What does it take to turn a quiet area into one of the most important innovation hubs in the world? In this episode, I am exploring that that question through the story of Ben Lavery, a Tulane alumnus and member of the real estate advisory board. Ben has worked across engineering, construction, and large-scale development for decades. In the discussion, Ben shares his journey from studying civil engineering at Tulane to working at Turner Construction, then moving into real estate development with Boston Properties, and now helping shape major development projects at MIT in Cambridge. In Ben’s voice, real estate is not just about buildings. It is about people, timing, long-term thinking, and strong relationships that hold everything together. This episode also highlights how cities grow, how universities influence development, and how new tools like AI are starting to change the way deals are analyzed. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps Growing Up and Choosing Tulane (00:00:29 – 00:00:58) Ben explained that he grew up in upstate New York and applied to several engineering schools.According to Ben, he visited Tulane and immediately felt it was the right fit because of the city, culture, and energy.In Ben’s voice, choosing Tulane was not just academic, it was also about lifestyle and experience.Ben shared that New Orleans gave him a balance of hard work and enjoyment, which shaped his college experience. Life as a Tulane Engineering Student (00:01:09 – 00:01:49) He studied civil engineering at Tulane and had a small but focused class.The program was intense, but it taught discipline and technical thinking.In the discussion, he reflected on how students balanced academics with social life.Ben mentioned that many of his strongest memories came from both studying and engaging with the city. Career Start After Graduation (00:06:32 – 00:07:18) After graduating in 1993, the job market was difficult, so he entered engineering practice immediately.He worked at Turner Construction, where he spent about 12 years learning how large projects are built.This phase was important because it taught him how construction really works on the ground.Ben shared that exposure to different clients and projects slowly opened his thinking toward development. Transition Into Real Estate Development (00:07:18 – 00:08:07) His shift into development started while working on projects in the Cambridge market.According to Ben, conversations with developers helped him see that he could move beyond construction into ownership and planning.In the discussion, he described joining Boston Properties and later moving fully into development work.Ben highlighted that his MBA studies helped him transition into a more strategic role in real estate. What Real Estate Developers Actually Do (00:08:35 – 00:10:13) Ben stated that real estate development requires a mix of finance, law, design, and communication.According to Ben, no single person has all the skills, so teamwork is essential.In his voice, success depends on being able to talk to people clearly, especially during difficult conversations.He also pointed out that relationships with city officials, contractors, and partners are critical in every project. Kendall Square and MIT Development Project (00:11:22 – 00:13:03) He is currently involved in developing the Kendall Square area near MIT.According to Ben, this project is transforming a former underused area into a global innovation hub.In the discussion, he described how the project includes housing, labs, retail, and tech spaces.Ben emphasized that the goal is long-term value, not quick profit. Why Universities Are Real Estate Developers (00:11:38 – 00:16:08) Ben explained that institutions like MIT act as real estate developers because they invest endowment funds into long-term projects.Less than 15% of MIT’s operating costs come from tuition, so investments are necessary.Universities build spaces that support research, startups, and innovation.Ben also highlighted that universities think in decades, not short-term cycles like private developers. AI in Real Estate Development (00:20:49 – 00:22:28) In the discussion, Ben explained that AI is starting to change how developers analyze deals and legal documents.They recently used AI to process financial statements and lease data, and it produced strong initial insights.He clarified that AI does not replace lawyers or decision-making but speeds up analysis.Ben noted that developers who understand how to use AI will work faster and more efficiently. Advice for Students and Young Professionals (00:22:55 – 00:24:22) Ben advised that technical skills are important, but relationships matter just as much.According to Ben, most real estate deals move forward because of trust built over time.Students should focus on building networks early and maintaining them consistently.He advised young professionals to join industry groups, stay curious, and remain open to learning. Theme Discussed Real estate development as a long-term career is built on relationshipsThe evolution from engineering to large-scale developmentHow universities shape cities through real estate investmentThe role of AI in modern development workflowsCareer growth through experience, not a straight path Key Quote from the Episode “Absolutely. When you go through the process with any young person in your life and you’re trying to guide them through college admissions, it really reflects on how you felt about your own experience.” – Ben Lavery Follow John Renne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-renne/ Follow Tulane on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tulane.real.estate/ Credits: As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound.
