Rhys Duggan, President and CEO of Revesco Properties, drives the River Mile project in downtown Denver. With over 25 years in commercial real estate, he began his career in Vancouver, working on large-scale communities with renowned tenants. Prior to Revesco, he led The New Providence Development Company in Nassau, Bahamas, where he developed the island's first mixed-use town center. Now, he divides his time between Vancouver and Denver.

In our series, we chat with Rhys about his journey and the intricacies of real estate development. He discusses negotiating land claims with First Nations and the potential post-pandemic downtown landscape. He also highlights the River Mile project, aimed at creating high-density living spaces and public amenities. Addressing city affordability concerns, Rhys proposes a shift towards secondary and tertiary markets. Tune in to learn from one of Colorado's leading developers about the state's future in real estate.

[00:01 - 14:31 ] From Public Policy to Private Sector: A Journey Through Entitlements and Land Use Issues

• Rhys's interest in public policy and early career experiences in Vancouver


• The importance of compromise and public consultation in navigating land use issues


• The art of entitlement deals and their importance in real estate development

[14:32 - 21:50 ] Developer Talks Urban Development and the Importance of Choosing the Right Partners

• Rhys's views on vertical development and its impact on urban areas


• Belief in the return of downtown cores despite current challenges


• The value of exploring new opportunities in a career path


• The importance of choosing the right partners in real estate development

[21:51 - 29:01 ] Passion and Patience: A Developer's Approach to Challenging Projects

• The importance of having a "why" behind a real estate project, not just a yield


• Patience as a key element in pursuing passion and success in commercial real estate

[29:02 - 36:29 ] The River Mile Development Set to Transform Downtown Denver with Game-Changing Public Amenities and Vertical Living for All

• The significance of the River Mile development in downtown Denver


• The goal of creating a downtown for everyone, including families and young professionals


• The translation of greenfield development features into an urban vertical form


• The importance of affordability, livability, and schools in attracting people to Denver

[36:30 - 40:57 ] Closing Segment

Key Quotes:

“Whatever that new normal is. If that means 7% construction debt, great. We can adapt to that.” - Rhys Duggan

“There are no new ideas, right? Just get out in the world and steal the best ones you can and bring 'em back home and execute on them.” - Rhys Duggan

Connect with Rhys:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/rhysduggan

Visit us on our Website: https://www.naiop-colorado.org/

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