Legendary civic leader Ira Yellin was a Founding Principal of Urban Partners.

Prior to forming Urban Partners Mr. Yellin served as president of The Yellin Company, a real estate investment, development and management company in Los Angeles, and Senior Vice President of Catellus Development Corporation, one of California’s major landowners and development entities.

Mr. Yellin is widely respected for development of Grand Central Square and the Grand Central Market and restoration and redevelopment of the Bradbury Building in the historic center of downtown Los Angeles. While with Catellus he implemented initial stages of the Alameda District Specific Plan encompassing Union Station and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Metropolitan Water District Headquarters buildings.

Prior to forming The Yellin Company Mr. Yellin was Executive Vice President of The Hapsmith Company, a private real estate firm headquartered in West Los Angeles, where he was responsible for all administrative, operational and management activities including major construction projects.

Mr. Yellin was a Trustee of the J. Paul Getty Trust and California Institute of the Arts, Director of Los Angeles’ Central City Association and Advisory Board member of Watts Health Charities and The Rand Institute on Education and Training.

Mr. Yellin passed away on September 10, 2002.