Urban One Team:
Dennis Allen, Partner
As a founder and partner in Urban One, Dennis is responsible for strategic oversight, operations, and development management efforts for the firm. His focus is on sourcing and providing value for complicated urban development and infrastructure projects by bringing his vast skill set and connections to each challenge. He is passionate about building out the urban form of cities across the US and creating more lasting, walkable environments.
Dennis has also held leadership positions for development companies Holland Partner Group, Zidell Yards, and The Kor Group. He has over 15 years of real estate finance and development experience and has managed the financing, entitlement, and construction of over 1,000,000 square feet of residential, retail, and office development, with values in excess of $500,000,000. He was also the founder and Executive Director of Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc., a non-profit formed to build a modern day streetcar system in Downtown Los Angeles.
Dennis is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. He is a national leader in the advocacy of compact, walkable development and is the current Vice-Chair of the Urban Land Institute’s Northwest district council and a steering committee member for LOCUS / Smart Growth America. Dennis also sits on the Boards of Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc., Portland Streetcar Inc., and Southwest Charter School.
JR Riddle, Partner
As a partner in Urban One, JR Riddle is responsible for company operations and management, project development, as well as development and construction related activities, including underwriting, feasibility, design, estimating, costing, budgeting, scheduling, and general development/construction oversight. Mr. Riddle is a skilled development professional with a wide range of project experience and leadership tools to effectively manage construction projects on time and on budget.
Prior to joining Urban One, JR Riddle was a Project Manager of Design & Construction for Clarett West Development (formerly The Clarett Group), a New York-based residential developer. Riddle helped manage the design and construction process for all of Clarett’s west coast projects, including the large scale mixed-use development, Blvd6200 in Hollywood, CA. He would oversee the General Contractor, Architect, Engineers, and all other Specialty Consultants throughout the entire process, from project inception to building occupancy.
Before joining Clarett, Riddle was a Construction Manager at Los Angeles-based residential developer and hotelier, The Kor Group. At Kor, Riddle managed the day-to-day construction of several historic buildings that were adaptively reused into high-end loft condominiums. His projects at Kor included The Broadway Hollywood in Hollywood, CA and The Barker Block located in downtown Los Angeles, CA.
Prior to The Kor Group, Riddle was a Project Engineer and Estimator at general contractor Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company working on high-rise office construction. At Dinwiddie, Riddle managed the majority of the construction trades by evaluating bids, scoping necessary work, awarding and writing subcontracts, reviewing all submittals, overseeing procurement, coordinating contiguous trades, and performing cost control. As an estimator, he worked with the executive management team seek, bid, and acquire prospective work.
Mr. Riddle completed his B.S. in Civil Engineering Building Science, as well as an M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management, both from the University of Southern California. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional and is currently pursuing his General Contractor’s license.