In this episode of Masters of Moments, host Jake Wurzak sits down with Brian Harper, co-founder of 11North Partners and former CEO of RPT Realty, to discuss leadership, reinvention, and the enduring relevance of retail real estate.
With a background spanning General Growth Properties, Rouse Properties, and RPT, Brian brings decades of insight from navigating some of the most complex moments in the retail sector—including corporate bankruptcies, public-to-private transitions, and large-scale portfolio transformations.
They also discuss:
* The principles behind great retail: hospitality, curation, and community
* Lessons from navigating the GGP and RPT turnarounds
* Why physical retail is far from dead—and what’s driving its resurgence
* Building culture in public companies vs. founder-led ventures
* How personal experiences, including raising a son with autism, have shaped Brian’s leadership style
* The founding vision behind 11 North Partners and their thesis on long-term, durable retail
This episode offers a grounded, values-driven look at how great retail gets built—and the personal moments that shape the leaders behind it.
Links:
11North Partners - http://11northpartners.com/
Brian on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-harper-5431265/
Connect & Invest with Jake:
Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak
1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching
Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:08) - Brian’s career and background
(00:12:19) - Is retail becoming un-investable?
(00:14:52) - Experience and hospitality as an opportunity to save retail
(00:16:45) - Brian’s experience at GGP and Rouse
(00:23:55) - The collapse of bad malls
(00:27:17) - Positioning malls for success
(00:37:06) - What makes a spectacular open-air center?
(00:40:36) - What retailers are picking the best locations?
(00:42:40) - What goes wrong in retail centers?
(00:44:26) - Building 11North
(01:03:01) - Raising a child with autism
(01:17:26) - What is your favorite hotel?
