Basim Sabri, Founder & Proprietor
Basim has been the visionary behind Sabri Properties from its creation, starting in residential real estate and growing into the commercial/community development powerhouse that it is today.
Born in Palestine, Basim endured a difficult and impoverished childhood; his business and entrepreneurial skills were honed early in life by sheer necessity, and by age 14, Basim had launched a thriving business selling bleach.
In 1979, Basim came to the United States for his college education, attending the University of Minnesota and living in Minneapolis with family already settled here.
In the three decades that followed, Basim took several paths navigating his way to the American Dream. He settled early on in the real estate and development business, which is the main line of work he continues his active involvement in to this day.
Basim and his company, Sabri Properties, were early investors in the then-beleagured property market for buildings on East Lake Street in Minneapolis. Staking claim nearly 10 years ago, Basim began acquiring parcels of property in neighborhoods that few others considered anything close to prime. Much of the area was considered dangerous, and the combination of drug sales, prostitution and growing gangs seemed to ensure a continuation of the neighborhood's downward spiral of drive-by shootings and empty storefronts.
Fast-forward a decade, and Minneapolis residents now see East Lake Street in the midst of a major revival, with large infrastructure improvements from the city and state complementing the array of stores, restaurants and condominium complexes that line the street.
Through forsight, tenacity and a bit of luck, Basim wisely held his property collection through years of uncertainty; the growing acceptance of the area by Twin Cities residents has ensured a strong market for the various development projects Basim has underway in the area.
Basim Sabri has also been active in developing for the various immigrant communities within Minneapolis, and has a long history of working with immigrant groups to help individuals understand and access the job market here, aiding many through time and money to start and build their own businesses.
Mr. Sabri remains an ardent supporter and vocal advocate for these immigrant communities, and plans to continue developing immigrant-friendly housing and commercial projects.
Still, Basim has broadened his portfolio of business interests exponentially since his impoverished arrival in the U.S. 28 years ago, and with the new growth in neighborhoods where he has significant property holdings, it is clear that his tenants will diversify as well.
Sabri has several projects in the works that cater to both immigrant and natural citizens in a single development, and also has his eye on as-yet-unannounced portions of the Twin Cities that have similar potential when looking ahead 10 years.
