American Building

Many architecture firm owners struggle with the same challenge: How do you build a sustainable business that can thrive beyond the founder? Joe Furey solved this problem by bringing his finance and technology background to Michael Graves Architecture & Design, one of America's most iconic firms. As CEO and President, Joe has transformed the practice from a firm dependent on Michael Graves’ reputation into a diverse platform business with 165 employees across 10 offices. His approach combines strategic acquisitions with technology integration, creating what he describes as "a mile wide and an inch deep” approach. This conversation reveals the mechanics behind how a firm transitions, grows, and looks forward. Joe explains his evaluation criteria, integration process, and how he structures deals that benefit both buyers and sellers. He also discusses expanding into technology consulting through the acquisition of Parallax Team and opportunities to leverage AI within real estate development. Episode Outline (02:09) The biggest lessons from Fortune 500 consulting that informed his leadership philosophy (15:51) Joining Michael Graves at peak revenue and recognizing the succession planning gap (22:43) Mitigating the number one post-acquisition problem: Trust (32:34) The Parallax Team acquisition and turning Revit consulting into a revenue driver (36:10) The acquisition playbook for due-diligence and integration frameworks (46:09) Measuring success through KPIs, budgets, and earn-out structures (52:47) Economic adaptation and positioning the firm for long-term growth Additional Resources Check out The Mira Shoppe. American Building Podcast listeners get a complimentary gift with their first purchase! Email info@themirashoppe.com to receive your exclusive code and treat yourself to a piece you’ll cherish, while supporting a brand that gives back. Dario Amodei and his essay in the social posts Trust: America's Best Chance by Pete Buttigieg Outsourced Connect with Joe Connect on LinkedIn Website Contact: jfurey@michaelgraves.com More From American Building Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis Learn more on the American Building website Follow on LinkedIn Follow on Instagram Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn Learn more about Michael Graves Architecture & Design Watch this...

Stephen Ross had an uncompromising vision for a transformational park built over a highway as part of an ambitious Detroit master plan. The challenge was cost. Tina Ladd has built her career remaining determined in the face of challenges. Through her work on both the Detroit master plan and Hudson Yards, she honed her skills to turn the impossible into possible. Today, that same relentless, solutions-driven mindset defines her work at Aker, where she shows that determination applies just as much in multifamily value-add as it does in billion-dollar mixed-use developments. The Kinwood redevelopment in Rensselaer, New York exemplifies Aker's approach to value-add properties. What began as "Mansions at Technology Park" — a deteriorating 390-unit complex with 21 years of deferred maintenance—became a case study in strategic repositioning. Rather than chasing luxury branding, Aker focused on authentic values that brought a sense of community into a once transient neighborhood. By building a strong brand around values like dependability, authenticity, accessibility, and even playfulness, the Aker team laid the groundwork for more than just property upgrades — they set the stage for community impact. With a clear phasing strategy, Tina’s team addressed deferred maintenance, added connection-driven amenities, and refreshed apartments with smart, high-impact materials. The result shows how intentional branding, paired with strategic capital investment, can breathe new life into overlooked assets while building a genuine sense of community. Episode Outline (01:47) Early career lessons from Hudson Yards and exposure to large-scale development (04:40) Mentorship lessons in people management and problem-solving (12:05) Joining Aker, an employee-owned company focused on community building (19:13) Evaluating and repositioning Mansions at Technology Park (25:13) Unit renovation strategy based on Aker’s core values (34:41) Working with branding consultants and creating cohesive guidelines across assets (40:01) Current projects, including first fund launch and expansion closer to New York City Additional Resources Check out The Mira Shoppe. American Building Podcast listeners get a complimentary gift with their first purchase! Email info@themirashoppe.com to receive your exclusive code and treat yourself to a piece you’ll cherish, while supporting a brand that gives back. Connect with Marianne Kwok Connect with Amelia Patt-Zamir Learn more about Method Develop Learn more about No Walls Studio Check out excerpts from the Kinwood brand guidelines Contact leasing for the Kinwood Connect with Tina Connect on LinkedIn Aker Website Email tina@akercompanies.com to get in touch with her regarding the fund mentioned in...

SHVO's $400 million transformation of the Transamerica Pyramid required solving a fundamental problem: how do you renovate an iconic building without destroying what makes it unique? The building's original architect, William Pereira, created brilliant structural innovations but made unusual interior design decisions—hiding 17-foot ceilings behind nine-foot drops and resulting in what was for a long time a standoffish, brutalist entrance Working with Lord Norman Foster and Foster + Partners, Michael Shvo's team spent three years on an authentic restoration that would make visitors believe the spaces had always existed exactly as they found them. They expanded the Redwood Park to surround rather than sit within the building complex, exposed the original concrete grid structure, and made meticulous decisions about materials—evaluating stone samples with minute grain variations to achieve perfect light reflection at different times of day. The most revealing insights from this conversation come from Shvo's navigation of San Francisco's entitlements process. When consultants warned that his proposed changes would waste months seeking impossible approvals, Shvo and Foster submitted their plans anyway. Their fast-track approval and subsequent leasing success—90% occupancy with tenants like Morgan Lewis—demonstrates how authentic design vision combined with strategic community engagement can overcome even the most challenging regulatory environments. Episode Outline (01:21) The $400 million budget breakdown and three-year remastering timeline (02:24) Transforming the brutalist concrete entrance into an inviting space for gathering (01:33) Remastering an iconic design with Foster + Partners (11:41) Shvo's community engagement philosophy that guides the entitlement process (17:31) What's next for Transamerica Pyramid Center, 2 Transamerica, and 3 Transamerica Additional Resources Check out The Mira Shoppe. American Building Podcast listeners get a complimentary gift with their first purchase! Email info@themirashoppe.com to receive your exclusive code and treat yourself to a piece you’ll cherish, while supporting a brand that gives back. Missed part one with Michael Shvo? Listen here Learn more about Pyramid Dreams To Inquire about leasing, visit transamericapyramid.com/leasing Learn more about The Raleigh Listen to American Building episode with Vishaan Chakrabarti For the full episode show notes and property photos, visit americanbuildingpodcast.com Connect with Michael Shvo Connect on LinkedIn Website More From American Building Grab the exclusive guide:

Michael Shvo, founder, chairman, and CEO of SHVO, has built a reputation for transforming iconic properties through hospitality-driven real estate development. From residential to commercial assets, his customer-first philosophy has created some of the most iconic properties across global markets. In this episode, Michael shares the remarkable story behind his $650 million acquisition and transformation of San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid Center—a deal that almost didn't happen due to the pandemic, 600 open building permits, and a lender backing out at the last minute. The building also carries profound personal significance: as an eight-year-old, Michael drew himself next to the pyramid as a symbol of the American Dream, only to discover this childhood drawing four decades later while becoming the building's steward. Michael offers tactical insights on customer understanding gained from his broker background, risk management during unprecedented market uncertainty, and the power of unwavering conviction rooted in core values. From opening the ground floor to the public to creating what became known as the Pyramid District, his transformation strategy demonstrates how deep market knowledge and authentic hospitality principles can revitalize both individual properties and entire neighborhoods. Episode Outline (01:49) What Michael's early career as a residential broker taught him about real estate development (06:43) Advice for building teams and attracting talent in real estate development (07:13) Applying hospitality principles to commercial real estate operations (11:25) Attracting and retaining capital: from friends and family to institutional investors (13:23) Green flags and red flags when evaluating potential investor partnerships (19:41) Opposition and challenges during the original construction of The Transatlantic Pyramid in the 1960s (17:52) Bidding against 44 competitors and winning based on brand stewardship (31:51) Financing challenges and the AIG lender backing out (35:22) The childhood connection: from eight-year-old's drawing to $650M acquisition (38:18) Inspiring the next generation of leaders through Pyramid Dreams Additional Resources Check out The Mira Shoppe. American Building Podcast listeners get a complimentary gift with their first purchase! Email info@themirashoppe.com to receive your exclusive code and treat yourself to a piece you’ll cherish, while supporting a brand that gives back. Learn more about Pyramid Dreams For the full episode show notes, including Michael’s childhood sketch, visit americanbuildingpodcast.com Connect with Michael Shvo Connect on LinkedIn Website More From American Building Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis Learn more on the American Building website Follow on LinkedIn Follow...

When the construction numbers came back for Worrell Yeung’s artist studio design in Westerly, Rhode Island, everyone had to pause and recalibrate. The ground-up approach they'd developed was simply too expensive for the clients' needs and lifestyle. This moment led them back to the initial design prompt and sketches. Rather than seeing this as a setback, Jejon Yeung and Max Worrell, co-founders of Worrell Yeung, discovered that working with the existing horse stable structure resulted in a space with more character and historical layering than the big and bold remodel would have achieved. Their approach to transforming the barn demonstrates how adaptive reuse can honor what has value while breathing new life into a property. The material strategy exemplifies this even further: wrapping the entire structure in asphalt roofing sheets to create a unified envelope, maintaining the exposed timber frame and inserting plywood volumes for functional needs. Beyond Studio Barn, this conversation explores how Worrell Yeung draws inspiration from artists to inform architectural projects. From a Long Island glass house inspired by Sol LeWitt's grid sculptures to an upstate New York property that references Michael Heizer's "Double Negative," they demonstrate how art can provide formal and conceptual frameworks for residential architecture. Their approach to adaptive reuse extends across functions, from renovating MoMA's Founders Room to expanding a historic chapel for The Evergreens Cemetery, always guided by the philosophy that adaptive reuse should both preserve and innovate. Episode Outline (01:40) The collaborative studio environments that shaped their practice (08:16) Building a diverse team and trusted collaborator network (12:10) The Studio Barn project origins and working with artist clients (17:37) Creating flexible workspace for two different artistic practices (24:37) Solving infrastructure challenges while preserving the timber frame structure (32:19) Turning inspiration into tangible design (38:56) Common challenges in adaptive reuse and designing for future use cases (41:02) Three principles for successful adaptive reuse projects Additional Resources Check out The Mira Shoppe. American Building Podcast listeners get a complimentary gift with their first purchase! Email info@themirashoppe.com to receive your exclusive code and treat yourself to a piece you’ll cherish, while supporting a brand that gives back. Learn more about Studio Barn Check out artists and Studio Barn owners Ari Marcopoulos and Kara Walker Learn more about Frame House Learn more about Ridge House Watch 6 Secrets Architects Use to Create a Calming Retreat with Worrell Yeung (Design Masterclass) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkXhqrUh01s Listen to Episode 9 with Kim Yao Connect with Jejon and...

When architect Michael Chen, principal of MKCA, got a call about designing a 600-square foot apartment, the project brief was straightforward enough: renovate a 2-bedroom summer vacation home with multifunctional furniture. However, this wasn’t East Hampton or Miami Beach. In fact, there wasn’t an address at allーthe apartment floats on a luxury residential yacht that spends 365 days a year at sea. Michael discovered that designing for constant motion meant rethinking everything he knew about residential architecture. Bronze dining tables now required a piston system to fold safely into walls. Murphy beds replaced traditional frames to optimize space and showcase ocean views. Every material choice had to account for salt spray, UV exposure, and oxidation. Working with Austrian shipbuilders, Michael and his team developed prefabrication techniques that compressed a typical two-year renovation timeline into brief month-long dry dock periods. The results merge modernist design principles with maritime engineering requirements, creating spaces that feel both grounded and dream-like. Our conversation reveals Michael’s approach to craft as something that encompasses community engagement, sustainability, and social responsibility. He shares insights from teaching architecture thesis studios, the evolution of MKCA’s practice philosophy, and the founding of Design Advocatesーa nonprofit that has participated in 100+ projects serving the public good over the past five years. Episode Outline (07:48) Teaching thesis studios and the dozen student projects that shaped MKCA's approach (15:58) The client request that led to designing aboard MS The World (18:53) Construction challenges at sea and developing prefabrication solutions with Austrian partners (21:42) Engineering elegant and multifunctional furniture for life in constant motion (33:55) Material choices that embrace patina and the fingerprint of global travel (40:29) Navigating maritime building codes and the importance of expert collaborators (44:31) Design Advocates and the mission to promote equality in the built environment Additional Resources Learn more about MS The World Learn more about Pied-à-mer Connect with Michael Connect on LinkedIn Learn more on MKCA’s website Follow on Instagram Support and get involved with Design Advocates on their website Follow Design Advocates on Instagram More From American Building Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis Learn more on the American Building website Follow on LinkedIn Follow on

In the continuation of our conversation with architect Vishaan Chakrabarti, we dive deeper into the philosophy and challenges behind PAU's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame expansion. What emerges is a masterclass in honoring architectural legacy and a candid discussion about building a principled practice. Vishaan reveals PAU's "place needs connection" methodology—starting as archaeologists to unearth a site's hidden history, then becoming seamstresses to reconnect fractured urban fabric. This approach led them to discover that I.M. Pei's original building was actually designed for a different site, explaining why the plaza never felt quite right. The conversation explores fundamental questions about balancing individual creativity with community responsibility, working within constraints, and understanding the role of apprenticeship within professional architectural development. As construction progresses in Cleveland, this episode offers insight into how contemporary architects grapple with legacy, community, and the evolving definition of American culture—including what it means when rock and roll represents "the spirit of young America" in an era of hip-hop and social change. Episode Outline (02:21) Understanding I.M. Pei's original design challenges and how the building evolved over time (09:08) Creating a 30-person firm with clear values and boundary conditions (22:20) Balancing individual creativity with community engagement in architectural practice (25:45) Understanding I.M. Pei's legacy through personal experience and historical research (32:58) Rock and roll and its evolving definition (36:23) Architecture as a manifestation of American contradictions and possibilities (39:43) How to honor architectural legacy while responding to contemporary needs Additional Resources Check out The Mira Shoppe. American Building Podcast listeners get a complimentary gift with their first purchase! Email info@themirashoppe.com to receive your exclusive code and treat yourself to a piece you’ll cherish, while supporting a brand that gives back. I.M. Pei’s MIT undergraduate thesis The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Connect with Vishaan Connect with Vishaan on LinkedIn Learn more about PAU More From American Building Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis Learn more on the American Building website Follow on LinkedIn Follow on Instagram Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn Learn more about Michael Graves Architecture & Design Watch this episode on

Four years ago, we sat down with architect and urbanist Vishaan Chakrabarti to explore his vision for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame expansion in Cleveland—then still on the drawing board. Today, that project is under construction, reshaping Cleveland’s lakefront with a bold new cultural landmark. As cranes rise and the tower takes form, our conversation with Vishaan feels more timely than ever: it’s a front-row seat to how great design can catalyze civic life and spur economic vitality. Vishaan Chakrabarti is a licensed architect and the founder of the Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU). His professional portfolio is diverse, expanding from creating a master plan for the surrounding area of Michigan Central Station in Detroit to creating a social housing neighborhood in East New York. In this conversation, we focus on how PAU is seamlessly iterating on the legendary I.M. Pei’s design and Vishaan’s broader vision for creating sustainable and equitable designs that result in accessible spaces. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is located on Lake Erie and has been an essential driver for the local economy. It was no surprise that after securing a plot of land that the institution would immediately start looking towards expansion and renovation. From all across the world, 25 leading architects submitted their proposals and eventually, eight were shortlisted. Vishaan’s firm was selected as the winning design: a 50,000-square-foot triangular building made of steel, crafting a careful balance of the cutting-edge and the conservative. Episode Outline (02:03) Vishaan's unconventional path to architecture through engineering and art history at Cornell (11:47) "A Country of Cities" manifesto and stumbling into the culture war around urbanism (14:49) The design problem with density in transit-oriented development (22:36) Advice for mayors on the three pillars of "jobs, justice, and joy" (31:42) First impressions of Cleveland while working across the Rust Belt (34:24) The cultural significance of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (36:38) Understanding I.M. Pei's iconic Rock Hall building and its challenges (37:55) Winning the competition by creating an addition that expands on the Pei building Additional Resources Check out The Mira Shoppe. American Building Podcast listeners get a complimentary gift with their first purchase! Email info@themirashoppe.com to receive your exclusive code and treat yourself to a piece you’ll cherish, while supporting a brand that gives back. Triumph of the City by Edward Glaeser The Architecture of Urbanity by Vishaan Chakrabarti A Country of Cities by Vishaan Chakrabarti The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Connect with Vishaan Connect with Vishaan on LinkedIn Learn more about

When Jim Somoza first walked through Chelsea Market in 1994, he was blown away by the adaptive reuse concept. Years later, through a series of real estate transactions, Jim met Irwin Cohen, the visionary behind the project. He spent four years as president there, and is now applying those lessons at Industry City, turning 16 abandoned waterfront buildings into Brooklyn's largest mixed-use campus. As Managing Director and Partner at Industry City, Jim has overseen the $450 million transformation that now houses 650 businesses—from blacksmiths and vinyl record stores to biotech companies and AI startups. But the real innovation is in how they solved the challenge that many warehouse-to-mixed-use conversions face: pedestrian circulation. The buildings were designed for trucks, not people. Ground floors sat four feet above street level at loading dock height. Sawtooth loading docks forced trucks to back into streets at angles, creating safety hazards and blocking foot traffic. Jim's team had to completely reimagine how people move through industrial space. Their solution, aptly named Innovation Alley, creates a pedestrian spine that cuts through five buildings, connecting retail, offices, and creative studios while keeping visitor circulation separate from upper floors. Combined with raised sidewalks and reconfigured loading docks, it safely opens the entire campus for foot traffic and community life. Beyond the infrastructure, this conversation reveals how the relationship economy drives everything at Industry City. From fostering collaboration between tenants to creating experiences that attract visitors, Jim demonstrates why community is essential for competing with online retailers and Class A office buildings in Manhattan. Episode Outline (02:33) The "aha" moment at Chelsea Market that sparked a career in placemaking (11:45) The through-line of Jim’s leadership style from broker to community builder (19:12) Solving the loading dock problem (22:57) A walkthrough of Innovation Alley (25:21) Balancing vehicle circulation, parking, and pedestrian access across 16 buildings (27:58) Convincing investors that placemaking generates higher returns (30:24) Retail strategy beyond “location, location, location” (37:31) Designing experiences that attract corporate leasing (40:57) Jim advice for adaptive reuse in suburban office parks and industrial buildings Additional Resources Industry City Chelsea Market Ponce City Market Bell Works Laboratory Jamestown Connect with Jim Connect on LinkedIn Follow Industry City on LinkedIn More From American Building Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis Learn more on the American Building website Follow on

When visitors walk into the Pottery Barn at 619 Ponce, they often ask about the amazing candle scent filling the space. But the smell isn't a candle at all—it's the building itself. The four-story mass timber structure is built from Southern Yellow Pine that developer Jamestown sourced from their own timber holdings. As Director of Innovation and Sustainability at Jamestown, Carrie Denning Jackson is leading projects that put the "healthy people, healthy planet" concept into action. Her path from IBM's Smart Cities division to Google's Sidewalk Labs and now her current role at Jamestown follows a consistent thread: exploring how technology and cities intersect to shape human experience. Through initiatives like urban tree canopy expansion, flame-retardant-free materials, and operable windows in 21-story buildings, she's demonstrating how conscious design can improve health outcomes while creating enjoyable spaces. Beyond the technical specs, this conversation reveals how major developers are grappling with a fundamental shift in what tenants, investors, and cities expect from the built environment. As Carrie explains through her work with Ponce City Market's three buildings—Scout, Signal House, and 619 Ponce—the industry is moving from "good enough" to exceeding expectations. For developers at any scale, her insights offer actionable strategies for creating healthier buildings. Episode Outline (02:31) How the rise of place-based technology is changing what people expect from buildings (07:16) Jamestown's approach to merging innovation with sustainability and setting 2030 targets (14:21) Launching Place as Medicine after discovering hidden health hazards in everyday materials (19:19) A walkthrough of Ponce City Market (25:58) Air quality innovations: operable windows, induction stoves, cork flooring, and mineral paint pilots (28:30) Using economies of scale and industry collaboration to drive down costs for healthier materials (31:42) Practical advice for developers attempting healthier building projects Additional Resources Ponce City Market University of Toronto Study - Are Sleeping Children Exposed to Plasticizers, Flame Retardants, and UV-Filters from Their Mattresses? Stanford University Study - Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute - Trager MicroForest Project Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design The Donghia Healthier Materials Library at Parsons School of Design Habitable mindful MATERIALS Windhover Contemplative Center at Stanford University Connect with Carrie Connect on

What if the biggest barrier to carbon-neutral development isn't the technology or the materials, but actually the industry's resistance to change? Most developers know sustainable construction is the future, but translating those ideals into financially viable projects feels impossible when you're faced with premium construction costs and market-rate rents. Nate Helbach believes that large-scale, sustainable development is possible when you’re willing to challenge every assumption about how buildings get financed, designed, and built. As founder and CEO of Neutral, Nate leads a vertically integrated development team that makes sustainability profitable. By bringing architecture, construction, carpentry, technology, and finance in-house, Neutral orchestrates the entire process. This structure enables them to deliver buildings that achieve 58% embodied carbon reduction and 72% operational carbon savings while hitting their return targets. The Edison, their flagship 378-unit high-rise in Milwaukee, represents this pragmatic approach to ambitious goals. When doors open in 2027, it will break three world records: tallest mass timber structure, tallest Passive House building, and tallest Living Building certified tower. It's also designed as a hospitality and wellness oasis. Residents get access to on-staff doctors, nutritionists, and Equinox-style facilities, transforming apartment living into an experience worth paying a premium for. Nate's perspective offers both inspiration and practical solutions. From navigating tariff risks to building an investor platform, this conversation illustrates how the industry's biggest challenges can become competitive advantages when you're willing to rethink everything from the ground up. Episode Outline (02:24) A fresh look at legacy development systems and how they lead to unnecessary risk (06:18) The four-part philosophy that guides every Neutral project: people, place, profit, and planet (19:16) Building a company across development, architecture, construction, and technology (25:58) Inside The Edison: redefining the standard for luxury apartment living (32:35) Why mass timber beats concrete and steel for both environmental impact and tenant experience (37:02) Managing development risk through phases and the latest news on tariffs affecting construction (44:09) Practical advice for developers who want to try mass timber and Passive House construction (46:52) Neutral’s way of democratizing and modernizing real estate investing Additional Resources The 15-Minute City: A Solution to Saving Our Time and Our Planet by Carlos Moreno Missing Middle Housing by Daniel Parolek The Birth of a Building: From Conception to Delivery by by Ben Stevens Neutral Webinar: Risk Mitigation with Jeff Klein Jenny Peysin of Jenny Peysin Architecture | Wilderness Drive in East Jewett | Passive House Design

When's the last time you knocked on a stranger's door to ask for something? For most people, the answer is probably never—or at least not since Halloween as a kid. But Cecily King is building Kipling Development this way, sourcing deals by networking in underserved communities and connecting with retiring landlords. Kipling bridges the gap between subsidized low-income housing and luxury market-rate developments. The firm specializes in acquiring and remodeling naturally occurring affordable housing, which are properties that serve middle-income earners, such as teachers, healthcare workers, and young professionals. In other words, the demographic that’s often priced out of both ends of the housing spectrum. In this episode, Cecily outlines how her approach defies traditional development wisdom. She focuses on thoughtful remodeling over new construction, relationship-building over institutional marketing, and community stewardship over maximizing profit. From her background as a structural engineer to her current role acquiring properties like Trumbull Terrace, a 28-unit development in Detroit, Cecily demonstrates how targeted preservation can address America's missing middle-income housing crisis. What emerges from Cecily's experience is a fundamental challenge facing the industry. Most rental housing in America is owned by individual families and small partnerships, not corporations. Yet the capital needed to maintain these properties often flows only to institutional players. Her success in navigating this disconnect reveals both the barriers and breakthroughs that define community-level housing preservation. Episode Outline (02:34) Cecily’s evolution from structural engineer to decision-maker in real estate (06:01) Examples of how infrastructure creates lasting housing inequality across American cities (10:00) Serving the "missing middle" that's priced out of both affordable and luxury housing (18:37) Acquiring Trumbull Terrace, a half-finished renovation in Detroit's core (24:10) Why acquisition beats new construction for managing risk and tariff volatility (32:33) Relationship-building strategies to source deals off-market (37:15) Stacking public financing from HUD programs and local tax incentives (41:47) Raising private capital and scaling from friends-and-family to institutional investors Additional Resources Documentary - Back to Paradise: Detroit’s Historic District Reborn New York Times - Black and Latino Real Estate Developers Struggle to Get Funding Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) CDFI Fund Live6 Alliance CoStar PropertyShark Provident Bank Magyar Bank Connect with Cecily Connect on LinkedIn Learn more about

Ben Weinberg and Michael Weiss, childhood friends turned business partners, are threading the needle between nostalgia and innovation with their hospitality ventures Castle Peak Holdings and Trailborn. From the beaches of Wrightsville, North Carolina to the foothills of Rocky Mountain National Park, they’re transforming three-star properties into four-star resort experiences that honor local charm. Their approach defies conventional hospitality wisdom. Rather than imposing a rigid brand template, each Trailborn property celebrates its unique setting while elevating the standard of outdoor destinations. As founders in the “memory-making business,” they describe how they’ve leveraged demographic analysis and local relationships to create spaces where families return year after year. Beyond their $100M investment strategy and recent Marriott Bonvoy alliance, this conversation illustrates a larger story about America’s relationship with its outdoor spaces 一 how we experience them, honor them, and create lasting connections with them. For developers and investors, it offers an inside look into discovering value where others only see dated structures hidden off the beaten path. Episode Outline (6:06) The strategic separation and collaboration between Castle Peak Holdings and Trailborn (11:56) Why focusing on memory-making drives both guest loyalty and financial returns (15:10) How they acquired the Wrightsville Beach property through relationship-building (17:43) Using demographic data to identify markets with untapped potential (23:24) Trailborn Sound & Surf design decisions that transformed underperforming spaces into dynamic hubs (35:10) The Marriott Bonvoy partnership and its distribution advantages (44:54) The capital strategy and fundraising approach that has attracted $100M+ (48:26) A walkthrough of the four Trailborn properties and their unique market positioning Additional Resources Learn more about Castle Peak Holdings: LinkedIn Website Learn more about Trailborn: LinkedIn Website Connect with Ben Connect on LinkedIn Connect with Michael Connect on LinkedIn More From American Building Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis Learn more on the American Building website Follow on LinkedIn Follow on Instagram Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn Learn more about

What's shaping the future of real estate development? The industry is facing some of its biggest challenges yet: Rising construction costs, tariffs, shifting investment trends, and an evolving residential market redefining how and where we live, work and stay. But with changes comes opportunity. Join us for season four of American Building as we dive into the urgent questions shaping the built environment in the year ahead. I'm Atif Qadir, a licensed architect turned developer and the creator of this podcast, along with Michael Graves Architecture and Design. In each episode, we sit down with the most forward-thinking real estate developers who are actively shaping the built world. This season, we're featuring some of the most exciting voices in development. We'll hear from Ben Weinberg and Michael Weiss of Castle Peak Holdings as they discuss boutique hospitality and the evolution of experiential travel from their hotel in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. We'll also hear from Oliver Carr of Carr Properties who shares the story of his landmark One Congress project in downtown Boston. Beyond the challenges, we'll unpack the creative solutions developers are using to adapt and thrive in this volatile economy, from navigating financing in a high interest rate environment to pioneering new markets and products. These conversations offer an inside look at their projects shaping the future of cities across the US. Subscribe and tune in the first episode of season four on Wednesday, June 11th. More From American Building Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis Learn more on the American Building website Follow on LinkedIn Follow on Instagram Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn Learn more about Michael Graves Architecture & Design

What does the housing crisis actually entail? To wrap up Season 3 of American Building, I’m joined by Keith Rand, Vice President at Mill Creek Residential, to discuss the main housing production issues Americans face today and different solutions to address them. We look at limitations with local and state government policy and unpack the proposed housing supply plan from the White House. In our conversation, Keith explains the root cause of the supply and demand imbalance in New York City. Between the exorbitant cost of land, insurance, and property taxes, the city that more than 8 million people call home is increasingly unaffordable and unsustainable. Keith breaks down a potential rezoning approach called “Own Your Air,” which promotes diverse housing stock and reinvestment into underserved neighborhoods. Keith shares his perspective on the most pressing issues we need to tackle when it comes to housing production and affordability, namely starting with local and state government policy. He highlights inefficiencies in large-scale tax credit programs and suggests ways to improve them. We also reflect on inspiring progress we've seen in state legislatures across the country, including California, Colorado, and Texas. About the Guest: Keith Rand is Vice President at Mill Creek Residential, the 3rd largest residential rental development company in the country. Previously, he worked in senior roles at Stonehenge and Greystar. He began his career at Silverstein Properties and JP Morgan Chase. Keith is a graduate of Duke University, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Kennedy School at Harvard. Topics Covered: Resources Mentioned: FACT SHEET: President Biden’s Budget Lowers Housing Costs and Expands Access to Affordable Rent and Home OwnershipEpisode 62 with Melissa Román BurchProgress and Poverty by Henry George About Your Host: Atif Qadir is the Founder of Commonplace, a company dedicated to tackling one of the biggest barriers to more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable development: improving access to capital. Commonplace helps impact-driven developers and capital providers with shared values discover and connect with each other. Connect with Keith Rand: LinkedIn Follow Us: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to the Housing Crisis

Garden-style apartments offer residents the best of both worlds: green space and lower density living without the upkeep and price tag of a single-family home. In this episode, I trace back to the origins of garden-style apartments and highlight who lives in them now. I also revisit a conversation with developer Matt Giammanco of AvalonBay Communities to discuss Thanet Circle, a new multi-building garden-style apartment complex in Princeton, New Jersey. Located in a suburban environment that is walkable, bikeable, and in need of rental housing, Matt shares how he and his team chose and developed this project. They saw the opportunity to redevelop a 1980s, vintage office building into a townhome neighborhood with a community clubhouse. Located on 15 acres of land, the four-story buildings are a secluded and quiet place for those looking for rental options in the Princeton area. We also dive into AvalonBay’s regional approach to development and how they use local, on-the-ground knowledge to ensure the successful completion of their projects. Listen in to learn how this project was financed, redeveloped, and to discuss the technology that is being used today in the development world. About the Guest: Matt Giammanco is a Senior Director of Development at AvalonBay Communities. He previously worked at Goldman Sachs Real Estate Investment Group and began his career at Ernst and Young in their transactions real estate group. He is a graduate of Columbia Business School and Penn State. Topics Covered: Resources Mentioned: Instead of a Balcony, How About a Garden Apartment?“The Suburbs” by Arcade Fire and the 2014 cover by Mr. Little Jeans on Spotify About Your Host Atif Qadir is the Founder of Commonplace, a company dedicated to tackling one of the biggest barriers to more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable development: improving access to capital. Commonplace helps impact-driven developers and capital providers with shared values discover and connect with each other. Connect with Matt Giammanco LinkedInLinkedInAvalonBay Communities Follow Us: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to the Housing CrisisAmerican Building website

Dorm life is a quintessential part of the American university experience, but that wasn’t always the case. In this episode, I outline the history of dormitories and share an edited version of my conversation with Arthi Krishnamoorthy, Senior Principal at TenBerke, to discuss the firm’s residential college project on the Princeton campus. After three years of attending Zoom school, college students are setting records for on-campus housing demand. Mixed with the ever-rising rent prices in college towns, many universities are reimagining the traditional dorm model to accommodate the crowds. Arthi is working closely with the stakeholders at Princeton to ensure the new multi-building dormitory complex enhances student well-being, integrates living environments, and fosters a sense of community and responsibility. Located strategically on the edge of campus in a woodland area, the two new residential colleges consist of eight new buildings that house approximately 1,000 students. Each building features a transparent base that encourages community involvement through visibility and encompasses a contemporary style to the rest of the campus. Princeton's ten-year plan aims to significantly increase the undergraduate student population as well as their living and dining hall options on campus. Arthi explains how symbolic and detailed architecture ensures that students will be overcome with a sense of discovery and community through this new endeavor. Note: New College East has since been renamed Yeh College since this episode was originally recorded. About the Guest: Arthi Krishnamoorthy is a Senior Principal at TenBerke, which is the new name of Deborah Berke Partners, the NYC-based design firm. Prior to Deborah Berke Partners, she worked at and started her career at Pelli Clarke & Partners. Arthi is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and the University of Pennsylvania. Topics Covered: Resources Mentioned: The Dystopian Windowless Dormzilla Trend Continues About Your Host Atif Qadir is the Founder of Commonplace, a company dedicated to tackling one of the biggest barriers to more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable development: improving access to capital. Commonplace helps impact-driven developers and capital providers with shared values discover and connect with each other. Connect with Arthi Krishnamoorthy LinkedInLinkedInTenBerke Follow Us:

Between the global financial crisis, tanking housing production, and rapid inflation, housing affordability for middle income workers has become increasingly out-of-reach. Workforce housing, a type of unregulated affordable housing, addresses the limitations that professionals like teachers, healthcare providers, and retail clerks are facing when it comes to owning a home. In this episode, I unpack the concept of workforce housing and revisit a conversation with Peter Brosens, founder of Stolar Capital, where we cover the details of Chatham on Main, his firm’s garden-style, multifamily complex in Chatham, New Jersey. Located in an affluent town 45 minutes from Manhattan, Chatham on Main is a 118-unit property featuring one- and two-bedroom floor plans. The extensive renovations include roofing, shutters, lighting, and landscaping. Stolar Capital specializes in buying mixed-use or multifamily properties and repositioning them through asset management. Peter shares the challenges he faced starting out, which ultimately led him to specialize in this area. He also walks us through approval processes, why he prefers buying and fixing existing property, and the importance of relationships in real estate. About the Guest: Peter Brosens is the founder of Stolar Capital, a real estate investment firm with offices in Hoboken and in Philadelphia. The firm's focus since 2012 has been on developing large mixed-use projects in transit-oriented downtown locations in New Jersey. In addition, he has raised a 10 million specialty financing fund to focus on investment in repositioning multi-family residential assets across the country. Prior to starting at Stolar Capital, Peter worked at the JBG companies in Washington, DC. He is a Columbia University alum. Topics Covered: Resources Mentioned: Workforce housing and middle-income housing subsidies: A primer About Your Host Atif Qadir is the Founder of Commonplace, a company dedicated to tackling one of the biggest barriers to more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable development: improving access to capital. Commonplace helps impact-driven developers and capital providers with shared values discover and connect with each other. Connect with Peter Brosens LinkedInLinkedInStolar Capital Follow Us: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to the Housing CrisisAmerican Building website

You can’t have a conversation about affordable housing without acknowledging the impact of rent regulation. Also known as rent control, rent stabilization or rent limits, these coveted units offer occupants a sense of stability by guaranteeing their monthly rent payment won’t skyrocket year after year. So, why is regulated affordable housing so hard to come by? Developer Andrew Regenstreich has an idea. Andrew was the former Director of Real Estate and Economic Development of Housing and Neighborhood Development Services (HANDS). In this episode, I’m revisiting a conversation we had to discuss the agency’s affordable housing project at 523 Freeman Street in Orange, New Jersey. The site is a centrally-located mixed-use property with four stories. Perfect for young professionals, the building houses one and two-bedroom units with 1,500 square feet of commercial use on the ground floor, as well as access to public art and a rain garden. In this episode, Andrew and I discuss what affordability means, the funding involved, and what kind of timeline to expect when developing affordable housing. Andrew shares the team he put together for this project and how he makes sure that his buildings reflect the community around them and the people who live there. About the Guest: Andrew Regenstreich is the former Director of Real Estate and Economic Development at Housing and Neighborhood Development Services (HANDS). HANDS is a developer of affordable housing in New Jersey. Andrew previously worked at New Jersey Community Capital. He's a graduate of NYU and Northeastern and while at NYU he had an opportunity to work at the Massachusetts legislature, the US Senate and the US State Department. Topics Covered: Resources Mentioned: Multifamily Series: How Affordable Housing is Changing About Your Host Atif Qadir is the Founder of Commonplace, a company dedicated to tackling one of the biggest barriers to more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable development: improving access to capital. Commonplace helps impact-driven developers and capital providers with shared values discover and connect with each other. Connect with Andrew Regenstreich LinkedInLinkedInHousing and Neighborhood Development Services Follow Us: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to the Housing Crisis

As the old adage goes, a man's home is his castle. That doesn't mean that every home is a castle or a mansion, but in this day and age, it could very well be a McMansion. In this episode, I explore the history of mansions and how the style has been interpreted by millions of suburban homeowners. I also revisit a conversation I had with Kirk Mitchell of AKT Designs about his single-family home renovation in Englewood, New Jersey that exemplifies how to avoid tired McMansion tropes. In the suburbs of New York City, it’s common for developers to knock down existing properties and replace them with supersized homes. Instead, Kirk found a way to marry the client's desires, budget, and current design trends to create a modern ranch-style home. By adding a second kitchen, home gym, and billiards room, the house now strikes a balance between the client's request for a modern ski chalet and a bachelor pad. Kirk shares his step-by-step process for renovating this type of property, including coming up with floor plans, construction drawings, and interior design ideas. We also discuss the importance of having the right development team, using Pinterest to create mood boards and design ideas, and some of Kirk's other multi-family and commercial projects. About the Guest: Kirk Mitchell is the Founder and Principal at AKT Designs, an architecture and interior design firm based in Bergen County, New Jersey. He focuses on residential projects across New York and New Jersey. He has particular expertise in combining historic details with modern technology, having completed over 80 townhouse projects at AKT Designs and previously as the Director of Design and Construction for a Dixon Advisory. Topics Covered: Resources Mentioned: Bad Manors by Kate WagnerKate Wagner’s blog: McMansion Hell About Your Host Atif Qadir is the Founder of Commonplace, a company dedicated to tackling one of the biggest barriers to more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable development: improving access to capital. Commonplace helps impact-driven developers and capital providers with shared values discover and connect with each other. Connect with Kirk Mitchell LinkedInLinkedInAKT Designs Follow Us: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to the Housing CrisisAmerican Building website