Raanan Katz began out his profession as a basketball member in Israel, however in the 40 years since he resigned from his playing days, he has actually specialized in real estate development, handling both commercial and domestic genuine estate. Real Estate Development
In the very early 1980s, after acquiring over 2,000 apartments in the Boston location, he transitioned his focus from domestic to business genuine estate and has actually since expanded his profile to over 40 business residential properties, totaling over 6 million s/f of retail space and about 100,000 s/f of workplace area. Raanan’s pride in maintaining top quality shopping centers is evidenced by his individual “trademark” emblazoned on each structure with the initials “RK” alongside the unique business basketball company logo.
The signature basketball RK Centers logo design and RK initials have come to be a beacon for shopping center patrons and prospective renters. When a patron or prospective renter sees the “RK logo design” on the side of a structure or the basketball logo design on the pylon sign they expect to enter a well kept and attractive shopping center. According to Raanan Katz, “the RK logo is unique; our customers understand they are getting a expertly maintained center that will be clean and inviting. I personally go to the residential properties on a regular basis to make sure that our centers are top quality.” Commercial Property Lease
The RK Centers brand has expanded and developed over the past 40 years, but the “RK Way” of shopping center maintenance has been a steady. Particularly, the “RK Method” implies that a RK property is going to be updated, well maintained, well landscaped, a safe shopping environment and, most importantly, inviting to patrons.
Raanan Katz’s and RK Centers’ dedication and commitment to the societies in which he has developed property has not gone unnoticed. For instance, the Metro of Sunny Isles Beach front, Florida recently recognized Raanan Katz’s tireless commitment to its development by relabeling 170th St. as “Raanan Katz Boulevard.” Raanan was more honored with the dedication of the Phyllis and Raanan Katz Sports Center, located behind RK Village Plaza (18200 Collins Ave.) in Sunny Isles Coastline, where Raanan remains a fixture on weekend break afternoons taking on all basketball challengers with his still powerful outside go.
Katz’s awards expand to New England as well. 2 instances of that acknowledgment feature, The Metro South Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Impact Award and the State of Rhode Tropical isle, House of Representatives a citation acknowledging RK Centers as “being liable for changing a Middletown Shopping Plaza into an appealing and artistically styled center that enhances the town and motivates positive growth.”
Katz’s distinct basketball logo design is a legacy of both his very early playing days in Israel for powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Israeli National Group, as well as his time playing for the U.S. All Stars, the sparring team for the world widely known Harlem Globetrotters. Beyond being a real estate developer, Raanan stays close to the game in the ownership arena. In 1986, Katz came to be an original partner of the Miami Heat expansion franchise, where he remains a courtside figure at every home game. Katz was thrilled to be a front row witness to the 2012 NBA Championship triumph led by Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Besides the Miami Heat, Raanan also bought a considerable interest in the Israeli basketball group Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2003. Maccabi is widely known as one of the most successful clubs in Europe and Israel, having reached the Euroleague championship game 4 times throughout Raanan’s ownership tenure, featuring Euroleague Cup championship victories during Raanan’s inaugural years of ownership in 2004 and 2005. Raanan subsequently offered his interest in Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2009, however continues to be greatly involved with Israeli basketball by sponsoring groups based in Jerusalem, Galil, and Holon.