Our Story
Past, Present, Future
Prestige kickstarted the revitalization of Downtown Vancouver, Washington in 1995. We continue our work today, bringing affordable, workforce, and market rate housing to our community.
Prestige Development’s Impact on Underserved Communities
Elie Kassab began Prestige Development with a handful of employees decades ago. Elie is passionate about invigorating communities and believes people should work where they live. His focus has always been to help revitalize downtown districts by developing affordable housing for working and senior residents and opportunities for small businesses through retail spaces. Because of this, it’s impossible to miss the impact Prestige Development has made on Downtown Vancouver, WA, throughout the years.
Downtown Vancouver’s Revitalization
In 1998 Elie saw an opportunity to revitalize Vancouver’s downtown district by turning a gravel parking lot on an empty dead-end street into a 12-plex, 2,200-seat movie theatre. It’s what we now know as Regal City Center 12. It was also the first new building the area had seen in several years. Its opening created an influx of consumer traffic and spurred the revitalization of what is now a bustling downtown area.
Years later, Elie embraced the challenge of providing affordable housing for low-income senior residents in Downtown Vancouver. As a result, Lewis & Clark Plaza, a 46-unit residential building, was developed. It was an action in response to a federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to provide affordable and convenient housing to seniors.
Responding to the demands of the changing workforce, Prestige went on to develop the first FIBER LIT building in the Vancouver/Portland area, Prestige Plaza. Encompassing a whole city block, Prestige Plaza is home to retail and office spaces and two four-story, 46-unit apartment buildings. It was an exciting venture to continue revitalization efforts.
With an unwavering dedication to infusing Vancouver’s downtown district with new residents, Our Heroes Place opened in 2019. Nestled in the heart of Vancouver, this multi-use, two-tower building features 49 residential units, 3,400 square feet of commercial space, and 60 off-street parking spaces. The Ed Tower of Our Heroes place offers fully furnished transitional housing for those relocating, downsizing families, or residents getting into their first home. The Dollie Tower offers 24 apartment homes, including three 3,000-square-foot penthouses with decks and views.
As an avid art enthusiast, Elie understands that art is a critical component in attracting businesses and tourism to urban centers. ”The Highest Love” by internationally renowned artists Jim and Christina Demetro rests outside Our Heroes Place. It was a piece of work dedicated to 25 years of this father and daughter duo creating bronze sculptures together.
Affordable Family, Workforce, and Senior Housing in Underserved Areas
Though recent initiatives have surrounded residential development, commercial ventures are how it all began. Prestige is responsible for adding movie Cinemas to several communities, including Battle Ground Cinema in Washington, Sandy Cinema and Independence Cinemas in Oregon. They’ve also added retail spaces, office buildings, and strategically placed art installations as part of an overarching mission of creating economically stable and sustainable urban communities.
A servant to his community, Elie served on the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce board for seven terms and the board of the Identity Clark County since 1998. Elie is also an active board member of the Quinn Driscoll Foundation, raising funds and awareness for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest of young high school athletes.
Leading with a Heart
Pope Francis has officially named Vancouver Developer Elie Kassab a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory The Great.
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.
See Where Prestige is Making a Difference
Battle Ground, WA
Sandy, OR
Independence, OR
Milwaukie, OR
- Pay & Pack Building
Timeline of Impact on Underserved Communities
Dollie Tower – South Building
- 4 stories of upscale 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes
- Penthouses
- Secure basement/ground-level parking
Ed Tower – North Building
- 4 stories of market-rate studio and 1BR apartments
- First to market in Vancouver to offer fully-furnished apartments
- 3,500 Square Feet commercial retail space including Starbucks w/ drive-thru window
- Mixed-use apartment complex in Downtown Vancouver, WA
- First complete FIBER LIT building in the Vancouver/ Portland metro area
- Roughly 100,000 Square Feet space housed in (2) four-story, 48-unit buildings
- 70 secured parking spaces on site
- 4 innovative live/ work spaces
- Commercial office space at street level
- Bought in 2007 to support downtown Vancouver’s growing professional sector
- Two-story office building with flexible space for service-oriented tenants
- Strategically located to contribute to urban revitalization and economic activity
- Modern construction with high-quality finishes and reliable infrastructure
- Completely renovated and elegantly remodeled into office headquarters and a luxury residence
- 8-screen cinema in Independence, Oregon
- First-run movies, high quality concessions
- Exceptional customer service
- 8-screen cinema in Independence, Oregon
- First-run movies, high quality concessions
- Exceptional customer service
- 11-Acre shopping center in Battle Ground, Washington
- 32,600 Square Foot retail space
- 4-story 38,870 Square Foot building in Downtown Vancouver
- 46 units of low-income senior housing
- Interpretive center dedicated to the journey of Lewis and Clark
- 9-Acre shopping center in Sandy, Oregon
- 22,500 Square Foot retail space
- Sold all 3 retail buildings
- 8-screen cinema in Sandy, Oregon
- First-run movies, high-quality concessions
- Exceptional customer service
- 12 screens
- 43,932 Square Feet
- 2,224 stadium seats
- Class “A” Office Building in Downtown Vancouver
- 6-story Class
- 52,000 Square Foot,
- 552-space parking garage
- Developed by Prestige Development
- Started talks with the City of Vancouver in 1995
- Kickstarted a downtown revitalization
- 40,000 Square Foot retail space
Dollie Tower – South Building
- 4 stories of upscale 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes
- Penthouses
- Secure basement/ground-level parking
Ed Tower – North Building
- 4 stories of market-rate studio and 1BR apartments
- First to market in Vancouver to offer fully-furnished apartments
- 3,500 Square Feet commercial retail space including Starbucks w/ drive-thru window
- Mixed-use apartment complex in Downtown Vancouver, WA
- First complete FIBER LIT building in the Vancouver/ Portland metro area
- Roughly 100,000 Square Feet space housed in (2) four-story, 48-unit buildings
- 70 secured parking spaces on site
- 4 innovative live/ work spaces
- Commercial office space at street level
- Bought in 2007 to support downtown Vancouver’s growing professional sector
- Two-story office building with flexible space for service-oriented tenants
- Strategically located to contribute to urban revitalization and economic activity
- Modern construction with high-quality finishes and reliable infrastructure
- Completely renovated and elegantly remodeled into office headquarters and a luxury residence
- 8-screen cinema in Independence, Oregon
- First-run movies, high quality concessions
- Exceptional customer service
- 8-screen cinema in Independence, Oregon
- First-run movies, high quality concessions
- Exceptional customer service
- 11-Acre shopping center in Battle Ground, Washington
- 32,600 Square Foot retail space
- 4-story 38,870 Square Foot building in Downtown Vancouver
- 46 units of low-income senior housing
- Interpretive center dedicated to the journey of Lewis and Clark
- 9-Acre shopping center in Sandy, Oregon
- 22,500 Square Foot retail space
- Sold all 3 retail buildings
- 8-screen cinema in Sandy, Oregon
- First-run movies, high-quality concessions
- Exceptional customer service
- 12 screens
- 43,932 Square Feet
- 2,224 stadium seats
- Class “A” Office Building in Downtown Vancouver
- 6-story Class
- 52,000 Square Foot,
- 552-space parking garage
- Developed by Prestige Development
- Started talks with the City of Vancouver in 1995
- Kickstarted a downtown revitalization
- 40,000 Square Foot retail space
We Grow Communities With Love
