
Deconstruct
In Deconstruct, The Real Deal breaks down the most important ideas in real estate. We follow the money from Los Angeles to New York City to explain what investors, brokers and developers are focused on right now. This is essential listening for understanding the great, big world of real estate.
Latest episodes

Feb 27, 2023 • 23min
The Myths of Multifamily’s Sun Belt Bust
What goes up must come down, right? That’s one of the myths that has followed the Sun Belt’s multifamily market for decades, says Real Page Chief Economist Jay Parsons. It’s the idea of a boom and bust cycle, wherein strong periods of investment give way to supply levels that overserve demand. In practice, though, the Sun Belt has proved itself a market as or more resilient than many coastal cities. Here’s the rundown on why 2023 will likely be no different.

Feb 20, 2023 • 28min
'Shvo-ing' It Up: Why Michael Shvo Is Bullish on Office
Michael Shvo doesn't care about how other people's office buildings are doing, just his own. He also thinks it's time for some of New York's office buildings to be demolished and rebuilt. TRD's Deconstruct sat down with the luxury developer to discuss the capital he deployed during the pandemic, why he's bullish on the office market in New York and San Francisco, and how he's taking advantage of a lack of office space in Miami Beach.

Feb 13, 2023 • 35min
Rent Control Enters the Chat
From LA to D.C., tenant protections have emerged as the policy du jour after two years of rising rents cemented affordaiblity as a headline issue. Los Angeles has rolled out a patchwork of renter-friendly policies; the White House made a push for better regulation of the rental market and six states are eyeing reforms that would allow cities to instate their own versions of rent control. So what’s the rub? Economists say capping rents is the best way to kill affordability. Deconstruct has the break down and also looks at the top news of last week.
Guest: National Multifamily Housing Council President Sharon Wilson Geno
Credits: a16z, Fox Business, KABC-AM, Democracy Now, KCAL News, KTLA 5

Feb 6, 2023 • 22min
How The Fed’s Latest Hike Could Kickstart the Mortgage Market
Last week, the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates for the eighth time in less than a year, sending benchmark rates to their highest level since 2007. For a mortgage market that has seized in the wake of higher financing costs, another rate hike would seem to be bad news. But Nadia Evangelou, senior economist at the National Association of Realtors, says the slowing pace of hikes could offer markets the type of certainty that could revive mortgage demand.

Jan 30, 2023 • 22min
Twitter’s Debacles Aren't Helping San Francisco's Office Market
Twitter has stopped paying its rent, auctioned off furniture and let go half of its employees. None of that is helping Shorenstein and JPMorgan refinance a $400 million loan on the company’s San Francisco headquarters. Deconstruct chats with TRD reporter Emily Landes about Twitter's fights at the building and how it's emblematic of the larger impact of tech's shakeup on the San Francisco Office Market.

Jan 23, 2023 • 19min
The Hotel Market's Uphill Battle
Times Square hotels are headed to bankruptcy. Investors are clawing at distressed properties in Chicago. High interest rates are making it harder for investors to transact. And in California, more supply is coming offline, as developers look to hotels for adaptive reuse projects. Deconstruct chats with Atlas Hospitality Group president Alan Reay about the looming distress across the hotel industry, but where investors are finding pockets of hope.

Jan 16, 2023 • 20min
SL Green Bets On a Future Times Square Casino
Times Square is already full of tourists, billboard glitz and Broadway shows. SL Green, New York's largest landlord, is now bidding to build a casino in the entertainment hub. The firm has placed a bid with the city to take up one of three casino licenses up for grab in Downstate New York. The Real Deal's Deconstruct chats with SL Green executive Brett Herschenfeld about why the firm chose Times Square and why it has teamed up with Caesars on its plans.
Further reading: https://therealdeal.com/2022/12/05/going-for-the-jackpot-a-look-at-the-high-rollers-competing-to-build-nyc-casinos/
Credits: New York Governor Kathy Hochul's State of the State 2023 address

Jan 9, 2023 • 24min
Hochul's Priorities for New York Real Estate
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers her State of the State address for 2023. Deconstruct has the scoop on where the governor's priorities lie when it comes to New York real estate. Hint: Affordable housing is a huge one.

Dec 19, 2022 • 16min
A Peek at CRE in 2023
It's the end of the year as we know it, and investors feel — uncertain. Rate hikes have slowed deals in the second half of 2022 and Fed Chair Jay Powell said there's more pain to come. But how long will all the available dry powder stagnate on the sidelines? Deconstruct breaks down 2023 forecasts for multifamily, retail, industrial and office and chats with Moody's Senior Economist Thomas LaSalvia about when the deal dam might break.

Dec 12, 2022 • 21min
Alternative Investment Goes Mainstream: Harrison Street's Recs for a Down Market
High rates and uncertain times have seen traditional CRE transactions falter in recent months. But for deal-hungry investors, Harrison Street CEO Christopher Merrill says there's an alternative — alternative assets. The executive makes the case that once-fringe investment vehicles like student housing or self-storage hold the recession-proof demand and repricing power investors are craving.