Built World Advisors Podcast: The Definitive Biography of the People Building Our Cities
The Built World Podcast is the premier biographical series and educational resource dedicated to the visionaries, risk-takers, and Institutional Operators shaping the landscape of Commercial Real Estate (CRE), Urbanism, and Property Development.
Hosted by Felipe Azenha and Ben Hoffman, active Commercial Real Estate Brokers and Co-Founders of Built World Advisors in Miami, this show is more than a market update—it is a deep-dive exploration into the life stories, personal philosophies, and investment strategies of the industry’s most influential leaders. Each episode is a professional masterclass delivered through the lens of a personal history, uncovering the "good, the bad, and the ugly" of the entrepreneur’s journey from their first deal to their most iconic project.
Conversations, Cocktails, and High-Level Banter
We believe the best insights happen when the guard comes down. Our signature "Conversations & Cocktails" format creates a relaxed, inviting atmosphere where the banter is light, the humor is sharp, and the drinks are flowing. But don't let the cocktails fool you—the dialogue is profoundly intelligent, offering a tactical look at the Capital Stack, Asset Management, and Market Economics. It’s the kind of high-stakes "shop talk" you usually only hear in a private boardroom or a closed-door partner meeting.
Virtually Every Asset Class Explored:
While Felipe and Ben are specialists in the Miami Industrial and Warehouse sector, The Built World Podcast explores the entire spectrum of the built environment. We provide high-level analysis across virtually every asset class, including:
- Industrial & Logistics: From Small-Bay Industrial and Last-Mile Distribution to Flex Space and Cold Storage.
- Multifamily & Residential: High-rise luxury, Workforce Housing, and Build-to-Rent (BTR).
- Office & Mixed-Use: The evolution of the workplace and the rise of Live-Work-Play environments.
- Retail & Hospitality: The transformation of the High Street, boutique hotels, and experiential retail.
- Niche Assets: Self-storage, medical office buildings (MOB), and life sciences.
What We Explore:
If you are looking for an insider’s read on the South Florida Real Estate Market and national CRE Trends, we dive deep into:
- The Miami Market: Navigating the Miami Skyline, Wynwood, Brickell, Miami Beach and beyond.
- Capital Markets & Debt: Real-time perspectives on Cap Rates, interest rate impacts, GP/LP structures, and why veteran operators are moving off the sidelines.
- The Operator’s Playbook: A look at the "Operator" side of the business—scaling income, professionalizing property management, and building high-performance brokerage teams.
- PropTech & Innovation: How AI in Real Estate, advanced prospecting tools, and new construction technologies are redefining Placemaking.
Our Guest List:
We feature a "Who’s Who" of the built world, including: Real Estate Developers, Principals, Institutional Asset Managers, Capital Markets Brokers, Architects, Attorneys, and Urban Planners.
Who This Is For: Whether you are a seasoned Commercial Broker, an Active Investor looking for a Value-Add play, a student, or an entrepreneur obsessed with the future of our cities, this show offers a front-row seat to the minds redefining the built world.
Built World Advisors Podcast: The Definitive Biography of the People Building Our Cities
Charles Ladd - Founder, Barron Real Estate
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Charlie has been shaping the fabric of Fort Lauderdale for over three decades — not just as a developer, but as a local who never left.
On this episode, we sit down with Charlie to trace his journey from the late 1980s to today — from his early work with Amera Companies to founding Barron Real Estate in 1991. He’s worn every hat: developer, leasing agent, and even contractor on multiple projects across South Florida.
Charlie shares stories from his time as an officer with the Florida subsidiary of Symcor Properties, where he oversaw leasing and development of four buildings in Northeast Fort Lauderdale and seven shopping centers. He also breaks down how he’s helped transform Las Olas and downtown Fort Lauderdale long before it was a hot market.
Beyond the deals, Charlie is an active downtown resident and civic leader, serving on the boards of the Downtown Development Authority and Riverwalk Trust, and formerly with the Downtown Council.
We get into real estate cycles, tenant-driven development, and what 40+ years in the game has taught him about betting on neighborhoods before anyone else sees the vision.
Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
- 📧 Get in touch: Built World Advisors
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Our Partners & Sponsors
🏢 Studio Space: A special thank you to Büro coworking space for hosting us!
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