Space Makers

In this episode, Atit Jariwala shares his journey from growing up in a motel to becoming a real estate innovator. We explore his approach to design, investment, and balancing creativity with financial acumen in real estate development.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Atit Jaruwala and his background01:34 Lessons from growing up in a motel08:27 Design philosophy: bold yet lasting11:04 Balancing creativity and economics in hotel design13:55 Strategic location choices and F&B planning18:25 Preserving history in adaptive reuse projects20:24 The importance of authentic architecture26:51 Deciding when to sell a property28:26 Starting and growing Arithmetic29:40 Spitfire questions

In this episode of Space Makers, Jason Fudin, CEO and co-founder of Placemakr, shares how he turned a simple observation about empty buildings into a new category of real estate. He traces his path from mechanical engineer to real estate developer at Vornado, the launch of what became Placemakr, and the company's model of buildings that can run as a hotel one night and a home for a year. The conversation covers the unit economics behind flex living, what WeWork and Sonder got wrong, how COVID reshaped the business, and Placemakr's new partnership with Hilton to launch Apartment Collection by Hilton.Chapters00:00 Intro02:00 From Mechanical Engineer to Real Estate03:30 From Secretary to Running a Billion in Development06:46 Betting on WhyHotel and Spinning It Out09:52 The Insight: Empty Buildings Leak Cash13:01 The Hardest Sell Was Free Money15:10 How COVID Saved the Company18:46 One Building, Every Length of Stay24:17 What WeWork and Sonder Got Wrong25:39 Pricing a Building That's Both Hotel and Home29:40 Running the Whole Building, From Weddings to Coworking33:51 Why Hilton Bet on Placemakr37:39 Rapid Fire + ClosingStuf Website: https://www.stufstorage.com/Space Makers Page & Blog: https://space.stufstorage.com/Real Estate Partners page: https://lp.stufstorage.com/realestatepartnersCase Studies: https://resources.stufstorage.com/realestatepartners/case-study

In this episode of Space Makers, Katharine Lau interviews Laura Rapaport, founder and CEO of North Bridge, a lending platform revolutionizing real estate financing. Laura shares her journey from aspiring doctor to real estate leader, discussing her career progression, the launch of Northbridge, and the innovative C-PACE financing model. The conversation highlights the importance of relationships in real estate, the impact of sustainability on development, and the future of financing in the industry.Chapters00:00 Intro01:25 Choosing Real Estate Over Medicine04:56 Climbing The Real Estate Stack07:49 Driving Innovation in Real Estate10:44 Innovative Development: 425 Park Avenue12:49 Closing High-Stakes Deals15:52 Everything You Need to Know About C-PACE27:14 The Vision for Northbridge's Future32:29 Cultivating The Gift of Human Connection35:11 Rapid Fire + Closing

In this episode of Space Makers, Glen Weiss, co-head of real estate at Vornado Realty Trust, shares insights from his extensive career in commercial real estate. He discusses the evolution of New York's iconic districts, including the Penn District and Fifth Avenue, and the challenges and opportunities presented by economic cycles. Glen emphasizes the importance of relationships, leadership, and reputation in the industry, while also addressing the impact of AI on office space demand. The conversation concludes with Glen's personal reflections and rapid-fire questions about his life outside of work.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Glen Weiss and Vernado Realty Trust01:36 Glen's Journey in Real Estate05:09 Navigating New York's Real Estate Cycles07:58 Leadership Lessons from Steve Roth14:12 Creating a New Experience in New York16:53 Retail Resurgence on Fifth Avenue18:25 The Future of Times Square20:56 Meta's Lease and the Office Market's Resilience23:32 The Impact of AI on Real Estate25:43 Innovations in Leasing and Tenant Experience28:50 The Importance of Reputation in Real Estate31:18 Balancing Work and Family Life32:58 Advice for Aspiring Real Estate ProfessionalsStuf Website: https://www.stufstorage.com/Space Makers Page & Blog: https://space.stufstorage.com/Real Estate Partners page: https://lp.stufstorage.com/realestatepartnersCase Studies: https://resources.stufstorage.com/realestatepartners/case-study

In this episode of Space Makers, Kat interviews Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker. They discuss the origins of Warby Parker, the innovative direct-to-consumer business model, and the challenges and successes of scaling retail operations. Neil shares insights on customer behavior, the importance of local community engagement, and the future of AI in retail. The conversation also touches on personal experiences and the unique culture at Warby Parker.