MHS Business Biography
Michael Staenberg has achieved unprecedented success in the commercial real estate sector and has helped to create quality communities nationwide. He has developed over 200 shopping centers comprising more than 35 million square feet of quality retail space. He built his business from the ground up with intense focus, capacity to take risk, creativity, and tenacity.
Eisenberg & Co -- 1976-1989
Michael started his business career in 1976 at Leo Eisenberg & Company in Kansas City as a leasing agent, managed several properties as a property manager, and then became a third-party broker for outside clients, and finally a real estate developer. “The leasing, third party brokerage and property management helped me understand how to become a better broker, and a better developer,” said Michael. “Being a developer helped me become a better businessman. I learned it takes 100 different things to become successful. If you didn’t do one of them, you could fail.”
In his early years as a broker, Michael represented top industry clients such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Godfather’s Pizza, Pearl Vision, and Payless Shoes. “I tried to diversify the portfolio and invested in six different chains. That experience made me a better businessman. I lost a substantial amount of money, but learned more about operations, how to be a Thinker, a Doer, and know where I’m supposed to be.” Michael met Sam Walton and began working for him to find sites for Walmart, which eventually brought him to St. Louis.
Michale brokered over 500 transactions and learned a great deal about development through this process. “Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of success.”
THF -- 1989-2012
THF started in 1989, and in 1991,Michael became president and co-founder. THF “To Have Fun” Realty, grew to become the third largest commercial real estate firm in the United States. A reflection of Michael’s joy and enthusiasm for life, THF developed many award winning properties, including Chesterfield Commons, one of the flagship developments of the company’s portfolio. The Commons received numerous awards and recognition for beautification, architecture, traffic and interchange design, overall development and civic impact. A $100 million investment also made significant improvements to the levee in the Chesterfield Valley.
TSG -- 2012 -present
In 2012, Michael founded The Staenberg Group, a privately held company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, dedicated to building premier properties to best serve the community. The Staenberg Group develops, leases and manages a portfolio of leading shopping centers across the country. Notably, TSG created the Factory and The District, resurrecting a dilapidated outlet mall and reimagining it into an innovative dining, music and entertainment venue. Currently, TSG is currently developing a downtown Chesterfield, a multi-use residential and retail community in one of St. Louis’s most distinguished suburbs.
Michael believes in being a steward of the environment, incorporating native landscaping, art, natural habitats and bike trails into developments. “Leadership is the ability to look long term and execute short term,” says Michael. The company proudly contributes to many nonprofit organizations through sponsorships, volunteering and pro bono services.
