This Father-Son Team Built A $1.3 Billion Empire (Here's How) Shawn and Edan Evenhaim

Father-son duo Shawn Evenhaim and Edan Evenhaim are reshaping the Los Angeles skyline through Balaciano Group and the iconic The Q brand. With nearly 3 billion in transactions and multiple Builder of the Year awards, they share how they build, brand, and manage modern multifamily properties in one of the most challenging real estate markets.In this in-depth conversation they cover:- Starting as an immigrant in construction and evolving into large-scale multifamily development- The power of true vertical integration: in-house entitlement, architecture, general contracting, and property management- Why controlling the entire process delivers better design, quality, and community outcomes- Building a premium residential brand inspired by Tesla and Louis Vuitton - cohesive identity, no concessions, standing behind the product- Creating genuinely smart apartments with integrated technology at scaleUsing detailed data tracking (amenity usage, fob scans, equipment analytics) to constantly improve buildings- The realities of developing in Los Angeles: regulations, Measure JJJ, ULA, rent control concerns, and their impact on housing supply- Family business dynamics - respect, generational differences, and wanting the next generation to surpass you- Calculated risk-taking, surviving major market cycles (including 2008), and knowing when to slow down- The critical role of relationships, political access, community involvement, and philanthropy in real estate success- Advice for younger developers: start slow, learn from others, avoid over-leveraging, question everythingWhether you're interested in multifamily development, branding in real estate, smart-home technology in apartments, vertical integration, Los Angeles real estate challenges, or family business succession, this discussion offers rare insight from operators actively building and managing thousands of units in a high-regulation environment.