Tom Scannapieco is the President and CEO of Scannapieco Development Corporation. Involved with Atlantic City for over 20 years, his company spearheaded development of the Northeast Inlet, the AC Sheraton and other successful ventures in Atlantic City. His current projects include the spectacular Bella condominiums and development of the Southeast Inlet including the last thousand feet of the boardwalk. His many accolades include his selection as a finalist in the "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Arthur Young and Company, Inc Magazine's, "Inc. 500 Award" for America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies the Governor's Award from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Do you live in Atlantic City? 
I have lived in Philadelphia and Bucks County all my life. I spent summers at the Jersey Shore, and spend so much time in Atlantic City now, I feel like I like here too. 

Are you married or single?
Happily married to a wonderful woman for twenty great years.

Do you have any children?
I have two great teenagers, Lindsey 19 and Michael 17. Hard to believe that I am saying “teenagers” and “great” in the same sentence, but I am really lucky. 

What do you like most about Atlantic City?
Atlantic city is electric now. I started developing in this city twenty years ago, building the first CRDA project, then spearheading the Northeast Inlet by redeveloping six blocks, and next making the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel happen. We all knew that the seeds we planted would come to fruition, and it is exhilarating to sense the dynamism that is here now. 

Describe your perfect day in Atlantic City.
One of the most beautiful vistas is driving into Atlantic City in the morning, seeing the buildings stretch out in the horizon, then coming in close and right up to the beach. My main project is now Bella, and it is thrilling to watch it take elegant shape. I start the day meeting with Bella staff, checking on the construction details, working up an appetite for lunch at Girasole's. In the afternoon, I usually hold planning or brainstorming sessions- meet with city officials, or with my team about our next development- twenty acres of beachfront property adjacent to Bella. 

What originally brought you to AC?
I used to come here as a kid, and the beach and the boardwalk were great. As a businessman, I jumped at the chance to get involved in the city when Caesar's asked me to develop a CRDA project for them back in 1987. It was an honor to be chosen then, and again over the years with our other work. Contributing to the positive growth of Atlantic City has been a very rewarding part of my career.

Where do you see the city in ten years?
My Bella project holds the distinction of being the first luxury condominium in twenty years, and it has, in a matter of months, spurred on four more major project announcements. If this sort of change is happening in a few months, just imagine ten years from now! Atlantic City is on its way to becoming a premier destination luxury resort, with the best entertainment, the best shopping and the best places to live. 

What is your part in getting there?
I have always been able to see opportunities and potential. In Atlantic City, the projects my company has worked on have served as a catalyst for different phases of the city's development and growth. We have put together some complex agreements and partnerships to bring ideas to life. So my part here, having developed over $250 million of projects so far in Atlantic City, has been to get the ball rolling in different parts of the city at different critical times of development. 

Tell us about your favorite AC memory. 
There is nothing in the world that compares to being a kid, walking barefoot in the sand, jumping the waves. The breeze at night on the boardwalk and the taste of salt water taffy stay with you forever. 

Do you play in the casinos? 
Absolutely. My favorite is blackjack at the Borgata.

You've got two hours to kill on the boardwalk, what do you do? 
My partners and I bought the last thousand feet of boardwalk and twenty acres adjacent to it. It is my field of dreams by the sea, and I love strolling the boardwalk and just imagining the different possibilities for the land. Right behind that is the Bella condominium tower, and it is a joy to see that building come to life. 

What's your favorite thing to do in AC outside the casinos?
I am a builder. I dream and make dreams come true. I love walking or driving around town and seeing into the future. During work hours I spent time on current projects, and on off hours, I look for new projects. I am a fortunate man in that I really enjoy what I do. Watching this city grow is like watching my kids grow; it's fascinating and always full of surprises. 

What's the wildest thing you've ever seen in Atlantic City?
I'm not saying!

What three words describe Atlantic City best?
We need four words: OUR TIME HAS COME!

Dealer shows 17, you've got a pair of 8's- how do you play them?
Split them (and double down if they let me!) 

What's your favorite website?
This is a toss up between www.reveries.com/coolnews and amazon.com. Cool news is a great source of interesting ideas for business, and then, I learn a lot about people by looking at what they are reading from Amazon. 

Why would somebody want to live in the Bella Condominiums?
Bella is the ne plus ultra of luxury living at the shore. Doorman, spectacular lobby, spa, every residence with a balcony and beautiful view, European kitchens, marble entries. Finally, an elegant residence at the beach that matches the world-class entertainment and shopping that is already here. Why would someone not want to live at Bella? I think it will be the most desirable address at the shore.

You've been involved with many projects in the Atlantic City area and now you've built the city's first luxury condominiums. Why is now the right time for the Bella?
It is the ground floor of revitalization of the SE Inlet, which will become the best address of any South Jersey Shore community.