Design Development

Thomas O'Brien is the Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of The HYM Investment Group, LLC. HYM is currently leading the development of over twenty (20) million square feet of mixed-use development in Greater Boston, including the following notable and complex projects: Bulfinch Crossing (the redevelopment of the Government Center Garage), Suffolk Downs, and Parcel 3 in Roxbury. Prior to HYM, O'Brien served as a Managing Partner for JPI, a national developer and owner of multifamily communities, and as a Managing Director in Boston and New York for Tishman Speyer, one of the world’s leading real estate firms. O'Brien also led the Boston Redevelopment Authority as its Director and Chief of Staff, overseeing the development of over 12 million square feet of projects in Boston, from 1993 to 2000. O'Brien has served as Chairman of The Greater Boston Real Estate Board and is Vice Chair of the Board of Overseers of The Anti-Defamation League of New England, which awarded O’Brien its Abraham Joshua Heschel Interfaith Relations Award in 2016. In 2011, Governor Deval Patrick appointed O’Brien to the Board of the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. In 2016, Mayor Martin J. Walsh appointed O’Brien to the Board of Trustees of the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and in 2024 Governor Maura Healey appointed him to the Board of The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. He also serves as a Board Member of the Pine Street Inn, Project 351 and the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University. O’Brien is a graduate of Brown University and Suffolk University Law School and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.Throughout the discussion, themes of resilience, strategic vision, and community impact are highlighted. O'Brien elaborates on his firm's focus on developing high-impact projects situated near transportation hubs, transforming urban landscapes while catering to market demands. Navigating economic fluctuations, seeking opportunities in undervalued sectors like office spaces, and maintaining transparency with partners are key strategies shared by O'Brien in realizing ambitious real estate objectives.  Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Gary Kerr, Senior Managing Director at Greystar, shares his journey in overseeing a vast real estate portfolio worth $79 billion. He highlights the importance of building genuine relationships over superficial networking in the industry. Kerr discusses Greystar's innovative modular construction strategy and how it helps control quality and reduce risks. He argues that Massachusetts faces a housing crisis, advocating for state-level solutions, and emphasizes the need for emerging professionals to tackle complex challenges to accelerate their careers.

As listeners prepare to enter 2026, this episode offers a thought-provoking discussion navigating the often challenging interplay between career ambitions and personal life, with the goal of finding contentment in current paths while still striving for success.This week’s episode explores the balance between pursuing professional goals and maintaining healthy relationships with family and friends, with a warning against subconscious comparisons and ego-driven decisions pulling focus away from real values. By setting constraints on time allocation and problem-solving strategies, the conversation emphasizes self-awareness and disciplined action. Success in career and personal life doesn’t require sacrificing one for the other. It requires smart scheduling and prioritizing what truly matters. The episode closes as a grounded exploration of how awareness and long-term thinking sharpen decisions and drive personal fulfillment.Key Takeaways:The balance between career ambition and personal life is possible without sacrificing meaningful relationships or well-being.Self-awareness and disciplined action are key to achieving both professional and personal success.Identifying the right problems to solve is crucial to avoiding wasted effort and addressing root causes rather than symptoms.Long-term thinking helps to improve short-term decision-making and can lead to greater contentment and success over time.A commitment to lifelong learning is essential for uncovering blind spots and enhancing personal growth.Notable Quotes:"Finding content in who you are, the path you're on, the goals you have, and really the life that you're building.""You can advance your relationship with your kids, your relationship with your friends, your relationship with your spouse and pursue career goals.""You need to set constraints on your time and how you're allocating those across the areas of your life.""The root to all of those challenges we face in life is the root to constant pursuit of learning."Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

In this engaging conversation, Eric Garrett, CEO and founder of The Garrett Companies, shares his remarkable journey of transforming a small multifamily development firm into a $500 million powerhouse. He discusses his innovative site selection strategies leveraging AI and proprietary software, which have set his company apart. Eric emphasizes the importance of a strong company culture, operational excellence, and a meticulous hiring process. Insights into their integrated holding-company structure and future expansion plans further illuminate his strategic vision for sustained growth.

In this engaging conversation, Rob Hagan, Associate Principal at CBT Architects, shares insights from over 25 years in the architecture field. He discusses the vital link between ground-floor retail and the public realm, explaining how the experience economy is reshaping urban spaces. Rob dives into the impact of online shopping and hybrid models on retail design, while emphasizing the significance of understanding human behavior in mixed-use projects. His passion for mentorship and fostering inclusivity in architecture shines through, along with his global perspectives on design.

This week's episode is a guest episode on the Growthitect Podcast with Tyler Suomala (also featured in Design Development, Episode 147).Our discussion offers an insightful exploration into building a robust, long-term growth strategy that effectively balances relationship building with strategic marketing, since word of mouth alone may not suffice in today's competitive landscape. I unpack the prevalent myth that architecture and engineering firms can thrive on word of mouth alone by emphasizing the necessity of developing a comprehensive business strategy. With an aim to equip firm owners with the right tools, the conversation navigates through essential concepts like the identification of the ideal customer and the critical importance of delivering distinguishable value. Key Takeaways:Value Articulation: Understanding and clearly articulating the unique value your firm provides is essential for attracting ideal clients and driving successful word-of-mouth marketing.Strategic Growth Planning: Avoid relying solely on word of mouth; instead, implement a long-term growth strategy that includes active marketing and brand consistency.Client Language: Communicate your firm's value in terms that resonate with clients, like cost savings or efficiency improvements, rather than industry jargon.Business Resilience: In downturns, firms that demonstrate clearly defined value propositions and strategic marketing plans maintain a competitive edge.Continual Learning: Constantly seek out business education opportunities to mitigate risks and increase the value of your firm over time.Notable Quotes:"The actual goal is to win the right project with the right customer for the right price. It's not to win every project at any price." – Rens Hayes"Word of mouth doesn't just mean, like, I hope they say Rens is cool. It's about what they are actually saying about your firm." – Tyler Suomala"A lot of businesses are the same. The unique part is the industry-specific delivery." – Rens Hayes"How do architects know if word-of-mouth referrals will not dry up, and are they prepared for when that day comes?" – Tyler Suomala"If you don't know who you serve and how you create value to them, you can't influence word of mouth in the right direction." – Rens HayesResources:H+O Structural EngineeringLinkedIn: Follow Rens HayesThe Compound Effect by Darren HardyExtreme Ownership by Jocko WillinkThank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Anyeley Hallová is the founder and CEO of Adre, a socially responsible real estate development company. She's committed to introducing inclusivity and equity in real estate, focusing on sustainable and socially beneficial development practices. She has an extensive educational background, including a Master’s in City Planning from MIT and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Harvard. She even impacted changes in the International Building Code advancing mass timber construction.She shares her journey from co-founder of project^, where she gained insights into sustainable design, to launching Adre, driven by her passion for promoting equity and environmental stewardship in urban planning. She speaks candidly about the systemic issues in housing policies influenced by historical discrimination and highlights how projects can be guided by core values rather than mere market trends. Key Takeaways:Socially responsible real estate development integrates inclusive practices at every phase, focusing on who owns, designs, builds, and benefits from the property.The challenges faced by real estate developers can be countered with innovative funding solutions, combining philanthropy and investment for a blended return.Essential for progress is the incorporation of community needs and feedback, avoiding 'cookie-cutter' solutions in diverse locations.Notable Quotes:“Socially responsible real estate development requires thinking about ownership, community, and sustainable design at every phase.” – Anyeley“You can't manage what you don't measure. Innovative organizations create their own standards and metrics.” – Rens Hayes“The financial activism space is about using your money and your impact to create equity.” – Anyeley“Developers can solve issues with influence, not just with a project.” – AnyeleyResources:The book "Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein: Influential in Anyeley’s transition towards starting Adre."Coming to America" Podcast: Hosted by Anyeley’s husband, exploring immigration stories.A Kid's Book About Real Estate Development: Authored by Anyeley, aiming to introduce children to the fundamentals of real estate development.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Matt Marotta, Managing Principal and COO at Icon Architecture, shares his journey from intern to leadership in the firm. He discusses the critical role of stakeholder engagement and community input in the approval process. Matt dives into the technological evolution of architecture, from hand drawings to BIM, and predicts AI's potential to enhance efficiency while noting its challenges. He also emphasizes the importance of mentoring junior staff, team dynamics, and creating a strong office culture in the fast-evolving architectural landscape.

David Tabenken, Principal at Hacin, brings over 20 years of architectural experience to the table. He dives into the impactful integration of interior design with architecture, sharing insights from notable projects like Myers and Chang. David discusses the significance of cultivating a strong company culture and the role of multidisciplinary collaboration in enriching design concepts. He reflects on his career path, emphasizing curiosity and financial literacy as key to career advancement, while also highlighting the benefits of local community-oriented projects.

James Gray, a seasoned architect and senior principal at Stantec, shares his wealth of experience in architecture and leadership. He discusses the critical role of cultural alignment during mergers, particularly with the Page acquisition. James emphasizes building motivated teams and aligning them with organizational goals. He explores urban sustainability and how technology can address environmental challenges. Personal anecdotes and insights into navigating economic downturns highlight his career path and the importance of curiosity and proactive thinking in architecture.