Kelly Doran, a Visionary Developer Who Shaped the Twin Cities, Dies at 63
Kelly Doran, one of the most prolific and influential real estate developers in the Twin Cities, passed away on December 28, 2023, after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 63 years old.
Doran, who founded the Bloomington-based Doran Companies in 2007, was known for his innovative and diverse projects, ranging from shopping centers and hotels to student housing and market-rate apartments. He had a knack for spotting opportunities and trends in the market, as well as overcoming challenges and opposition.
From Retail to Residential
Doran started his career in real estate in 1986, when he joined the Vantage Companies, a Texas-based developer, as a leasing agent for office and industrial space. He later moved to the Robert Muir Company, a local shopping center developer, where he became a partner and built nearly 4 million square feet of retail space across the metro.
Some of his notable projects include Tamarack Village in Woodbury, Calhoun Commons in Minneapolis, and Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove. He had a reputation for being a savvy and aggressive dealmaker, who could persuade tenants, lenders, and city officials to support his vision.
“He could spot a retail site better than most,” says Dick Grones, a veteran retail real estate broker and a founding principal of Edina-based Cambridge Commercial Realty. “His timing was the best I’ve ever seen: When he built and when he sold he was at the top of the market.”
But Kelly Doran was not content with sticking to one sector. He saw the potential of multifamily housing, especially in the wake of the Great Recession, when demand for rental units surged. He founded Doran Companies in 2007, after a brief stint in politics, and ventured into the residential market.
He started with student housing, building several projects near the University of Minnesota, such as Sydney Hall, The Bridges, and The Knoll. He then expanded to market-rate apartments, targeting urban and suburban locations with high-end amenities and design. Some of his recent developments include The Moline in Hopkins, The Expo in Minneapolis, and The Reserve at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove.
“He was always looking for the next thing,” says Anne Bretts, editor of Minnesota Real Estate Journal, who covered Kelly’s projects for years. “He was very creative and very adaptable. He was not afraid to try new things.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Doran’s achievements in real estate earned him recognition and respect from his peers and the industry. He was inducted into the Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame in 2019 and received numerous awards for his projects, such as the NAIOP Awards of Excellence, the Minnesota Real Estate Awards, and the Finance & Commerce Top Projects.
Kelly Doran was also known for his leadership and mentorship, as he built a team of talented and loyal professionals who shared his passion and vision. He sold his remaining ownership interest in Doran Companies in May 2021, and launched his new venture, The Doran Group, with more than 160 employees and its entire real estate portfolio under its direct management.
“Kelly was a visionary and a trailblazer in the industry,” says Tony Kuechle, president of development at The Doran Group. “He was also a generous and caring boss, who always supported and challenged us to do our best. He will be greatly missed by all of us.”
Kelly is survived by his wife, Jean, and his four children, Ryan, Kelly Jr., Erin, and Megan. A private funeral service will be held on January 2, 2024, followed by a public celebration of his life at a later date.
Doran’s legacy will live on through his family, his company, and his projects, which have shaped and enhanced the Twin Cities landscape. He was a developer who made a difference, not only in the real estate industry but also in the lives of the people who worked with him, lived in his buildings, and shopped at his centers.
“He was a remarkable person and a remarkable developer,” says Grones. “He left a mark that will be hard to match.”
A Visionary and a Trailblazer
Doran was not only a prolific developer, but also a visionary and a trailblazer in the industry. He was one of the first to recognize the potential of mixed-use projects, combining residential, commercial, and hospitality components in strategic locations. He was also one of the first to embrace modular construction, a method that uses prefabricated units that are assembled on-site, reducing costs and time.
One of his most ambitious and innovative projects was The Moline, a 241-unit apartment complex in Hopkins, which was completed in 2018. The project was part of the redevelopment of the historic Minneapolis Moline tractor factory, which had been vacant for decades. Kelly Doran partnered with the city of Hopkins and the Metropolitan Council to transform the site into a vibrant and transit-oriented community, adjacent to the future Southwest Light Rail Transit line.
The Moline was also the first large-scale modular project in Minnesota, using 472 modules that were built in Idaho and shipped by truck to Hopkins. The project was completed in 18 months, about six months faster than a conventional construction method. He said that modular construction was the future of the industry, as it offered more efficiency, quality, and sustainability.
“He was always looking for the next thing,” says Anne Bretts, editor of Minnesota Real Estate Journal, who covered Doran’s projects for years. “He was very creative and very adaptable. He was not afraid to try new things.”
A Generous and Caring Leader
Doran was not only a successful developer, but also a generous and caring leader, who supported many causes and organizations in the community. He was a board member of the Minnesota chapter of NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, and a founding member of the Minnesota Commercial Real Estate Diversity Collaborative, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry.
Kelly Doran was also a philanthropist, who donated to various charities and foundations, such as the University of Minnesota Foundation, the Animal Humane Society, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He was especially passionate about supporting education and youth development, as he believed that they were the keys to a better future.
One of his most notable contributions was to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, a private Catholic school in Minneapolis that serves low-income students. He donated $3 million to the school in 2019, the largest gift in its history, to help fund a new campus and expand its enrollment. He also served as a mentor and an employer to many Cristo Rey students, who worked at his company as part of their education program.
“Kelly was a generous and caring leader, who always wanted to make a positive difference in the world,” says Jeb Myers, president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. “He was a role model and a friend to our students, staff, and community. He will be greatly missed by all of us.”
My badass uncle passed away this morning. RIP Kelly Doran. He was a real tycoon in Minneapolis. #minnesota #minneapolis pic.twitter.com/ZMWWymhJ0D
— Bay Area Super fans (@ScumbagPolite) December 28, 2023
Kelly Doran’s Obituary and Death
Kelly Doran’s life and career were not without challenges and setbacks. He faced opposition and lawsuits from some of his projects, such as The Bridges, a student housing complex near the University of Minnesota, which was opposed by some neighborhood groups and the city of Minneapolis. He also faced health issues, such as a heart attack in 2015 and a lung cancer diagnosis in 2016, which he fought and survived.
But Kelly never gave up on his dreams and goals. He continued to work and develop new projects, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit the real estate industry hard. He also continued to enjoy his hobbies and passions, such as traveling, golfing, and spending time with his family and friends.
Doran’s life and career were an inspiration and a testament to his resilience, courage, and determination. He was a remarkable person and a remarkable developer, who left a mark that will be hard to match.
“He was a visionary and a trailblazer in the industry,” says Tony Kuechle, president of development at The Doran Group. “He was also a generous and caring boss, who always supported and challenged us to do our best. He will be greatly missed by all of us.”
