SF Commercial Property Conversations

In this lively and inspiring episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we welcome back the legendary Patty McGuigan. This time, we’re not just talking real estate—we’re talking legacy. Patty takes us behind the scenes of her memoir Scraps Build a Pile, a collection of stories tracing her unlikely, unforgettable path through the heart of Silicon Valley’s CRE boom. From her first cold call (with ten pennies in hand) to leasing buildings to giants like IBM and Google, Patty shares how she carved out a space in a male-dominated field—while raising a family, writing children’s books, and even pitching a video game based on one of her characters. Oh, and there are cartoons—lots of them. Hear how “scraps” of experience, persistence, and personality built a mountain of success over four decades. Whether you're in real estate, sales, publishing, or just love a great story, this episode is packed with nuggets you’ll want to remember—and maybe even underline. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with John Gessford—a seasoned broker and the tech mind behind CREOP. From launching his career at CBRE to creating a powerful AI-driven tool that simplifies Offering Memorandum (OM) creation, John shares his unique journey that blends commercial brokerage with innovative tech solutions. We dig into: John's early days in the industry and what led him to found CREOP How CREOP uses AI to streamline OM creation Real talk about today’s market conditions, interest rates, and investment trends His day-to-day as a broker and how staying active in the field fuels his tech Why Orange County remains a hot market despite rising cap rates 1031 exchanges, out-of-state investments, and navigating current market challenges ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with John Protopappas, one of Oakland’s most prolific real estate developers, to unpack a 40-year journey in value-add multifamily development and adaptive reuse. John shares how a single fourplex in East Oakland launched what would become a $750 million real estate portfolio across multiple U.S. markets. He walks us through his early deals, like converting a 1925 historic building and turning a West Oakland warehouse into loft apartments—both of which are still in his company’s portfolio today. John discusses strategic expansion into cities like Portland, Kansas City, and Salt Lake City, all while maintaining a laser focus on value and investor returns. You’ll also hear how John’s real estate philosophy blends creativity, timing, and staying power—and why he’s currently buying newer multifamily assets well below replacement cost. John also talks about founding Housing Providers of America and his legal pushback on pandemic-era eviction laws.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Bruce sits down with James Chung, a seasoned retail broker and founder of The Econic Company. From hitchhiking to Newport Beach to surf as a teen to navigating the ever-evolving world of commercial real estate, James shares how his journey from Tallahassee to the Bay Area shaped both his personal and professional life. Listeners will hear how James' passion for surfing instilled in him the instincts and commitment that fuel his career. He opens up about his early experiences at Berkeley, his leap from the tech world into retail brokerage, and how a failed tech startup became the launchpad for his thriving real estate career. James also dives into how his firm manages 40+ million square feet of retail space, their unique client acquisition approach, and his thoughts on the future of downtown San Francisco retail. With insights into national expansion, the power of relationships in real estate, and how ICSC has shaped his network, this is an inspiring and practical episode for anyone in the CRE space.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Marc Lipsett of Walker Realty Capital to explore a truly unique career path in commercial real estate. Born and raised in San Francisco, Marc shares how his career started in post-Soviet Russia and led to a long-term impact on the Bay Area’s real estate lending scene. They talk about the evolution of lending standards, Marc’s first ventures in real estate finance, and how he transitioned from international business to founding Walker Realty Capital alongside a former colleague. Marc brings deep insight into how interest rates are really determined—beyond just Fed policy—and breaks down the current realities for commercial borrowers in the Bay Area.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Mitchell Rice, founder of Elkhorn Capital Partners, whose journey from a small town in Idaho to overseeing multimillion-dollar real estate ventures is nothing short of inspiring. Mitchell shares how his early exposure to real estate through his father's side projects planted the seed for a booming career in commercial investments. We explore how his experience at Brigham Young University and his work with Property Reserve Inc.—the for-profit real estate investment arm of the LDS Church—laid the foundation for launching Elkhorn Capital Partners. Mitchell opens up about co-GP partnerships, sourcing deals in undervalued markets, raising millions in investor capital, and his strategic vision for hitting $1 billion in AUM within the next decade. From mastering due diligence to leveraging mastermind networks and finding the right investors, Mitchell brings clarity and candid insights into the business of real estate investing.     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

From LA to NYC and back again—Zachary Streit has navigated both coasts and the commercial real estate world with precision and passion. In this episode, Zack shares his unconventional journey, his insights on today’s lending environment, and the bold moves that led him to launch his own firm, Priority Capital Advisory. What you'll learn in this episode: How Zack’s academic and professional path shaped his commercial real estate vision What’s changing in the bank lending landscape in 2025 Why construction lending and office refinancing are becoming hot topics again Zack’s take on the "generational opportunity" in office assets How interest rates, equity challenges, and bank competition are shaping deals   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this lively episode, Michael Ryan shares the incredible and winding path that brought him from turning wrenches in Alaska to navigating the complexities of commercial real estate and mortgage consulting in California. Raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains and seasoned by hands-on trades like construction and automotive repair, Michael’s early experiences taught him grit and resourcefulness. After an injury ended his blue-collar career, he pivoted—on a dare—into real estate, and never looked back. From selling land during Alaska’s 1980s crash, to building deep knowledge in mortgage strategy, Michael walks us through how he guides clients with one goal in mind: doing what’s right for them. His practical and transparent approach to real estate and finance is grounded in his values and vast experience—from options trading to flipping homes to helping people craft balanced wealth plans.     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Marcus Shayeb, Managing Director at TRI Commercial in San Francisco, to dive deep into the evolution of the city’s commercial real estate market—and Marcus’s unique global journey to it. From his early career in hospitality spanning Bermuda and the Caribbean to transitioning into commercial real estate in California, Marcus brings decades of insight into how San Francisco’s landscape has shifted through the dot-com boom, the 2008 crash, and most recently, the post-pandemic recovery.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this lively and insightful conversation, David Schmidt shares how he pivoted from a career in the Western wear industry to becoming a pioneer in tenant representation in Dallas during the 1980s CRE boom. With decades of experience, David brings deep wisdom on market cycles, investment strategies, and the evolving state of commercial real estate, especially in San Diego where he now operates. Bruce and David dive into: The early days of CRE in Dallas and working alongside legends like Roger Staubach Navigating massive shifts in office markets post-oil bust and S&L crisis How SBA financing and owner-user deals are changing the game for small businesses San Diego's tight industrial and retail landscape and why it’s holding strong Why relationships, referrals, and treating every deal with respect still matter most ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest