In November of 1983, the Batmasians moved to Boca Raton, Florida with the intention of enjoying an early retirement. After two days, they changed their plans and began pursuing a future based on investing in the South Florida lifestyle. At a time when many of our coastal communities were being overlooked by serious investors – seen as nothing more than spring break retreats and retirement havens – the Batmasian’s had the foresight to begin investing in local shopping centers (amassing more than 36 properties within their first 33 months). And today they are the largest privately-held landowners in the region.

The creation of quality shopping destinations and places to live and Investments Limited and the Batmasian legacy. With a billion-dollar empire reaching from New England to South Florida, the Batmasian have made their mark as two of the country’s most dedicated and successful entrepreneurs.

Jim Batmasian graduated magna Cum Laude from Coral Gables High School in 1965 and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B. S. degree in Economics with honors in 1969. He continued his studies at Harvard law School and Harvard Business School receiving a J. D. and a M. B. A. in 1973.

Marta Batmasian, who was the valedictorian of Esayan High School, received an M. B. A. in English and comparative Literature. She attended Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey (a branch of Columbia University) during which received the Bulbenkain Academic Achievement Award (Lisbon, Portugal) and the Hagopian Scholarship Awards for highest academic achievement for two years. She then continued her studies at Leiden University in Holland, and Emerson College in Boston, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She completed joint M. A. and Ph. D. programs at Brandeis university (where she earned its high Scholastic Award) and received a M. B. A. from Barry University.

After graduating from Brandeis University, Marta became superintendent of the Sahag Mesrob Armenian School in Watertown, Massachusetts and wall full-time professor at the University of Massachusetts for eight years. She also owned and operated Mar-Tel Travel, Insurance and Real Estate in Cambridge, Massachusetts prior to her move to Florida.