Introduction
Ronald J. Cohen, the president of The Cohen Companies Inc. (TCC), has been a significant force in the Washington D.C. commercial real industry for over 30 years. His real estate activities include development acquisition and management of urban and suburban office buildings, hotels, retail centers, and residential properties in and around the Washington D.C. Metro Area. TCC currently controls over 3.5 million square feet of office, retail, hotel and multi-family space through his own companies and in partnership with members of his immediate family.

The Beginning
In 1973, Mr. Cohen began developing properties on his own while continuing to participate in family activities. His first solo venture was the development of the 138,000 square foot United Nuclear Corporation headquarters building in Tyson's Corner, Virginia. Next, he renovated numerous downtown Washington office buildings and began commercial warehouse and residential development projects in suburban Virginia, Maryland and Ocean City, Maryland. Other projects included renovation of additional luxury office buildings in the District of Columbia, the acquisition of an office/retail center, and development of a retail center in suburban Maryland. Several tracts of commercial and residential land in suburban Maryland and Virginia were also developed.

The 1980's-1990's
During the 1980's and early 1990's, development and/or acquisition activity included the following:

• Congressional North and Congressional South Shopping Centers on Rockville Pike in Rockville, Maryland.
• The Snowmass Mountain Chalet, a 64-room lodge located in Snowmass, Colorado.
• 1121 New Hampshire Avenue in downtown Washington, DC was acquired and converted into all-suites New Hampshire Suites Hotel
• A 162-room hotel, the Congressional Park, was built in 1987 adjacent to Congressional South Shopping Center.
• A $24 million renovation of the Pennsylvania Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington.
• Purchased The Meadows Business Park, which includes approximately one million square feet of office, retail, R&D and warehousing space.
• Developed a 105,000 square foot shopping center located in Georgetown, Delaware.
• Built Salubria Office Park, a 150,000 square foot office building, currently leased to the Internal Revenue Service.
• The Congressional North Shopping Center, a 250,000 square foot property, was completed in 1998. The property includes tenants such as Circuit City, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Michael's Crafts, Modell's Sporting Goods.

The New Millennium
In December of 2002 TCC moved to its present location in Rockville, Maryland. Today the company employs a staff of 15 in the office and 24 field employees. The disciplines of the staff include: development, construction, zoning, finance, legal, leasing, property management and accounting.

• Congressional South Shopping Center, a 120,000 square foot retail center was completed in 2005. Residential development behind the shopping center, consisting of 418 apartments was completed in 2006.
• The Washington Business Park in Lanham Md. was acquired in 2006. The 675,000 square feet of office buildings and flex space (7 buildings) and 50 acres of developable land represent a strong opportunity for increased value over the next 3-5 years.
• Union Place, currently under construction and located north of Union Station and one block from the New York Avenue Metro Station, is two full city blocks located between K and L Streets, NE, and 2nd and 3rd Streets in Northeast Washington. This includes mixed-use retail and residential development. Phase 1, The Loree Grand, consisting of 212 residential units and approximately 3,000 square feet of retail space, is scheduled for completion 4th Qtr. 2009. Phase 2 will feature a 14-story residential building containing 500 units and retail space. The total value of the entire project at completion will exceed $350 million.
• Velocity, a new development currently under construction consisting of a full city block bounded by K, L, Half and First Streets, S.E., is a short walk from the site of the proposed Washington Nationals baseball stadium. The Mixed use project will contain 200 residential units in phase 1 and potentially an additional 300 units in other phases, along with 250,000 square feet of retail / office space. The Velocity condominium is scheduled for completion 3rd Quarter 2009.
• 900 2nd Street will break ground in 2011, consisting of office, hotel and residential with a total build out of 425,000 square feet.
• 1333 M Street, future plans for 600,000 square feet of mixed use development.

In keeping with the tradition of the family real estate business, Mr. Cohen's son, Alan, and son-in-law, Eric Siegel, are heading up divisions of the business to further increase the company's overall profitability. Alan Cohen, President of ADC Builders, Inc. is a general contractor and has constructed many of TCC's projects, in addition to his own developments. Eric Siegel, Executive Vice President of TCC is involved in the Leasing / Property Management of the commercial properties, as well as acquisitions and strategic planning and development. Some notable tenants to the Cohen portfolio are Bed, Bath & Beyond, Circuit City, Staples and Mattress Discounters, along with several other national and regional tenants. The Cohen Companies is also the Franchisee/Operator of the Phillips Seafood Restaurant located at the new Legacy Hotel & Meeting Centre located at 1775 Rockville Pike in Rockville, Maryland. This hotel is Montgomery County's first boutique hotel property.

As the third generation of Cohen real estate developers continues to explore further acquisition, development, leasing and construction opportunities, the Cohen's continue to contribute to the revitalization of the nation's Capital and other cities in which they have economic interests.