RTK Resort Group - Principals

Links to Principals Bios:

John R. Kazanjian, Managing Director

Tony R. Dawson, Director

David G. Hanna, Director

Laurence J. Raba, Director

Wayne D. Marty, Director

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John R Kazanjian

GASLAMP PLAZA SUITES – San Diego, CA

Following the development accomplishments set by Horton Plaza in the late 1980’s, Gaslamp Plaza Suites played a significant role in the redevelopment of San Diego’s Gaslamp District and usher in a multitude of specialty restaurants, bars and entertainment venues within a 16-block area. The district is now a thriving commercial activity center that is a must see for travelers who are touring Southern California. Gaslamp Plaza Suites is one of the country’s most successful urban shared ownership programs.

Located in the midst of the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Gaslamp Plaza Suites is a European style boutique hotel property. Originally built 1913 as an office building, the property housed the first elevator system in San Diego. Winners Circle Resorts International converted the property first to an operating hotel for tax credits on behalf of the ownership partners and then to the vacation ownership timeshare program.

The conversion meticulously restored the original architectural features including the original marble on walls and stairways, coffered ceilings, brass elevator doors, hand cut mosaic tile floors and Australian gumwood carpentry around the etched glass windows and doors.

Winners Circle created a mixed use commercial and residential property with 60 residences for the timeshare regime. Owners purchased floating time within a unit type. Units were comprised of Studios, Junior Suites and One-bedrooms. Owners received fee simple deeds and are allowed to split their week’s usage time and to take as little as one night at a time.

Dakota Grill and Spirits operates the commercial space and offers an extensive American menu along with an extensive selection of microbrewery beers and California wines.

John Kazanjian served as the Director of Sales Operations for Gaslamp Plaza Suites from 1993 through 1996. The challenge was in selling a property to vacationers within an urban setting that at that time had not yet shed all the trappings of urban blight.

Mr. Kazanjian’s marketing and sales activity involvement:  

• Instituted policies and procedures for a start-up urban timeshare resort. 

• Directed sales teams to meet weekly sales quotas.

• Recruited and trained sales people new to the timeshare industry.

• Coordinated Sales/ Marketing/ Owner-Services/ Escrow/ Payroll departments

• Implemented interface systems to ensure consumer information flow and to meet their expectations. 

• Scripted and trained telephone marketing and sales representatives

• Assisted in the project's timely sell-out according to plan. 

Mobile: 480.262.2682   Email: JKazanjian@RTKresorts.com

John Kazanjian's Resort Development Background

The World's Finest Resorts

Real Estate Advisory Clients and Assignments

John Kazanjian's Project Marketing and Sales Management

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The Cliff Club at Snowbird, Snowbird, UT

The Ridge Tahoe, Stateline, NV

Lawrence Welk Resort Villas, North San Diego County, CA

Gaslamp Plaza Suites, San Diego, CA

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