Best Minds: Robert Seldin, CEO of Highland Square Holdings

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How can Live/Work grow and adapt to the real estate market in any climate?

In this episode of Conversations with the Best Minds in Real Estate, RCLCO CEO Adam Ducker sits down with the CEO of Highland Square Holdings (2HSQ), Robert Seldin, who has pioneered the live/work building conversion, construction method and apartment operating system.

In addition to discussing Rob’s career journey into real estate, they also deep dive into the live/work loft concepts – loft style apartments in which each unit has three permitted occupancies: apartment, office, or non-separated live/work space. Unlike traditional real estate, where the owner dictates to the user how they utilize the space, the market determines the best asset to be used.

“300% potential utility in a 100% physical plant.”

– Rob Seldin on the Live/Work Loft concept

Seldin talks in depth about initial challenges from cost of commercial buildings, to zoning issues and to the creation of the first completed project, e-lofts Alexandria, in Alexandria, Virginia in 2016. Since then, the platform has expanded with Mission Lofts, the largest live/work re-development in current U.S. history and a strategic venture partnership with Madison Marquette earlier this year.

“…real estate should be about elevating [and] expanding human potential and opportunity.”

– Rob Seldin

About Robert Seldin, Highland Square Holdings (2HSQ)

Rob Seldin is the CEO of Highland Square Holdings (2HSQ) and is responsible for leading all company development activity. Following 25 years of award winning apartment development, design, strategy and innovation leadership, Rob is widely recognized as an industry thought leader. With a 100% entitlement success rate on over 10,000 units in high barrier to entry US markets, Rob consistently generates market leading returns at below market cost bases, providing a permanent competitive advantage to his investors. In addition to conventional apartment assets, Rob is also the US Patent Inventor for the proprietary 2HSQ live/work building conversion and construction method and apartment operating system that has become the basis for this industry re-defining asset type. Prior to founding 2HSQ, Rob was the Founder and CEO of Novus Residences, LLC; an award winning, DC based, apartment and Live/Work development and operating company and Head of National Product Design and Senior Vice President of Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Development for Archstone, a premier apartment industry REIT.

About Adam Ducker, RCLCO

Adam Ducker is Chief Executive Officer of RCLCO and oversees the firm’s Real Estate Economics and Management Consulting Practices. Adam joined RCLCO in the mid-1990s as an associate directly after graduate school and learned the trade with the firm. He is a recognized expert in strategic planning for real estate companies, investment analysis, market and financial analysis, and marketing of real estate assets. He has particular depth of expertise in high-density housing, retail/entertainment, and hotel development.

Adam is a member of the Executive Committee of RCLCO, which manages shared resources and oversees overall company strategy. He also sits on the board of the RCLCO Foundation.

Adam is a frequent speaker on topics ranging from place-making, urban redevelopment, retail trends, and in-town housing. His writing has been widely published and quoted in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Urban Land, Real Assets, among others. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), vice chair of the Redevelopment and Reuse Council, and a board member of the Terwilliger Center for Housing. A native of the New York metropolitan area, Adam received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Columbia University.

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