Jordan D. Schnitzer

Message from the President

When my father, Harold Schnitzer, founded what is known today as Schnitzer Properties in 1950, he had a vision to create communities through innovative development projects that he built or bought for the long-term. For him and my mother, properties were places for people and community. This people-focused legacy drives me—and our 250+ commercial real estate professionals—to be creative and intentional with service, to spend a little extra time or money getting something right, and to always do what’s best for the community.

Jordan d. Schnitzer, President

Family-Owned

Schnitzer Properties has been a proud family-owned and operated company since 1950.

Long-Term Ownership

Schnitzer Properties is focused on developing, acquiring and holding properties for the long- term. Other companies build and sell, while Schnitzer Properties invests in creating communities.

Institutional Capabilities

Schnitzer Properties is a 75-year-old, family-owned company with internal institutional-level expertise and resources.

Schnitzer Properties By The Numbers

6 States
6 States
in the Western U.S.
75 Years
75 Years
of serving tenants (1950-2025)
2.7 Million SF
2.7 Million SF
under construction in 2024-2025
31 Million SF
31 Million SF
net rentable space
200+ Properties
200+ Properties
4,250+ Tenants
4,250+ Tenants
250+ Employees
250+ Employees

Schnitzer Properties History

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In 1950, Harold Schnitzer branched out from his family’s steel business to found Harsh Investment Properties—today known as Schnitzer Properties. 

His first acquisition was the Ross Building on 5th and Ash Streets in downtown Portland, Ore. and he inked his first lease when he won an RFP for a lease with the Department of Agriculture. Throughout their distinguished careers, Harold and his wife, Arlene Director Schnitzer, became beloved West Coast business, philanthropic and civic leaders.

In 1965, Harold and Arlene’s son, Jordan, began working weekends and evenings performing maintenance and janitorial duties in the family’s apartment, retail and office buildings. After graduating from the University of Oregon and Lewis & Clark Law School, Jordan joined the family business full-time in 1976. In 1995, Jordan Schnitzer had assumed the role of President and CEO. He grew his family company’s commercial real estate holdings from 3.4 million square feet in 1995 to 31 million square feet across six Western states by 2024. Jordan combined his father’s love for smaller-unit buildings like apartments and offices with his interest in flex industrial warehouse spaces to carve out a visionary niche for industrial workspaces for small and mid-sized manufacturers, distributors and service providers.

Today, 84 percent of the Schnitzer Properties portfolio is flex industrial properties and the company is breaking ground on nearly $500 million of new development in 2024-2025. 2025 marks Schnitzer Properties’ 75th Anniversary and its lasting legacy of creating communities across the Western United States.

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Tenant Spotlights

Schnitzer Properties proudly serves more than 4,250 tenants across six Western states. From small business owners and local service providers to internationally recognized manufacturing firms and distributors, Schnitzer Properties is honored to share our tenants’ unique stories and special contributions to our communities.

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NEWS ABOUT SCHNITZER PROPERTIES

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Schnitzer Properties Acquires Tualatin Industrial Park for $13.1 Million

April 17, 2025

Schnitzer Properties closed on the Boones Ferry Industrial Park in Tualatin last week for $13.1 million.

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Inside Portland Developer Jordan Schnitzer's Flex Industrial Strategy

January 17, 2025

Industrial development is a bright spot in a challenging commercial real estate market, with a fairly stable balance of supply and demand. That doesn’t mean, though, that there aren’t challenges for potential tenants. That includes manufacturers whose space needs vary based on customer demand. One Portland-area developer is investing in a solution.

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Real Estate Firm Doubles Down on Industrial Development

November 21, 2024

Schnitzer Properties has embarked on a major expansion of its industrial holdings, with seven separate projects totaling 2.25 million square feet rising in Oregon, Arizona, California and Nevada.

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Schnitzer Properties Acquires 2 King County Industrial Complexes

October 15, 2024

Portland-based Schnitzer Properties expanded its Seattle-area industrial portfolio with two separate purchases last month totaling nearly $59 million.

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Schnitzer Properties Buys Four Industrial Buildings Totaling 228,000 SQFT in Auburn for $47.5MM

October 7, 2024

Four industrial buildings in Auburn traded hands recently, showing that the region continues to record sales transactions. The properties were purchased by an entity affiliated with Schnitzer Properties for $47.5 million, or approximately $208 per square foot, according to King County public records. The seller was an entity affiliated with TA Realty.

Supporting Our Communities

Jordan Schnitzer and Schnitzer Properties fully fund and staff three impactful community organizations.


Family Foundation

The Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation’s contemporary art collection, consisting of more than 22,000 works, is one of the most notable in North America. The Foundation has shared its art with millions across the U.S. and internationally through over 180 groundbreaking exhibitions, publications, and programs at 130 institutions.

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Care Foundation

Jordan Schnitzer carries on the legacy of his late parents Harold and Arlene through the Foundation and their belief that, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” The mission of the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation is to support arts and culture, youth, educational, medical, social service, and community activities that enhance quality of life.

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Schnitzer Cares: Student Grant Making

Schnitzer Cares: Student Grantmaking is one of the largest youth-led grantmaking programs in the country, distributing more than $5.2 million to 563 Oregon nonprofits since its inception.

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