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
Abe Ng - Founder & CEO, Sushi Maki
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Abe dropped by the pod with a couple of bottles of saki in hand. He grew up in a restaurant family, studied at Cornell’s prestigious hospitality school, and came out of the gates swinging—with a fast-casual wrap concept that flopped.
But instead of giving up, he zoomed out. He realized the real estate under that failed concept was too good to waste—so he pivoted. Enter Sushi Maki.
In this episode, Abe shares how he turned early failure into a foundation for long-term success and built one of South Florida’s most recognizable sushi brands. We talk about:
- Why sushi made sense (and how he made it approachable)
- How location—and staying power—shaped his strategy
- Lessons from scaling across grocery stores, universities, and airports
- Growing up in a restaurant family—and what he’s doing differently
- The mindset shift from operator to long-term brand builder
Abe blends hospitality, strategy, and a deep sense of purpose. Whether you're in food, real estate, or just trying to figure out your next move, this one will leave you inspired.
Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at info@builtworldadvisors.com or give us a call at 305.498.9410.
Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.
Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn
We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.