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Real Estate Development and Investment for over 40 years

I.J. Barkan, Inc. USA

Now 40 years old I.J. Barkan, Inc. is a full service real estate company originally based in Boston and Manhattan. Since that time, it has grown into an established and well known development and service firm with a nationwide roster of clients providing a wide spectrum of real estate services, including consulting, appraisal, property management, development, and asset management. IJ Barkan, Inc. and its affiliates have owned and developed a large portfolio of commercial properties since 1984.
When real estate holdings are affected by ever shifting markets and increasingly complex global economic forces, asset decisions should be guided by sure hands. I.J. Barkan, Inc. provides that steady direction because we have been there!

Experience, integrity, breadth of perspective, and pure common sense are the keys to the Company’s ability to inspire trust and confidence in our clients, tenants, banks and partners. Irwin Barkan has earned an excellent reputation through hands-on approach to the challenges of real estate. Mr. Barkan held a coveted CRE designation from the American Society of Real Estate Counselors for 25 years, a measure of the respect he attained among his colleagues. He was appointed by Massachusetts’ Governor William F. Weld to the Investment Advisory Council of the Commonwealth’s Treasury Department. A Fortune Magazine print article highlighted his company’s activity in Sub-Saharan Africa see www.Bgiproperties.com, and he was a founding member of the Global Advisor Council for Africa of the ICSC.

Irwin Barkan has International experience in real estate development, retalling, multiple Industry Investment and operations; Unique experience the he brings to every challenge

Since 1984 I.J. Barkan, Inc. and Irwin Barkan have:

  • Developed over 4,000,000 S/F of retail and commercial real estate primarily office, and grocery or discount store anchored community shopping centers. Anchor stores included Market Basket, Stop and Shop, Shaw’s, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and most major Northeast retailers. These ventures were financed by numerous large commercial real estate loans from national lenders and in many cases equity capital was provided by institutions and individuals.

  • Managed dozens of commercial properties including office buildings and residential complexes.

  • Performed over 1,000 commercial property appraisals and consulting assignments.

  • Owned and managed investments in retail operating companies and stock portfolios.

  • Grew a chain of supermarket revenues from $0 to $20 Million in 48 months.

  • Quadrupled sales of an owned and managed chain of QSR food service stores in 3 years.

  • Made strategic investments in REIT’s in the early 1990’s including leading a 13d-investment group and a successful prox.

  • Represented clients, customers and / or partners in transactions for Billions of Dollars.

  • Landlord or developer for many major retailers including, Wal-Mart, Ames, Bradlees, Stop and Shop, K-Mart, Shaws, Market Basket, TJX, and numerous others.

  • CEO of an international real estate development firm located in Ghana and operating throughout Sub-Saharan Africa where Irwin Barkan lived from 2011 to 2016.

  • Owner’s Representative to Charity Hospital, a 1,000,000 sf redevelopment in New Orleans, Louisiana.

  • Board of Advisors to Emerging markets in Real Estate.

Emerging Markets Business

Emerging Markets Business delivers news, timely analysis, and bold ideas on topics and trends impacting emerging market investors and business people.

Founded in 2023, Emerging Markets Business gives decision makers and analysts what they need to know to make better business decisions in the emerging markets from unbiased and qualified sources and writers.

Emerging Markets Business is part of Lerna Group, the owner and operator of several public-facing media platforms focused on investing and doing business in the emerging markets. The platforms include websites, newsletters, social media, and other modes of distribution.

Our Advisory Board Includes

  • Al Blanton: Former CEO of Wells Fargo Reinsurance
  • David M. Krakoff: Veteran CEO across top manufacturing brands; now leading sales tech innovation
  • Dr. David Lynn: Global investment leader and author on emerging market real estate
  • Irwin Barkan: 40+ years in global retail real estate, including pioneering work in West Africa
  • Randall Loker CIO of Paladin Realty Partners, with $7B+ invested in Latin American housing

Irwin surveying a site in Nigeria with his escorts.

Screenshot 2025-07-04 at 7.32.37 AM

Real Estate Development and Investment for over 40 years

History and Photos

The Company was founded in 1984 by Irwin and Lindsay Barkan as an independent business investing in Real Estate and Retail and continuing operating throughout the United States, Canada and Africa.

I.J. Barkan, Inc. 1984 – present
The company became prominent for retail and commercial development and consulting services. Mr. Barkan has acted as a real estate strategic asset analyst and consultant for many of the country’s largest institutions and companies.

I.J. Barkan, Inc. remains active as an investment and management entity.

D&D Barkan, LLC. 2001 – 2005 (assets sold in 2005)

Mr. Barkan acquired and operated four Dunkin Donut franchises in 2001 with sales of approximately $1.2 million. D&D Barkan invested significantly in the network and grew the group to six stores with an annualized volume of $4.5 million in 4 years. The network was sold in 2005 for $4,025,000.

New England Food Associates (NEFA), 1996 – 2000 (company sold)

The Barkans developed, financed, and operated a group of Save-a-Lot Supermarkets. The stores were developed from the “ground-up” by NEFA and under Mr. Barkan’s direction grew from $0 to approximately $20,000,000 in annualized sales in 48 months. NEFA had approximately 100 employees and 15,000 customer transactions per week. The stores were sold as a chain in April 2000 to SuperValu (NYSE), American’s largest food wholesaler / retailer. Mr. Barkan’s partners included affiliates of a NYSE company and several well-known investors.

IJB Retailers 1984 – 1990

Through this entity, Mr. Barkan developed a regional master franchise for MailBoxes, Etc. and a chain of self-service laundries owned 100% by the Barkan family. Both companies were successfully sold in the early 1990’s.

Prior to forming IJB, Inc. Irwin Barkan was a Senior Vice President and investment partner of The Beal Companies, (now Known as Related Beal Boston, MA (1977 – 1984). He was responsible for Consulting Services and active in the company’s developments, leasing, and investments.

Mr Barkan’s civic and trade activities since 1977 have included:

  • Invitation to American Society of Real Estate Counselors receiving the CRE professional designation where he was a member for 25 years.

  • Appointed by Governor William Weld to the Massachusetts Treasury Investment Advisory Council

  • Co-Chairman of the International Building Owners and Managers Association National Convention (BOMA)

  • Chairman of E-apparel Conference sponsored by EBG in San Francisco, CA (1999)

  • Television appearances on Boomberg TV, MSNBC, WHDH and others commenting on e-commerce and real estate

  • Membership in ICSC where he was appointed as a founding member of the Global Advisory Council for Sub-Saharan Africa in 2014.

  • Irwin Barkan graduated from Brandeis University

  • Development Chief of the Akomojay Stool (tribe), Accra, Ghana in 2013

  • Member of the House of the Assantehene Otumfo’s House (Ashanti King) in 2014, Kumasi, Ghana

End-to-End Real Estate Services, Backed by Decades of Expertise

From development and consulting to asset management, we deliver tailored real estate solutions that drive long-term value.
601-154-4450

What our customer say

Hear what our clients say about working with a trusted real estate partner.

Michael L.

★★★★★ 5/5

I.J. Barkan, Inc. brought unmatched expertise and clarity to our commercial development. Their guidance was crucial from planning to completion.

Amara D

★★★★★ 5/5
Their global perspective and local knowledge helped us navigate a complex real estate project with confidence and success.

David R

★★★★★ 5/5
Reliable, transparent, and experienced — working with I.J. Barkan, Inc. felt like having a true partner, not just a service provider.

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