The Grand Opening of “Ed Tower” at Our Heroes Place was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 409 E. Mill Plain Boulevard on Thursday, December 5th, 2019 at 4:00 pm. Ed Tower, one of two new five-story towers in the Our Heroes Place complex, is a key part of Prestige Development’s unwavering commitment to revitalize Downtown Vancouver through innovative architectural solutions enhancing our community. The ribbon cutting event was organized by Prestige Development CEO Elie Kassab and his staff, Identity Clark County (ICC) President Ron Arp, ICC Vice President Jim Mains, and Sean Philbrook, ICC Program Manager.
Moving can be a hassle. You have to go through everything you own, pack it into boxes, ship it to your new place, and unpack everything again. You’re bound to need new furniture since not everything will fit the new space, so much of what you moved will have to be sold or donated and you’ll have to buy new expensive replacements. Why can’t you just move into an apartment where all the furniture has already been lugged up the stairs, and the kitchen is already stocked with plates, glasses, utensils, pots and pans?
It’s been a long and at times arduously slow road for Our Heroes Place, but the pair of five-story apartment buildings at 409 E. Mill Plain Blvd. are finally complete — or at least, very close — and ready to join the growing lineup of housing options downtown Vancouver.
The two buildings are named “Ed” and “Dollie” in honor of the late philanthropists Ed and Dollie Lynch. The project from Vancouver-based Prestige Development broke ground in February 2017 with the tentative goal of wrapping up in May 2018, but a series of setbacks ended up more than doubling the length of the development timeline.
Anyone living in the greater Vancouver area for any amount of time has likely heard of the Lynch family and their numerous contributions to the community.
Ed and Dollie have given their support to an array of causes over the years, most notably to the Fort Vancouver National Trust, Identity Clark County, Columbia Springs Foundation, Construction Education Foundation for Oregon State University, Vancouver Methodist Foundation, Northwest House of Theological Studies, and the Southwest Washington Medical Center Foundation.
Developer’s CEO says labor shortage primary reason for stoppage on downtown Vancouver project.
Work has resumed on Our Heroes Place, an apartment complex consisting of two five-story buildings in downtown Vancouver, following a delay of several months.
The 49-unit project at the corner of Mill Plain and D Street comes from Prestige Development, the local company behind several Vancouver-area projects including the Prestige Plaza apartments on the adjacent block, the Lewis & Clark Plaza and the Regal City Center Stadium 12 cinema.
The $11.5 million Our Heroes Place project was announced in January 2016 and broke ground in February 2017. It was previously scheduled to be completed this May, Prestige Development President and CEO Elie Kassab said.
Kassab pointed to a tight construction labor market as the primary cause for the delay. Construction stopped during the summer, he said, after the previous project contractor was unable to line up the necessary workers.
Downtown Vancouver will soon feature more apartments, condos and retail along the I-5 Mill Plain entrance while honoring two outstanding longtime community leaders.
Located just two blocks southwest of the I-5 Mill Plain interchange, Our Heroes Place will feature two five-story buildings and a digital clock tower paying tribute to business and community philanthropists and First Citizen honorees Ed and Dollie Lynch.
The Complex’s north building facing Mill Plain Boulevard will be named Ed. Ed tower will feature 25 studio and 1-bedroom apartments above 3,400 feet of retail space suited for a gourmet neighborhood market, coffee shop, or health care services. Potential renters are Clark College students and downtown workforce employees.
The south building facing East 13th Street will be named Dollie. Dollie Tower will feature 24 apartment homes above 2 levels of off-street private parking that can accommodate 42 vehicles. It will have one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and penthouse units. The building will also have two levels of secured parking on the lower levels. The views of the city, river, and mountains will be spectacular from Dollie Tower.
The two buildings are joined by a bridge to provide tenants and building staff convenient access to the retail spaces plus allow easy servicing between buildings.
The Development of Homes, Apartments and Condos are in the Works to Meet Vancouver’s Growing Housing Needs
Anyone who has been living in the Greater Vancouver, Washington area for the last several years has surely noticed the large spike in population growth compared to only several short years ago.
As a matter of fact, Clark County is attracting more than 1,500 new residents per month, according to the state Department of Licensing.
Between 2014 and 2016, Clark County gained an average 18,365 people per year. That is 382 more people every month than the months between the years of 2000 and 2013, or a 33% increase.
The Daily Insider | Posted January 26th, 2016
Downtown Vancouver soon will feature more apartments, condominiums and retail shops along its bustling I-5 Mill Plain entrance while honoring two outstanding longtime community leaders through a mixed use project that has been approved for development.
Elie Kassab, president of Prestige Development, said construction costs for the project are estimated at $11.5 million. He expects to select a general contractor in the next two months, break ground in spring 2016 and complete construction by spring 2017. Wilson Associates of Vancouver is handling all of the architectural planning.
The Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon on behalf of the Chair of Saint Peter is honored to announce that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has named Elie George Kassab, businessman and philanthropist, and parishioner of St. Sharbel Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon; a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory The Great.
The Letter and Insignia were presented to Elie Kassab at a Pontifical Mass held at St. Sharbel Catholic Church on October 30, 2016 offered by the Most Rev. A. Elias Zaidan, Bishop of Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, of Los Angeles. Concelebrating the Mass were the Rev. Christopher Fabre Pastor of St Sharbel Parish, the Very Rev. Jonathan Decker, Prior of the Maronite Monks of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and Rev. Theodore Lange of the Archdiocese of Portland, with assistance at the altar from Deacons Tony Karam and Wadih Kaldawi.
In his letter, His Eminence Pietro Cardinal Parolin, the Secretary of State for the Holy See expresses his gratitude to Elie Kassab for the significant contributions made to St. Sharbel parish in Portland, and to the Maronite Monks of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Castle Rock, Washington, and for invaluable assistance to the Holy See.
The recipient’s family and friends were present to share the occasion. Elie Kassab said about this honor, “I never knew about the Order itself and, more than that, I never expected any rewards for my charitable deeds – I am humbled by the honor bestowed upon me by the Holy See and Pope Francis”.
“Papal Knighthood has long been a way for Popes to acknowledge significant contributions by the Lay faithful to the Life of the Church.”
-Fr. Christopher Fabre.
The Knights of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great was established in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI and is one of the highest honors awarded to a layperson by the Church. It is one of the five orders of knighthood of the Holy See. This order is bestowed on the Catholic faithful in recognition of their personal service to the Holy See and the Church, unusual labors, and the good example they set in their communities and countries. Past recipients include Dr. Clinton Allen Brand, Professor of English in Houston, Texas; James Serritella, attorney in Chicago, Illinois; Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics; Ricardo Montalban, Mexican-born American-based actor and philanthropist; Walter Annenberg, creator of TV Guide; Angelo Branca, Canadian Judge; Hector P. Garcia, Mexican-American Civil Rights Leader; Ann Widdecombe, British politician; and Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus.
The Reflector | October,22,2014
Prestige Theaters officials worked together with staff and members of the Vancouver Washington North stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which made a verbal commitment to an attendance of 500 for the opening weekend of the movie at Battle Ground Cinemas.
“This was a great collaboration between our church and our community theater, Prestige Theatres,’’ said Steve Walker, one of the event organizers. “We are so grateful for their efforts on our behalf. They bent over backwards for us; not only in procuring the film but in graciously accommodating our visits to their theater.”
The Reflector | May,23,2014
“In addition to having industrial lands available, Ridgefield is extremely well-located on I-5, and has easy access to I-205,” said Elie Kassab. “From Ridgefield, you can get to PDX quickly, north to Olympia and Seattle, and south to Portland and all the way to Mexico. You’re not out there all by yourselves. There are other neighboring businesses, yet there’s still room for expansion.”
“I see Ridgefield as a growing community and a place for us to lead a new wave of development”
-CEO of Prestige Development, Elie Kassab
April 16th, 2014
Prestige Plaza sits on the site that was home to Burgerville’s last old-fashioned walk-up restaurant, the chain’s second location. It closed in October 2011.
Prestige features a variety of apartment sizes, live/work spaces, and commercial spaces. The complex is within walking distance to downtown Vancouver’s shopping, recreation and business amenities and has easy access to public transportation.
Prestige Plaza’s grand opening celebrated -The Columbian Newspaper
Downtown Vancouver welcomes new apartment development -The Oregonian Newspaper
March 25th, 2014
Independence Cinema won two awards at the 49th Annual Community Awards Banquet hosted by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce.
Independence Cinema won awards for Retail Service of the Year and Business of the Year.
Prestige Development and related entities are proud members of the following organizations:
Building Industry Association (BIA)
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVCC)
Identity Clark County (ICC)
Sandy Chamber of Commerce
Monmouth & Independence Chamber of Commerce
NATO- National Association of Theatre Owners
Prestige Development and related entities are proud members of the following organizations:
Building Industry Association (BIA)
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVCC)
Identity Clark County (ICC)
Sandy Chamber of Commerce
Monmouth & Independence Chamber of Commerce
NATO- National Association of Theatre Owners
Prestige Development and related entities are proud members of the following organizations:
Building Industry Association (BIA)
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVCC)
Identity Clark County (ICC)
Sandy Chamber of Commerce
Monmouth & Independence Chamber of Commerce
NATO- National Association of Theatre Owners
