Mario E. Brown

Co-Founder / Principal

MEET MARIO

Mario is a former college football All-American, graduating from Gardner-Webb University in 2009 with degrees in English & Political Science. After cutting his teeth in business management and marketing with a national sports training company, Mario decided to go all-in on Greenville in residential construction and brokerage. He spent three years representing a regional production builder. There, using marketing and social media skills crafted at his previous station, Mario quickly became the company’s top agent. Eager for a more integrated, local work concentration, he joined Milestone Custom Homes, an exclusive luxury home builder, as their director of sales and marketing. The four years Mario spent at Milestone helped him truly understand the creative impact builders and developers have on the residential landscape. The education and exposure he received being a part of best-in-class developments like Hartness Village stick with him to this day.

A graduate of Leadership Greenville, Mario believes we all have the responsibility to align our individual skills with the needs of our community. In 2017 he co-founded Affordable Upsate, a small real estate investment firm, at the time with 63 units, that redevelops energy-efficient, multifamily apartment units. Since 2017 we have placed over $50MM of investor equity into socially responsible, environmentally-enhanced workforce housing investments.

CONTACT MARIO

MARIO'S EXPERIENCE

SELECTED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE

Park West Apts, Greenville,SC

- GP for 369-Unit C Class Multifamily Property

- Acquired August 2022

Lions Gate Apts Mauldin,SC

- GP for 138-Unit C Class Multifamily Property

- Acquired August 2022

Fairhill & Fairmeadow Apts, Greenville, SC

- GP for 151-Unit C Class Multifamily Property Acquired December 2021

- Loan through United Bank

Terrain Apartments, Greenville, SC

- GP for 96-Unit B Class Multifamily Property Acquired December 2021

- Loan through Bridge Lender A-10

Hillcrest Townhomes, Spartanburg, SC

- GP for 138-Unit C Class Multifamily Property Acquired December 2021

- Loan through United Community Bank

Westgate Manor, Greenville, SC

- GP for 76-Unit Class C Multifamily Property Acquired March 2021

- Partnered with Greenville Housing Fund

- Loans through First National Bank of Pennsylvania and Community Works

Charlestown, East Terrace and Quail Ridge Portfolio, Easley, SC

- GP for 93-Unit C Class Multifamily Portfolio Acquired February 2021

- Three Separate Freddie Mac loans

Parkins Ridge Townhomes, Greenville, SC

- GP for 52-Unit Class C Multifamily Property Acquired July 2020

- Partnered with the Greenville Housing Fund

- Loans through First National Bank of PA and Community Works

Landau Apartments, Clinton, SC

- GP for 80-Unit Class C Multifamily Property Acquired November 2019

- HUD Section 8 Project-Based HAP Contract, Fannie Mae Loan

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Managing Partner | Affordable Upstate (2017-Present)
Realtor and Director of Sales and Marketing | Milestone Custom Homes (2017-2020)
Real Estate Agent | Eastwood Homes (2013-2016)

CONTACT MARIO

ACCOLADES

2022 Excellence in Affordable Housing Preservation Award

By Greenville Journal • January 2, 2023

Affordable Upstate is honored to receive the 2022 Excellence in Affordable Housing Preservation award from our trusted partner, the Greenville Housing Fund! GHF and AU co-own three communities in Greenville, with a shared mission to preserve affordable and workforce housing. GHF has made significant contributions to the community in 2022 and has ambitious goals set for 2023.

The Post and Courier | Affordable Upstate Fills Unique Role

Affordable Upstate fills unique role in low-rent housing preservation

By The Post and Courier • January 1, 2023

The Post and Courier features Affordable Upstate in this January 1st article written by Conor Hughes, highlighting the unique role that AU fills in low-rent housing preservation in the Upstate of South Carolina and beyond...

November 2022 Leadership Greenville Alumni of the Month

By Greenville Chamber • November 17, 2022

November 2022 Leadership Greenville Alumni of the Month: Brian Albers and Mario Brown | Greenville Chamber feature article

MEET OUR TEAM

Brian Albers, CFP®

Co-Founder / Principal

Mario E. Brown

Co-Founder / Principal

John Breaux, CPA

Associate

Anthony Thompson, Esq.

Associate

Mark Sharp, CAMT

Project Manager

Leonard Nienaber

Acquisitions Specialist

Bryan Taylor

Investment Partner

Regina Mallory

Construction Coordinator

Zach Smeltzer

Marketing Manager