In this special New York edition of Real Smart, Spencer Kallick sits down with Jared Freede, executive vice president at CBRE, to discuss the resurgence of Manhattan's office market and what's really driving return-to-office momentum. Jared shares insights on building long-term client relationships, leading at a high level, and why Class-A office space is tightening fast. It's a candid conversation about grit, growth, and why New York office real estate may be entering its next major chapter.

In this episode of Real Smart, host Spencer Kallick sits down with Bill Tagliaferri, president of BIG Outdoor, to explore how out-of-home signage has evolved from simple billboards into immersive urban experiences. Bill shares his unconventional path into the industry, BIG Outdoor's growth across iconic markets like Times Square, Sunset Boulevard, and Santa Monica, and the complex real estate, zoning, and community dynamics behind major signage projects. The conversation highlights how thoughtful design, emerging technology, and public-private partnerships can turn signage into a catalyst for economic development and community benefit — not just advertising.

On this episode of Real Smart, we speak with Jennifer Hanlon, vice president of real estate and development at VEG ER for Pets, one of the fastest-growing emergency veterinary care companies in the country. Jennifer discusses how VEG's open-concept model is reshaping emergency care and the real estate strategy behind its rapid national expansion.

David Mirharooni, principal of Brickstar Capital, shares his journey from growing up in an immigrant family to becoming a Beverly Hills-based real estate investor, specializing in commercial retail and hospitality properties. David emphasizes the importance of networking and community involvement, and he talks about his creative use of adaptive leasing strategies. He also shares his take on current market trends, challenges, and the value of personal connections in the real estate industry.

This episode features architect Shawn Gehle, co-founder of the Los Angeles architecture and design studio OFFICEUNTITLED, as he discusses his background, the firm's philosophy, and the evolution of its work. He reflects on his firm's emphasis on hands-on creativity, material exploration, and close client collaboration, as well as its rapid growth from small residential projects to large mixed-use developments. Don't miss this conversation about adaptability, innovation, and approaching design with genuine community impact in mind.

Loren Witkin, CEO of Citadel EHS, explains how his company adds value and drives strategy by identifying environmental, health, and sustainability risks early in the real estate development process. He goes on to explain why it's so difficult to build in California, how to work successfully with state and local governments, and the importance of everyone trying to solve project challenges together. An acknowledged leader in his industry, Loren explains how he makes people "feel seen," and why that is the key to building productive and happy teams.

Zachary Streit, Founder and President of Priority Capital Advisory, discusses how he's getting deals done in one of the toughest real estate markets in years. He shares how he built one of the fastest-growing boutique capital advisory firms in the country, closing over $600 million in transactions in under two years, and how his team delivers creative, highly structured financing solutions when traditional capital sources dry up.

Tune in to this episode of Real Smart for a discussion on the resurgence of regional banks, new opportunities in retail development, and Zach's take on leadership, hustle, and staying creative in commercial real estate.

Whether you're a developer, investor, or just trying to move deals forward in this market, this episode offers sharp, actionable insights from someone who's built a business on creativity, relationships, and real execution.

Spencer Kallick sits down with Ari Shaeps, Construction Law partner at Allen Matkins, for a deep dive into what's really driving construction costs, how "what's market" is determined, and why a well-negotiated contract is the key to real estate success. Ari shares how he negotiated billion-dollar stadium deals in under 60 days, brings unmatched institutional knowledge from coast to coast, and unpacks the realities of tariffs, labor shortages, and buyout savings. This is a must-listen for developers, investors, and anyone navigating construction in today's volatile market.