Developing Success in the District
A networking event and four-speaker panel series presented by McLean Mortgage and hosted by Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS
Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS hosted our second developer networking series, Developing Success in the District, led by McLean Mortgage team members, Chris Geier and Andy Stewart. On Wednesday, April 25th, over 60 members of the DC development community gathered in our office on the vibrant 14th Street Corridor to connect with colleagues over drinks and hors d’oeuvers, and to hear four distinguished panelists discuss a variety of relevant topics, trends, and best practices.
Brian Forehand, AIA, NCARB, IIDA, LEED AP, of Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS shared expertise on the value-add of market-oriented, well-integrated interior design in multi-family residential development. Dispelling the misconception that Interior Design is just about finishes, Mr. Forehand offered an overview of the full scope of services offered by interior designers to define the user experience, create a building’s visual and tactile identity, overcome challenging conditions, and give multi-family properties the ‘WOW’ factor they need to standout in today’s market.
Phil Sutcliffe discussed how his company, Project Support Services, helps builders and lenders navigate the ins and outs of obtaining FHA, VA and Fannie Mae condominium project approvals.
Gene Bulmash of DC Housing & Community Development provided an overview of programs such as Inclusionary Zoning, TOPA, and DOPA and offered suggestions of how developers and builders can best work to address these programs while achieving their development goals.
Barry Madani provided insights into how Madison Investments has grown into a premiere development company from the ground-up, taking a fresh approach to market rate residential development to build a burgeoning portfolio that emphasizes high-quality design and supports modern lifestyles.
Special thanks to Chris Geier, Andy Stewart and the McLean Mortgage Team for developing and staging the event, and to all attendees who made this event a success!