Joshua Simon

Joshua Simon got his first taste of commercial real estate at just 18 when he closed his first big deal, a Chili’s ground lease. He earned his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University with a focus in business and communications, and in 2010, at age 24, he dove headfirst into launching his own company, SimonCRE.

He started with no business partners and one employee. Today, SimonCRE has more than 50 employees and has developed more than 245 projects in 22 states totaling $623 million.

The commercial real estate development and acquisition company based in Scottsdale aims to create a lasting economic impact for its team, its clients and the communities it serves through responsible development. SimonCRE primarily focuses on retail, but it has completed projects in the medical office, school/daycare, and RV and boat storage sectors.

“Leadership has always been in Simon’s blood, and he is continually working to improve his techniques to come out on top every single day,” his team said.

In the next five years, SimonCRE plans to reach $1 billion in development and acquisitions deals. The company is already beginning to evolve from being a single tenant net lease developer to doing shopping center projects that build a sense of community. SimonCRE announced a new 700,000-square-foot outdoor shopping center, Village at Prasada in Surprise. This project will be the first major west coast retail power center to emerge in more than a decade. The company size will grow as SimonCRE takes on larger, more complex deals.

“I think the key is really adaptability; this has been at the core of our success as a company,” Simon said. “Over the years, there have been major shifts and changes in the industry that offered us a choice: we could batten down the hatches and wait for it to pass, or we assess and respond. The second option can be scary, as it can mean major changes in how your company operates, but I relish these moments because they are an opportunity to keep growing.”

Simon has won many awards throughout his commercial real estate career, including Phoenix Business Journal’s “Most Admired Leaders” in 2017 and Globe St. Real Estate Forum’s “Influencers in Retail” in 2020.

Among his accomplishments, Simon is the most proud of being named one of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) 4 Under 40 in 2021. This award honors leaders in the marketplaces industry and allows the recipients to take seats on the ICSC board as Next Gen Trustees.

“Being honored as one of ICSC’s 4 Under 40 and named a Next Gen Trustee aligns with Simon’s core values and desire for wanting to help others, as well as his sole mission to make a positive impact on the world that will last for years to come,” his team said. “Receiving this prestigious award reflects the amount of dedication and hard work Simon has put into his career and his community.”