021 - Why real estate is broken and how to fix it with Ben Cross

How do we fix a broken real estate system built on short-term returns?In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin ‘talks place’ with Ben Cross, Founder of MORE, a purpose-led real estate and development company rethinking how we value, retrofit, and regenerate buildings.Together, they explore why the current real estate model is “broken,” how ethics and care must be central to decision-making, and why true sustainability requires both financial viability and social responsibility.In this episode, you’ll learn:🟣 What it means to deliver purpose-led development in practice, and why impact matters more than scale🟣 Why doing the right thing starts with taking responsibility yourself, instead of ‘outsourcing being a good person’🟣 How MORE is retrofitting one of London’s most misunderstood postmodern landmarks, No. 1 Poultry, into a future-ready workplace🟣 The realities behind viability, why “profit” shouldn’t be a dirty word, and how it could be reframed  as “economic vitality”🟣 How MORE’s collaboration with UK Green Building Council’s to create new retrofit taxonomy could simplify and accelerate the decarbonisation of existing buildingsAbout Our GuestBen Cross is the Founder of MORE, a development and investment business driven by purpose, design integrity, and impact. With a background in both architecture and real estate, Ben has worked across the full lifecycle of the built environment, from design and planning to investment and delivery.MORE is leading the retrofit of the Grade II* listed No. 1 Poultry in the City of London, while collaborating with the UK Green Building Council to define a national retrofit taxonomy that helps the industry move faster, smarter, and more sustainably.A passionate advocate for ethical decision-making and pragmatic sustainability, Ben believes that the industry must “care a lot more”, about people, place, and progress.Join the Conversation:How do we rebuild trust and integrity in real estate, through policy, people, or purpose?Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or LinkedIn @TalkingPlacePodcast using the hashtag #TalkingPlacePodcast🔗 Links & Mentions: 🏢 MORE: https://www.more.london 🌆 No. 1 Poultry, City of London: https://historicengland.org.uk 🌍 UK Green Building Council: https://www.ukgbc.orgTo learn more about the host Tanisha Raffiuddin – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanishaaWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @tanisha.rrInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: https://www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastX (Twitter): @tppodcast_Bluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture – visit here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coTwitter: @_conceptcultureInstagram: @_conceptcultureSign up to our Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignupSupport the showTo learn more about host Tanisha Raffiuddin:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tanisharaffiuddin/Website: www.conceptculture.coInstagram: @tanisha.rrTo learn more about Talking Place:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/talking-place-podcastWebsite: www.conceptculture.co/talking-place-podcastInstagram: @talkingplacepodcastBluesky: @talkingplaceTikTok: @talkingplacepodcastTo learn more about Concept Culture:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/concept-culture-ukWebsite: www.conceptculture.coSign Up to Our Newsletter — mailchi.mp/conceptculture/newslettersignup