Space Makers

North Bridge: Laura Rapaport on Unlocking a New Category of Capital

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. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:25 Choosing Real Estate Over Medicine 04:56 Climbing The Real Estate Stack 07:49 Driving Innovation in Real Estate 10:44 Innovative Development: 425 Park Avenue 12:49 Closing High-Stakes Deals 15:52 Everything You Need to Know About C-PACE 27:14 The Vision for Northbridge's Future 32:29 Cultivating The Gift of Human Connection 35:11 Rapid Fire + Closing

Vornado: Glen Weiss on Building New York's Most Iconic Portfolio

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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Glen Weiss and Vernado Realty Trust 01:36 Glen's Journey in Real Estate 05:09 Navigating New York's Real Estate Cycles 07:58 Leadership Lessons from Steve Roth 14:12 Creating a New Experience in New York 16:53 Retail Resurgence on Fifth Avenue 18:25 The Future of Times Square 20:56 Meta's Lease and the Office Market's Resilience 23:32 The Impact of AI on Real Estate 25:43 Innovations in Leasing and Tenant Experience 28:50 The Importance of Reputation in Real Estate 31:18 Balancing Work and Family Life 32:58 Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Professionals Stuf Website: https://www.stufstorage.com/ [https://www.stufstorage.com/] Space Makers Page & Blog: https://space.stufstorage.com/ [https://space.stufstorage.com/] Real Estate Partners page: https://lp.stufstorage.com/realestatepartners [https://lp.stufstorage.com/realestatepartners] Case Studies: https://resources.stufstorage.com/realestatepartners/case-study [https://resources.stufstorage.com/realestatepartners/case-study]

Warby Parker: Neil Blumenthal on Building a Brand Through Real Estate

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.