EPISODE · Mar 29, 2026 · 1H 1M
How She Manages A 6M Sq Ft Real Estate Portfolio | Nadine Watt (Watt Capital Partners)
from No Vacancy with Taylor Avakian · host Taylor Avakian | Los Angeles Multifamily Broker
Nadine Watt, CEO of Watt Capital Partners, joins Taylor Avakian on the No Vacancy Podcast for an in-depth conversation on LA commercial real estate, the evolution of a multi-generational family dynasty, and the future of Century City offices.Third-generation leader Nadine Watt shares the remarkable history of Watt Capital Partners from her grandfather Ray Watt building homes for post-WWII veterans and pioneering timeshares and master-planned communities, to developing Watt Plaza, the landmark 23-story twin towers in Century City with nearly 1 million sq ft of office space. She discusses the company's major LEED Platinum renovation of Watt Plaza (including a new central plant, lobby upgrades, and amenities), navigating the post-pandemic office market challenges, and strategies for revitalizing Los Angeles amid business exits, regulatory hurdles, and shifting tenant demands.Topics include women in commercial real estate, succession planning and mentoring, the importance of in-person connectivity, storytelling in development, retail and industrial trends, affordable housing struggles in SoCal, and lessons from her unique path through film/entertainment into the family business.*Chapters:*0:00 - Introduction & Welcome to Nadine Watt 2:45 - History of Watt Capital Partners: From Post-WWII Homes to Master-Planned Communities 4:41 - Timeline of the Family Business: Shopping Centers, Commercial Shift & Watt Plaza Origins 8:02 - Building Watt Plaza in Century City & Ground Leases in LA 9:34 - Nadine Watt Becomes CEO: Restructuring, Development Focus & Pre-Pandemic Renovation Plans 11:24 - The $20M+ Watt Plaza Renovation: LEED Platinum, Central Plant & Sustainability Upgrades 14:37 - Current Occupancy & Century City Office Market: Tale of Two Cities 16:01 - Revitalizing Century City: Amenities, Subway Access & Nightlife Potential 18:06 - Downtown LA Struggles & the Importance of Office Activation 19:38 - Nadine Watt's Journey: Film Career, Foreign Sales & Entering the Family Business 23:31 - Lessons from Film to Real Estate: Storytelling, Entitlement & Parallel Paths 25:04 - The Power of Storytelling & Psychology in Development & Leasing 28:08 - Mission-Driven Leadership vs. Deal-Making: Focusing on Outcomes & Experiences 31:15 - Navigating Stakeholders & Selling Vision in Real Estate Projects 32:01 - Surviving COVID: Occupancy Trends, Work-from-Home Impact & Return-to-Office Challenges 36:39 - State of the LA Real Estate Market: Office Green Shoots, Retail, Industrial & Hospitality 39:57 - Regulatory Challenges in Southern California: Business Exodus, Entertainment & AI 43:22 - Behind Closed Doors: Leadership, Incentives & Fixing LA's Business Climate 44:44 - Geographic Diversification: Investing Outside California While Building Locally 51:15 - Women in Commercial Real Estate: Opening Doors & Leaning In 54:44 - Long-Term Vision for Watt Capital Partners & Next Generation Involvement 57:35 - Advice for Young Professionals: Networking, Humility & Learning from Experts This episode offers candid insights into LA's evolving office landscape, family business succession, and practical strategies for developers, investors, brokers, and CRE professionals facing today's market realities.#realestate #commercialrealestate #podcast
What this episode covers
Nadine Watt, CEO of Watt Capital Partners, joins Taylor Avakian on the No Vacancy Podcast for an in-depth conversation on LA commercial real estate, the evolution of a multi-generational family dynasty, and the future of Century City offices.Third-generation leader Nadine Watt shares the remarkable history of Watt Capital Partners from her grandfather Ray Watt building homes for post-WWII veterans and pioneering timeshares and master-planned communities, to developing Watt Plaza, the landmark 23-story twin towers in Century City with nearly 1 million sq ft of office space. She discusses the company's major LEED Platinum renovation of Watt Plaza (including a new central plant, lobby upgrades, and amenities), navigating the post-pandemic office market challenges, and strategies for revitalizing Los Angeles amid business exits, regulatory hurdles, and shifting tenant demands.Topics include women in commercial real estate, succession planning and mentoring, the importance of in-person connectivity, storytelling in development, retail and industrial trends, affordable housing struggles in SoCal, and lessons from her unique path through film/entertainment into the family business.*Chapters:*0:00 - Introduction & Welcome to Nadine Watt 2:45 - History of Watt Capital Partners: From Post-WWII Homes to Master-Planned Communities 4:41 - Timeline of the Family Business: Shopping Centers, Commercial Shift & Watt Plaza Origins 8:02 - Building Watt Plaza in Century City & Ground Leases in LA 9:34 - Nadine Watt Becomes CEO: Restructuring, Development Focus & Pre-Pandemic Renovation Plans 11:24 - The $20M+ Watt Plaza Renovation: LEED Platinum, Central Plant & Sustainability Upgrades 14:37 - Current Occupancy & Century City Office Market: Tale of Two Cities 16:01 - Revitalizing Century City: Amenities, Subway Access & Nightlife Potential 18:06 - Downtown LA Struggles & the Importance of Office Activation 19:38 - Nadine Watt's Journey: Film Career, Foreign Sales & Entering the Family Business 23:31 - Lessons from Film to Real Estate: Storytelling, Entitlement & Parallel Paths 25:04 - The Power of Storytelling & Psychology in Development & Leasing 28:08 - Mission-Driven Leadership vs. Deal-Making: Focusing on Outcomes & Experiences 31:15 - Navigating Stakeholders & Selling Vision in Real Estate Projects 32:01 - Surviving COVID: Occupancy Trends, Work-from-Home Impact & Return-to-Office Challenges 36:39 - State of the LA Real Estate Market: Office Green Shoots, Retail, Industrial & Hospitality 39:57 - Regulatory Challenges in Southern California: Business Exodus, Entertainment & AI 43:22 - Behind Closed Doors: Leadership, Incentives & Fixing LA's Business Climate 44:44 - Geographic Diversification: Investing Outside California While Building Locally 51:15 - Women in Commercial Real Estate: Opening Doors & Leaning In 54:44 - Long-Term Vision for Watt Capital Partners & Next Generation Involvement 57:35 - Advice for Young Professionals: Networking, Humility & Learning from Experts This episode offers candid insights into LA's evolving office landscape, family business succession, and practical strategies for developers, investors, brokers, and CRE professionals facing today's market realities.#realestate #commercialrealestate #podcast
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How She Manages A 6M Sq Ft Real Estate Portfolio | Nadine Watt (Watt Capital Partners)
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