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Rebuilding LA After the Fires

Rebuilding LA After the Fires

De : Jan Brzeski
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In the wake of devastating fires across Los Angeles, from Pacific Palisades to Altadena, thousands of property owners face a vital question: How do we rebuild? Complex timelines, soaring costs, and logistical hurdles leave homeowners and real estate developers grappling with uncertainty.


Rebuilding LA After the Fires is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complex recovery process through in-depth interviews with real estate professionals, policy experts, experienced developers, and insurance specialists. Join California native and real estate private credit expert Jan Brzeski as he discusses challenges homeowners and developers face, the complexities of local government approvals, and what it truly takes to rebuild the areas affected by the fires.


Jan will examine the potential financial implications, from rising material and labor costs to infrastructure repair, and delve into the crucial role of insurance firms. Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, developer, or simply someone invested in the future of LA, Rebuilding LA After the Fires offers in-depth insights into how the city is recovering and what steps need to be taken to ensure that the future of these communities is stronger and more sustainable than before.

Copyright 2025 Economie Finances privées
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  • Dylan Hart & Conor O’Donovan: Rebuilding the Palisades one home at a time

    Dylan Hart & Conor O’Donovan: Rebuilding the Palisades one home at a time
    Apr 22 2026
    Is it better to sell your burned lot or rebuild and stay? Hear real numbers, real strategies, and a creative “land contribution” model that lets homeowners keep upside without writing massive checks up front.In this episode, Jan, Dylan, and Conor discuss:The founding of Village Rebuild and its mission to help restore the Pacific Palisades communityTheir real estate backgrounds and how the fires motivated them to shift into rebuilding homesThe three different rebuilding models they offer: GC services, spec development, and land contribution partnershipsHow the land contribution model helps homeowners rebuild even when insurance proceeds are delayedKey Takeaways: Village Rebuild was created by two real estate professionals who wanted to help restore the Palisades responsibly. Their goal is to rebuild homes while preserving the character and architectural diversity of the community.The company offers multiple development pathways to meet homeowners where they are financially and emotionally. This flexibility allows families to rebuild even when insurance payouts or construction capital are uncertain.The land contribution model allows homeowners to retain equity in their property without funding the entire rebuild themselves. By contributing the land to the project, they become partners in the development and share in the eventual outcome.Rebuilding costs vary widely depending on lot complexity and design requirements. Custom homes can range from roughly $600 to $800 per square foot, depending on finishes, terrain, and architectural goals.“If you're going to do it, our advice is to get started.” – Dylan Hart“I think what a lot of people don't talk about is how encouraging it has been. I think a lot of the subcontractors are willing to really lend advice.” – Conor O’DonovanAbout the Guests:Dylan Hart is a co-founder of Village Rebuild, bringing real estate private equity and development experience along with deep roots in the Pacific Palisades community, where he was born and raised. He previously worked at Caruso Affiliated on the redevelopment of Palisades Village and the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel, helped launch a $225 million cannabis-focused real estate platform at Subversive REIT LP, and later served as Vice President of Acquisitions at Avenue Capital Group. Dylan holds a bachelor’s degree in real estate from NYU and an MBA from Columbia Business School, and serves as a Pacific Palisades neighborhood Block Captain.Conor O’Donovan is a co-founder of Village Rebuild, where he leads investment structuring and development integration to deliver high-quality homes that preserve the Palisades community. Previously, he worked on the real assets team at ICONIQ Capital and earlier at Goldman Sachs and Eastdil Secured, focusing on real estate acquisitions, development, and capital markets. Over his career, he has executed more than $8 billion in transactions across multifamily, industrial, and office properties, and holds a finance degree from Loyola Marymount University.Connect with Dylan Hart:Website: https://www.villagerebuild.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-hart-34a682b4/ Connect with Conor O’Donovan:Website: https://www.villagerebuild.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conortodonovan/ Connect with Jan Brzeski:Website: https://scipfinance.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefiresEmail: pr@scipfinance.com Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine PobleteAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    29 min
  • Geoffrey von Oeyen: Designing a fire-resilient future for Los Angeles

    Geoffrey von Oeyen: Designing a fire-resilient future for Los Angeles
    Mar 19 2026

    Geoffrey von Oeyen is an award-winning architect and Associate Professor of Practice at the USC School of Architecture. A graduate of Stanford University, the University of Cambridge (Fulbright Scholar), and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, he previously worked for seven years with Frank Gehry in Los Angeles before founding Geoffrey von Oeyen Design and Von Oeyen Architects. His work focuses on innovative, resilient architecture, and in recent years, he has become a leading voice in wildfire-resistant design following the total loss of a family home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire.


    In this episode, Jan and Geoffrey discuss:

    • Geoffrey’s personal experience losing a newly completed Malibu home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire
    • Why wildfire is no longer a fringe issue but an urban and global reality
    • The role of IBHS and the Wildfire Prepared Home certification in rebuilding safer homes
    • Practical strategies for hardening existing homes, from landscaping to vent protection


    Key Takeaways:

    • Wildfire is no longer a rare event affecting isolated communities. It is an urban challenge that demands new thinking about how we design neighborhoods, homes, and public policy.
    • Homeowners already have access to actionable tools like the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home checklist. From defensible space to ember-resistant vents, small changes can dramatically improve survivability.
    • Resilient rebuilding is not just about individual homes. Fire-resistant construction protects entire neighborhoods by preventing structure-to-structure ignition.
    • New building technologies, such as insulated concrete panel systems, offer promising alternatives to traditional stick-frame construction. These systems can improve fire resistance, seismic performance, and long-term durability.


    “The most important takeaway is that this is the future. This is the world we live in.” – Geoffrey von Oeyen


    Connect with Geoffrey von Oeyen:

    Website: https://www.vonoeyen.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-von-oeyen-584a889/



    Connect with Jan Brzeski:

    Website: https://scipfinance.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires

    Email: pr@scipfinance.com



    Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    21 min
  • Amy Bach: What every fire survivor needs to know about insurance claims

    Amy Bach: What every fire survivor needs to know about insurance claims
    Feb 19 2026

    Amy Bach is a nationally recognized insurance consumer advocate and attorney who has been championing policyholders’ rights since 1985. She co-founded United Policyholders in 1991 and serves as its Executive Director and primary spokesperson, leading programs such as Roadmap to Recovery™, Roadmap to Preparedness, and Advocacy and Action to help individuals navigate insurance and disaster recovery. Amy is an expert on insurance claims, coverage, law, and public policy, currently serving her second term on the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance and as an official Consumer Representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. She also sits on the Fire Victim Trust Oversight Committee and the Redwood Credit Union Services Group Associate Board, and is widely featured in national media. An accomplished author, her works include The Disaster Recovery Handbook and WISE UP: The Savvy Consumer’s Guide to Buying Insurance, and her honors include NAPIA Person of the Year and Money Magazine’s “Money Hero.”


    In this episode, Jan and Amy discuss:

    • The founding of United Policyholders and its role as a consumer advocacy nonprofit
    • Valuation disputes between homeowners and insurers over rebuild costs
    • The emotional and practical imbalance between individuals and insurance companies
    • Building fire-resilient homes to improve future insurability


    Key Takeaways:

    • A large majority of fire survivors discover they do not have enough dwelling coverage to rebuild their homes. In the LA fires, underinsurance rates appear significantly higher than in previous wildfire disasters.
    • Disputes over reconstruction cost estimates are increasing as material prices, labor shortages, and economic conditions drive rebuilding costs upward. These disagreements complicate the claims process and can affect how quickly homeowners move toward resolution.
    • Smoke contamination claims are occurring at unprecedented levels due to the materials that burned and heightened health awareness. Homeowners are pushing back more forcefully when insurers declare homes safe prematurely.
    • Insurance markets in California are under strain, creating tension between consumer protections and insurer participation. Policymakers are exploring reforms while advocates warn about access and affordability risks.


    “We empower the insured with information so that people can make good decisions, be their own best advocates, and get what they paid for.” – Amy Bach


    Connect with Amy Bach:

    Website: https://uphelp.org/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bach-8a76842/

    Help library for LA wildfire-impacted households: https://uphelp.org/disaster-recovery-help/2025cawildfires/



    Connect with Jan Brzeski:

    Website: https://scipfinance.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires

    Email: pr@scipfinance.com



    Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    23 min
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