Press

In an industry fueled by creativity and star power, it can be easy to overlook the accomplished professionals working tirelessly behind the curtain to keep entertainment moving forward. Yet the lawyers, accountants, financial experts, lenders, bankers, strategists, consultants, business managers/advisors and industry executives featured in this section are among the entertainment world’s most valuable architects – the individuals whose guidance helps productions launch, companies expand, deals close and careers flourish.

James Parks is bullish on multifamily investments in Northern Nevada. Parks, founder and principal of APW Avenue Group of Culver City, Calif., announced April 1 the $96.25 million acquisition of The Village at Iron Blossom, a 401-unit apartment complex on East Patriot Boulevard in south Reno. The deal translates to roughly $238,000 per key. A week later, APW announced the reopening of One 18 West, a brick building at 118 West St. that was acquired in 2021 for $14 million and underwent a top-to-bottom $18 million renovation. Parks said in an interview with NNBW that APW Avenue Group is just getting started.

James R. Parks is managing director at CBIZ, leading the firm’s West Los Angeles office, and as the private client services leader for the West Coast, while overseeing its West region family office and high-net-worth client practices. Parks specializes in tax strategy, business management, and litigation consulting for clients.

This isn’t just about apartments,” Parks said. “It’s about taking a building that has been part of Reno’s identity for over a century and ensuring it remains a vital part of the city’s fabric as the city experiences industrial growth — offering luxury with history.

The $32 million property opening comes as downtown Reno experiences new development, business investment and population growth. For APW, this project is not a one-time bet — it is part of a broader strategy to invest in markets where history, demand, and growth converge.

The announcement follows APW’s recent acquisition of The Village at Iron Blossom, a 401-unit apartment community in south Reno. APW Avenue Group, led by the strategic real estate investor James R. Parks, served as principal partner in the $96 million transaction. This continued investment in Reno signals APW’s strong commitment to the betterment of this high-growth

Strategically positioned near major employment centers, The Village at Iron Blossom offers residents convenient access to the region's industrial and technology corridors while benefiting from Reno's ongoing infrastructure improvements and quality-of-life amenities.

APW Avenue Group is a privately held, high-value strategic real estate investment and development firm based in Los Angeles, focused on multifamily housing, hospitality, and mixed-use properties across high-growth and premier markets in the United States. Led by James R. Parks, APW is the majority owner of Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York, a premium hospitality success story in Tribeca. The firm partners with institutional capital to acquire, reposition, and develop high-potential real estate assets. With a proven track record of successful value-add and opportunistic investments, the firm delivers strong risk-adjusted returns while creating premium housing and hospitality experiences.

APW Avenue Group is a privately held, high-value strategic real estate investment and development firm based in Los Angeles, focused on multifamily housing, hospitality, and mixed-use properties across high-growth and premier markets in the United States. Led by James R. Parks, APW is the majority owner of Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York, a premium hospitality success story in Tribeca. The firm partners with institutional capital to acquire, reposition, and develop high-potential real estate assets. With a proven track record of successful value-add and opportunistic investments, the firm delivers strong risk-adjusted returns while creating premium housing and hospitality experiences.

APW Avenue Group, a leading real estate investment and development firm, today announced its acquisition of The Village at Iron Blossom, a 401-unit apartment community in South Reno, Nevada. APW Avenue Group served as the principal partner in the $96 million transaction.

APW Avenue Group, a Los Angeles-headquartered real estate investment and development firm, has acquired The Village at Iron Blossom, a 401-unit apartment community in South Reno, Nevada, for $96 million. The property offers residences in one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations. Community amenities include a fitness center with yoga studio, resort-style pools with sundeck and spa, racquetball court, tennis and basketball courts, and a fenced dog park.

This transaction continues APW Avenue Group's disciplined approach to acquiring multifamily and hospitality assets in markets with favorable demographics, opportunity and long-term supply constraints.

Reno's transformation is being fueled by world-class employers that are creating thousands of high-paying jobs," said James R. Parks, Founder and Principal of APW Avenue Group. "The presence of Tesla's Gigafactory Nevada, Panasonic's battery manufacturing operations, Google's expansive data-center campus, and Walmart's major distribution center has supercharged population growth and housing demand. We are committed to investing in this dynamic corridor and delivering well-located housing that supports the workforce powering Northern Nevada's economic boom.

APW Avenue Group, a leading real estate investment and development firm, today announced its acquisition of The Village at Iron Blossom, a 401-unit apartment community in South Reno, Nevada. APW Avenue Group served as the principal partner in the $96 million transaction. The acquisition underscores the firm's strategy of investing in high-growth markets where strong employment fundamentals drive sustained demand for quality housing. Reno and the nearby Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRIC)—the largest industrial park in North America—have emerged as one of the country's premier hubs for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and technology.

Some four months after Sausalito voters passed a plan to allow taller and denser buildings on about 16 acres along a commercial strip north of downtown, a developer has filed a preliminary application to build what would be the seaside town’s largest residential complex.

Buyer secures $56.8 million financing as downtown market faces elevated vacancy and supply pressures.

MetLife has offloaded a 22-story apartment tower in Downtown Los Angeles for $68.

A 22-story mixed-use apartment tower located at 717 West Olympic Boulevard in Downtown Los Angeles has been sold for $68.8 million. The asset consists of 152 units, resulting in a price per unit of approximately $452,632. An entity tied to MetLife sold the 22-story, 152-unit apartment tower at 717 W. Olympic Blvd. in Downtown Los Angeles to APW Avenue Group for $68.8 million, or about $453,000 per unit, according to property records. APW, led by James Parks, financed the deal with a $56.8 million loan from Prime Finance, while the seller paid roughly $4.1 million in transfer taxes, including Measure ULA.

An entity connected to MetLife sold an apartment tower in Downtown Los Angeles for $68.8 million, according to property records dated late December. The buyer is a company owned by APW Avenue Group, which received a $56.8 million loan from Prime Finance. APW Avenue Group is a privately held real estate investment company led by James Parks, who signed the loan document and confirmed the deal. The city transfer tax, which includes the special tax via Measure ULA, was about $4.1 million and paid by the seller.

NEW YORK CITY — Goldman Sachs has provided a $145 million loan for the refinancing of Fouquet’s New York, a 97-room hotel in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood that is operated/managed as part of the family of brands of Paris-based Barrière’s Signature Luxury Hotels.

APW Avenue Group, led by Los Angeles-based investor and CPA James R. Parks, has completed a $145 million refinancing with Goldman Sachs of Fouquet’s New York, a 97-room luxury hotel in Tribeca managed by the Barrière Group based in Paris, France and developed by Caspi Development of White Plains, Ne…

APW Avenue Group, led by Los Angeles-based investor and CPA James R. Parks, has completed a $145 million refinancing with Goldman Sachs of Fouquet's New York, a 97-room luxury hotel in Tribeca managed by the Barrière Group based in Paris, France and developed by Caspi Development of White Plains, Ne…

James R. Parks, leading APW Avenue Group, played a critical role in facilitating the refinancing of Fouquet’s New York with the lender, Goldman Sachs. The transaction highlights the partnership between APW Avenue Group and CBCS Washington Street LP in managing the property and securing its financial future.

In an announcement on January 6, 2026, APW Avenue Group, helmed by James R. Parks, a prominent investor and CPA from Los Angeles, successfully secured a $145 million refinancing deal with Goldman Sachs for Fouquet's New York.

“This transaction reflects years of work,” said Parks, “and completion of the refinance validates the strength of Fouquet’s New York brand and offerings, while marking the conclusion of a financial shift that enables the hotel to focus even more fully on delivering a luxury experience.” APW Avenue Group, along with its partners, continues to pursue real estate acquisitions leveraging institutional capital relationships and operational expertise to drive value across hospitality, multifamily housing, and mixed-use properties. Beyond Fouquet’s New York, APW Avenue Group has remained active across multiple asset classes during 2025.

In an impressive move for the hospitality sector, APW Avenue Group, under the leadership of James R. Parks, has successfully finalized a $145 million refinancing deal with Goldman Sachs for Fouquet's New York. This luxury hotel, located in the vibrant Tribeca neighborhood of New York City, plays a significant role in the Barrière Group's prestigious Signature Luxury Hotels portfolio. The importance of this refinancing cannot be overstated. It represents not just a financial achievement, but also the culmination of a multi-year turnaround strategy initiated by Parks back in 2019. Since his involvement began, Fouquet's New York has been on a transformative journey, positioning itself for sustained growth in the luxury hospitality market.

APW Avenue Group, led by Los Angeles-based investor and CPA James R. Parks, has completed a $145 million refinancing with Goldman Sachs of Fouquet's New York, a 97-room luxury hotel in Tribeca managed by the Barrière Group based in Paris, France and developed by Caspi Development of White Plains, New York. The refinancing marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Fouquet's New York. APW Avenue Group is the majority owner of the New York hotel and the sponsor of the refinancing.

James R. Parks serves as executive director at CBIZ, where he leads the firm’s Western Region high-net-worth client group. After 30 years with CBIZ, he oversees offices from Seattle to Phoenix and brings four decades of experience in litigation consulting and management.

Parks is executive director of accounting and financial services firm CBIZ’s Los Angeles operation. Elsewhere in the company, he runs the family office and high-net-worth operations for CBIZ’s West Region, which includes Seattle, San Diego and Phoenix.

The Chrystina and James R. Parks Research Center for Archives, Conservation, and Collections Care, is a state-of-the-art collections stewardship, educational, and research facility located in Burbank to protect and preserve the Autry’s extensive collections, including those once housed at the histor…

The California Council on Economic Education (CCEE) works with California teachers to create financially literate students who thrive in the global economy. CCEE was founded as part of the California State University Foundation to provide training and standards-based curriculum in economics to California teachers and became a statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1999.

James R. "Jim" Parks originally joined the board from 2007 to 2022. He earned his bachelor’s in business administration and an M.B.T. in taxation from the University of Southern California. His career spans business and academia, including terms as an associate professor at California State University, Los Angeles, and member of the board of advisors of USC’s Marshall School of Business. He has served on the boards of institutions including California State University, Northridge, California Council on Economic Education and Autry National Center of the American West, as well as Whittier Trust, a private wealth management company.

Over the course of his long career, James R. Parks '72, MBT '75 has achieved great success as an accountant, tax consultant, financial analyst and real estate investor. While many of his contemporaries have retired to practice their golf swings, the double USC alumnus shows no sign of slowing down.

The Los Angeles Business Journal was proud to host our second annual Top 100 Accountants Awards and celebratory event on the evening of November 8th at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.

The Clark In 1950 Sterling and Francine Clark chartered the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute as a home for their extensive art collection. Opened to the public in 1955, the Clark has built upon this extraordinary group of works to become one of the most beloved and respected art museums in…

Jim heads the Los Angeles, California office of CBIZ MHM, LLC and specializes in providing consulting services to companies and individuals in the real estate, entertainment, manufacturing, media and service industries.

THE LATEST: Parks, who heads the Los Angeles office for CBIZ, has been with the financial services and business consulting firm for more than 40 years. He specializes in tax and business consulting for high net worth families and clients in the entertainment and real estate industries.

James R Parks leads the Los Angeles office of CBIZ MHM, LLC and is in charge of the Family Office Practice, in addition to being a member of the Whittier Trust Board of Directors.

Business leader James R. Parks ’72, MBT ’75 has donated $15 million to the USC Leventhal School of Accounting to name its Master of Business Taxation (MBT) degree program, endow a chair and help renovate the accounting building.

HOLLYWOOD — Still feeling the impacts of lower entertainment production and advertising spending, post house Laser-Pacific Media reported its first quarter income plunged 72% to $393,000 on $8 million revenue, a 19% drop from the same three month period last year.