John Martin was a legend in the home building industry. A respected leader, relentless student, and beloved mentor, his story is one of humble beginnings, tireless effort, and a deep commitment to excellence. He shaped the home building world as we know it.
Martin died May 20 after a short battle with cancer. He was 90 years old.
Born in 1934 in Los Angeles County, his journey began with adversity. After losing his father at 13, he was thrust into a world that demanded resilience and grit. He met the challenge, earning a full athletic scholarship to UCLA as a track star. Things got more complicated as Martin balanced higher education with supporting a young family.
To make ends meet, he painted cars six days a week, spending 10 hours a day under cars and over concrete. That grueling experience became a defining motivation.
“We didn’t have much money. I had to quit college twice. I had crazy jobs where I worked on assembly lines, unloading boxcars,” he told Zonda Advisory principal Mollie Carmichael in a podcast. “And what occurred to me was, there are a lot of people who are stuck in those jobs for their entire lives. So, I’m going to go back to school, and I’m going to graduate, and I’m not going to have to be in that kind of situation.”
An Introduction to Sales
After graduating from UCLA, now a husband and father, Martin entered the home building industry—not by design, but by necessity. He began as a salesperson in a new-home neighborhood. What set him apart wasn’t just his talent for sales, but his deep curiosity and hunger to understand what home buyers truly wanted.
It was then that he learned the importance of research in achieving success. He immersed himself in consumer research, a move that quickly caught the attention of leadership and launched him into marketing and strategy roles that would define the rest of his career.
His first formal market study, rooted in real consumer insights, proved to be a pivotal moment. It led to a role with industry icon Sandy Goodkin, expanding Martin’s influence and introducing him to legendary figures like Donald Bren, William Lyon, and the Deane Brothers. Not long after, Bren recruited John to the Mission Viejo Co., where he helped shape the strategic vision behind Lake Mission Viejo and the surrounding master plan.
“I took the initiative to survey my buyers, called the Green Hills report, and John Lusk started saying, ‘I got this guy that does market studies.’ Well, I’ve done one, you know, then, but that changed the entire trajectory of my career to get into research and marketing, which I did. And then that led to a lot of significant jobs here that I’ve had in my career.”
Martin’s influence extended to other industry giants, including Jim Peters at the JM Peters Co.; Lyon at William Lyon Homes; multiple divisions at The Irvine Co. with Bren once again; and Richard Reese and Tom Lee at Valencia.
“John’s impact on the industry, and particularly through his strategic leadership at The Irvine Co., cannot be overstated. He helped shape not just communities, but the future of real estate development itself. His intellect, integrity, and forward-thinking approach set a high standard, and his influence will be felt for generations,” said Zonda CEO Jeff Meyers.
A Research Pioneer
Martin was more than a behind-the-scenes force—he was a national thought leader. Over the years, he delivered more than 200 presentations across the country and earned nearly every major award in the home building industry, to the point where they could tell a story of their own. Later in his career, he dedicated himself to teaching, sharing his acclaimed “33 Guiding Principles” with students at USC and UC Irvine Extension.
A pioneer in integrating consumer research into residential development, he championed segmentation, strategic master planning, and product design based on how people truly live. His research-driven approach helped guide key innovations, including Lennar’s multigenerational housing strategy, and improved the livability and profitability of communities nationwide.
“Though some have attributed John’s success to natural talent, those who know him best understand it was his tireless work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and humility that truly set him apart,” said Carmichael. “He approached every project as a student, gathering data, listening closely, and always striving to create places that felt like home.”
Martin described himself as a “community creator”—and rightly so. But those who know his story would say that title doesn’t quite capture the full scope of his life’s impact. He hasn’t just built communities; he’s built people, careers, and a legacy of values that live on in every corner of the industry.
“More than his professional achievements, John will be remembered for his wisdom, humility, and generosity. He was a mentor to many and a steady force in an ever-changing landscape,” Meyers added.
With a career spanning over 60 years, Martin was more than a success story. He was a mentor, a model of authenticity, and an enduring voice of wisdom and leadership. He led by listening, learned with humility, and valued people above all else.
And for all of that, we valued him deeply. After spending a series of in-depth conversations reflecting on his life and work, he offered three “guiding principles” he hoped future generations would carry forward:
- Consistently go beyond what is expected—extra effort brings meaningful rewards.
- Respect the differences in others—our diversity strengthens us.
- Lead with kindness—how we treat people defines who we are.
“John was a gift to the home building industry and anyone who knew him,” said Zonda chief advisory officer Timothy Sullivan. “He was a lifelong learner who was always looking for ways to make communities more livable and homes more engaging. He was a teacher and a student, a friend and a family member, and he had a deep and abiding love for this industry. From the first time I met him in the 1980s in his ‘Master Plan Class’ to the last time I saw him a few months ago, he brought this beautiful light to us.”
