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COMMUNITY
HARMON CORNER
EXCELLENCE
63 CITY CENTER
PRESERVATION
TORINO RANCH
INNOVATION
ICON PARK
Humble Beginnings
From his hometown in Torrance, California, Brett moved to Las Vegas as a teenager not because he had foreseen the city's future, but simply
because the proximity allowed him to avoid the extra moving truck rental costs by returning it within 24 hours..
Little did he realize then, the courage, tenacity, and grit shown in his move would propel him to develop some of the most prolific private developments on the Las Vegas Strip.
Armed with a staunch belief in himself and the guiding principles of integrity, hard work, and perseverance instilled by his father, Brett set out to forge his own path.
Arriving in Las Vegas without knowing anyone, Brett took on various small construction jobs such as home additions, remodels, and patios to earn income and pay for his education at UNLV.
These early steps set in motion a series of milestone events over nearly five decades, leading Brett to cherished relationships, invaluable life lessons, and serendipitous opportunities that have shaped Torino Companies into the world-class organization it is today.
Setting the Bar
While juggling the demands of school and training for ultra-distance competitions, including participating in the inaugural Ironman event in Kona, Brett simultaneously launched his real estate development company.
Over the next decade, Brett successfully developed and built thousands of apartment and condo conversion units in Nevada and across eight counties in Colorado. During this period, he became renowned as one of the largest condo converters in the industry and was recognized among the top 100 builders in the United States by Professional Builder’s Top 100.
His company, which was horizontally and vertically integrated, managed every phase of project development, construction, property management, and sales. This hands-on approach proved invaluable and laid the foundation for Brett's enduring success in his career.
First Development in Las Vegas
Brett's initial venture into Las Vegas real estate was the Cadillac Arms, a Section 8 housing project located in a challenging neighborhood near the Air Force base. Despite its difficulties, this project symbolizes the tenacity, determination, and grit essential for successful real estate development in Las Vegas—values Brett continues to uphold in all his current projects.
Go Big or Go Home
In 1989, Brett set his sights on larger and more impactful projects, beginning with the Canyon Gate Country Club. Regarded as the "Jewel of Las Vegas," this stunning golf course community is situated adjacent to Summerlin, only 8 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Canyon Gate features amenities such as a 160-acre championship golf course, tennis courts, two outdoor pools, a clubhouse with dining facilities, and a fitness center. Even after 35 years, Canyon Gate remains one of Las Vegas's most prestigious country clubs.
A Decade of Groundbreaking Developments
With several successful projects now under his belt and being recognized as one of the top builders in the country, Brett focused on developing thousands of apartment units and condominium conversions across Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada during the next decade.
Notable projects included a 676-unit resort-style apartment community featuring eight manmade lakes, a 670-unit apartment community that was one of Denver's largest multi-family acquisitions at the time, a 1,350-unit master-planned community with a 50-acre, 500,000 sq ft power center, and a 700-space resort RV park, which was the largest in Las Vegas at the time.
During this period, Brett also purchased a remote property in severe disrepair, which he meticulously restored. This property later became known as Torino Ranch, serving as a beacon of preservation and hope for over 25,000 children with terminal illnesses and developmental challenges.
Simultaneously, Brett made his first purchase on the Las Vegas Strip. Over subsequent years, he strategically acquired adjacent properties, amassing a total of 18 acres. This strategic move solidified Brett Torino and Torino Companies as a formidable presence on the Strip.
The Emergence of a Legendary Partnership
As Brett Torino reached the apex of residential development with thousands of apartment and condominium units built, owned, and managed under the Torino Companies brand, a transformative opportunity emerged—a partnership that would soon become a legendary duo and the largest private holdings of commercial real estate on the Las Vegas Strip.
Teaming up with Paul Kanavos and Flag Luxury, Brett strategically expanded his initial property purchases from the 1990s. Together, they acquired key adjacent properties, culminating in an 18-acre mega parcel directly opposite MGM's monumental $8.5B City Center development.
Among their accomplishments was the creation of the Hawaiian Marketplace, the first entertainment retail center on the Strip, sparking a series of subsequent acquisition and development ventures over the past 25+ years.
In 2010, amidst one of the most severe economic downturns since the Great Depression, the partnership seized an opportunity by acquiring the property that would become Harmon Corner, situated at Harmon and Las Vegas Boulevard. This 110,000 sq ft, three-story retail center not only revitalized the local economy but also introduced the largest LED billboard sign in the United States upon its completion in 2012—a pioneering feat that continues to redefine digital signage on the Strip today.
Pioneering Experiential Retail
The unveiling of Harmon Corner in 2012 marked the beginning of a transformative era for Torino Companies and its partners as leading developers of experiential retail in the U.S.
Among their pioneering ventures was ICON Park, a 20-acre theme park situated on Orlando's renowned International Drive. This dynamic project features more than 50 retailers, restaurants, and attractions, highlighted by a 400-foot observation wheel known today as the Orlando Eye.
Navigating Challenges and Forging Ahead
In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic's profound impact on Las Vegas, Torino Companies and its partners seized an opportunity by acquiring the site of the unfinished Harmon Hotel, which had been deconstructed. This strategic move culminated in the development of 63 City Center, a 228,000 square foot experiential retail center located at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon.
In 2023, Torino Companies embarked on another ambitious venture with the acquisition of a 10-acre parcel adjacent to the newly opened Fountainbleau Hotel & Casino and the Las Vegas Convention Center. This coveted parcel sits at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Elvis Presley Boulevard is currently undergoing design for a new development.
Interestingly, this site was once home to the historic Riviera Hotel and Casino, which was purchased by the Las Vegas Convention Authority and demolished in 2016. Brett's previous involvement with a partnership that held a controlling interest in the Riviera brings the journey full circle, now leading to the creation of a modern, dynamic project on this iconic ground.
Beyond Las Vegas and Orlando, Torino Companies is actively developing a mixed-use multi-family/retail complex in Studio City, boasting over 1400 feet of frontage along Ventura Boulevard, as well as a luxury residential development in Southern Utah.
About Its Founder
Following in his father’s footsteps, Brett grew up in construction and development, crediting much of his success to the principals of integrity, hard work, and determination instilled in him by his father.
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