Donald Bren
Donald Bren
Donald L. Brenis an American businessman who is Chairman and sole owner of the Irvine Company, a US real estate investment company...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth11 May 1932
CountryUnited States of America
create estate final investment large slowly transform
At the end of the day, the Irvine Co. is slowly being transformed. Our long-term goal is to transform what was once an agricultural company to a development company, and to that, the next, final step is to create a large real estate investment company.
art basic began colleagues company diminish eliminated funding helped lack music private programs provide public schools state support time
When state funding for Irvine public schools began to diminish some time ago, my Irvine Company colleagues helped me to provide private funding support for continuation of basic science, art and music programs that had been eliminated by lack of state funding.
acres add adequate began joined lengthy less master open original process public realized seem
When I first joined the Irvine Company, I realized that less than 11,000 acres were designated as open space in the original master plan, and that just didn't seem adequate to me. So, I began the lengthy process working with public and community organizations to add more open space.
acres built celebrated known land open preserved ranch ultimate
My ultimate dream is for the Irvine Ranch to be known and celebrated as much for the outstanding communities we've planned and built as it is for what is not developed. The beneficiary being the 50,000 acres of undeveloped land that is now permanently preserved and conserved as Open Space and parklands.
building family master mission opportunity owned president responsibility
My first large-scale community development opportunity was the formation of the Mission Viejo Co. - a partnership with the O'Neill Family, who owned Rancho Mission Viejo. As the young president of the company, I had the responsibility for master planning, master building and implementing the new community's development plans.
center climate life
Newport Center has become a Mediterranean town. The climate here is the same as the Mediterranean's, and so is the architecture. This center exudes a radiance, an energy. It will become a special way of life for everyone.
giving opinion finest
In my opinion, education is the finest gift an individual can give a young person.
limits exposure
I do limit my exposure to the public. You only have so much time.
community nonprofits collaboration
Future public education will require involvement and collaboration among various local, civic, private and nonprofit entities, a concept I like to refer to as community entrepreneurship.
passion dedication hopeful
Fulfilling the vision of the Irvine Ranch master plan has been a lifetime dedication and lifetime passion, and I am hopeful the heritage of our Irvine stewardship will live on in many new ways.
satisfaction philanthropy
I get great satisfaction from both business and philanthropy.
unique two orange
My two primary areas of focus have been open-space conservation and education, and I expect those to remain my priorities in the future. The Irvine open space and parklands provide serenity and balance to our unique Orange County lifestyle.
based solar ultimate
It's my view that solar energy may be the ultimate solution for energy for most of the world. I believe, based on what little I know about it, that there is a possibility of a breakthrough.
good looking respectful sit spending talk time
I really don't think in the past. I sit down with many friends at dinner, and they like to talk about the good old days. I'm respectful of the good old days, but I find myself spending very little time reminiscing. I'm really looking forward.