NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast

Rick Kaplan

Discuss Commercial real estate in New England and New York with guests from all related fields connected to real estate. 

  1. DEC 11

    Tallal Bhutta of BDB Construction Enterprises Interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

    Send us a text Rick Kaplan host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviewsTallal Bhutta of BDB Construction Enterprises.  www.bdbenterprises.com     To raise awareness of the benefits of investing in conversions of hotels to student housing, as well as offer methods for faster project delivery in New York City, including methods similar to design-build approaches. It is also a chance to talk about how to overcome the challenges of Local Law 11 projects With academic degrees in construction management, structural and civil engineering and valuable experience with all aspects of building construction, Tallal Bhutta is founder and CEO of BDB Construction Enterprise LLC, a construction provider based on Staten Island and operating throughout the region. Steeped in his uncle's waterproofing and construction business in the late 1990s, Bhutta launched BDB in 2011 as a masonry and roofing contractor, and the company has progressively grown into a general contracting (GC) enterprise handling complex, multimillion-dollar renovation works. Recent projects by BDB include the transformation of a factory and warehouse building into a mixed-use church in the South Bronx, the 150-unit Brooklyn Watchtower housing development, renovations of a Manhattan building for Baruch College and New York University, the exterior restoration of the Renwick Hotel, as well as a 53-unit commercial conversion creating residences leased by Hunter College as student housing.

    32 min
  2. AUG 14

    Edd Hamzanlui Interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

    Send us a text Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Edd Hamzanlui of MassCan Capital. Edd is the founder and principal of MassCan Capital, a mission-driven real estate development firm focused on middle-income and workforce housing across Massachusetts. Over the past two decades, I’ve worked across real estate finance, architecture, construction, and development—having underwritten and managed over $4.3 billion in affordable and mixed-income housing projects nationally. At MassCan, I’m currently leading several high-impact housing developments in Gateway Cities, including the adaptive reuse of a historic mill into 89 residential units in Fall River, and new affordable homeownership projects in Lawrence. My work blends creative deal structuring with public subsidy programs like Historic Tax Credits, HDIP, and MassHousing's CommonWealth Builder to bring supply online where it’s needed most. I hold an MBA from Chicago Booth and two graduate degrees in construction management and architecture. I’m passionate about building attainable housing and reshaping development patterns to support inclusive growth in our cities. I love to talk about the real challenges and opportunities in creating housing that working families can actually afford—especially in Gateway Cities. We can dive into how public incentives like Historic Tax Credits, HDIP, and the CommonWealth Builder program can unlock complex deals, the importance of zoning reform to enable more supply, and how developers can balance mission and margin. I’d also like to share real stories from projects I’m leading—what’s worked, what’s surprised me, and what local leaders and investors need to know to move the needle on housing.

    39 min
  3. AUG 13

    Matt Combs of Erland Construction Interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

    Send us a text Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Matt Combs of Erland Construction  www.erland.com .  Matt joined Erland in 2011 after graduating from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Engineering. I began my career in our Connecticut office, where I had the opportunity to work on two large mixed-use developments and a residential high-rise project. In 2016, I relocated to our corporate headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts. Today, I serve as the Manager of Erland’s Advanced Technology/Life Sciences Group, where I oversee several active projects and have had the privilege of building long-standing partnerships with clients like EMD Serono. Earlier this year, I married my longtime partner, Lauren, and in my free time, I enjoy taking on home improvement projects—especially anything involving carpentry. I’d like to use this opportunity to discuss the importance of strategic campus planning for corporate clients, with a focus on topics like master planning, long-term growth strategies, and the execution of capital projects. These types of initiatives are complex and often evolve over time, so having the right construction partner involved early in the process can make a significant difference. By engaging Erland during the planning stages, we’re able to offer valuable insights on feasibility, budgeting, phasing, and constructability—ultimately helping clients make more informed decisions that align with both their short-term needs and long-term vision. Our proactive approach not only reduces risk and unexpected costs but also ensures smoother project execution and better outcomes across the board.

    51 min
  4. AUG 7

    Neil Cohen and Cohen P C Interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

    Send us a text Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interview with Neil Cohen of Barsh and Cohen P.C..  www.barsh-cohen.com     Neil Cohen, Managing Partner and President of Barsh and Cohen, P.C. I’ve had the privilege of leading this firm through a period of growth and modernization while staying true to its deep family roots and client-first values. My background as a collegiate athlete taught me discipline, strategy, and teamwork—principles I apply daily in my legal practice and in leading our team. Barsh and Cohen has grown to serve clients across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and nationally for title and equity lending services. We’ve built long-standing relationships with banks, mortgage lenders, developers, and title companies by consistently delivering both legal excellence and personal attention. Some accomplishments include: - Over the past year, I have led several complex and high-stakes real estate matters that underscore my exceptional capabilities and impact. Among them is The Alice, a high-profile mixed-use development at 203 Lowell Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts. I served as lead counsel to the owner during the acquisition, title work, and construction financing. - I also distinguished myself in a significant Land Court matter before the Chief Justice and Chief Title Examiner of the Massachusetts Land Court. The case involved the reformation of a certificate of title and the certification of assignments and foreclosure documents at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds. - In another standout engagement, I acted as title counsel for a publicly traded, multi- state cannabis operator during a $62 million financing transaction. The deal spanned five properties across three states, requiring deep coordination between local title standards and lender requirements.

    31 min

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Discuss Commercial real estate in New England and New York with guests from all related fields connected to real estate.