About Us
Based in Portland, Oregon, Melvin Mark Investors (MMI) acquires and operates office, industrial and multifamily properties in the western United States. We target superior risk-adjusted returns and capital appreciation, and typically project long-term hold periods.
We are closely held and led by a nimble team of experienced commercial real estate investors. We acquire stabilized and value-add assets, with an emphasis on underperforming assets in supply-constrained markets. In certain cases, MMI will consider full-scale redevelopment opportunities.
From our inception, we have individually capitalized our deals, allowing us to match the right partner with the right investment. Moreover, we do not face pressure to place discretionary committed capital, as we only raise capital on a deal-specific basis. Our principals invest their own capital in each of our deals. We value our deep relationships which continually help us cultivate extensive market knowledge and source deals.
Our Team
Nicholas R. Ehlen, Managing Partner
Nick co-founded Melvin Mark Investors in 2019. Prior to that, he spent 13 years working in commercial real estate brokerage, investment and development. Additionally, since 2013 Nick has co-led, along with Jim Mark, Melvin Mark’s real estate investment partnership with Becker Capital Management. In this role, Nick has been directly responsible for over $250 million in investment acquisitions and dispositions.
Nick is passionate about his community and has been involved in numerous local and national non-profit organizations primarily focused on education, medical research and conservation. He currently serves as Managing Trustee of the James R. Kuse Family Foundation.
A fourth-generation Oregonian, Nick holds a BSc in Government from The London School of Economics and Political Science.
Jim Mark, Partner
Jim is the third generation CEO in the Melvin Mark company legacy. He oversees all activity and provides leadership to all employees under the Melvin Mark Companies umbrella. Although he has been spearheading company operations since 2000, Jim’s background in the commercial real estate industry spans most of his life.
Jim learned the fundamentals of the business at a young age; he began his hands-on experience by providing maintenance for the company’s properties and serving as an operations assistant. After college, he got his official start as a leasing associate and brokered many notable deals throughout the region. As Melvin Mark evolved, Jim took on more responsibility and was able to build his skills in a variety of different management positions. Over the years, he learned three valuable lessons that helped shape him into a skilled leader: put people first, give back to the community, and demonstrate honesty and integrity.
Today, Jim’s mission is to continue to grow Melvin Mark Companies in a way that creates a positive impact on the Portland area. He is consistently looking to the future and believes that as the commercial real estate industry changes, the company should change with it. Jim continues to inspire and guide those around him by upholding the values that have made the Melvin Mark Companies a success over four generations.
Jim has a passion for fitness and athletics; when he’s not in the office, he is often hiking, skiing, and exploring the Pacific Northwest. Jim is also an avid motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys both riding and collecting unique and rare motorcycles.
Peter Andrews, Partner
As a Partner in Melvin Mark Investors, Peter utilizes his experience in brokerage and his relationships in the commercial real estate industry to help find, analyze, and assist in the management of MMI investments. He and MMI Managing Partner Nick Ehlen have worked closely together throughout their careers and have acquired, leased, and marketed a variety of projects spanning all commercial real estate product types. Peter has also coordinated the leasing and assisted in pre-development planning for several headquarter buildings including 2&Taylor (home to Jama Software) and 250 Taylor (home to NW Natural Gas Company). Early in his career he worked with local ownership groups AWS and the Goodman family, overseeing office leasing for their portfolios. Peter also has fifteen years of tenant representation experience, helping numerous tenants find suitable office, industrial, and owner/user properties.
Peter loves the business and has been a proud member of Melvin Mark Companies since 2004. Having been born and raised in Portland, he has a passion for the city, its people, and its food. And like a true Oregonian, Peter enjoys spending time outside as an avid golfer, runner, cyclist, and skier.
Scott Andrews, Partner
Immediately following the completion of his master’s degree, Scott began his career with Melvin Mark Companies as a leasing agent in 1978. As a trusted member of the team, he helped establish the current divisions of brokerage, development, and financing and rose to president of the Melvin Mark Brokerage Company in June of 1992.
As a seasoned broker, Scott has fully enveloped the Melvin Mark brand and its dedication to building longstanding relationships. He believes the company is admired because it truly cares about its clients and he brings that frame of mind to every professional situation. By putting people first, Scott has earned the trust of tenants, landlords, and investors, and has become an important part of many of their success stories. Today, Scott is a principal of Melvin Mark Companies. He works as a broker and as a consultant on special projects.
Scott is deeply involved in the Portland community and holds several present and past positions on local organization boards. In his free time, he plays golf, skis, and spends as much time as he can with his grandchildren.