Art Bartlett, who cofounded Century 21 in Santa Ana and built the company into the largest franchisor of residential real estate agencies, died New Year’s Eve after a long illness.
Bartlett, who was 76, died at his home in Coronado.
In 1971, Bartlett and fellow real estate broker Marsh Fisher opened Century 21 in Santa Ana. The company expanded rapidly by granting regional franchises.
In 1975, Century 21 moved to Irvine, where it was based until 1995.
Century 21 went public in 1977 and was bought by New York-based food and lodging chain Trans World Corp. in 1979.
Bartlett remained as chairman and chief executive officer until 1980.
Century 21 changed hands a few more times, falling under Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and then Hospitality Franchise Systems Inc., which moved Century 21 from Irvine to New Jersey in 1995.
Hospitality Franchise Systems later became Cendant Corp., which in 2006 spun off part of its real estate business as New Jersey’s Realogy Corp., Century 21’s current parent.
Realogy also owns Coldwell Banker and Sotheby’s International Realty.
Century 21 now has 7,700 independently owned offices in 67 countries and territories with more than 120,000 agents.
After leaving Century 21, Bartlett bought and sold Larwin Square, a shopping center in Tustin, one of several real estate investments.
In 1981, he started Mr. Build, a franchisor of home remodeling contractors.
Bartlett supported the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and was a key back of San Diego County’s Camp Able, a summer camp for the physically disabled.
He is survived by his second wife Nancy, a daughter, stepson, granddaughter, a brother and sister.
