site
includes Zoo Miami and the 700-acre property surrounding
the Zoo.
The County had completed a 25 year planning process and
targeted sites for theme and water parks, two hotels and
retail and F&B amenities to complement the zoo and two
local heritage museums.
We were responsible for developing the project concept
and market positioning, partnerships with media partners
Twentieth Century Fox, Creative Artists Agency and
Discovery Channel, identifying local strategic partners,
public outreach and stakeholder approvals, and
coordinating the creative team for planning and design.
The project includes a world building interactive gaming
app for on site exploration and discovery.
Outcome: Planning and preliminary design now underway.

13. Action Media Camp
Worldbuilding Discovery App
Surf Park and Pleasure Beach
Adventure Lake Club
Boardwalk and Alfresco Market
Dining and Retail:
• Redland Farm
• Everglades Outpost
• Artisan Market Hall
Forest Lodge and Conference Center
• Treehouses
• Trailer Colony
• Safari Camp
Water Garden Spa

14. Project Profile
The Pennsylvania
New York
CASE STUDIES
Project: The Pennsylvania New York
Location: New York City
Opportunity: We were engaged by Highgate Hotels,
Manhattans’ largest hotelier by room count, to develop a
comprehensive redevelopment strategy for a partnership
with Steve Roth and Vornado Realty Trust for the historic
1900-key, 1.4M sq. ft. Hotel Pennsylvania, across from
Madison Square Garden.
We identified potential market opportunities for food,
entertainment and hospitality uses, media studio space
and creative offices, and developed the design and retail
partnership strategies for 400,000 sq. ft. of now-vacant
space, including three basement levels devoted to artisan-
driven food factory and market hall, two levels of luxury
retail targeted toward the visitor and office markets, two
levels of media broadcast studios, and two levels of
rooftop meeting, event and F&B spaces.
Outcome: Following the presentation of our concepts and
designation of the Highgate bid as the preferred strategic
partner, we were invited by Steve Roth to advise on his
9M sq. ft. holdings of retail and office space surrounding
Madison Square Garden in the Penn Plaza district.

16. Project Profile
Honest Man
Lincoln
Project: Lincoln Downtown Business District
Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Opportunity: We were asked by the Downtown
Lincoln Association and the City of Lincoln to develop
strategies to attract new customers to the
Downtown business district . The efforts focused on
improvements for the principal downtown pedestrian
spine. We provided business development strategies
to link each stakeholder group, including the civic
center, University of Nebraska, financial district, and
the historic Haymarket entertainment district. Areas of
emphasis included media and sponsorship
opportunities, small business incubators, retail
cooperatives, artisanal merchant development,
property reconfiguration concepts and individual
merchant development strategies.
Outcome: The master plan strategy we developed
was approved, and we developed a store concept
and merchandising strategy for the top local womens
store merchant for unused space next door to her
shop.
CASE STUDIES

18. Project Profile
Queen Emma’s Garden
Waikiki
Project: Queen Emma Waikiki Properties
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Opportunity: We were asked to identify the long range
market opportunities and to reimagine the 18-Block Waikiki
holdings of the Queen Emma Land Co.
Properties included 5 hotels, 18 multifamily properties and
the historic International Market Place, the first specialty
retail center in the world, built by Don the Beachcomber.
We developed planning and design strategies for the
creation of an urban resort destination incorporating the five
resort hotels; adaptive reuse programs for the multifamily
and outparcel retail properties; and design development for
the reconceived International Market Place, focused on a
restored Queen Emma’s Garden and Don the Beachcomber’s
famous treehouse located in a giant Banyan tree.
Our visual history of the site and the legacy of Don the
Beachcomber was projected outdoors on the giant screen for
almost a decade.
Outcome: The redeveloped International Market Place
celebrated is grand reopening Fall 2016.
CASE STUDIES

19. CASE STUDIES

20. Project: Lane Field Hotels
Location: Downtown San Diego
Opportunity: The Port of San Diego held an RFP competition
to identify developers and operators for a twin tower, 800
key hotel project. As principal at Urban Labs, I developed
the design and strategy plan for submittal by Lane Field
Partners with flagship Intercontinental Hotel and new five
star boutique resort hotel. Following selection of Lane Field
Partners by the Port, I was hired to come in house to help
form The Hardage Group.
As Senior VP Design and Construction, I was responsible for
identifying both hotel design teams, managing the design
process, creating the brand identity and market positioning
for the boutique property, serving as liaison to IHG,
developing the F&B and retail concepts and identifying
outside tenants for retail podium.
Outcome: Phase One complete. Project now underway to
construct the second phase Intercontinental Hotel
Project Profile:
Lane Field
San Diego
Project Profile
Lane Field
San Diego
CASE STUDIES

22. Project Profile
Kentucky Social House
Newport
CASE STUDIES
Project: Kentucky Social House
Location: Covington, Kentucky
Opportunity: We were asked by the client, Price Entities of
La Jolla, to develop creative marketing, media and tenant
strategies for a lifestyle center anchored by AMC theatres,
17 eateries, a bowling/entertainment complex and the
Newport Aquarium.
We created new a large scale digital media strategy to
attract attention from a complex of sports venues across
the river in Downtown Cincinnati and worked with Kroger
Co. and others to develop social media strategies. We
developed a new signature anchor for a two level 25,000
sq ft brick building intended to draw traffic and attention
across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati called the
Kentucky Social House. Patrons could sample a selection of
Kentucky’s bourbons and award winning regional food
items, as well as intriguing gift shops featuring locally made
crafts and Kentucky products, as well as kitchens offering
Kentucky food products showcasing local recipes.
Outcome: Secured rare city approval for large scale
digital display program and developed strategic
partnerships with project vendors and strategic partners.
Awaiting completion of hotel and multifamily phase now
under construction.

23. KENTUCKY
SOCIAL
HOUSE

24. Project Profile
Prudential Center
Boston
Project: Prudential Center Boston
Location: Boston Massachusetts
Opportunity: We secured the first ever Asset Management
contract from Prudential Realty Group for The Hahn
Company for the master planning and redevelopment of
the landmark 23-acre complex.
The project was the first mixed-use development in New
England with 620,000 Sq. Ft. of retail shops and
restaurants, three multifamily towers, three hotel towers,
and three office towers above a two level parking podium
wrapping Mass Pike and Amtrak Main Line. The innovative
master plan update developed a series of glass enclosed
retail arcades that linked existing Saks Fifth Avenue and
Lord and Taylor stores with existing and new office towers,
and a new Mandarin Oriental Hotel with existing Sheraton
Boston Hotel and Hynes Convention Center.
Outcome: One of the most productive retail centers in the
United States with sales in excess of $1500 per sq. ft. Won
the ULI Award for Best Mixed Use Project.
CASE STUDIES

26. Project Profile
Park Meadows
Denver
Project: Park Meadows
Location: Denver Colorado
Opportunity: Park Meadows was intended as the
centerpiece of a new master planned mixed use
development at edge of the Denver suburbs. At the time
the development was conceived, the site was in rural
areas well past the suburban fringe.
To lure shoppers and patrons in search of an
entertainment destination and community gathering place,
the project was conceived as an aspirational retail,
entertainment and hospitality “resort destination” for the
region themed after the famed local mountain towns.
We developed a brand identity based on Colorado
mountain resorts to create a regional draw for customers
accustomed to closer in options, and successfully attracted
the dominant retail collection in the region, as well as
multiple hotel, retail and office uses.
Outcome: One off the most successful super regional malls
in the United States, Park Meadows inspired a similar
project on the opposite side of the trade area and other
“retail resort” brand identities at South Coast Plaza and
elsewhere.
CASE STUDIES

28. Project Profile
Desert Passage
Las Vegas
Project: Desert Passage
Location: Las Vegas Nevada
Opportunity: At the height of the themed retail
development boom fueled by the success of the Forum
Shops at Caesars, senior executives at TrizecHahn
Development formed a relationship with the owners of the
Alladin Hotel. The hotel was to be redeveloped as a new
luxury resort with a new circular retail arcade surrounding
the existing Alladin Theater for the Performing Arts.
We developed a theme for the project inspired by the
opening and closing scenes from The English Patient- the
idea of a desert adventure from Morocco to India through
as series of distinct, immersive environments designed to
immerse the patron in the environment of each unique
culture along the ancient trade route.
Our team included set designer Dean Tavoularis, architects
Jordan Mozer and David Rockwell, designer Todd Oldham
and live performances and interactive experiences by
Karin Bacon.
Outcome: Project completed. The live performance
program was fully designed but eliminated because of
capital shortfalls prior to opening.
CASE STUDIES

30. Project Profile
Hollywood & Highland
Academy Theatre
Project: Hollywood & Highland/Academy Awards Theatre
Location: Hollywood CA
Opportunity: We were asked to identify potential new
entertainment-anchored retail opportunities, and identified
a former Walt Disney Company project that was originally
envisioned as a companion to their El Capitan Theatre.
We secured the development rights to the project from the
CRA, and proposed a new theatre to become a new home
for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The
$600M mixed use redevelopment project components
included a Metro Rail Red Line subway station; conversion
and expansion of a former Holiday Inn to a four star
hotel; renovation of the historic Chinese Theatre,
construction of a new theatre and rooftop ballroom for the
Academy Awards, 90,000 sq. ft of retail and F&B; and
the recreation of the famed Babylon Court set of the D.W.
Griffith film Intolerance to frame the Hollywood sign in the
distance above Lake Hollywood. We were responsible for
securing the Academy as anchor tenant and sponsor
interest from Kodak, CAA, and other strategic partners.
Outcome: The project has been credited with being the
catalyst for the resurgence of Hollywood, which is
undergoing a development boom of new hotels, retail and
apartments.
CASE STUDIES

32. Project Profile
New Media Initiative
Hollywood
Project: Hollywood New Media Initiative
Location: Hollywood and Highland/Academy Awards
Theatre
Opportunity: TrizecHahn Development asked us to
identify additional revenue opportunities at the complex
then under construction that was to become the new home
of the Academy Awards Ceremonies.
We developed a strategy to connect the public spaces
with on site media spaces- theatre, ballroom, hotel media
suites, broadcast studio- blended with strategic partner
content- to create an on site media network. The network
would feature content from strategic partners- American
Film Institute, Turner Classic Movies, Hollywood Film
Festival, and others, with commercial messaging in a new
media context designed by Imaginary Forces.
Project components included an array of large scale
digital displays, interactive terminals, media pick up
points, and a proprietary Hollywood Motion Picture
Collection visitor experience based on rights to
Hollywood classic films and memorabilia.
Outcome: Packaged for sale to third party media
groups. Received two bids in excess of $50M.
CASE STUDIES

33. On-Site Media Network
Media Spectaculars
Panorama
The Big Screen
Portal Arch Screen
The Hollywood & Highland Zipper
Sign
Media Venues
Hollywood Sign Television Studio
Fashion Forecourt
Music Garden
Outdoor Cinema
Orange Grove
Media Portals
Media Partner Retail Store
Personal 360
Personal Panorama theater
E-commerce Pavilion
Interactive Touch Pads
Technology Showroom
.com Icon Pavilion
Photo Gallery
Media Lab
Distributed Network:
Rotunda
On Stage at the Academy Awards
Stand Still Locations
Chinese Forecourt Connection
Actor’s Alley Headshots
NEW MEDIA