Let's Start Here

The Architect as Developer path is not a popular or often traveled one for architects – for a variety of reasons. But for the few of us out there, it’s important for those of us who have made the leap to share and help carve a path for the next generation. I learned from the guys before me that became my mentors – so I think it should continue.

As part of that – I’m not one to wax poetical and bs how great everything is – you can listen to others do that. Being successful in two different fields is hard – and I’m one to be direct and to the point. Not being direct, being passive aggressive or aloof will get you eaten alive in real estate. Do what you say and say what you do.

Since beginning my career and over the course of the last twenty plus years, I have been involved in the design and development of over a million square feet, and over 100 residential units in New York City and the outer boroughs. It’s been a mix of ground up construction and value add work, coupled with a mix of condominium and rental development.

The path was not easy, and took a long time to figure out the way and business model that best worked for me. I’ve had projects succeed by wild margins, and I have had some fail miserably. Early in my career – I’ve seen many developers succeed, but I also saw a lot more (many of the guys that I came up learning from) go out of business. I learned early that real estate is a game of detail and risk – if you slip, the result can end your career.

Interested in reading more?

Visit here for more: ‘The Architect-as-Developer Series