This year, Benderson Development is celebrating 75 years as a leading real estate developer. Founded in 1949 by Nathan Benderson, the company’s journey began with the purchase and redevelopment of a brewery in Buffalo, New York. That early venture was the start of things to come.
In honor of this milestone, Randy Benderson, the company’s managing director, shared, “I’m incredibly proud of the legacy my father, Nathan Benderson, built. He had a rare talent for seeing potential where others saw challenges, transforming overlooked opportunities into remarkable successes. His passion for excellence, integrity and long-term planning has laid the foundation for everything we’ve accomplished over the last 75 years.”
Now in its third generation of family leadership, with Randy at the helm alongside his sons Shaun and Evan, Benderson Development has grown into a national powerhouse, with over 1,065 properties spanning 55 million square feet in 40 states. The company’s diverse portfolio includes market-leading retail centers, grocery-anchored spaces, warehouse properties, office buildings, and award-winning hotels.
Randy emphasizes that the company’s strength lies in its ability to revitalize underperforming commercial spaces and vacant land, turning them into highly successful assets. “We specialize in transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary destinations.”
In 2004, the company relocated its headquarters from Buffalo to Sarasota, FL, though it maintains an office in Buffalo and additional regional offices in Rochester, NY, and Raleigh, NC. Benderson is now the largest commercial real estate developer in the Tampa Bay area, with more than 200 properties in Florida, including nearly 1 million square feet of development in 2023, according to the 2024 Tampa Bay Business Journal.
With the company based in Sarasota, Benderson has since become a major advocate and key partner for local economic and community development. One standout project is Nathan Benderson Park, a public-private collaboration that transformed a former shell excavation site into the region’s premier multi-sports venue and a world-renowned rowing venue.
“The most rewarding part of these 75 years has been witnessing the positive impact we’ve had on the communities we serve,” said Randy Benderson. “Whether it’s creating jobs, supporting local businesses, or contributing to projects like the rowing park, it’s the communities we help build that matter most.”
Looking to the future, Randy sees continued opportunity for Benderson Development’s growth. With recent ventures in mixed-use developments across Florida and as far as Anchorage, Alaska, the company is poised to thrive for another 75 years. “What we do is about more than just real estate. It’s about bringing people together and supporting our neighbors. We remain committed to the values my father instilled in us—focused investments, strategic growth, and a deep dedication to our people.”
Randy Benderson 