Reinventing Office Real Estate: The Art of Revitalizing Office Buildings with Hospitality & Design
Release Date: 02/19/2025
Lessons from a Serial PropTech Entrepreneur: Chris Moreno on Infinite Niches & Investing in CRE Tech
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
Episode 12: Lessons from a Serial PropTech Entrepreneur: Chris Moreno on Infinite Niches & Investing in CRE Tech In this episode, Chris Moreno, CEO of Infinite Niches, joins host Michael Belasco for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, PropTech, and the future of real estate innovation. Chris, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host, has successfully built and sold three companies and is known for identifying high-growth opportunities in PropTech and real estate. Chris shares his unconventional journey—from selling mistletoe as a kid to co-founding Luxer One, a company...
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Reinventing Office Real Estate: The Art of Revitalizing Office Buildings with Hospitality & Design
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
Episode 11: Reinventing Office Real Estate: The Art of Revitalizing Office Buildings with Hospitality & Design In this episode, Matt Legge, Principal at Polaris Developments Group, and Brian Tolman, Co-Founder & Principal at Origin, join host Michael Belasco to explore the future of office real estate and how hospitality-driven experiences are reshaping the workplace. With extensive backgrounds in private equity real estate, office development, and award-winning architecture, Matt and Brian discuss how distressed office assets can be repositioned and revitalized into vibrant,...
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The Hidden Gem of CRE Finance: Ina Montejo on Why More Developers Are Turning to CPACE
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
Episode 10: The Hidden Gem of CRE Finance: Ina Montejo on Why More Developers Are Turning to CPACE In this episode, Ina Montejo, Assistant Vice President of Originations at PACE Loan Group, breaks down C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing—a flexible, non-recourse, and fixed-rate funding option that is transforming the way real estate projects secure capital. Ina shares how developers and investors are leveraging C-PACE financing to fill gaps in their capital stacks, reduce borrowing costs, and even unlock retroactive funding for projects completed within the last...
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Revolutionizing CRE Data: Royden Cooper’s Journey from Developer to PropTech Founder
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
Episode 9: Revolutionizing CRE Data: Royden Cooper’s Journey from Developer to PropTech Founder In this episode, Royden Cooper, Co-Founder and CEO of Epum, shares his journey from commercial real estate developer to launching a venture-backed proptech startup. Royden explains how geospatial AI and satellite imagery are transforming real estate research, allowing investors, developers, and analysts to track urban growth and identify market trends faster than ever before. Epum’s latest product, ApprovalsArchive, offers a God’s-eye view of commercial real estate entitlements, helping...
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Innovative Lending Strategies with Charles Farnsworth of 1892 Capital Partners
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
Episode 8: Innovative Lending Strategies with Charles Farnsworth of 1892 Capital Partners In this episode, Charles Farnsworth, Fund Director at 1892 Capital Partners, shares how his family office bridges the gap in private lending, focusing on unique asset classes like RV parks, car washes, and entitlement loans. With over 30 years in real estate finance and private lending, Charles provides insights into how 1892 Capital Partners’ flexible underwriting process, long-term focus, and regional expertise stand apart from traditional lenders. Learn how creative capital stacks, collateral-first...
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Funding U.S. Projects with Global Investors: An Inside Look at EB-5 with Jeremy Shackle
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
Episode 7: Funding U.S. Projects with Global Investors: An Inside Look at EB-5 with Jeremy Shackle In this episode, Jeremy Shackle, Principal of Consultancy 619, joins hosts Michael Belasco and Alex Williams to explore the EB-5 immigrant investor program and its unique role in real estate financing. With decades of experience in real estate and financial consulting, Jeremy explains how EB-5 capital can become a key component in the capital stack, particularly for development projects requiring significant job creation. He also shares valuable insights into the application process,...
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Cannabis in Commercial Real Estate: Licensing, Zoning, Risk, and Regulatory Challenges with Gregg Hilzer
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
Episode 6: Cannabis in Commercial Real Estate: Licensing, Zoning, Risk, and Regulatory Challenges with Gregg Hilzer In this episode, Gregg Hilzer, Co-Chair of Stevens & Lee's Cannabis Law Group, joins us to delve into the rapidly evolving cannabis industry and the essential role of real estate in its expansion. Gregg shares his journey into cannabis law, his experience guiding clients through the complex licensing processes in states like New Jersey and New York, and insights into how zoning, regulatory hurdles, and market competition shape the cannabis landscape. Whether you're...
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From Strategy to Execution: John Cusumano’s Approach to Rural Commercial Real Estate
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
Episode 5: From Strategy to Execution: John Cusumano’s Approach to Rural Commercial Real Estate In this episode, we sit down with John Cusumano, founder of CUSCO, to discuss his unique approach to real estate development in rural America. John shares how his experience with Walmart shadow centers shaped his strategy and vision for revitalizing small towns through strategic investments. Learn about the challenges and opportunities in developing retail spaces outside of major urban centers and how CUSCO is paving the way for national brands to thrive in underserved areas. Key...
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A.CRE Consulting Team Episode
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
In this episode, the co-founders of A.CRE Consulting discuss their entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of their consulting business. From managing growth to solving market challenges, the team shares insights into scaling a consultancy and fostering success in commercial real estate. Key Takeaways: - How the co-founders built A.CRE Consulting to address key industry gaps. - Challenges of starting a consultancy and lessons learned from the first year. - The importance of effective communication and team dynamics in scaling a business. - Insights into flexible consulting solutions for...
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Crafting Your Path: Leonard Allen-Smith on Cultivating Success in Commercial Real Estate
A.CRE Consulting Podcast
Episode 3: Crafting Your Path: Leonard Allen-Smith on Cultivating Success in Commercial Real Estate In this episode, we’re joined by Leonard Allen-Smith, CEO and Founder of Allen Smith Equities, and part of the inaugural class of Harvard’s Master in Real Estate program. Leonard shares his incredible journey from purchasing his first property at age 24 to leading multimillion-dollar developments in New York City. Discover how his strategic risk-taking, relentless learning, and network-building shaped his successful career in real estate. Join us as Leonard takes us through key turning...
info_outlineEpisode 11: Reinventing Office Real Estate: The Art of Revitalizing Office Buildings with Hospitality & Design
In this episode, Matt Legge, Principal at Polaris Developments Group, and Brian Tolman, Co-Founder & Principal at Origin, join host Michael Belasco to explore the future of office real estate and how hospitality-driven experiences are reshaping the workplace.
With extensive backgrounds in private equity real estate, office development, and award-winning architecture, Matt and Brian discuss how distressed office assets can be repositioned and revitalized into vibrant, high-experience workplaces that attract and retain top tenants in a post-WFH era.
They share insights from their landmark redevelopment of the Northstar Center in Minneapolis, a 1.6 million-square-foot mixed-use transformation, and discuss how landlords can move beyond static amenities to create profitable, revenue-generating spaces that redefine office culture.
Key Takeaways:
- The Office of the Future – Why successful office projects will blend hospitality, design, and curated experiences.
- Beyond Amenity Wars – How landlords can transform amenities into revenue-generating businesses instead of cost burdens.
- Case Study: Northstar Center – How a historic office asset was repositioned with flex space, hospitality services, and a curated tenant experience.
- Creating Tenant Demand – Why fully serviced, hospitality-infused workspaces are outperforming traditional office models.
- The Role of Design & Operations – How thoughtful, high-touch design and service-driven experiences are shaping the next generation of office buildings.
Related Topics for Further Exploration:
- The Amenity Revolution – How office landlords are rethinking food & beverage, flex space, and experiential design.
- Office Market Distress & Opportunity – Why repositioning older assets is a key strategy in a challenging CRE landscape.
- Flexible Workspaces & Membership Models – The rise of curated, hotel-like office experiences.
Guest Information:
- Matt Legge is the Principal at Polaris Developments Group, specializing in high-complexity real estate investments that revitalize distressed assets through entrepreneurial solutions. He has led over $3B in development & redevelopment projects across North America.
- Brian Tolman is the Co-Founder & Principal at Origin, an award-winning architect and designer focused on blurring the lines between hospitality, workplace, and experience-driven environments. Previously, he was Managing Principal at STUDIOS Architecture and Founder of Convene Design Group.
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