REAL ESTATE

Award Winner: Akins Communities Inc., a member of the Akins Cos. group, has pulled down half of the 18 Builder Awards the Irvine Co. bestows each year on residential builders involved in its projects.

The company was among six builders working in 20 projects on the Irvine Ranch considered for awards. Akins captured most of the trophies for its sales and marketing programs for the Irvine Co.’s project involving the conversion of 1,500 apartment units to condominiums.

In the year since the conversion program began, more than 650 condos have been sold, making it the county’s largest residential sales effort. The condos, in six developments, range in price from $86,900 to $450,000.

Akins Communities does real estate development and investment consulting, construction management, sales and marketing and general contracting work for Southland developers and financial institutions.

The fee management unit was formed in the early 1980s as part of a diversification drive by Akins Cos. owners Bruce and Carl Akins and initially did work for the Irvine Co. and UCI, which remain its principal clients.

Akins Communities expects total revenue this year of $154 million, or 70% of the Akins Cos.’ total anticipated revenue of $220 million.