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.

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.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Michael Shvo, we dive deep into the execution of his Transamerica Pyramid transformation. Shvo reveals his development strategy for the three-year remastering project and how he navigated San Francisco's challenging entitlements process.

Michael Shvo reveals the remarkable story behind the $650 million transformation of the Transamerica Pyramid, from discovering his childhood drawing of the building to reshaping downtown San Francisco through hospitality-driven development.

Jim Somoza shares how Industry City transformed abandoned waterfront warehouses into Brooklyn's largest mixed-use campus by solving the fundamental challenge of warehouse-to-mixed-use conversions: making buildings designed for trucks work for people. From Innovation Alley's pedestrian spine to fostering collaboration among 650 businesses, this conversation reveals the infrastructure and relationship strategies that drive successful adaptive reuse.

Carrie Denning Jackson, Director of Innovation and Sustainability at Jamestown, discusses how the company is embedding health and environmental programs into developments like Ponce City Market's phase two expansion in Atlanta. The conversation covers Jamestown's approach to sustainable materials, mass timber construction methods, and strategies for using corporate scale to drive down costs for healthier building products across the industry.

Nate Helbach shares how Neutral aims to bridge the gap between sustainability goals and financial viability through vertical integration. His systematic approach combines proprietary algorithms with in-house expertise across development, construction, and technology to build mass timber projects designed to reduce carbon emissions while targeting competitive investor returns.

Cecily King shares how her company Kipling Development is preserving naturally occurring affordable housing by transforming multi-family properties that serve middle-income earners. Her relationship-driven approach combines systematic deal sourcing with community-focused design to create stable housing for teachers, nurses, and young professionals while delivering sustainable returns for investors.

Ben Weinberg and Michael Weiss reveal how their companies Castle Peak Holdings and Trailborn are reimagining outdoor hospitality by transforming overlooked properties in irreplaceable locations. Their strategic approach combines data-driven market analysis with thoughtful design to create memorable guest experiences that celebrate local character while delivering strong investment returns.

Today I’m sitting down with Matt Giammanco of AvalonBay Communities to discuss his Thanet Circle redevelopment project located 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.

Today I sit down with Peter Brosens of Stolar Capital to discuss his northern New Jersey project, Chatham on Main. We also dive into some of Peter’s early projects, future projects, and key lessons for those starting out in real estate.

I’m sitting down with Andrew Regenstreich of Housing and Neighborhood Development Services to discuss his project at 523 Freeman Street in Orange, New Jersey. Andrew believes it is important to leave whatever he is working on better than how he found it and today, he shares how he lives up to this philosophy while working in affordable housing.

In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Johanna Anderson of Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services to talk about Founders Way, a mixed-use affordable housing development. Located on the site of the former Immaculate Conception School in Ithaca, New York, this downtown development houses families and individuals of mixed age ranges, including units for those exiting homelessness.

On today’s episode, I am joined by Nick Falker of Cambridge Realty Partners to discuss his multifamily build, The Elm. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, and constructed during the pandemic, Nick walks me through the construction process, the challenges, and who the tenets are in this industrial building.

Today I sit down with Rachel Loeb of the New York City Economic Development Corporation to discuss the Bronx Point project. This affordable housing project is located in the Lower Concourse and features a waterfront esplanade, 10,000 sq. ft. of retail, and homes the Universal Hip Hop Museum.

On today’s podcast, we sit down with Melissa Román Burch to learn more about her project with Lendlease Development, Claremont Hall. Located in the academic acropolis of New York City, Claremont Hall is a mixed-use building with modern neo-gothic architecture and sweeping views of the Hudson River. We also dive into some of Melissa’s other developments such as the Atlantic Yards (renamed Pacific Park) and 1 Java Street.

Today we are speaking with the insightful MaryAnne Gilmartin, who discusses her experience getting into the real estate business, incorporating sustainability, and embracing wellness as it relates to creating new developments. MaryAnne is the CEO of MAG Partners and in this episode we dive into her project at 281 West 28th Street in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.

For our first episode in Season 3 of American Building I sit down with Sean Pichon of PGN Architects and Omar Karim of Banneker Ventures. We explore the projects they are working on together in D.C., such as 2220 MLK Avenue, while also diving into topics such as the nationwide housing shortage and home ownership for Black Americans.

I’m joined by Ron Schinik, the CEO of New Blueprint Partners, a New York-based company focused on redeveloping manufacturing facilities into mixed-use assets. We get into the details of the Vancouver Innovation Center in Washington State, which is what Ron calls the antithesis of the 1950s and 1960s suburbia movement. Ron also shares what kind of opportunities and challenges industrial manufacturing might face in the near future.

Today, I’m joined by Tommy Craig, Senior Managing Director at Hines, and Rick Cook, Founding Partner at COOKFOX. Tommy and Rick are both pioneers of the sustainable architecture movement and have joined forces for the 555 Greenwich and 345 Hudson Street project. They pull back the curtain on the 1.2 million square foot space and explain some of the green tech and design decisions. We also discuss the importance of mentorship, trends in making buildings better for the planet and its occupants, and how to balance the quality and speed of construction.