What does it really take to bring a crumbling historic building back to life—and turn it into a thriving, income-producing community space?
In this episode, Brian Hamrick sits down with Brad Andrus, commercial real estate investor, broker, and developer behind the ambitious restoration of the Fine Arts Theater in Denton, Texas.
Brad shares the full story: from its beginnings as an undertaker’s shop in the early 1900s, to its heyday as a bustling single-screen theater, to decades of vacancy after fire damage—and now, its rebirth as a live performance, film, and event venue.
You’ll learn:
The hidden challenges of historic renovations—from roof failures to unexpected structural issues.
How federal and state historic tax credits can make or break the capital stack.
Why city and community partnerships are essential in adaptive reuse projects.
How to balance profitability with legacy-minded investing.
The role of AI tools in Brad’s real estate business and his new podcast Weeks Ahead AI.
Whether you’re passionate about historic preservation, curious about adaptive reuse, or an investor exploring creative real estate strategies, this conversation reveals the opportunities—and the pitfalls—of breathing new life into old buildings.
📌 Resources & Links
Connect with Brad on LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/brad-andrus
Learn about his podcast: Weeks Ahead AI (available on all platforms)
Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.
https://www.livegreenlocal.com
And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.
https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com
Episode 511 – Meg Epstein | CA South Development
What happens when a UCLA finance grad skips Wall Street during the 2008 crash and instead dives into $60 million Bel Air construction projects? For Meg Epstein, that pivot led to a thriving development career and the founding of CA South, a Nashville-based real estate firm with over $380 million in projects across industrial, multifamily, and mixed-use.
In this episode, Meg shares:
How she went from walking luxury job sites in Beverly Hills to reshaping urban neighborhoods in Nashville
Why great design is her secret weapon in a sea of bland multifamily builds
How she’s pioneering short-term rentable condos as a hybrid between investment and lifestyle
What industrial outdoor storage (IOS) really is — and why it’s her next big bet
Her take on urban planning, walkability, and the future of Southeastern U.S. cities
How she’s leveraging AI to streamline due diligence and investor communications
The unique opportunities found in non-institutional, niche asset classes
Whether you're an investor curious about where development is headed, or a builder looking to differentiate your product, this conversation will give you a rare look inside the mind of a fast-scaling developer—and the strategies she’s using to stay ahead of the curve.
Find out more:
https://www.youtube.com/@megaubaleepstein?sub_confirmation=1
https://www.casouthdevelopment.com
Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.
https://www.livegreenlocal.com
And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.
Modern energy regulations and rising utility costs are reshaping commercial real estate. In this episode, veteran green-building contractor Robert Pulitzer of Green Street Global explains how owners can tap hidden operational savings, fund deep retrofits with zero out-of-pocket capital, and future-proof assets against tightening decarbonization rules.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
Where the Money Hides: How utility-bill audits uncover 10-20 % in overcharges and fund the first wave of improvements.
The Retrofit Roadmap: Start with the building envelope, then right-size HVAC, lighting, and water systems for 20-40 % lower consumption.
Financing That Pays for Itself: Using C-PACE, equipment financing, and shared-savings models to cover 100 % of soft and hard costs.
Best-Fit Property Types: Hotels, senior housing, hospitals, industrial facilities, private schools—and any owner-occupied building with high OPEX.
Value-Add for the 21st Century: Why lower carbon emissions translate directly into higher NOI, higher valuations, and lower regulatory risk.
AI as a Force Multiplier: The everyday tools Robert uses to draft proposals, LOIs, and even legal responses at lightning speed.
Key Takeaways:
Treat energy efficiency as a profit center, not an expense.
A holistic approach—tight envelope → right-sized HVAC → efficient fixtures—delivers the biggest ROI.
Shared-savings contracts and tax strategies eliminate upfront capital barriers.
Decarbonization mandates are accelerating worldwide; acting now preserves asset value and competitive edge.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
https://www.greenstreetglobal.com
https://www.greenstreetglobal.com/case_studies/
Enjoyed the show? Leave a rating, subscribe, and share this episode with a fellow investor who’s looking to cut OPEX and boost NOI through smart energy upgrades!
Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.
https://www.livegreenlocal.com
And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.
Most investors stop at buying and renting—but what if your next move was developing the places your community actually needs?
In this episode, real estate developer and consultant Kristi Kandel shares how everyday investors can become local developers without millions in the bank or a background in construction. With $450M+ in completed projects across retail, housing, clean energy, and adaptive reuse, Kristi breaks down what it really takes to turn vacant buildings or underutilized lots into thriving local assets.
You’ll learn:
What development actually means (hint: it’s not always ground-up construction)
How to get started with adaptive reuse and infill projects
Who to talk to first — from city managers to regional lenders to neighbors
How to access local grants, incentives, and funding opportunities
The step-by-step process Kristi uses to help investors become developers in their own towns
Why small towns (under 10,000 people) are filled with overlooked development potential
Kristi also shares her experience developing clean energy projects like hydrogen fueling stations, and how tech and AI are transforming how developers evaluate deals and make decisions faster than ever.
Find out more:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-kandel-4b650a12/
linkedin.com/company/local-real-estate-developers
https://www.instagram.com/localrealestatedevelopers
https://www.instagram.com/kristikandel/
Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.
https://www.livegreenlocal.com
And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.