Our History and Legacy
The story of Katzen Real Estate begins in the mid 20th century, with a visionary entrepreneur named Harry Katzen. In the rural town of Sykesville, Pennsylvania, Harry ignited his pioneering ventures, providing essential dead stock handling services to local farmers, collecting furs from hunters, and was an essential part of the war effort in World War I by providing raw materials to manufacture glycerin for military explosives. These services not only established a foundation of trust with the community but also gave Harry deep knowledge of the local real estate market. He seized the opportunity to invest his business profits into acquiring land and farms across Western Pennsylvania, eventually owning thousands of acres and dozens of farms. This sparked the beginning of what would become a legacy of resilience and innovation.
After Harry's untimely passing, his son, Marc Katzen, took over the business at just 16 years old. Despite his inexperience, Marc exhibited extraordinary resilience and business acumen, managing the family enterprise while serving as a Jefferson County Commissioner. Under Marc’s leadership and dedication to public service, the business expanded into office and warehouse construction in DuBois, Pennsylvania. This significant milestone was marked by projects like developing multiple flex buildings for Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania, many of which are still owned and managed by MarKay Management today.
Marc’s entrepreneurial spirit and public service commitment laid a strong foundation for the next chapter of Katzen Real Estate. In honor of his father's legacy, Marc re-used the name "MarKay Farms" and re-purposed it into "MarKay Management," symbolizing both continuity and a focus on growth.
The third generation of Katzen entrepreneurs continued to build on Marc’s success. Marc’s son, Harry “Hank” Katzen, joined the family business and played a pivotal role in expanding their real estate ventures beyond Pennsylvania. After constructing office buildings in Pennsylvania, Hank relocated to Florida and worked alongside his father to make strategic investments, including land and retail properties and acquiring a shopping center across from the University of Central Florida. Together, they also acquired the historically significant office building at One South Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando. Hank was instrumental in managing these properties and overseeing their eventual sale, leaving a mark of strategic growth and community involvement.
Hank’s contributions extended beyond real estate; he and Marc were deeply involved in Hillel International and Central Florida Hillel boards. They spearheaded a mission to create a home for the Jewish campus organization, including student housing within the same building. This innovative approach ensured that profits from the residential units would fund Hillel's mission for decades, solidifying their commitment to community service. Hank's brother, Hirsh, also played a vital role in these ventures, collaborating closely with their father and brother to drive the business forward.
In more recent years, Hirsh and Hank worked together to acquire PAM properties, demonstrating the Katzen family’s continued focus on strategic investments and portfolio diversification. This acquisition further cemented their reputation for thoughtful and effective real estate development.
Following Hank’s passing, his youngest son Mason joined Hirsh, continuing the four-generation family legacy through MarKay Management. Together, they honor their ancestors' entrepreneurial spirit, upholding a tradition of innovation, resilience and community service that has defined the Katzen family for generations.
MarKay Management Today:
Today, MarKay Management oversees a diverse portfolio of properties that reflect the company's commitment to strategic growth and community development. Their current holdings include:
130 Satterlee Rd (“B W - Warehouse”): A 135,000-square-foot multi-tenant warehouse in the Pennsylvania Central Area HOS Submarket.
116 Satterlee Rd (“D Warehouse”): A 100,500-square-foot multi-tenant warehouse, also in the Pennsylvania Central Area HOS Submarket.
Prime Land at Dixon Rd & Interstate 4: Located in the Lake Mary Submarket of Longwood, Florida.
5114 Shaffer Road: Situated in the Pennsylvania Central Area HOS Submarket.
604 Courtland Street - American Pioneer III: A 75,000-square-foot office property in the Lee Road Submarket of Orlando, Florida.
These properties represent the Katzen family’s continued dedication to expanding and enhancing their real estate holdings while contributing to the communities they serve. The Katzen legacy remains focused on growth, hands-on management and a deep-rooted commitment to fostering meaningful, long-term partnerships
