About me
James C. Dragon is a highly successful commercial real estate developer and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience, including nearly 15 years as an attorney. Since 2000, Dragon has worked in commercial real estate development with his wife, Euphemia “Effie” Poulakos Dragon, in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. Dragon is currently the managing partner and owner of Central Plaza Realty and Development Company, a position he has held since 2003. He is passionate about commercial real estate development, especially in Lowell, the third-largest city in Greater Boston and the fifth-largest in the Bay State.
Central Plaza Realty's Successes
Dragon has experienced several successes in his current position. In 2000, the Dragons acquired the Central Plaza shopping center, which was almost half-vacant and in need of repairs and some reconstruction. This location was a 266,000-square-foot parcel with 94,000 square feet of commercial space. Dragon worked with the City of Lowell to make the capital improvements needed to make Central Plaza an appealing place to do business. The plaza was originally built in 1965 and served as a Stop & Shop grocery store until 1979, when it was sold. Two other entities owned the plaza between 1979 and 2000 when James C. Dragon and his wife took it over. The Dragons envisioned a shopping center that offered goods and services catering to nearby Lowell residents. With property management support from their son William, a licensed commercial real estate agent, James and Effie Dragon eventually developed a plaza that was not only 100% occupied but also maintained that occupancy through the coronavirus pandemic. At the end of 2021, the downtown Lowell property was sold for nearly $11 million.
Before Central Plaza Realty
Central Park Realty wasn’t Dragon’s first foray into real estate. Between the late 1980s and early 1990s, Dragon was a co-trustee of Athenaeum Realty Trust when the organization bought a 110,000-square-foot high-rise building in Lowell. The building was to be renovated, serving as the law school for Emerson College. Although Emerson College cancelled the project, you can see that the commercial real estate bug had bitten Dragon long before the days of Central Park Realty.
Diamond Developers
James C. Dragon and Effie Dragon also owned a minority interest in the New Bedford Bay Sox. This baseball team played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a summer league for athletes who have attended one year of college and have at least one-year remaining eligibility. The Dragons owned a stake through their Sports Done Right, LLC. Originally founded in 1997, the team was known as the Torrington Twisters, named for the town in Connecticut. In 2008, the organization relocated to New Bedford, MA, and quickly gained a following in the local community. In 2010, the Dragons joined the Bay Sox ownership. Under their leadership, the team hired former Major League Baseball player Rick Miller as the manager. The Bay Sox won four regular-season Division championships. The Dragons served as part owners of the Bay Sox until the team suspended operations in 2019.
Hobbies and Interests
Aside from his career, James C. Dragon loves sports, particularly baseball. In addition to part-ownership of the New Bedford Bay Sox, Dragon has participated in amateur baseball teams for several years in Lowell. He also coached youth basketball teams in Tewksbury, including organizing and managing the first-ever American Legion baseball team in Tewksbury, which made the playoffs by year two. Dragon played basketball as an undergraduate and coached youth basketball. He also enjoys playing tennis and golf.
Central Plaza Realty's Successes
Dragon has experienced several successes in his current position. In 2000, the Dragons acquired the Central Plaza shopping center, which was almost half-vacant and in need of repairs and some reconstruction. This location was a 266,000-square-foot parcel with 94,000 square feet of commercial space. Dragon worked with the City of Lowell to make the capital improvements needed to make Central Plaza an appealing place to do business. The plaza was originally built in 1965 and served as a Stop & Shop grocery store until 1979, when it was sold. Two other entities owned the plaza between 1979 and 2000 when James C. Dragon and his wife took it over. The Dragons envisioned a shopping center that offered goods and services catering to nearby Lowell residents. With property management support from their son William, a licensed commercial real estate agent, James and Effie Dragon eventually developed a plaza that was not only 100% occupied but also maintained that occupancy through the coronavirus pandemic. At the end of 2021, the downtown Lowell property was sold for nearly $11 million.
Before Central Plaza Realty
Central Park Realty wasn’t Dragon’s first foray into real estate. Between the late 1980s and early 1990s, Dragon was a co-trustee of Athenaeum Realty Trust when the organization bought a 110,000-square-foot high-rise building in Lowell. The building was to be renovated, serving as the law school for Emerson College. Although Emerson College cancelled the project, you can see that the commercial real estate bug had bitten Dragon long before the days of Central Park Realty.
Diamond Developers
James C. Dragon and Effie Dragon also owned a minority interest in the New Bedford Bay Sox. This baseball team played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a summer league for athletes who have attended one year of college and have at least one-year remaining eligibility. The Dragons owned a stake through their Sports Done Right, LLC. Originally founded in 1997, the team was known as the Torrington Twisters, named for the town in Connecticut. In 2008, the organization relocated to New Bedford, MA, and quickly gained a following in the local community. In 2010, the Dragons joined the Bay Sox ownership. Under their leadership, the team hired former Major League Baseball player Rick Miller as the manager. The Bay Sox won four regular-season Division championships. The Dragons served as part owners of the Bay Sox until the team suspended operations in 2019.
Hobbies and Interests
Aside from his career, James C. Dragon loves sports, particularly baseball. In addition to part-ownership of the New Bedford Bay Sox, Dragon has participated in amateur baseball teams for several years in Lowell. He also coached youth basketball teams in Tewksbury, including organizing and managing the first-ever American Legion baseball team in Tewksbury, which made the playoffs by year two. Dragon played basketball as an undergraduate and coached youth basketball. He also enjoys playing tennis and golf.
