Innovative Housing Showcase Roundup with JT King

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome back a very special guest, J.T. King, the founder of Royal Developments. J.T. joins us to discuss the recently completed Innovative Housing Showcase in Fort Wayne, a groundbreaking project that highlights four cutting-edge building typologies. 

Throughout the conversation, J.T. shares his experience of simultaneously managing the development of four unique projects, and he offers insight into the collaborative efforts that made the showcase a reality. He also talks about the incredible support from the city of Fort Wayne and how building the right team played a central role in the project’s success.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: 

• Recap of the Innovative Housing Showcase 
• Why good relationships with your municipality matter 
• Implementing economy of scale with new building typologies 
• The next project for the Royal Developments team

Link to full show notes 

Learn more about J.T. and the work he and Royal Developments are doing at the links below:
Website
Instagram 

Ready to move forward with your project, or have questions about building with shipping containers? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:02

Welcome to the Innovative Real Estate Podcast with your hosts Leslie Horn, Brett Crandall, and Claire Olilla. We're here to make your life easier as a real estate developer and teach you everything we've learned about designing and building innovative homes, multifamily, and mixed-use structures. On this podcast, we'll be giving you our best advice, trainings, and QA segments so you can learn from our years of experience and make your innovative vision a reality.

SPEAKER_02 0:29

Hello, hello, hello, and welcome back to Innovative Real Estate with Three Squared Inc. We are your host, Three Squared Inc., Breck Leslie and Jill. And today we welcome back a guest, turned friend, turned client, turned returning guest and client and friend. JT has become uh kind of like an extension of the family, I'm gonna be honest. Uh, it's been our absolute and total pleasure to work with him through his development strategy, primarily focused in the Midwest, um, starting with Fort Wayne, Indiana, uh, which is just an incredible journey, an incredible story. Uh, we'll link the show notes back to a previous episode that we did with JT at the onset of this endeavor. Uh, but today uh we are here in our second installment of uh this Fort Wayne project um that is now completed. So we are revisiting the conversation to get um some lessons learned and what the outcomes were and a whole lot of excitement that has been generated in moving forward. So uh again, it is my pleasure to welcome back JT King of Royal Developments. JT, please introduce yourself, say hello.

SPEAKER_01 1:41

Oh, Brick, uh well, that was a very kind introduction. Uh so uh yeah, thank you so much. And uh uh yeah, I'm very excited to be back on and uh excited to share more about the showcase now that we're at the end of it. Um as we know, uh it's easy to have a great vision, but to accomplish that vision sometimes very hard. So uh very excited that we were able to partner with Three Squared because truthfully speaking, this showcase um would not have been possible without your guys' strategic involvement, uh, also, you know, uh taking things to just just the next level. Uh and when you're pushing on these things, it's very hard to do that. Uh so the team that you have uh is everything. So it's so nice that I can say with all honesty that you guys have been the ones that have followed through on everything you've told me you were gonna do. You did. And then you didn't just do it, you came down and supported us in Fort Wayne, uh, you know, and and really see what we're trying to do as well. And so we're so thankful for Three Squared and uh the growth that we've both seen over the last year. But I couldn't have grown truthfully without you guys. So thank you so much.

SPEAKER_04 2:46

Wow. Uh you're welcome. And JT, you've been just an absolute treat to work with your transparency and honesty, and honesty and and and your perseverance. And what I love about it is it's kind of like everyone knows I'm not an architect. Sometimes I'll sit in a room and I'll come up with like this idea, not knowing anything about the field itself. And then lo and behold, because I'm not in it so far, I come up with a pretty decent idea, right? I feel like you knew nothing, but you did know a lot. You knew the process, you know people, you know what your end goal was. And so you came into the development arena, and oh my lordy, you had a thought, an idea, and you did it, and it was so non-traditional the way you did it and the way you went about it, and now it's a model that I think everybody can learn from and everybody should be doing when it comes to municipalities and getting this type of innovation. Who the heck builds four houses at once out of all different kinds of materials? Oh, and comes in under budget and in on time and under budget. Who that well JT King doesn't? That's what I know.

SPEAKER_01 4:07

That's very kindly, guys. That's very kindly. It's been a it's been a lot of work.

SPEAKER_04 4:12

So you just didn't know it couldn't be done, and you did it. I love that.

SPEAKER_01 4:17

Yeah, we're very fortunate, and and I think uh the truth of the matter is we're we're very fortunate to be doing this in Fort Wayne. There is a special group of people in Fort Wayne that really have a collaborative mindset and want to not only just have their city grow, but also heal. They really care about people still. Uh, and and that's something that obviously I think our whole group uh is aligned with. And so what a what a beautiful thing where you can have a municipality that has high standards. You know, sometimes people got annoyed about that, about Allen County being like, well, you can't build this or you can't build that. But uh a lot of times we have to understand their standards and and to keep you know your housing and everything at good value, those standards are great, you know. And so very fortunate that we were able to do this project because there's never been a container home, uh, there's never been a home home, there's never been a new energy home, and there's never, you know, a modular home inside of the you know, inside the city limits. So uh definitely getting giving it a good taste and a good feel so people could make their own judgments. That's the whole goal, right? It was to educate, not just sell. And so it's it's kind of a beautiful thing where we've really learned that because I'm not great at sales, I'll be honest with you, but I'm good at this because I know it's truth, you know, and so for me, I can push that and I can push understanding and and I love what you guys have been doing and creating. And so uh the reality is that most of it comes down to communication, and I think that's kind of where world developments and myself are really good at is uh getting people that don't necessarily understand each other to understand each other. Uh and that's how you really make a project go from A to Z, in my opinion. Uh, and that's very difficult in an individualistic society.

SPEAKER_04 5:58

So, JT, how did you navigate four projects at once? And then I know one of the questions on the table is also like you've been working in the city of Fort Wayne with some heavy hitters there that did create a standard. And you know, how you really created something very unique, uh super unique. And I know Breck probably wants to pipe in here as well. But when you were putting up the four houses, tell us just a little bit about that because these were all different models, all different types, all different styles.

SPEAKER_02 6:28

You will start with reminding the listeners exactly what the project was, because we keep saying the projects, but it was the innovative housing showcase, which was four projects, and so you can you can talk a little bit about that as you express like how it was working on four different projects, but at the same time and in the same place.

SPEAKER_01 6:46

Yeah, luckily, uh we did four separate builds. Luckily, two of them were with you, so that did simplify the process a lot. I think if I worked with four individual architects, that would have been way more, if I'm being honest. I was already stretched because remember, everybody has their different systems. So three squared talks to each other differently than necessarily, you know, somebody with uh new energy or uh the modular build. They everybody has different communication styles, and so you have to understand how each system works so that you can speak into those where they're headed too. Because the good thing about us, we have very similar visions. So it's easy for us to be like, oh, great, let you know, let's go. Uh and so, but the the thing for me was there's a lot of faith in this project, if I'm being honest with you. Like, for instance, I'll give you, let's just have some fun. So, for instance, on the modular home, that's obviously built in a factory and uh um uh set afterwards. So uh the lot that we had, uh it was sold to me, and this was a mistake. So, this is not me hating on the city by any means. They already know this, uh, but they sold it to me as a C three lot. And obviously, I was kind of in a rush at that current point of the project. So I just was like, Yep, cool, all right, great, signed over to me. Awesome, didn't read the fine details, that's on me. Uh, and so is C three. So we're building a house in a factory, and I have a C three lot. Can you explain to me what that means? Yeah, no problem. So C three is the commercial lot. So uh there's obviously there's different C's in the commercial, uh, but to break it down a little bit, it's not residential, so you can't build a home like that. So yeah, so then we had to go underneath uh, and and mind you, that was a used to be a gas station uh back in the day. So we had mitigated the tanks the year before. Uh so you know, you know, no red flags on the lot at all for you know them to be like, I don't think we should approve this, but thank God the city of Fort Wayne, you know, they were really dialed in with us as well. They saw what was going on. I still had to go through the normal process because obviously you do. Uh, but luckily they worked with us uh and and uh we were able to mitigate that. So it it was. And and then I think the key is as a developer, is there can be things on fire, but if as long as there's a plan, that's where I just keep I sit on that. That's my job to to handle those and put them out and just get everybody to do what they're good at, um, and and kind of that communication. But yeah, it was it was crazy. I would highly recommend not doing this unless you have good connections in your city. Because again, like habitat, my connections there. I had people that were friends there as well. So though we've been using that as our model, uh, it did work well in Fort Wayne just because I kind of already knew these people. So we were able to kind of create this model, but we're excited to expand this because we are uh over the next you know couple months formulating a whole GC school for this stuff. So we're looking forward to it.

SPEAKER_03 9:39

So, JT, I have a big question for you because you developed four houses at once and all different construction typologies. And I know that a lot of developers are curious how do you actually make the process start to finish? And now that you've completed them, I think a lot of people would be curious as to how you made the project's pencil, not only on time and under budget, but like how were some of the initial fundings gathered? And I think that goes in conjunction with your really good relationship with the city and the county.

SPEAKER_01 10:08

Yeah, I mean, we I'll be honest with you, I'm super blessed on this on this project. I need to just say that first. Uh, because I went around to about eight to ten banks in the local community. And because I don't have a long track record, I wasn't able to get approved, uh, which everybody kind of knows because they have to follow their check boxes. Uh, but the city of Fort Wayne saw all the things I had put together and saw that I was very honest and open with my numbers and making sure subcontractors were doing their due diligence. Um, and and they ended up actually funding it through one of their funds. So we were able to use the federal home funds grant, which we said about in the first podcast, uh, which worked really well. Uh, and you luckily we did stay under budget. Oh man, that would have been a nightmare. Because we uh luckily the city had a you know a contingency, obviously. Because, for instance, okay, another thing we ran into in the project, we did our due diligence and uh in the uh the sewer drain was actually made out of tile. And so when you tap into that, that's a very different tap fee. Usually the tap fees may be around 1,500 to three grand around here, this just depending. Uh, but this one was 19,500. So, so as you can understand, part of this project too was for also the city to understand what they're going to be running into as they try to get rid of these lots that they own, because they have over a thousand of them here that they're trying to get people to move on and develop. So, this is kind of the first key to opening up uh the rest of the sides of you know appraisal gaps. And there's so much we're against, which we talk about all the time in our meetings, you know, uh, but it's so deep we could have like four podcasts on this. I mean, uh there the problem's large, so the team has to be larger. Uh, and I think that's what we're all finding out.

SPEAKER_02 11:52

Well, if there's any lesson learned from this entire conversation, uh, if you are an aspiring developer or somebody wants to take on a project, uh, the one thing you should take away from this is have your ducks in a row before you start. I mean, if you don't have a plan of action and have that set in place, like the design, I cannot say this enough, is the easy part. The the building itself is actually one of the easiest parts of the entire process. And sure, it comes with its hurdles. But if you don't have that support and you don't have a plan of action in place and you haven't figured out financing and how you're going to navigate the red tape with the city and those hurdles that any site can bring, um, then you're you're kind of setting yourself up for failure. And that's where JT like shines above the rest, is he had that plan and he put it into action before he even called us. Like it was it was already underway. Like there's uh a lot of momentum that you had built, connections that you had built, and you just put us in contact with the right people in order to get those designs approved uh for those projects. So I just if if you're taking anything away from this conversation, it's it's have a plan and start early, because that's the tough part, right?

SPEAKER_01 12:59

And that's where I think we've learned a lot together in this, because you're right, the plan is everything. Because when again, when we're fighting against the dollar, a plan saves money. So when you have a plan and you actually execute it, the gaps between your, oh, what do we do with this decision? That's money, you know, that's actual money. So we have to actually tighten those up. And actually, that's how we're actually saving money as well, because we have a plan in place, you know, asking the city to drop the boxes the night before so that we can set in 53 minutes and have the crane for two hours. You know what I'm saying? Like that saves a ton of money, you know. And in modular, we had you know uh a crane there all day. Yeah, and so it just it's it's just real life where there's so many factors where everybody wants you to just give me one answer. It's like sorry, uh it's more complex than that. So I'm gonna give you two to three, possibly five if you're willing to listen.

SPEAKER_04 13:55

Oh, go ahead. Oh, no, no, uh, you know, I'm so interested because you had to put down like you it's almost the cart before the horse, and we see this happening quite a bit. As a developer, you want to build something, but then you you don't that you don't have a design, so you can't really you just have to BS your way through the first draft of pro forma. And then once the design came, then you had some, you know, you know, some meat that you could actually cut, you know, cut your teeth in and really fine-tune that. Was there a big difference in that gap from like you're spitballing all the way then now you have a design, and then you have one more phase when you get the actual bids? Because you started here and it went down like under budget to do. So like okay, talk about that process because that's it's it's a developer's nightmare to come in to try and pencil something out when you cannot get a quote or a really good level estimate up front.

SPEAKER_01 15:05

Yeah, I I want to say this too about Fort Wayne. We have a really, really good trades in Fort Wayne, and and and that's something that was very shown very much so on the finishes, which I think you guys could speak into as well because you're from Detroit. Um, and the finishes compared to maybe the modular home that um was done in a factory with workers that were obviously from Indianapolis, not from Fort Wayne. And so it was cool to see you know the quality, honestly, uh that that is there.

SPEAKER_04 15:37

That's amazing. And so I know everybody's gonna want to know, and I know is there a place where people can see the the actual cost at the end of the day and an analysis of hey, I like this, but man, these could really work. But man, I I'm always gonna do, you know, we are we kind of know what your thoughts are on all of this, but I know that you had some surprising um results in the cost per square foot.

SPEAKER_01 16:06

Yeah, yeah, actually, the it was it was really cool. The goal was to build the nicest house possible for$200 a square foot with these new framing prototypes. So beautiful. We we hit that with uh pretty much all of them as well. Major was a little bit more expensive than the other three just due to the nature of where that company was at, probably, uh just because there's multiple general contractors. And so there was an added cost there when you normally would just have one general contractor. So uh there's just certain things where, again, look at the full system, make sure it's a full-turn key. Uh, and that's kind of who we get, I think our group does very well taking it from start to finish.

SPEAKER_02 16:48

Now, I'd like to put you on the spot and drill you the question, like who's the winner? But the reality is because I've been involved in this project since the early stages, and um and I've gotten to see them at multiple stages of development through to completion. Uh, I think they're all winners in different ways, right? Um, the modular construction did technically happen the fastest, even though it started later in the timeline, like everything was inside the box, right? So you tied it all together, plugged the systems in, it was ready to rock. Uh, the new energy home is superior in its it's uh it's it's envelope that requires less energy consumption. Um, it's the most efficient of the four models in terms of like how much you're gonna spend on your heating and cooling bill. The the HOUM home product was algorithm designed for efficiency with uh sunlight and and daylighting, and it's the best bang for your buck. It was the largest house at the lowest cost per square foot. And the container house, I may be a little biased, I think was the best design, and had the most like uh you know striking curb appeal and the best features, and it has a cool factor that you can't replicate without those containers. So I know that there is like an upside and there's also a downside to each of the four models, but I'm curious now that the project is completed and um maybe some of the social media dust and the you know the the press is is starting to uh to subside. What have you seen was you know a winner of sorts in two categories, um, from the people who worked on the projects and then from the public perception. What do you what do you think are the strong outcomes?

SPEAKER_01 18:30

Yeah, no problem at all. Yeah, from the public side, uh we we were blessed to have 1200 people come through. You guys were down there for it. So thank you again for coming for that tour. Uh, but the general consensus we heard from there was again, uh almost exactly what you already said, Brick. Uh they love the design, the decks on the container, the deck coming out of the master, you know, just uh and at the same price per square foot. So uh there are, you know, that's again where it's like as you can see, it's there's a lot of things to evaluate for your price per square foot. Uh, but then second, honestly, uh was home. Uh, and that was just because they understood the energy efficiencies, the flexibility of design. I think that's a huge one because especially for what we're tackling with these infill lots and narrow lots, you can get right to the inch of your lot, which is really, really neat. So people like that flexibility in that design. Um, new energy, uh, they love that where that was kind of more uh uh a little cottage. People people think of that more of like they were excited for like the more like either retiring or like this is my first home, you know, and and they really like that feel. Now, again, uh, we're trying to take this to the next phase. We'll see how that goes. Uh, but then modular, people loved the layout in that, uh, actually. Like, and I thought it for the use of square footage, I personally thought the layout was actually really, really good use of space, to be honest with you. Uh, for being that narrow under 16 feet wide, um, that was a good layout for sure. Um, and then it was good to see the different finishes. But yeah, we just again, um, yeah, that's kind of what we see there.

SPEAKER_03 20:07

So, JT, now you're now that you're at the point where you are, all projects are completed. I want you to touch base on where were some of the biggest hurdles here, but then also let's circle back to like what are some of your pinch me moments? Because if I could share mine, it's when Brack and I were there for the actual showcase with the open house where the first 1200 people showed up. You literally popped the champagne bottle, the torque ricocheted off the container. That was like a really great moment to all celebrate this huge milestone as a team, even with your city and county contact there as volunteers, excited to be with you celebrating this journey that you went through. Can you touch on like kind of both ends of the spectrum?

SPEAKER_01 20:47

Yeah, I would say um oh, the the the the downside of your first project is called cash flow. Uh and that that oh yeah, that has been the nightmare of me because uh I have I signed agreements and I had timelines for those agreements, so I expected to get payments on those times. And as we know, that doesn't always happen. And I did hit my marks, and so you just have to learn to be patient and trust and diversify. Uh, and that that has been honestly, if I didn't have to deal with that or had like a just like a line of credit or something, just even small, just to cash flow me and not think about the cash flow as we build these bigger projects, that would have been huge. Um, but I think I needed to feel that. I think it made me dive in even deeper and and budget even better. Um, and then also I you I utilized a lot of my friendships in Fort Wayne. So, like even our decorator, she charged me so little uh and and just did such a good job as you guys saw it there. Um, she she funded that so well. Uh the high side, I think the oh man, I may get a little teary, but the high side is like this project for me is. Uh I had a gap in time where obviously away for my uh kids and things like that. So this this was something I I just kind of dove into and and all of my energy kind of went into this. Um and because I saw such an open door for the right people, I would say that's you guys that I'm talking to now, and also new energy. I think he I think Dwayne's on our on my page as well. And so I'm excited to really grow that. Uh but yeah, so it seeing this the high for me is like seeing that, oh my gosh, this actually happened. Because like everybody says, oh, JT Day. It's like, I'm still saying I did do that. Whoa. You know, like I I actually after the showcase, we kind of our whole team kind of sat back for a second, like, what just happened actually? Because we were just ah and uh running because yeah, four different companies, four tip, as you know, trying to get media, trying to get uh, you know, so everybody felt like they were also paid attention to, so that everybody got the right notice between, you know, the four entities. Uh, because you know, oh, I want I'm a part of the showcase too. Uh, and so just making sure, you know, because that that's my job. And and I honestly, I think I I love being uh the leader of it because I get to really make sure things are fair, you know, and and that's something I really enjoy to make sure that we move forward fairly, because I think that's how you move forward fast, is when people know that he's gonna make a fair decision, you know, and he's gonna make sure that if we're running in this direction, he's not gonna let us fall in the sword unless he fell on it first. And and as you guys know, I've paid everybody and I still haven't gotten paid. And I'm not complaining, but it's you know, I've learned on these contracts what to sign, what not to sign, and that's okay. It's it really is okay. And and the cool thing is, God has helped me out and worked uh with friends and family that have completely helped me make this happen. So I have a large team behind me. I know I'm a one face, but there are so many people supporting me, and even the people at Royal Developments, we're a small team right now, but they carry a lot, so just like you guys.

SPEAKER_04 23:58

It's amazing.

SPEAKER_01 23:59

I think that's the highs and lows for me. Takes a village, makes a huge one.

SPEAKER_02 24:05

So on the scale of economy equation here, because a lot of developers would start with one, right? The proof of concept. You started with four proof of concept. Um, I have a question for you. Do you think that you could have hit that bottom line, uh, that sweet spot of like$200 a square foot if you had only built one project? Or was there enough efficiencies built into doing four projects at the same time that shared costs that allowed you to reach that number?

SPEAKER_01 24:36

I'll be fully transparent. This project, I think even if we built one, we would I don't think we really scaled of economy on there was any economy of scale, excuse me, uh, to be honest. It now we did get a little deal because we had somebody do our foundations to foundation to foundation. But again, I hired a general contractor, and and I don't know how much was pressed on that. Um, and so I think that's where we can even do better on these next couple of rounds uh in Fort Wayne.

SPEAKER_02 25:05

Yeah, I understand that because of like different building types, like you're not buying four of the same thing where that economy is, but I was thinking more of like, yeah, site work, uh, excavation, um, pouring concrete, and then you know, different different equipment rentals. But I as you said, I mean, you set the five containers for the container home in a in an hour, you know, which is just like still mind-boggling to me. That's a pinch me moment from a distance.

SPEAKER_01 25:34

I was like, I want to say this very specifically, also uh I don't know how we got this guy, but it was the best crane operator I've seen my entire life. He made those things go up so fast, it come down so I was so scared, but I was like, don't slow down because this is a record, I can see it happening. So I do want to give him credit. So you win some, you lose some.

SPEAKER_02 25:58

Exactly. Yeah, lucky, yeah, but then maybe you didn't use that crane on another project because they were in and out of there so fast, as opposed to like having a smaller lull or you know, landfall on site for a month at a time or something like that. So that's a really interesting response. And I'm gonna take that information with me as I continue talking about this project because a lot of people just assume, oh, we did four, obviously, you got like 20% off all of them.

SPEAKER_01 26:23

Yeah. I think that's only when we do it in line with each unique specific type, because then we have the buying power, we have the the when we, you know, if we go to edit 20 containers, it is different than doing 20 new energy homes, you know. And so we can really get in line and create the scales in each specific stream, if you want to say it that way.

SPEAKER_03 26:44

That's okay. Yeah.

unknown 26:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 26:47

So you um when you say 200 a square foot, I know the answer to this, but um, I want to just make sure everybody on the phone and who's listening and have downloaded this podcast that that's your all-in cost.

SPEAKER_01 26:59

Yeah, I need to make that very clear because that's something people are like$200 to build that house. It's like to build that house to also then get the permits, to then also get the ground to also everything. So turnkey. So that's not any extra cost. That's even a performance bond. So again, I could have taken those numbers and made it look a lot better, but I also wanted people to understand a new development project is not easy because you also have to have performance bonds. So that's$40,000 of the project. No,$53,000 with$53,000 with just a performance bond, you know, and we were still able to keep it under budget. It was very difficult. I luckily had a good team because it was really hard.

SPEAKER_02 27:39

That's that's incredible. Except for the property.

SPEAKER_01 27:44

No, that on this project it included the property, but the property, I need to say this, was five thousand dollars. So I don't want to sure, sure.

SPEAKER_02 27:52

But that still is astounding that that is like true.

SPEAKER_01 27:55

Yeah, no, I know, and that's where I that's where I we were really transparent on that. Um, and obviously we had some changes, so that cost could go up a little bit, but when we do it the second round, because we know those changes now, uh I mean, we're good, you know, and all these little misses, um, which are normal. I mean, I'll be really honest. Uh, the city and um also uh the general contractor I hired were very impressed with how well everybody took care. Like you guys did a great job explaining the the containers and also home and bringing people onto site to make sure those things happen well as their prototypes. You know, that that type of communication has been really key.

SPEAKER_03 28:30

So I just want to take a second to applaud you, JT, because I know it takes a lot of work to put together a project team, but your core values are like synonymous with those of three squared. And so you got like a powerhouse of a team all in the same room. You really did the work to surround yourself with the right people and make these projects happen.

SPEAKER_01 28:50

Jeez, that I really appreciate that. And it takes one to know one. So I appreciate you guys, and and it's fun that when we're all in the same room, which we we now right now don't get that as as as often as when I was just coming up there all the time, like, this is awesome. This brought, you know, now we're actually really diving into it. And it's a really special moment, and now that's something I won't take as for granted as I probably did before.

SPEAKER_02 29:14

Well, there's a nice, happy, cheerful JT, but I know the other JT too. Oh, yeah. And uh the reason why his team is so succinct and why they work together is because if there was anybody, anybody who crossed the core values of this group, they were out immediately. No questions asked. There was no do not pass go, do not collect$200. Like, I'm sorry, you're like, you're done. And you know, and the number of projects that I've been involved with as an architect, man, if that was the rule of thumb, there would not be half the hurdles that we have to face on a daily basis. Like everything could run smoother if you just cut out the bad apples as you identified them. And so, like, that would be my applause. Um, it's the only way you pulled this off is because you identified those threats early and you addressed them head on immediately. And that's that's how you got here, honestly.

SPEAKER_01 30:11

Thank you for saying those words. And I I really couldn't have said that better. You're you're as you can see, guys, communication is everything, and Breck is very good at communicating. So yeah, it's it's it's one of those where it's like it's it's a visual in my mind of like a lion and the lamb. I want to always be the lamb to you and be kind to you. But if you if you're an idiot, I'm uh the lion's gonna show up, you know what I'm saying? And and and bark you back into line because we do have a vision, and that vision uh can easily be swayed uh by people that aren't seeing it clearly. And so if they don't see it clearly, uh yeah, it's just simple. It's like you go your way, no problem, because we're going our way. Uh and it's not a it's not a diss, actually. It's just a hey, let's shake hands, wish you the best. Uh, this is where we're we're running. So yeah, thanks for saying that.

SPEAKER_04 30:59

You built quite a reputation during construction with some of the trades.

SPEAKER_01 31:05

Yeah, it was it was uh it was exciting because uh yeah, it again, four prototypes, people you know, frustrated with how does this go together? How do we cut through this container? How do we and and just it? But at the same time, I want to flip that where these guys actually got excited because they're used to coming into all the exact same houses every day. So honestly, some of the guys that actually like challenges and like figuring out things, they were like, Oh, and then hey JT, did you think about doing it this way? Or hey, do you think about and so I actually learned so much as we went through it too, of other options to do it that way as well. And so that's that's what the beautiful part of the uh depending on the leadership of the project is it can be a collaborative effort if you really decide to do it that way. It's just very hard sometimes to keep that vision going forward.

SPEAKER_03 31:52

You know, that's such a breath of fresh air to hear that perspective about people getting excited about alternative methods of construction, because so many times we're greeted with the other option where it's just like someone sees that it's not sticks and bricks, and they're like, no way, I'm not interested, or they're they're very vocal about not being happy with the process along the way if they do commit.

SPEAKER_01 32:13

Yeah, I I couldn't agree more. And that's why we're really considering this next generation of honestly humans that are coming into the workforce, and honestly, they're not interested in getting on hands-on anything. So we just started a welding school last month, and we have six students from uh the crossing school here in Fort Wayne. And our goal is to encourage them because again, like products like home and the container can be tack welded and welded together. So we're actually trying to make it cool and sexy and to understand like this is actually really cool, and you can actually be an artist and do something, and you're building something that lasts someone's home for 75 years, you know. Uh, this is actually good things, and we should be working because what else are we doing? We just want to be entertained, like that's not a fulfilling life, from what I've understood, at least.

SPEAKER_02 32:59

The world needs more tradespeople, that is for certain. And if you go for the trades, you're gonna make a whole lot more money than any of us on the call.

SPEAKER_01 33:06

I know, dude. Seriously, I'm like, honestly, guys, I might get out of development and go back into right. I'm like, because I calculated how much I could. Oh man.

SPEAKER_02 33:16

Uh I just love that. You know, it's it's it's come down to Fort Wayne. That's like you say Fort Wayne, and people are like, oh yeah.

SPEAKER_01 33:23

Oh man, and there's something, guys. And that's why actually, you know what we should do right now? We should we should announce our next project together right now.

SPEAKER_04 33:32

I think that's a fantastic idea.

SPEAKER_02 33:34

Oh, your lead.

SPEAKER_01 33:35

Let's do it. Let's do it.

SPEAKER_02 33:37

I was gonna I was gonna kind of wrap up with the question of like something next for Fort Wayne.

SPEAKER_01 33:42

Well, we can get back to it if you want to, but or that is the question.

SPEAKER_02 33:45

So, JJ, what's next for Fort Wayne?

SPEAKER_01 33:47

Okay, well, we are super, super excited to be partnering world developments, partnering with Three Squared again, and we're doing eight triplex containers with Bridge of Grace Ministries in Southeast Fort Wayne. And so we have a strategic plan. We can't talk about that right now, but it's gonna be so exciting. And uh yeah, we're we're halfway there on the money already, uh, and we're excited to see what Javier and his team has done down there. Uh, and we're excited our team here to come alongside and get this actually built for them. So we were working with the city already, and we're excited the city of Fort Wayne's really been collaborative because again, what else how else are we gonna redo these lots in Southeast? And they're only gonna get worse. That and there's no time like the present. So we're super stoked. Uh, but yeah, thank you guys for getting on this design with us and making this happen because we couldn't have done that without you. So I'd love to hear what you guys are excited about with this one.

SPEAKER_02 34:39

Oh, thank goodness I could finally talk about it. We've been working on this design in the background, I gotta keep my lips sealed the whole time.

SPEAKER_04 34:47

Um the hardest thing Greg has ever done in his life.

SPEAKER_02 34:50

You've grown so much. Uh no, it's it's the scale of economy, right? It is maximizing the yield out of containers, right? Using them in their most efficient way possible, which is a modular design. That doesn't mean that we're like pre-plumbing them or running mechanicals and stuff like that. It just means that the way we're approaching the design is like 10,000-pound Legos, right? Uh and so these designs maximize the efficiency of containers. There's three units in each two-level structure. Um, you know, they're they're five containers wide, 10 containers in each project. And we're just we're beside ourselves. We're really, really excited to get this show on the road and uh plant another flag in the ground in the city of Fort Wayne, which is truly the pinnacle of innovation. And it's fun to be able to be in Detroit and they're like, we're the innovative housing experts. We're like, No, you're not. No, you're not. Go look at Fort Wayne.

SPEAKER_01 35:42

It's it's amazing because a lot of people have just laid down their pride and just worked together. And like they're like, How can what can I do to make this happen?

unknown 35:50

Woo!

SPEAKER_01 35:51

When you get enough people in the room saying that, it will happen, you know, and that's why you you see this innovation.

SPEAKER_04 35:56

Oh, I agree. I agree. You know, I think you've I think you've really created an incredible model. Um, and you should be proud of we have never seen this type of model anywhere in the entire United States. I've never seen it, period, in my lifetime. And you did it. It's you. I mean, you, you did this.

SPEAKER_01 36:15

There, I I thank you, thank you for saying that, Leslie. And and I have been in all the meetings, and I just want to say thanks. So it's very clear, thank you to the team that has supported me to make this happen because I am just the face of many others, and so it's exciting that I get to lead this. I I feel very grateful for that. Uh and and and uh, but that without the team that we have in Fort Wayne, this isn't a reality. So it's exciting to see it come to fruition.

SPEAKER_04 36:41

Wow, we're really thrilled. And I know that you and Breck and um one of our other partners, Scott, the three of you got to address every single mayor in the state of Indiana. And so I'm I'm it I know there's uh this model has has really been um a showcase for sure. And I know you guys were able to address that. And I think it's a it's a model that many municipalities should embrace and and can embrace. And I think it's one of those models that will really help solve this affordable housing challenge. Yes, and I think the model is people like you, it needs like leaders, um, people who are gonna have the transparency and really have the foresight and um you know, and the the cojones to move forward with this. Because I mean it's not for the faint of heart.

SPEAKER_01 37:32

It's not, and you can't be obsessed with money, you just can't. You have to see it as a tool, not as something you're trying to attain, uh, because it it it changes the whole thought process of the project. Um, because the reality, like for instance, you know, you hit that sewer tap in the back and it hits you 20 grand onto your mortgage. Well, that's really 40 grand over 30 years, and so those little things are big deals, you know. And so we're we're really getting dialed in to make sure people are being set up for the future well, you know, and and really then it's educating. So we're really excited to be in this market and with you guys, and I think that's who you guys are too. You're educators, yeah. Uh and it's really exciting.

SPEAKER_02 38:14

So have a plan, prepare for hurdles, surround yourself with support, like-minded support, and execute. There you have it. The uh the recipe for success from JT King of Royal Developments. Congratulations again, my friend, on completing the innovative housing showcase for unique construction types, building four habitat for humanity homes in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Thanks for joining us on our podcast today. We will inevitably have you back again to talk about future endeavors with the city of Fort Wayne, including our collaborative project, The Bridge of Grace, um, which will be uh coming to you soon. We will drop links to uh to Royal Development's social pages uh so that you can follow along with the journey. And if you want to reach out to JT, he is accessible, um, surprisingly so to people who want to tap his brain and uh and collaborate in the future. So um, we will offer that as well. This has been another installment of Innovative Real Estate with Three Squared Inc. We will see you next time.

SPEAKER_04 39:18

Thanks, JT. Thanks, JT. You're amazing. Well done.

SPEAKER_01 39:21

Ah, thank you guys, man. Oh, my day's better now. Appreciate you guys.

SPEAKER_00 39:27

We hope you enjoyed this episode. And if you found it so valuable you want to connect with us one-on-one, click the link in the description to tell us all about your project so we can help you get started. And to get notified on the next episode here on Innovative Real Estate, go ahead and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes so you never miss a beat. Get out there, put today's advice into action, and we will see you in the next episode.