Real Finds Podcast: Commercial Real Estate Unfiltered

Gordon Lamphere
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Real estate is more than just what we can see, touch, taste, and smell. Real estate drives culture. The Real Finds Podcast connects global trends to real estate decisions across Chicago and the Midwest. Hosted by Gordon Lamphere, a fourth-generation commercial real estate broker at Van Vlissingen & Co., each weekly episode explores how macroeconomic shifts in supply chains, interest rates, automation, public policy, and culture drive commercial real estate outcomes. Moreover, Gordon and his guests take high-level insights and apply them to better understand high-transaction markets, including: Chicago (downtown office, adaptive reuse), Elk Grove and O’Hare (industrial/logistics), Kenosha (SE Wisconsin distribution), Oak Brook and Schaumburg (suburban office), Naperville and the I-88 Corridor (flex and R&D), Bolingbrook and the I-55 Corridor (warehouse/fulfillment), and the collar counties: Lake, DuPage, Will, Kane, and McHenry. Guests include developers, investors, operators, and public-sector leaders shaping the built environment across the Greater Chicagoland Area and the Globe. 🎧 New episodes every Wednesday at 3 PM CT. Learn More About The Real Finds Podcast Learn About Our Commercial Real Estate Services, Commercial Real Estate Agents, & Team Of Property Managers.

  1. Shift From Location To Power In Commercial Real Estate With Britt Burt

    6D AGO

    Shift From Location To Power In Commercial Real Estate With Britt Burt

    How much of the data center boom is really about real estate — and how much of it is about power? In this episode of The Real Finds Podcast, Gordon Lamphere sits down with Britt Burt of Industrial Info Resources to unpack one of the most important forces shaping commercial real estate, industrial development, and infrastructure investment today: the growing electricity demand. Britt brings nearly four decades of experience covering the power industry, including generation, transmission, distribution, and the infrastructure behind large-scale industrial development. The conversation focuses on what is really driving data center growth, how site selection works in practice, and why the future value of many properties may be tied less to traditional location dynamics and more to access to power, interconnection, and infrastructure. Gordon and Britt also discuss why so many announced projects never get built, the biggest mistakes site selectors and investors make when underwriting data center opportunities, and why “speed to power” may be one of the most important concepts in real estate going forward. They also get into common public misconceptions around data centers, including concerns around water use, grid strain, and local opposition, while explaining how developers are adapting through behind-the-meter power, infrastructure investment, and long-term energy strategies. This is a valuable conversation for investors, developers, occupiers, industrial users, and anyone trying to understand the second- and third-order effects of AI infrastructure on real estate. Topics discussed include: - What is driving the rapid increase in power demand - Why data centers are the biggest force behind new electricity demand - Where data centers are being built across the United States - Why Texas, Arizona, Virginia, and the Gulf Coast continue to attract development - The biggest misconceptions people have about data centers - How behind-the-meter power is changing the economics of development - Why stranded power and interconnection agreements matter so much - The most common mistakes made in data center site selection - Why speed to power can matter more than permitting timelines - The supply chain, turbine, labor, and pipeline constraints slowing development - How to tell whether a proposed project is likely to actually get built - Why older data centers may need major modernization for AI workloads - How access to power may increasingly determine real estate value About The Real Finds Podcast Hosted by Gordon Lamphere, The Real Finds Podcast features conversations with operators, investors, developers, policy thinkers, and business leaders shaping commercial real estate and the built world. The show focuses on practical insights, market trends, and the ideas changing how people invest, build, and use space. Guest Info Britt Burt Industrial Info Resources Email: bburt@industrialinfo.com Subscribe to The Real Finds Podcast For more conversations on commercial real estate, investing, infrastructure, and the future of the built environment, subscribe on your favorite platform and follow along for upcoming episodes. I can also make this a little more aggressive and click-driven for YouTube while keeping the same Real Finds structure.

    30 min
  2. AI, Commercial Real Estate, and the Future of Work with Elatia Abate

    MAR 18

    AI, Commercial Real Estate, and the Future of Work with Elatia Abate

    The future of work isn’t coming...it’s already here, and it’s moving faster than most businesses are prepared for. In this episode of The Real Finds Podcast, Gordon Lamphere sits down with futurist Elatia Abate to break down how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce, eliminating traditional career ladders, and forcing companies to rethink everything from hiring to strategy. From disappearing entry-level roles to the rise of “stackable” teams powered by AI, this conversation goes deep into what’s actually changing—and what it means for business owners, operators, and real estate investors. If you’re making decisions about office space, hiring, or long-term strategy, this episode will challenge how you think about the next 5–10 years. Topics Covered: - Why thinking “incrementally” is the biggest risk in an exponential world - How AI is compressing middle management and entry-level roles - The concept of the “stackable factory” and what it means for office space - Why some companies are cutting teams while others are scaling faster than ever - The disappearance of traditional career pipelines and what replaces them - Offshoring vs AI: why entire labor models are being rewritten - The rise of “regenerative resilience” as a critical business skill - How to plan for 2030–2035 when assumptions are breaking down - Multi-generational workforces and the growing AI skill gap - Where real estate fits into the future of work transformation About Elatia Abate Elatia Abate is a futurist and strategist focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, and the future of work. She previously led global recruiting for major organizations including Anheuser-Busch InBev and Dow Jones, and now advises companies on navigating exponential change. About The Real Finds Podcast Hosted by Gordon Lamphere, The Real Finds Podcast explores the people, ideas, and forces shaping commercial real estate and the built world. From industrial and office to supply chain, AI, and development strategy, the show features conversations with operators, investors, and experts driving change across industries. With a growing audience of 50,000+ real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors, the podcast is designed to simplify complex ideas and uncover actionable insights. Connect with Elatia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elatiaabate/ Website: https://www.elatiaabate.com Connect with Gordon Lamphere Website: https://www.vvco.com Phone: 847-634-2300 Subscribe for More: If you’re interested in commercial real estate, AI, and where the world of work is heading, make sure to subscribe for weekly conversations with industry leaders.

    38 min
  3. Insurance, Development Risk & The Hidden Economics Of Real Estate With Lisa Holt

    MAR 11

    Insurance, Development Risk & The Hidden Economics Of Real Estate With Lisa Holt

    Insurance is one of the largest and least understood costs in commercial real estate. In this episode of The Real Finds Podcast, Gordon Lamphere sits down with Lisa Holt, founder of Ivy Risk, to unpack how insurance markets actually work and why developers, investors, and property owners are seeing dramatic shifts in costs. Lisa explains how insurance brokers evaluate real estate risk, why development projects are uniquely difficult to insure, and how global forces from climate risk to capital markets are reshaping the insurance landscape. The conversation dives into the dramatic swings in insurance pricing over the past five years, why some asset classes like multifamily have faced the biggest challenges, and how sophisticated owners are using data and risk management strategies to regain control of their insurance programs. They also explore emerging strategies like captive insurance structures, which allow large real estate owners to effectively become their own insurance company and turn risk management into a potential profit center. Finally, Gordon and Lisa discuss how AI and analytics will transform underwriting and risk modeling in the next decade and what developers, investors, and operators should be doing today to stay ahead. If you own, develop, or manage commercial real estate, this episode offers an inside look at one of the most important forces shaping property economics today. Topics covered include: Why insurance costs skyrocketed after 2019 How insurance markets actually price riskWhy multifamily development has been hit hardestThe role of climate risk in property insurance How insurance-linked securities are changing the marketThe rise of captive insurance programs for real estate ownersHow data and AI are transforming underwritingGeographic risk differences across U.S. real estate marketsWhy better property management can reduce insurance costsThe future of insurance and real estate risk managementConnect With Lisa Holt Website: https://ivyrisk.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/ivyriskofficial Email: lisa@ivyrisk.com About The Real Finds Podcast Hosted by Gordon Lamphere, The Real Finds Podcast features conversations with developers, investors, policymakers, and operators shaping the future of commercial real estate, cities, and the built environment. Through candid conversations with industry leaders, the show explores how deals get done, how markets evolve, and how real estate professionals navigate an increasingly complex world. The podcast and newsletter reach 50,000+ real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors across the commercial real estate ecosystem.

    45 min
  4. Caregiving, Building For A Longevity Society & The Future Of Work With Marisa Toldo

    MAR 4

    Caregiving, Building For A Longevity Society & The Future Of Work With Marisa Toldo

    Caregiving is no longer a “personal issue” happening outside the workplace. It’s a workforce issue, a design issue, and a real estate issue. Our blog: https://www.vvco.com/caregiving-building-for-a-longevity-society-and-the-future-of-work-with-marisa-toldo-rfp-89/ In this episode of The Real Finds Podcast, Gordon Lamphere sits down with Marisa Toldo—an architect and researcher focused on the built environment—to unpack the collision of three massive forces reshaping real estate and the workplace: The rise of the longevity society (aging populations + multi-generational workforces) The caregiving reality inside modern employment (childcare, eldercare, and everything in between) The future of work as AI, flexibility, and office vacancy push owners and occupiers to rethink what space is forMarisa makes a provocative argument: office vacancy isn’t only a demand problem—it’s also a design failure. For decades, workplaces were built for the “perfect employee” (carefree, always available, always healthy). That person doesn’t exist—and the mismatch is starting to show up everywhere: retention, productivity, absenteeism, engagement, and how space is actually used. We also get into practical and uncomfortable questions: What happens when companies that provide childcare start needing to address eldercare? What does “flexibility” actually solve—and what does it not solve? And how should real estate owners think about reuse, repurposing, and mixed-use strategies in a world with persistent office vacancy? Key Topics We Cover: - Why caregiving is a systemic workforce issue (not an individual problem) - The “carefree employee” myth and how it shaped office design - Intergenerational models: childcare + eldercare + work, co-located - Why many employees feel they have to hide caregiving responsibilities - Multi-generational workforces and the physical space challenge - Biophilic design: what it is (and what it isn’t) - Measuring space usage: asking employees vs sensors vs observational studies - Office vacancy, reuse, and the case for mixed-use repurposing - AI disruption and why “human-centered space” still matters - What real estate should be talking about more: repurpose + circular thinking The future: robots, drones, and designing space that’s “automation-ready” About Marisa Toldo - Marisa Toldo is an architect and built-environment thinker whose work sits at the intersection of workplace design, caregiving realities, and longevity society planning. Her perspective is shaped by years working across regions including Latin America and Europe—and by her personal experience navigating Alzheimer’s caregiving within her own family. Learn More: https://www.marisatoldo.com/ Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisatoldo/ About The Real Finds Podcast - Find Us At: https://www.vvco.com The Real Finds Podcast is hosted by Gordon Lamphere, a commercial real estate agent focused on how the built world is changing from workforce shifts and automation to development strategy and real-world deal dynamics. Subscribe + Follow: If you’re a real estate investor, developer, occupier, or operator—and you care about where the market is going (not where it’s been)—subscribe for weekly conversations with people shaping the built world. New episodes every week!

    45 min
  5. From Mötley Crüe to Multi-Million Dollar Commercial Real Estate Deals With Mike Herl SIOR

    FEB 25

    From Mötley Crüe to Multi-Million Dollar Commercial Real Estate Deals With Mike Herl SIOR

    In this episode of The Real Finds Podcast, Gordon Lamphere sits down with Mike Herl, SIOR (Partner/Broker at Madison Commercial Real Estate)—who spent 17 years on the road and logged 3,500+ shows touring with major acts like Mötley Crüe, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, and even crossing paths with Smashing Pumpkins (plus the broader Midwest orbit of legends like Steve Albini). Then he took that same high-stakes, contract-heavy, personality-driven touring world and translated it directly into large commercial real estate deals and building one of Madison’s most recognized boutique platforms. Mike breaks down why Madison is a deceptively complex market, how student housing became a magnet for institutional capital, why office vs. retail has flipped over the last two decades, and what’s really happening in industrial—from the shift to tilt-up product to zoning constraints that push growth across municipal lines. If you want a sharp, operator-level view of how real markets evolve and how professionals build durable businesses inside them, this one delivers. If you care about Midwest market dynamics, capital stacks, entitlement friction, and how real operators actually win, this one’s for you. Guest: Mike Herl, SIOR — Partner | Broker, Madison Commercial Real Estate Host: Gordon Lamphere — Commercial real estate agent (industrial, office, land) | Van Vlissingen & Co. What we cover: From touring with Cheap Trick / REO Speedwagon / Motley Crüe to negotiating CRE dealsHow Mike built his practice: first principles, first job, then launching a boutique firmWhy Madison went from “brain drain” to a magnet for talent (and demand)Student housing: why institutional money can win at 4–5% returns (and what that does to land pricing)Office vs retail: why it was “easier” then and why it’s reversed todayIndustrial in Dane County: product obsolescence, tilt-up economics, and zoning constraintsData centers, municipal politics, and the “growth moves across the line” realityConnect with Mike: Email: mike.herl@madisoncommercialre.com If you want to talk about industrial space, office space, or where capital is actually flowing in the Midwest, reach out anytime at www.vvco.com

    1 hr
  6. State of the Commercial Real Estate Market – 2026 Q1

    JAN 7

    State of the Commercial Real Estate Market – 2026 Q1

    This episode marks a rare, in-depth market briefing directly from Gordon Lamphere, drawing on real transactions, real underwriting, and real negotiations happening across Chicagoland as we enter Q1 2026. Learn More: https://www.vvco.com/state-of-the-commercial-real-estate-market-2026-q1-rfp-87/ After a year of conversations with developers, corporate occupiers, lenders, municipal leaders, and operators across every major asset class, listeners asked for something different. Not predictions. Not headlines. But a grounded, operator-level view of what is actually working, what is quietly breaking, and where capital is moving next. This episode delivers that clarity. Based on more than 100 completed transactions and active mandates across office, industrial, multifamily, industrial outdoor storage, land, and redevelopment, Gordon walks through how the Chicagoland commercial real estate market is no longer reacting to disruption, but reallocating with intent. You will hear a detailed breakdown of: Why office has stopped falling and started sorting, and what that means for Class A, B, and conversion-ready assets How industrial is normalizing unevenly, with power, labor, and infill now driving pricing more than square footageWhy multifamily is absorbing supply quietly and setting up for its next tightening cycleHow industrial outdoor storage has emerged as one of the most supply-constrained land uses in the regionWhere redevelopment math finally pencils again, and where it still does notMarkets We Cover: Chicago, Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Schaumburg, Vernon Hills, Highland Park, Waukegan, Naperville, Arlington Heights, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich This is not a surface-level market recap. It is a framework for understanding where risk is becoming priceable again, where optionality matters most, and how sophisticated occupiers and investors are positioning for the next decade. Subscribe to The Real Finds Podcast for ongoing insights grounded in real deals, real data, and real market dynamics. Available on YouTube, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

    43 min
  7. Investing In Data Center Development With Anita Verma-Lallian

    12/17/2025

    Investing In Data Center Development With Anita Verma-Lallian

    In this episode of The Real Finds Podcast, host Gordon Lamphere sits down with Anita Verma-Lallian, a seasoned real estate developer at the intersection of data centers, energy infrastructure, AI, and film studio development. With a family background spanning more than four decades of land development, Anita shares how her platform has evolved from residential and industrial projects into some of the most capital-intensive and strategically complex assets in real estate today. The conversation explores what actually makes a viable data center deal in 2025 and beyond, from access to power and transmission infrastructure to land scale, zoning feasibility, and community dynamics. Anita breaks down why Arizona has emerged as a critical data center market, how developers are navigating long power lead times, and why off-grid and bridge power solutions like natural gas, solar, and nuclear adjacency are reshaping site selection. Gordon and Anita also dig into capital formation and exit strategies in a low-liquidity market. Anita explains how tech investors and real estate developers are increasingly partnering to merge technical expertise with development execution, why data centers continue to attract capital despite broader market uncertainty, and how different projects call for different exit paths, from land sales to long-term development and leasing. Beyond data centers, the episode explores Anita’s work in film studio development, the role of tax incentives in Arizona, and the surprising overlap between media production, AI, and data infrastructure. The discussion highlights how proximity to data centers can reduce latency, improve production efficiency, and support next-generation content creation. The episode closes with Anita’s perspective on how AI will reshape real estate over the next decade, advice for young professionals entering cyclical markets, and a candid look at why margin, not hype, ultimately determines which asset classes get built. This is a must-listen conversation for developers, investors, occupiers, and anyone tracking the future of data centers, energy-driven real estate, and AI-enabled infrastructure. For more on how data centers are shaping the Illinois and Wisconsin market, reach out to our team of commercial real estate agents here!

    31 min
  8. Is Mass Timber Is the Future of Commercial Buildings with Justin Den Herder

    12/10/2025

    Is Mass Timber Is the Future of Commercial Buildings with Justin Den Herder

    On this episode of The Real Finds Podcast, Gordon Lamphere sits down with Justin Den Herder, structural engineer, professor at The Cooper Union, and principal at global engineering firm TY Lin, to unpack what mass timber really means for commercial real estate. They dig into how mass timber moves from romantic concept to bankable project, why embodied carbon is finally showing up in real underwriting conversations, and how timber can make adaptive reuse deals pencil out in a tighter capital markets environment. In this episode, Gordon and Justin discuss • How Justin’s early work on heavy timber and masonry conversions led him into the world of mass timber • Why timber’s strength-to-weight ratio and panelized fabrication make taller, column-free commercial buildings possible • The embodied carbon math behind steel, concrete, and timber, and why forests matter to your next pro forma • Real-world case studies like Hines’ T3, Brock Commons, Ascent in Milwaukee, and Amherst College’s mass timber overbuild • Fire, moisture, and code issues that still spook lenders and insurers, and what the data actually shows • How biophilic, exposed timber structures can boost tenant experience, retention, and long term asset value • What developers and investors most often get wrong about cost premiums and risk About Justin Den Herder: Justin is a structural engineer, professor at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, and a principal at TY Lin. His work spans adaptive reuse, campus and civic projects, and cutting-edge mass timber structures that link healthy forests to lower carbon buildings. If you are a developer, investor, architect, or commercial real estate agent looking for an alternative to traditional construction, this conversation will change how you think about structure, sustainability, and value creation. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a five-star rating and review, and share The Real Finds Podcast with a colleague. You can find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

    51 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Real estate is more than just what we can see, touch, taste, and smell. Real estate drives culture. The Real Finds Podcast connects global trends to real estate decisions across Chicago and the Midwest. Hosted by Gordon Lamphere, a fourth-generation commercial real estate broker at Van Vlissingen & Co., each weekly episode explores how macroeconomic shifts in supply chains, interest rates, automation, public policy, and culture drive commercial real estate outcomes. Moreover, Gordon and his guests take high-level insights and apply them to better understand high-transaction markets, including: Chicago (downtown office, adaptive reuse), Elk Grove and O’Hare (industrial/logistics), Kenosha (SE Wisconsin distribution), Oak Brook and Schaumburg (suburban office), Naperville and the I-88 Corridor (flex and R&D), Bolingbrook and the I-55 Corridor (warehouse/fulfillment), and the collar counties: Lake, DuPage, Will, Kane, and McHenry. Guests include developers, investors, operators, and public-sector leaders shaping the built environment across the Greater Chicagoland Area and the Globe. 🎧 New episodes every Wednesday at 3 PM CT. Learn More About The Real Finds Podcast Learn About Our Commercial Real Estate Services, Commercial Real Estate Agents, & Team Of Property Managers.

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