Founder and chairman of St. John Properties, Edward St. John, 81, has decided to share a big holiday bonus. And by big, we meant seriously big - about $50,000 for every employee. He has 198 employees and that's $10 million in total. The amount differs between employees as it depends on their tenure, but the average gist does not miss by much.

The bonus is the result of everyone's hard work in helping the company achieving its big milestone this year, which is expanding to 20 million square feet of office, retail, and warehouse in 8 different states of the US.

Gasps could be heard in the room as people began looking at each other and embraced in gratefulness.

Company founder and chairman Edward St. John made the announcement at The Grand, located in Baltimore's downtown.

One of their accounts payable specialist, Daniella Valenzia, who has worked at the company for 19 years shared, "It's life-changing, it's really amazing and so generous."

St. John said he wanted to thank his employees for their hardwork for accomplishing one of the company's biggest achievement. His prediction was that the goal can only be reached in 40 years time, but it was done in 14.

"I play Monopoly with real money and real buildings."

He married Fox news anchor, 51-year-old Jennifer Gilbert in October, who retired one month after their marriage. St. John announced the bonus and gave his speech, "I wanted to celebrate it and make it meaningful for the people who did it. I steer the boat but they are the ones that run the boat."

"They are the ones who make the boat go. Without the team we are nothing, we are absolutely nothing. To celebrate we wanted to reward our employees in a big way that would make a significant impact on their lives."

"I am thankful for every one of our employees. I couldn't think of a better way to show it."

The major milestone was apparently unknown to the majority of the company. The president, Lawrence Maykrantz, teased it a little before the big announcement.

He was married to Jennifer Gilbert back in October and held a ceremony Jupiter, Florida.

Gilbert has finally retired from her role after 27 years and announced her wedding on Fox45 newcast. They are also planning their honeymoon next spring on a cruise to the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean.

"What happened tonight was magical," said one of the employee.

Delight, surprise and happiness were clearly seen on the faces of the employees as they were told to open the red envelopes.

One of the male employees showed gratitude in his words, saying that 'he didn't have to do what he did'. Another said that he was 'totally blown away when this happened'.

St. John founded his company, St. John Properties, in 1971.

It began as a team of two employees and is today's Mid-Atlantic's largest developers.

The real estate's value is now over $3.5 billion and St. John has established a foundation as well, called The Edward St John Foundation.

The Edward St John Foundation focuses on supporting education program of the US and more than $60 million has been donated to various NGO.

"Without the team, we are nothing," said St. John.

The company set their goal in 2005 when they had 10 million square feet of space. The have successfully survived through recession and have since then won 2018 Developer of the Year by NAIOP as well as Baltimore Business Journal's 2019 CEO of the year award.

This is seen as a life-changing gesture by employees which was an addition to their Christmas bonus.