The Towbes Group
The Towbes Group is a privately held Goleta, California-based real estate developer, owner, and manager operating exclusively across California's Central Coast. It manages approximately 2,800 residential units across 13 apartment communities and roughly 1.1 million square feet of commercial space across 18 properties, with in-house construction services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersGoleta, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Towbes Group does
The Towbes Group is a privately held, vertically integrated real estate company founded by Michael Towbes in 1964 and headquartered in Goleta, California. It develops, owns, and manages residential and commercial real estate exclusively across California's Central Coast — principally the Santa Barbara Tri-County area spanning Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Ventura, Carpinteria, and Montecito — and reports a cumulative development track record of 6,000+ residential units and 1.8 million square feet of commercial space.
The operating platform rests on three service lines: Towbes Residential (managing approximately 2,800 units across 13 apartment communities), Towbes Commercial (managing roughly 1.1 million square feet of office, retail, and industrial space across 18 properties), and an in-house Construction Services arm with A and B Contractor's Licenses that handles maintenance, capital projects, and full renovations across the portfolio. The technology stack is conventional proptech — Yardi for property and vendor management (VendorCafe, Procure 2 Pay), RealPage for vendor credentialing, Smart Rent Technology in most residential units, and Google Analytics/Ads for marketing — with no disclosed AI/ML, proprietary models, or data flywheel mechanics.
The business model combines managed-services revenue (property management fees and rental operations on owned or third-party-managed assets), commercial lease income from office, retail, and industrial tenants, and construction-services revenue from internal and external projects. GTM is direct-to-consumer and direct-sales: self-service property search via towbes.com for residential prospects, and direct outreach to commercial tenants supported by a curated Live Local content library spanning five cities. Customers are a mix of long-tail individual renters and a smaller set of anchor commercial tenants (notably Sansum Clinic and Montecito Bank & Trust), and pricing for both residential and commercial space is not publicly disclosed. The company is led by CEO & General Counsel Robert Skinner (since 1997) and COO/CFO Michelle Konoske (since 1999), with a team of 51–100 employees.
The Towbes Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Towbes Group
- Legal name
- The Towbes Group
- Website
- https://towbes.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Towbes Group is a privately held Goleta, California-based real estate developer, owner, and manager operating exclusively across California's Central Coast. It manages approximately 2,800 residential units across 13 apartment communities and roughly 1.1 million square feet of commercial space across 18 properties, with in-house construction services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Towbes Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Real Estate Property Management
- NAICS
- Real Estate Property Managers (53131), Residential Property Managers (531311), Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses) (531120), New Housing For-Sale Builders (236117)
- SIC
- General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Operators Of Nonresidential Buildings (6512), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Build-to-Rent (BTR) Community Management (BPAJAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE)
Keywords
Where The Towbes Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Goleta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Towbes Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Residential Property Management: Management and operation of approximately 2,800 residential units across 13 apartment communities in the Santa Barbara Tri-County area, generating revenue through rental operations and property management fees
- Commercial Property Management: Management of approximately 1.1 million square feet of commercial office, industrial and retail space across 18 managed properties, providing property management services to commercial tenants
- Construction Services: Licensed contractor services including standard maintenance, major repairs, capital projects, and full renovations for both residential and commercial portfolios
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Towbes Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Towbes Group develops, owns, and manages residential apartment communities and commercial real estate across California's Central Coast (Santa Barbara Tri-County area), and operates an in-house licensed construction services division. It manages approximately 2,800 residential units across 13 apartment communities and roughly 1.1 million square feet of commercial office, retail, and industrial space across 18 properties, providing full-spectrum property management, leasing, and construction services.
Product overview
The Towbes Group is a residential and commercial real estate company offering property management, development, and construction services across California's Central Coast (Santa Barbara Tri-County area). The company operates three core service lines: Towbes Residential (managing 2,400+ units across 13 apartment communities including Hancock Terrace, Pacific Oaks, Patterson Place, Sumida Gardens, and Willow Springs with Smart Rent Technology), Towbes Commercial (managing 789,401 square feet across 18 properties including office buildings like 222 East Carrillo, Montecito Bank & Trust, and retail centers like Calle Real Center), and Construction Services (licensed contractor providing maintenance, repairs, and renovations). The portfolio includes diverse property types spanning residential apartments, office spaces, retail centers, and industrial facilities across 6 cities. A Community Search platform enables prospective residents to find apartments online.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Towbes Residential Property Management Full-service residential property management for approximately 2,800 apartment units across 13 communities in the Santa Barbara Tri-County area (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Ventura). Services include leasing, resident services, maintenance, and Smart Rent Technology integration, targeted at individuals and families seeking rental housing.
- Towbes Commercial Property Management Commercial real estate management and leasing services for approximately 1.1 million square feet of office, retail, and industrial space across 18 managed properties throughout California's Central Coast. Targeted at businesses of various sizes seeking commercial space.
- Construction Services Licensed contractor services providing standard maintenance, major repairs, capital projects, and full renovations for residential and commercial portfolios. Operates an in-house Facilities Department and holds A and B Contractor's Licenses, serving both internal portfolio needs and property management clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- All residential properties managed achieved Green Business Certification in 2023
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Towbes Group
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Towbes Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Towbes Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Project UnderstandingcoreLocal nonprofit beneficiary of The Towbes Group's Give Where You Live program, which was established in 2012 and donates funds to local charities on Giving Tuesday each year.
- Good Samaritan SheltercoreLocal nonprofit beneficiary of The Towbes Group's Give Where You Live program, providing shelter and support services in the Santa Barbara Tri-County area.
- Food Share Ventura CountycoreLocal nonprofit addressing food insecurity in Ventura County, supported through The Towbes Group's Give Where You Live program.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central CoastcoreYouth development nonprofit supported through The Towbes Group's Give Where You Live program, providing safe environments and programs for young people.
- Food Bank of Santa Barbara CountycoreLocal nonprofit addressing hunger in Santa Barbara County, supported through The Towbes Group's Give Where You Live program.
- CommUnifycoreLocal nonprofit community organization supported through The Towbes Group's Give Where You Live program.
- Mental Wellness CentercoreLocal nonprofit providing mental health services and support, beneficiary of The Towbes Group's Give Where You Live program.
- Turning Point FoundationcoreLocal nonprofit supported through The Towbes Group's Give Where You Live program.
- Green Business Certification ProgramcoreThe Towbes Group maintains Green Business Certification for all managed residential properties, demonstrating environmental compliance and commitment to sustainability through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmentally-friendly practices.
- RealPage Vendor CredentialingcoreAll vendors must enroll in RealPage Vendor Credentialing for insurance verification, business verification, and professional license screening before performing work at Towbes properties.
- Yardi (VendorCafe / Procure 2 Pay)coreElectronic invoicing and vendor management platform used for procurement, invoice submission, and payment processing for approved vendors servicing Towbes properties.
- Carpinteria SaltwaterminorThe company installed Carpinteria's first fast EV charger, advancing sustainable transportation options in the communities they serve.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
The Towbes Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Watt Companies: Los Angeles-based, family-owned real estate investment, development, and property management firm with multifamily and commercial holdings in California and the West. Comparable as a private, multi-generational West Coast real estate operator with similar vertical integration.
- Advanced Real Estate Services: Santa Barbara-based property management and real estate services firm serving the Central Coast. Directly comparable as a regional competitor in the same Santa Barbara Tri-County market for both residential and commercial management services.
- Hayward Properties: Central Coast property management and real estate investment firm. Comparable as a regional owner/operator competing for residential and commercial management mandates in the same Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo corridor.
- Village Properties: Santa Barbara-based real estate brokerage and property management firm focused on the Central Coast. Comparable in operating in the same geographic market with residential and commercial property management offerings, though more brokerage-weighted.
Broad incumbents
- Equity Residential: Large-cap public apartment REIT (~$20B+ AUM) with significant California coastal exposure. Comparable as a residential apartment owner/operator in California, though at vastly greater institutional scale and with a national mandate.
- Greystar Real Estate Partners: The largest multifamily property manager and developer in the U.S. (~80+ countries, 800k+ units managed). Comparable as a vertically integrated residential operator, though Greystar operates at vastly greater scale and is national/international rather than regional.
- Essex Property Trust: Public REIT focused exclusively on West Coast multifamily rentals (California, Seattle, Portland). Comparable as a coastal apartment owner/operator, with overlap in California submarkets, but is institutional and publicly traded versus Towbes' private regional profile.
- Lincoln Property Company: One of the largest diversified real estate services firms in the U.S., managing 200k+ residential units and significant commercial portfolios. Comparable in offering a full-spectrum (residential, commercial, in-house construction) service model, though at far greater scale and geographic breadth.
Others
- Engrain: Proptech vendor specializing in interactive mapping, unit-level visualization, and resident experience tools for multifamily operators. Towbes' website credits Engrain as the design/technology partner, making it a direct technology supplier relationship rather than a direct competitor.
Emerging players
- URS Property Management: West Coast multifamily property manager with a regional operating footprint in California. Comparable as a mid-sized apartment operator competing for talent and residents in California coastal submarkets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Towbes Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Towbes Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Towbes Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
The Towbes Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Towbes Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Towbes Group
What does The Towbes Group do?
The Towbes Group develops, owns, and manages residential apartment communities and commercial real estate across California's Central Coast (Santa Barbara Tri-County area), and operates an in-house licensed construction services division. It manages approximately 2,800 residential units across 13 apartment communities and roughly 1.1 million square feet of commercial office, retail, and industrial space across 18 properties, providing full-spectrum property management, leasing, and construction services.
Is The Towbes Group a public or private company?
The Towbes Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Towbes Group founded?
The Towbes Group was founded in 1964. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Towbes Group based?
The Towbes Group is headquartered in Goleta, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Towbes Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Residential Property Management is the primary driver. The others are commercial Property Management and construction Services.
Who are The Towbes Group's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Watt Companies, Advanced Real Estate Services, Hayward Properties and Village Properties. Broad incumbents are Equity Residential, Greystar Real Estate Partners, Essex Property Trust and Lincoln Property Company. Engrain is listed as an others. URS Property Management is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Towbes Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Towbes Group.
What industry is The Towbes Group in?
The Towbes Group's product category is Real Estate Property Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAJAFAC, Build-to-Rent (BTR) Community Management, with a secondary code of IMAFABAE, Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders. Its NAICS code is 53131 and its SIC code is 1520.