Built to Perform: The Design Decisions That Matter

Built to Perform: The Design Decisions That Matter

In this episode of Multifamily Forward, Mark-Taylor welcomes Alexandra Ayres, Managing Principal and Director of Interiors at STG Design, for a conversation on the design decisions that shape how people live, work and connect. Together, Alexandra and John discuss what it takes to align vision at the start of a project, translate design into measurable performance and create spaces that reflect a brand’s story while supporting day-to-day functionality. From corporate workplace strategy to multifamily environments, this episode explores how thoughtful design can influence leasing, retention, operational efficiency and long-term team connection. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the partnership behind Mark-Taylor’s HQ3 office project and the design choices that continue to create impact beyond project completion.

How One Entrepreneur Built $500M in Ground-Up Projects

In this episode of Multifamily Forward, we sit down with Ryan Hilbun, Principal at Ryan Scott Group and President of ASU MRED Alumni Association, to break down the mindset, strategy and execution behind scaling a development business.Ryan shares how his journey began at Arizona State University’s MRED program, and how early experience in construction shaped his approach to leadership, risk and team building. From assembling the right people to navigating fixed costs, he explains what it takes to operate with discipline in a competitive environment.The conversation also explores “human-centered” development—what it actually means in practice and how intentional design decisions can influence how people experience and use a space.We also dive into:- Building a company designed to withstand market cycles- Where developers may be overexposed in today’s environment- How rising replacement costs are shaping investment strategy- The role of relationships in long-term successGet insight into what it takes to scale, adapt and lead in today’s real estate market.🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music

Inside the Decisions Shaping Where Top Companies Move Next

In this episode of Multifamily Forward, we sit down with Scott Maxwell, Executive Managing Principal and Market Leader at Cresa, to unpack the decisions shaping where top companies move next. From office strategy to multifamily demand, this conversation explores how businesses are rethinking location, culture and long-term growth in today’s evolving market. Scott shares insights on why Greater Phoenix continues to attract major employers, how companies evaluate relocation and expansion, and what investors should be watching as both office and multifamily sectors navigate elevated vacancy and concessions. We also discuss the growing importance of a full ecosystem — jobs, housing and lifestyle — and how major players like TSMC are influencing expectations across markets. Whether you’re an investor, operator or industry leader, this episode offers a clear look at how forward-thinking companies are positioning for what’s next. Subscribe for more insights on the trends shaping multifamily and commercial real estate.

2025, The Year of Global Recalibration. And What’s Coming in 2026

2025 was a year of global recalibration, and 2026 may test which assumptions truly hold. In this episode of Multifamily Forward, we step back to examine how cooling labor data, late-year rate cuts and rising geopolitical risk reshaped market dynamics in 2025 and what those shifts signal for the year ahead. We explore whether the Fed’s pivot points to a soft landing or emerging structural weakness, how energy volatility and supply-chain realignment are redirecting capital toward U.S. real assets, and which macro force, AI-driven industrialization, demographic aging or mounting fiscal pressure, will matter most for economic stability in 2026. Turning to demand, we unpack why absorption has remained resilient despite slowing job growth in Phoenix, what changing renter behavior reveals about the post-pandemic demand equation, and how affordability constraints and delayed household formation are reshaping decision-making. Finally, we assess the impact of peak supply, capital discipline and AI adoption, separating durable strategies from hype, and close with a contrarian question. What belief about the 2026 market are most investors and operators getting wrong?

The Future of Housing: What the Top Economists See Ahead

What does the next chapter of housing look like? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Nebenzahl, Vice President of Rental Research at John Burns Research & Consulting, to break down the key trends shaping multifamily real estate and what operators, investors and market watchers should be paying attention to in 2026.We cover: 1. Macro Perspective & Market Dynamics: The defining characteristics of today’s cycle, misleading narratives about metro growth, and the long-term positioning of the Build-to-Rent sector. 2. Leading Indicators & Market Signals: Why occupancy remains the most telling predictor of rent trends, the post-pandemic decoupling of job growth and apartment demand, and early signals of a “soft landing.” 3. Demographics, Migration & Policy Impacts: How aging populations, migration patterns, and policy decisions are shaping markets and affordability across metros. 4. Investment Strategy & Recovery: How investors are recalibrating in a slower market, lessons from recent supply surges, and which markets may recover first as vacancies tighten. If you’re an investor, operator or real estate professional, this episode gives actionable insights into housing market trends, renter behavior and early indicators to watch for 2026.