2020 NAIOP
Best New Business Park
Company Profile
Sampson Morris Group is a Commercial and Residential real estate organization in western PA with over 60 years of experience and success in real estate development and property management.
With a focused direction, Sampson Morris Group continues to expand its real estate holdings. Through the expertise of talented and experienced employees, and through partnerships with affiliated companies specializing in construction and land development, Sampson Morris Group brings creativity, capacity, and value as project hallmarks.
Through a conglomeration of long-standing partnerships, Sampson Morris Group has developed and continues to manage holdings consisting of more than 2.4 million square feet of commercial portfolio and 3,500 residential units. Our diverse portfolio is carefully selected in Pittsburgh’s suburban markets for flexibility, long-term value, quality, and location. With holdings in most major commercial and residential asset classes, our expertise covers a range of product types, with a focus in value creation in the Pittsburgh marketplace.
Our Heritage
Sampson Morris Group’s story starts with A.L. Sampson, a successful builder in Pittsburgh back in the early 1900’s. He built homes and commercial buildings like the Hebron School in Penn Hills. He and his wife Annie raised a family of twelve. Four of their sons, Orin, Glenn, Harold and Stanley were known locally as “Sampson Brothers” who, following WWII, built over 30,000 homes in the Pittsburgh area.
In 1960, Orin and his sons Myles and Ben were responsible for much of the development in the new Eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Although they began as residential builders, they soon expanded to building retirement communities, retail shopping centers, and commercial office and warehouse buildings — now known as ‘flex-parks’.
In 1996, Ben Sampson and Michael Morris formed a partnership, Sampson Morris Group, which now manages the entire real estate investment portfolio. A 4th generation of family members, Jeremy Sampson, and Clayton Morris are now active in the business. With this generational investment, Pittsburgh is not only Sampson Morris Group’s future, it is our heritage.
Orin Sampson and his sons, Myles and Ben, on-site in 1949
Ben Sampson Principal
A third generation developer, Ben began developing real estate on Route 286 in Plum Borough and surrounding communities with his father, Orin, in the early 1970s.
In 1973, he formed Cano, Inc. to build a 20,000 square foot strip center, Presque Isle Plaza, as part of Plum Borough’s main shopping district. He also established Bar Development Company and The Meritage Group to manage both his and his family’s land development needs. He continues to be the driving influence behind both company’s contract work and sub-division developments located throughout Pittsburgh’s suburbs. Over the last 30 years, these and other partnership affiliated companies have developed industrial, commercial, and retail space as well as thousands of single family lots, apartments, and condominiums.
A graduate of Bucknell University and veteran of the Vietnam War, Ben is active in professional organizations that include the Urban Land Institute, Society of Industrial Office Realtors, and National Association Industrial and Office Properties.
Michael Morris CEO
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a MBA in Finance, Michael embarked on a career in real estate development with a nonprofit organization committed to buying, renovating, and selling distressed residential properties in a hopeful Pittsburgh neighborhood. In 1992, he joined Cano, Inc. as a leasing agent and financial analyst and eventually became its Vice President. In 1997, Michael and Ben Sampson formed the Sampson Morris Group to take over the management of their real estate holdings and to take advantage of additional development opportunities. On February 26, 2004, the corporate name was changed to Sampson Morris Group.
Michael is continually involved in multiple development projects from the initial analysis and mortgage acquisition to the construction management and lease-up phases. Through personal attention, quality management, and a keen sense of direction, he continues to lead Sampson Morris Group forward.
A graduate of Bethany College (BA in Economics) and the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh (MBA in Finance), Michael is actively involved in various professional organizations, including the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP). He continues his education in real estate through various seminars held by both the Urban Land Institute and NAIOP.
Dave Sarver President
Dave joined Sampson Morris Group in 1997 as a project manager. He put his 25 years of commercial and residential construction experience to work designing and writing specifications, procuring approvals and permits, estimating project costs and developing project budgets, awarding and managing contracts, and reporting on project budgets and schedules. In 2011 he received the title of President.
Dave is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He is licensed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission.
Our Legacy
Sampson Morris Group is anchored in Pittsburgh by both its history and future, three generations in the family business all devoted to the Pittsburgh area. As the region is pulled into the national spotlight, the experience, knowledge and care for the region become more vital.
Sampson Morris Group creates value that captures the diverse economic and population growth of the city and suburban neighborhoods.
Sampson Morris Group strives to responsibly seek value and add opportunities.
From the rehabilitation of abandoned properties into modern office buildings and flex – parks, to the successful streamlined management of apartment home communities, Sampson Morris Group is experienced in all facets of real estate.
