From the Desk of Jan Burman: The Story Behind the Bristal
From Personal Need to Industry Innovation: The Story Behind The Bristal
The most successful business ventures often begin with a simple question: “What if there was a better way?” For B2K Development Chairman Jan Burman that question arose from a deeply personal place — wondering where he would care for his aging parents when the time came.
Identifying a Market Gap through Personal Experience
In the early days of B2K Development, Jan recognized a significant void in Long Island’s senior care landscape. “See, where would I put my parents? There was no place,” Jan reflects in a recent video interview. The personal challenge became the catalyst for what would become one of Long Island’s most successful assisted living brands.
The solution required looking beyond Long Island’s borders for inspiration. Jan and his partners traveled across the country, studying different models before discovering a Marriott-operated facility in Friendship, Maryland, that captured their vision for high-end assisted living. This wasn’t about reinventing the wheel; it was about adapting proven concepts to serve an underserved market.
The Power of Complementary Partnerships
The success of The Bristal illustrates how effective partnerships combine different expertise areas to create something greater than the sum of their parts. As Jan explains, “Sydney [Engel] was a builder, but I knew how to buy land, and Steven [Krieger] knew how to get land zoned, and we were a great partnership.”
This division of responsibilities allowed each partner to focus on their strengths while contributing to a shared vision. Jan’s expertise in land acquisition, combined with Steven Krieger‘s zoning and regulatory knowledge, created a foundation for successful development that continues to guide B2K Development’s approach today.
Building Success Through Thoughtful Execution
The Bristal Assisted Living brand, named after Jan’s favorite hotel in Paris, represents more than luxury amenities. It embodies a philosophy of creating communities where aging adults can maintain dignity, independence, and quality of life. The first community’s success in East Meadow led to expansion, including a second location built on land purchased from Fred Hicks in Westbury.
Today, The Bristal celebrates 25 years of excellence with 24 communities across the tri-state area. Each reflects careful attention to design, location, and services that address real needs in the senior care market. This approach has made The Bristal synonymous with quality assisted living across Long Island, serving families who, like Jan’s own, needed exception care options close to home.
Lessons for Modern Development
The story of The Bristal offers valuable insights for today’s real estate developers. First, the most compelling business opportunities often emerge from personal experience and genuine market needs. Second, successful development requires assembling teams with complementary skills and shared commitment to excellence.
Finally, innovation doesn’t always mean creating something entirely new. Sometimes it means bring proven concepts to underserved markets with thoughtful adaptation and exceptional execution. As Jan notes, “Everybody worked hard. That’s kind of how it all came together.”
The Bristal’s continued success demonstrates how address real community needs through quality development creates lasting value for residents, families, and developers alike.