Tokay Development
Lodi, CA
About Tokay Development
Tokay Development, Inc. is a family run business of three generations of Lodi-born builders. Over the last 55 years we have developed and built much of Lodi, including the homes and neighborhoods in which we live. A strong sense of community runs deep through our company. View a list of some of our past projects.
Stanley Kirst, Sr.
Stanley Kirst, Sr., was born and raised in Lodi, California.
After college, Stanley worked at various food technological
businesses, including General Mills and many canneries. After
a short while, Stanley found himself in real estate sales and in
1953 purchased Tokay Realty from L. P. Barkman. Stanley formed
Kirst Construction and developed his first housing project of
substantial size, Kirst Estates, in 1954 at the intersection of
Cross and Lockeford Streets. Stanley built over 600
homes in Lodi during his 30 year career. He was well known for
producing quality housing for the working man.
Stanley received civic awards in 1970 and 1971 for improving the downtown. He refurbished many downtown commercial buildings making them viable investment properties. In the late 1970’s Stanley pursued his love of antique and classic cars, as well as collecting miscellaneous antiques. He passed away in January of 2001.
Jeffrey Kirst
Jeffrey Kirst was born and raised in Lodi, California to Stanley
Sr. and Cleo Kirst. After graduating from Lodi Union High School,
Jeffrey attended San Jose State University and received his BS in
Business Administration with a Concentration in Real Estate in 1974.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Jeffrey came back to Lodi,
received his Broker’s License and began selling real estate. In
1976, Jeffrey purchased the family business, Tokay Realty. In 1978,
he obtained his General Contractor’s license. In 1996, Tokay
Development, Inc. was officially incorporated.
While building and selling real estate, Jeffrey was busy volunteering throughout the community. He served on the Board of Directors for the Lodi Association of Realtors from 1976-1980 and was President in 1979. In 1979, he was appointed to the Lodi Planning Commission, where he served until 1983. Jeffrey was also a member of the Building Industry Association of the Delta and has been on the Board of Directors since 1989. He became President of the BIA in 1996.
Not only has Jeffrey been working with local and regional Real Estate Associations, but has served on boards for Lodi Unified School District, the Hutchins Street Square Foundation, Lodi Community Concert Association, Lodi Sports Foundation, and most recently the Board of Directors for Lodi Memorial Hospital.
Jeffrey has received numerous awards throughout his career. He received Realtor of the Year in 2002 by the Lodi Association of Realtors.
Crystal Kirst
Crystal Kirst was born and raised in Lodi, California to Jeffrey
and Carol Kirst. Graduating from Lodi High in 2000, she headed down
to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California. She
graduated in 2004 with a BS in Business Administration and Double
Concentration in Real Estate Development and Real Estate Finance.
After living in Los Angeles for a year, Crystal decided to return to
Lodi in 2005 and began to work for the family business.
She received her Broker’s License in 2005 and her General Contractor’s License in 2006. Like her father, Crystal is involved in the Lodi Community. She is a member of the Lodi Association of Realtors, Building Industry Association of the Delta and Lodi Lions Club.
She is an Alumni of Leadership Lodi, a program run by the Lodi Chamber of Commerce, and currently sits on the Steering Committee. She is on committees at the LOEL Senior Center, Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation and volunteers for the Hutchins Street Square Foundation.
In 2008, she received a Community Improvement Award for redeveloping part of an Eastside Lodi neighborhood.