Mark is a commercial real estate strategist and community-builder who believes that great places aren’t just built—they’re designed for life. As Principal and Chief Vision Officer of Atlanta-based Toro Development Company, Mark leads with a philosophy that real estate should serve as a catalyst for connection, shared experience, and enduring value—not merely a collection of buildings.
Since founding Toro Development Company in 2021, Mark has focused on transforming underperforming assets into dynamic, mixed-use environments that elevate community engagement and enhance everyday experience. His approach blends data-driven decision-making with a deep commitment to hospitality-level service, thoughtful programming, and placemaking that turns spaces into meaningful “third places”—where people want to gather, linger, and connect beyond home and work.
At the center of Toro Development’s current portfolio is Medley, a $560 million mixed-use community under construction that exemplifies the company’s belief in people-first design and vibrant, walkable environments. In addition to Medley, Mark is advancing a growing pipeline of mixed-use projects across the South that extend his vision for human-centric development into new markets and communities.
Mark’s development philosophy challenges the traditional view of real estate as solely physical infrastructure. Instead, he champions a service-centric mindset that prioritizes the space between the buildings and how people actually live, work, play, and interact. Walkable plazas, vibrant public spaces, and curated tenant mixes foster authentic community identity. To Mark, the software of a place—its social, cultural, and experiential elements—is just as critical as its architecture.
Before leading Toro Development Company, Mark led the development or redevelopment of more than 70 projects totaling nearly 30 million square feet. In 1996, he co-founded and headed the Atlanta office of North American Properties, where he oversaw more than $3.1 billion in mixed-use development, including the creation of Avalon, the revitalization of Atlantic Station, and the redevelopment of Colony Square. Under his leadership, these projects didn’t just grow in scale—they became destinations defined by local vitality and long-term economic performance.
Mark’s influence extends beyond individual projects. He serves on the Board of Trustees for ICSC, contributes to the Urban Land Institute’s Urban Development Mixed-Use Council, and serves as vice chair of the City of Refuge Board. Through public speaking, writing, and thought leadership, he continues to shape the conversation around how real estate can enrich lives and build stronger, more connected communities.
He attended Rutgers University, where he met his wife, Nancy.
