Space Makers

In this episode of Space Makers, Katharine Lau interviews Laura Rapaport, founder and CEO of North Bridge, a lending platform revolutionizing real estate financing. Laura shares her journey from aspiring doctor to real estate leader, discussing her career progression, the launch of Northbridge, and the innovative C-PACE financing model. The conversation highlights the importance of relationships in real estate, the impact of sustainability on development, and the future of financing in the industry.Chapters00:00 Intro01:25 Choosing Real Estate Over Medicine04:56 Climbing The Real Estate Stack07:49 Driving Innovation in Real Estate10:44 Innovative Development: 425 Park Avenue12:49 Closing High-Stakes Deals15:52 Everything You Need to Know About C-PACE27:14 The Vision for Northbridge's Future32:29 Cultivating The Gift of Human Connection35:11 Rapid Fire + Closing

In this episode of Space Makers, Glen Weiss, co-head of real estate at Vornado Realty Trust, shares insights from his extensive career in commercial real estate. He discusses the evolution of New York's iconic districts, including the Penn District and Fifth Avenue, and the challenges and opportunities presented by economic cycles. Glen emphasizes the importance of relationships, leadership, and reputation in the industry, while also addressing the impact of AI on office space demand. The conversation concludes with Glen's personal reflections and rapid-fire questions about his life outside of work.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Glen Weiss and Vernado Realty Trust01:36 Glen's Journey in Real Estate05:09 Navigating New York's Real Estate Cycles07:58 Leadership Lessons from Steve Roth14:12 Creating a New Experience in New York16:53 Retail Resurgence on Fifth Avenue18:25 The Future of Times Square20:56 Meta's Lease and the Office Market's Resilience23:32 The Impact of AI on Real Estate25:43 Innovations in Leasing and Tenant Experience28:50 The Importance of Reputation in Real Estate31:18 Balancing Work and Family Life32:58 Advice for Aspiring Real Estate ProfessionalsStuf Website: https://www.stufstorage.com/Space Makers Page & Blog: https://space.stufstorage.com/Real Estate Partners page: https://lp.stufstorage.com/realestatepartnersCase Studies: https://resources.stufstorage.com/realestatepartners/case-study

In this episode of Space Makers, Kat interviews Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker. They discuss the origins of Warby Parker, the innovative direct-to-consumer business model, and the challenges and successes of scaling retail operations. Neil shares insights on customer behavior, the importance of local community engagement, and the future of AI in retail. The conversation also touches on personal experiences and the unique culture at Warby Parker.