Herb Weitzman

Herbert D. Weitzman is like the Henry S. Miller of his generation.

Miller was a titan of Dallas’ commercial real estate business and an energetic leader who mentored dozens of up-and-comers who later became bold names.

Weitzman, whose dad was an independent retailer and owner of residential rentals, started his career in Miller’s farm-and-ranch division, later moving into industrial and retail leasing. He banked on the emerging trend of fast-food franchising and founded his namesake firm in the late 1980s.

Weitzman Group built a core business in leasing and property management, and it has 44 million square feet of leasing assignments and 22 million square feet in property management across the state, according to its website. About a third of that portfolio consists of properties Weitzman developed with partners.

His long-term development clients include Kroger, Target and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Weitzman had a “load of debt” on a large commercial real estate portfolio after the 1987 stock market crash affected the market, but instead of filing for bankruptcy, he worked out every debt, the Houston Chronicle reported. He walked away with a 3 million-square-foot portfolio and experience navigating a market downturn.

Now in his 80s, Weitzman is still known as an intense leader who demands high energy from brokers and hosts meetings in his own office.

The firm is well-positioned as grocery-anchored shopping centers dominate the retail development landscape in Texas. Weitzman Group’s recent developments include Bonds Ranch Marketplace, a Kroger-anchored center that opened in booming North Fort Worth in late 2025.

— Isaiah Mitchell