New Realty Firm Acquires Gribin von Dyl

Gribin von Dyl Realtors, one of the oldest real estate brokerage firms in the San Fernando Valley, has been acquired by Kates & Dlugatch Enterprises, a new firm formed by two real estate specialists who plan to expand the 36-year-old business into Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

Terms were not disclosed, and Harvey Dlugatch, the new president and chief executive of Gribin von Dyl, declined to reveal sales or earnings. Dlugatch was previously vice president of Merrill Lynch Commercial Realty in Beverly Hills, a spokeswoman said.

His partner in the deal is Bruce Kates, the new chairman. Kates has been a developer for 23 years, building homes and commercial projects throughout Los Angeles County.

The sellers were Ira Gribin and Lou von Dyl, both over 60 years old. Gribin will remain chairman of the executive committee, and Von Dyl will serve as an adviser.

Gribin von Dyl, which has seven offices in the Valley, will keep its headquarters in Sherman Oaks. It recently opened an eighth office in Beverly Hills and has about 150 employees, Dlugatch said.

He said he plans further expansion in West Los Angeles and growth in commercial real estate brokerage, since Gribin already is strong in residential real estate.

Kates and Dlugatch also acquired Gribin’s National Escrow unit and its National Real Property unit, a trust deed company.

Dlugatch said Gribin’s title business, Lincoln Title, was not part of the deal.