Season 2: Paul Hess - Vice President of Development @ LD&D Development

In this episode, I sit down with Paul Hess, Vice President of Development at LD&D, to unpack the realities of taking a project from vision to completion in today’s real estate market.Paul and I dive deep into the full development cycle — from sourcing and entitlements, to managing complex stakeholder relationships, to navigating city approvals, financing, and the unpredictable twists that happen along the way. With experience at Crescent Heights, Quarterra (Lennar’s multifamily subsidiary), OKO Group in Miami, and now LD&D, Paul brings both institutional knowledge and on-the-ground expertise.What makes this conversation stand out is the context Paul adds to the development world: what’s really required to get a deal across the finish line, the balance between creativity and discipline, and how markets like New York and Miami demand different approaches.In this episode, we explore:(1) The biggest misconceptions about development and what outsiders often overlook(2) Why adaptability, patience, and persistence are critical traits for developers(3) The importance of aligning investors, partners, and city stakeholders from day one(4) Lessons Paul has learned managing projects through stabilization and beyond(5) Advice for young professionals looking to break into real estate developmentPaul’s perspective is candid, detailed, and practical — a rare behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and mindset it takes to succeed in development at scale.🟢 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.