Early Life
Igor Olenicoff was born in Moscow, Russia in 1942. His family, with ties to the Tsarist regime, fled the Soviet Union after the Russian Revolution and sought refuge in Iran. He received his education in Iran before immigrating to the United States at age 15.
Rise to Success
After immigrating to the United States, Olenicoff attended the University of Southern California (USC), where he earned degrees in corporate finance and mathematics, as well as an MBA. He worked in corporate finance and accounting, and later started his real estate development business in 1973. In 1974, he founded Olen Properties Corporation. His initial venture was the purchase of a 16-unit duplex. Olen Properties grew to include a portfolio of millions of square feet of commercial office space and thousands of residential units across several states.
Key Business Strategies
Olenicoff's strategy involved strategic real estate investments and development. He focused on long-term value creation by acquiring properties and holding onto them, even through economic cycles. His company emphasized high-quality construction and operational efficiency.
Philanthropy
Igor Olenicoff established the Andrei Olenicoff Memorial Foundation in honor of his son Andrei, who suffered from retinitis pigmentosa. The foundation supports initiatives for eye health and combating blindness.