The Promote Podcast
Your Commercial Real Estate Insider guide. From profiles of the biggest dealmakers to skyline-shaping transactions, we bring you the deals, breakdowns and war stories that move the market — for insiders, by insiders. From bad-boy guarantees to CMBS tranche warfare to syndicator sins, we cover it all. Each week, The Promote Podcast explores three of the most interesting and consequential stories in CRE, taking you well beyond the headlines and into the heart of the action. Hosted by the award-winning “Bard of CRE,” Hiten Samtani, founder of ten31 media and author of The Promote newsletter, along with no-BS institutional insider Will Krasne...
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Wartime Allocators & Rialto's Double Agent
<p>This week, we have no choice but to tackle the topic of war. The conflict with Iran continues to roil markets and CRE's biggest allocators are in sixes and sevens. Fewer young people are going to college, which puts a big question mark on what's historically been one of the biggest drivers of real estate activity. And finally, with special servicers like Rialto continuing to play an outsized role in the market, some of their more exotic strategies are coming under a pretty harsh spotlight.</p><p>Sponsors:</p><p>1) This episode is supported by LoanBoss, the industry-leading debt...
Larry's White Whale & Jamestown Puckers Up
<p>In Ep. 50 (!), we trace Larry Silverstein's odyssey with the World Trade Center redevelopment, analyzing the new blockbuster Amex deal and the insurance, legal and financing battles that the developer has fought since 9/11. Next, we jump on our Zambonis and check out Jamestown’s push for a hockey team in Atlanta. And finally, Blackstone has a data center offering that it wants to share with the universe - of retail investors, that is. </p><p>We also do a "Punch List" rundown of the newsiest industry happenings: CRE players' outsized roles in the Iran attacks; Hudson Pacific's billion-dollar losing streak; th...
Times Square Trainwreck, Royal Renters and Blue Owl Bytes the Dust
<p>This week, we look at the tragicomedy that is TSX Broadway, the Maefield/L&L/Fortress Times Square megadevelopment that came undone and left hundreds of foreign investors in the lurch. We discuss how complex ground-up projects can lay waste to capital stacks, and what can happen between partners under pressure. We then look at the latest alarm bells ringing in the high-octane world of data center development – Blue Owl is staring down a multibillion-dollar void, and OpenAI’s marquee Stargate project has had major challenges powering up. Finally, we explore the rise of the rich renter – a trend that’s...
Limit-Up Hotel Kamikazes & AI's Brokerage Rout
<p>This week, we dive deep into the story of Anbang Insurance, the Chinese insurer that went on an epic US trophy real estate buying spree, but flew too close to the sun. We trace the origins of Anbang's founder Wu Xiaohui, his multibillion-dollar acquisition of top US hotels include NYC's Waldorf-Astoria, and Anbang's eventual collapse and government takeover. We then talk about a rare RICO case against a notorious DC landlord, Ali "Sam" Razjooyan, and how such extreme incidents can shape landlord-tenant policy. Finally, we look at why the big CRE brokerages are seeing their stocks getting hammered by...
House of Brookfield, Wholesale Shopping and a Condo Buyout Coup
<p>This week, we discuss the House of Brookfield’s new overlord: Connor Teskey has a modest target – double AUM to $2 trillion. We talk about the labyrinth that is Brookfield’s corporate structure – Bruce Flatt's not going away – and what CRE’s role in the ramp-up will be. We then look at the flurry of REIT take-privates, from Peakstone to Plymouth. And finally, we slip into resort casual and discuss a princely condo buyout payoff in West Palm Beach – the goat Steve Ross makes an appearance. </p><p>We also do a "Punch List" rundown of the newsiest industry happenings: Michael Shvo's b...
Apollo's Sister Act, ICE Age & the Doomed Tower of Power
<p>This week, we discuss how the Chrysler Building has laid waste to the best-laid plans of so many global titans. With Tishman Speyer reportedly coming back for another go at the Art Deco icon, we trace its rich and rollicking deal history, from Jack Kent Cooke to Abu Dhabi. We then discuss how the ICE immigration crackdown is putting another big question mark on the Sunbelt multifamily market and leaving landlords in limbo. And finally, we discuss Apollo's sister act: REIT ARI is selling its $9B loan book to insurance arm Athene, and patting itself on the back for...
A Condo Kingpin’s Next Act and Proptech Falls off the Wall
<p>This week, we discuss second acts: Ziel Feldman has left the scandal-ridden past of his glitzy New York condo development firm HFZ Capital Group behind, and he's reinvented himself as an affordable housing player through his silent partnership in GoodHomes. We trace the wild arc of his career and his far more below-the-radar new game. Proptech's loudest voice and most prolific fundraiser Fifth Wall is now yelling into the fundraising void; we talk about how the firm's issues are emblematic of the broader sector. We also do a "Pardon the Interruption" style rundown of the biggest industry happenings: S2...
SNFing out Megadeals and Syndicator Patient Zero
<p>This week, we discuss a redemption tour by GVA’s Alan Stalcup, Patient Zero of the Sunbelt multifamily boom/bust. He’s battling PGs, LPs and maybe even the SEC, but Stalcup is unapologetic. He sat down with Hiten for a pretty unplugged conversation, and we chat through our key takeaways. We then dive into the 24-6 world of dealmaking in Skilled Nursing Facilities, a totally undercovered corner of CRE with big numbers and some batshit maneuvering. The Genesis bankruptcy case is all anyone in that world can talk about right now. We also do a "Pardon the Interruption" styl...
Pinnacle's Bankruptcy Summit & Life Sci's Midlife Crisis
<p>This week, we’re talking a glitch in the Morse code: MCR has failed to come up with the cash to consummate the take-private of Soho House, setting off a mad scramble. There’s more bad chemistry in the life-sciences space, with the venerable Beacon Capital Partners battling its operating partner and lenders in the space losing patience. And finally, we dive into the most closely-watched CRE bankruptcy auction in the country: The Pinnacle rent-stabilized portfolio in New York. </p><p>Sponsors: </p><p>1) This episode is supported by LoanBoss, the industry-leading debt management software. Featuring one-click covenant testing, inst...
Windy City Tailwinds & Stadium Arcadium
<p>This week, we talk Chicago – America’s Second City is now becoming top of mind for national multifamily players. We break down 2 significant deals: LaTerra’s monster AIMCO portfolio buy and S2’s debut. We then slip into our jerseys and look at the arcane world of stadium development – and all the freebies and surrounding action that comes with it. Finally, we schlep the streets of Brooklyn, where Carlyle & Greenbrook have pulled off a massive Freddie refi of their walk-up empire. </p><p>Sponsor: This episode is supported by LoanBoss, the industry-leading debt management software. Featuring one-click covenant testing, instant ca...
