Centennial CEO Steven Levin Retires, Paul Kurzawa Takes the Helm of 25 Million Square Feet Retail Platform

DALLAS, TX — Centennial, powered by Lincoln, a national retail real estate owner and operator, announced May 14 that founder and CEO Steven Levin will retire on June 30, with President Paul Kurzawa stepping into an expanded leadership role to guide the platform forward.

Levin established Centennial in 1997 and has led the company for nearly 30 years. He will remain in an advisory capacity for 12 months following his retirement to support the leadership transition and will continue to entrust Centennial with management of his portfolio properties, including The Shops at Willow Bend.

A Planned Succession

The transition follows a series of deliberate strategic moves. In 2024, Levin facilitated a strategic investment by Lincoln Property Company in Centennial's operating business, formally aligning the two firms under the "Centennial, powered by Lincoln" platform. That same year, Kurzawa joined the company as president, bringing what the firm described as decades of international multi-asset and multi-discipline experience across lifestyle, open-air, and enclosed retail environments.

"Growing Centennial into a respected leader in retail real estate has been a joy and a privilege over the past 30 years, and I have tremendous confidence in Paul Kurzawa and our executive team as they lead the organization forward into the next chapter," Levin said. "This is not farewell by any means. I remain deeply passionate about this industry and excited for what lies ahead."

Kurzawa Inherits a Large-Scale Retail Platform

Centennial currently oversees more than 25 million square feet of retail and mixed-use destinations across 18 states. As part of Lincoln Property Company — one of the nation's largest privately held real estate firms — Centennial operates as a purpose-built retail platform combining institutional capital and national scale with specialized merchandising, leasing, and operations expertise. Lincoln's combined management and leasing portfolio on behalf of institutional clients spans more than 720 million square feet of commercial space, encompassing office, multifamily, life science, retail, industrial, data center, production studio, healthcare, government, university, and mixed-use properties across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe.

"It is an honor to lead this exceptional organization and build upon the strong foundation Steven has established over the past three decades," Kurzawa said. "Our vision remains unchanged: to be the retail real estate industry's most trusted partner and operator. With the continued support of Lincoln Property Company and the passion and expertise of our talented team, Centennial is exceptionally well-positioned to continue transforming properties into vibrant destinations that create long-term value for the communities, partners and consumers we serve."

Levin's Legacy and Kurzawa's Mandate

Centennial's public positioning has centered on the ability to revitalize challenged retail assets into what the firm calls "dynamic community destinations." Kurzawa's background in lifestyle, open-air, and enclosed retail environments, combined with his international multi-asset experience, positions him to lead the platform as it continues that strategy.

Levin's decision to retain Centennial as manager of his own properties — including The Shops at Willow Bend — signals continued alignment between the founder and the platform he built, even as day-to-day operational leadership formally transfers.

"I truly believe that Centennial is the best in the business," Levin added. "I expect to continue working closely with the company for years to come and look forward to remaining active in the industry while supporting Centennial's continued success."