Over 25 years experience in restaurant/retail leasing, hospitality, and home furnishings, combined with a deep passion for all things culinary and design, allows Michael Brandon to bring a uniquely creative approach to real estate projects. Artisanal chef’s, restaurant owners and retail operators seek Brandon out to help them grow their lifestyle brands because of his ability to identify and secure spaces that align with their brand personalities.
Since launching Brandon-California in 2012, Brandon has consulted on and leased high profile properties such as Pacific City in Huntington Beach, CA and Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach, CA. Artisanal lifestyle brands such as Michael Mina Group, Blackhouse Hospitality, HD Buttercup, Bear Flag Fish Co., Reunion Kitchen + Drink, 800 Degrees Pizza, Portola Coffee, Old Crow Smokehouse, Jan’s Health Bar, Burro Goods, RA Yoga, and many others depend on Brandon to secure high profile locations that cater to customers seeking lifestyle experiences.
Prior to opening his own firm, Brandon had the pleasure of working as Head of Curatorial Leasing and Programming for Shaheen Sadeghi and LAB Holding, LP, owners and operators of The LAB, The CAMP and The Anaheim Packing District, three of the most creative lifestyle retail and restaurant destinations in Orange County.
Brandon’s foray into retail and restaurant leasing happened organically and grew from his success in representing small, independent furniture and accessories manufacturer’s for his company Beach House, Inc., which he grew to 10 million in annual sales in just four years. It was in this capacity that Brandon met the founders of H.D. Buttercup and was brought in to tenant over 200,000 square feet of retail space at the Helms Bakery Building in Culver City.
Brandon began his career in hospitality after being trained in the “Art of Hospitality” by the Royal Toastmaster to the Queen of England, Sir Ivor Spencer, which led to a 12-year tenure with the Four Seasons Clift Hotel in San Francisco, as Chief Concierge.
Brandon is an avid fisherman and gourmet chef. He resides in Newport Beach with his family and can be found on his boat fishing and entertaining in his spare time.