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The CRE Deal RoomAuthor: Adam Dunn
On this podcast, I talk with CRE professionals about their deals and careers. From how they got started in the business, to their most challenging deals, and everything in between. This show is to help brokers become better advisors, for investors to unlock more opportunities, and for anyone who wants to learn more about the commercial real estate industry. Language: en Genres: Business Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The CRE Deal Room™ with Adam Dunn - Episode 22: From a Duplex to a $4B Annual Development Pipeline: Luis Belmonte’s 63-Year CRE Journey
Episode 22
Thursday, 4 September, 2025
The CRE Deal Room returns with a legendary voice in commercial real estate. Host Adam Dunn sits down with Luis Belmonte, founder of Seven Hills Properties and one of the most seasoned industrial developers in the U.S., for an unfiltered conversation spanning over six decades in CRE.From house hacking in San Francisco in the ’60s to overseeing $4B/year in development for Prologis and building across the globe - from Japan to Mexico - Luis shares the mistakes, wins, and wisdom gained through recessions, tax reform, bankruptcies, and booms.Belmonte discusses the evolution of industrial real estate, the dangers of chasing “masterpiece” projects, navigating cross-border development, the future of AI-driven data centers, and why integrity and preparation always outperform flash and ego.Whether you’re a rising CRE professional or a seasoned investor, this masterclass in resilience and real estate strategy will challenge your assumptions and sharpen your perspective.Highlights:How Luis turned a duplex into a real estate empire after VietnamThe 1986 tax law’s impact and how it reshaped CRE foreverWhat he learned managing bankruptcies, including Webvan and 24 Hour FitnessPartnering for global expansion - strategies that worked in Mexico, Japan & SingaporeThe rise of data centers and the power challenges shaping CRE’s futureWhy “recession-proofing” your deals is the most important strategyStreet-smart negotiation and the art of trading dignity for dollarsThe most complex deal of his career: transforming Pier 1 in San FranciscoA call for professionalism, integrity, and inclusivity in real estateExplore Luis's books on Amazon: Street Dog MBA, Street Dog Negotiator, Street Dog Manager, and Real Estate 101“You’ve gotta assume there's going to be a recession - and structure your business to survive and thrive in it.” – Luis BelmonteDon't miss this conversation with a CRE icon who’s seen it all, built it all, and still believes in the deal.Subscribe to The CRE Deal Room and share this episode with your network!
