In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Lorna Walker, co-founder of Camion Energy, to uncover a new kind of real estate value unlocker – your energy strategy.

Lorna explains how controlling consumption, electrifying portfolios, and leveraging onsite energy infrastructure can turn costs into ROI. Drawing on her experience at CBRE and her entrepreneurial ventures, she reveals why the real estate and energy sectors are no longer separate – they’re converging.

Key talking points:

⚡ Why electrification isn’t just an environmental move – it’s a financial one

🏢 How landlords can turn energy from a sunk cost into a revenue stream

📈 The overlooked NOI uplift hiding in onsite solar and storage systems

🧠 How data science and AI are transforming energy management at scale

🌍 Why future-proofing assets means merging real estate and infrastructure thinking

If you still see energy as an operating cost, this episode will change your perspective — showing how power can literally power value.

Lorna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-j-walker 

Camion Energy: https://www.camion.energy/  

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this insightful episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Henry Lumby, Chief Commercial Officer at Auriens, to explore one of real estate’s most untapped frontiers: later living.

As populations age and expectations evolve, Henry argues that the UK’s senior living market is lagging far behind its peers – not because of lack of demand, but because of outdated models and limited imagination. 

He makes a compelling case for treating later living not as care, but as lifestyle infrastructure – blending hospitality, wellness, and community to unlock long-term social and investor value.

Key talking points:

🏡 Why later living could outscale both build-to-rent and student housing combined

💰 How the right incentives and regulation could unleash private investment and societal benefits

🌍 What the UK can learn from New Zealand and Australia’s mature retirement village models

🧠 Why “care” needs a rebrand — from reputational risk to value driver

💬 How Auriens built “the gold standard” in senior living by focusing on hospitality, wellbeing, and belonging

If you think later living is just about care homes, this episode will reshape how you see one of real estate’s most powerful opportunities for impact and value.

Henry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-morris/
Auriens: https://www.auriens.com/

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 
Saentys: https://saentys.com/

In this insightful episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by Louise Ioannou — Head of Workspace at HB Reavis UK — to explore what truly makes a modern office irresistible in 2025 and beyond.

Drawing on her journey from branding to leasing, Louise shares how HB Reavis has reimagined office space as a holistic product: one shaped by hospitality, sustainability, flexibility, and community.

For Louise, the office is no longer just a place to work — it's a value-driven ecosystem designed to support business objectives, attract talent, and foster belonging.

Key talking points:

🏢 Why wellness, flexibility, and hospitality are now baseline expectations — not extras

📈 The commercial case for retention over churn in both traditional and flex leases

🌱 How sustainability and community engagement are redefining real estate value

🧩 Why cross-functional teams are key to delivering spaces people truly want

📊 Why “knowing your customer” is just as vital in commercial real estate as in consumer brands

If you're wondering what it really takes to create future-proof, in-demand office destinations — this episode has answers.

Louise’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-ioannou/

HB Reavis: https://hbreavis.com/uk/

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter speaks with Rico Picenoni – a hospitality leader who’s shaped over 500 hospitality and real estate projects globally.

Together, they unpack what really drives long-term value in branded residences, and why the future of real estate lies in smart partnerships, local market knowledge, and global brand power. 

Rico brings the kind of depth that only comes from two decades of navigating $34 billion worth of real estate – offering razor-sharp insights into a rapidly evolving sector.

Key talking points:

🏙️ Why operator selection and brand alignment are the secret weapons of value creation

📈 How Dubai and Miami became innovation labs for branded residences – and what emerging markets can learn

🧠 The biggest mistake developers make (and how to avoid it by asking the right questions early)

🌍 Why the future of branded resi value includes ESG, wellness, and globally connected benefits programmes

💡 Why curiosity, not certainty, is the most powerful mindset in real estate development today

Whether you’re a developer, investor, or brand eyeing a move into real estate, this episode delivers a masterclass in what it takes to create enduring value – from the ground up.

Rico’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricopicenoni 

Savills UK: https://www.savills.co.uk/central-london/

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this insight-packed episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter speaks with Dan Higginson – Director of Development and Leasing at Greycoat – to explore what makes an office truly valuable in 2025 and beyond.

Dan shares why the old rules of office development no longer apply – and how leading landlords are shifting from a cost-per-square-foot mindset to a hospitality-led, customer-first approach. It’s not just about desks and leases anymore. It’s about experience, identity, and long-term relevance.

Key talking points:

🏢 Why ‘Grade A’ is no longer a differentiator – and what matters more to tenants today

🔁 How retrofit is reshaping the commercial office market in London

🤝 Why service, experience, and tenant relationships are the new battlegrounds for value

🧠 How to design buildings that reflect how people actually work – not just how they used to

If you’re developing, leasing, or investing in commercial real estate, this episode is a must-listen for rethinking how value is created – and who it’s created for.

Dan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-higginson-45b5454b/

Greycoat: http://greycoat.com 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this provocative episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by Georgia Elliott-Smith – engineer, environmental activist, and founder of consultancy Element Four – to explore why sustainability isn’t just a moral imperative, but a commercial one.

Georgia argues that real estate’s current approach to ESG is flawed, often more about brand image than actual impact. But here’s the catch: in a world of changing economic and environmental realities, growing regulation, investor scrutiny, and tenant expectations, shallow sustainability is also bad business.

Key talking points:

🌍 Why net zero pledges are misleading – and how they risk long-term value

🏛️ How policy, litigation, and transparency are reshaping what investors demand

📉 Why greenwashing damages trust, brand equity, and asset performance

💥 Why embracing real change (even when it’s uncomfortable) is a competitive advantage

If you think ESG is just a checkbox – or if you’re serious about making your assets future-proof – this episode will change the way you think about value.

Georgia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaelliott-smith/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this episode of Bricks & More, host Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Calum Hall, founder of Creative Debuts, to explore the evolving role of art in real estate.

From office spaces to retail environments, Calum shares how art isn’t just an aesthetic addition—it’s a powerful tool for placemaking, community engagement, and even financial value creation.

They discuss:

✅ The impact of art on tenant experience, brand identity, and footfall

✅ How developers can integrate art throughout a project’s lifecycle – from public consultation to tenant activation

✅ Why embracing local artists can make spaces more inclusive and dynamic

✅ The growing business case for art in commercial real estate

Whether you're a developer, designer, or just passionate about rethinking real estate value, this episode will show the hidden potential of the walls around you.

Calum Hall on LinkedIn
Creative Debuts: http://creativedebuts.co.uk

Adrian Strittmatter on LinkedIn
Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In the debut episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter welcomes Achelle Hill, Marketing Director Europe at Lendlease, to explore the power of branding and marketing in real estate. 

They discuss how marketing is more than just a promotional tool—it’s a fundamental driver of long-term value creation.

Key topics include:

✅  Branding as a value multiplier—how real estate brands shape perception, demand, and long-term success.

✅  Placemaking & storytelling—why marketing should start at the master planning stage, not just at the launch.

✅  Lendlease’s triple bottom line—how financial, social, and environmental value must be balanced for sustainable success.

✅  The power of partnerships—why collaboration is essential for driving engagement and creating destinations.

✅  Lessons from landmark projects—insights from One Sydney Harbour, Smithfield, Euston, and more.

If you think real estate marketing is just about producing marketing tools this episode will change your mind.

Achelle Hill on LinkedIn
Lendlease: https://www.lendlease.com/

Adrian Strittmatter on LinkedIn
Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

Hi, I'm Adrian Strittmatter. 

Welcome to Bricks and More. I'm the CEO and co founder of Saentys, a global creative consultancy specializing in destinations, real estate, and the hospitality sector since 2008. My team and I have worked on some of the world's most iconic destinations across more than 35 countries. 

My expertise lies in real estate, brand strategy, and sales and marketing. My drive is all about generating value for real estate assets and destinations, no matter where or what they are. 

So if you're passionate about making real estate more valuable for more people. Look, no further. 

Welcome to Bricks and More.

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Natasha Morris, Director of Flex Offices at Landsec, to unpack the unstoppable rise of flexible workspaces and what it really means for real estate value.

From MYO – Landsec’s premium flex brand – to the evolution of the landlord’s role, Natasha shares how customer-centric design and operational excellence can unlock new revenue streams and future-proof portfolios.

Key talking points:

🏢 From landlord to operator – why meeting tenant needs drives long-term value

🔑 Flex beyond flexibility – the managed, all-inclusive model that outsources complexity for customers while boosting NOI

💡 Customer experience as a growth engine – design, wellness, and service that attract and retain premium occupiers

🌱 Built-in sustainability and wellness – how healthy, low-carbon spaces create unseen competitive advantage

💼 The next frontier – events, hospitality crossovers, and the maturing flex market

If you think flexible offices are just a short-term trend, this conversation will challenge how you define – and capture – real estate value.

Natasha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-morris/

MYO: https://myo.co.uk/

Landsec: http://landsec.com/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by Tom Vaughan Fowler, Regional Director at WiredScore, to explore how digital infrastructure has become a cornerstone of modern real estate value.

From office towers in Mayfair to industrial parks in the Middle East, Tom has seen first-hand how connectivity, resilience, and smart technology are no longer “nice-to-haves” but essential drivers of competitiveness. He shares how WiredScore is bridging the widening gap between fast-moving technology and slow-moving real estate — and why the buildings of tomorrow will live or die by their digital backbone.

Key talking points:

🔌 How WiredScore certification helps future-proof assets and boost rental premiums

🏙️ Why connectivity is now as fundamental as water or power — and a major tenant dealbreaker

🏗️ The challenge (and opportunity) of retrofitting historic and listed buildings for 21st century demands

📶 Why 5G and 6G may worsen in-building connectivity — and how landlords can get ahead

♻️ How digital infrastructure underpins ESG goals by enabling smarter energy use and predictive maintenance

If you think “internet is just the tenant’s problem,” this conversation will make you reconsider.

Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-vaughan-fowler-59777a46/ 
WiredScore: https://wiredscore.com/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 
Saentys: https://saentys.com/

In this insight-packed episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Emma Collings – Group Head of Marketing at British Land – to explore how brand and marketing can transform bricks and mortar into living, breathing destinations.

With a career spanning retail, real estate, finance, and social enterprise, Emma brings a rare cross-sector perspective on creating places people remember, choose, and return to. 

She explains why understanding people’s shifting behaviours – whether they’re a B2B decision-maker or a lunchtime shopper – is at the heart of long-term asset value.

Key talking points:

🎯 How cross-sector experience fuels fresh thinking in real estate marketing

🤝 Why every stakeholder touchpoint – from planning to activation – shapes brand equity

🏙️ The role of “campus thinking” in meeting multiple needs throughout the day

📈 Why proving marketing’s impact in B2B is hard – and how to make the case

🕰️ How legacy and longevity give real estate marketing a unique responsibility

If you think brand and marketing in real estate is just about selling space, Emma will make you see it as a powerful engine for lasting value.

Emma’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-collings-54910021/
British Land: https://www.britishland.com/

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 
Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

Bricks & More is back for Season 2!

This season, Adrian Strittmatter is bringing you even more – more guests, more insights, more discoveries across more locations – all focused on one thing: creating more value for more people.

If you’re passionate about building places that truly perform, you won’t want to miss what’s coming. New episodes drop very soon – so get ready to unlock real estate value, one conversation at a time.

And if you haven't caught up on season 1 – do it now before season 2 kicks off!

Season 1 of Bricks & More is a wrap!

From game-changing insights to bold conversations with industry leaders, this first season has been all about reimagining what real estate value really means.

A huge thank you to our brilliant guests and to everyone who tuned in, subscribed, shared, and joined the conversation.

Season 2 kicks off in September – so if you haven’t listened to every episode yet, now’s the perfect time to catch up and get ready for what’s next.

In this bold and forward-looking episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by Rebekah Tobias – co-founder of Propela Ventures and a veteran of capital markets, venture capital, and operational real estate – to explore what makes a real estate platform investable in 2025 and beyond.

With institutional capital ready to deploy billions, the real question is: who’s building the scalable, tech-enabled, operations-first platforms that will attract it?

Rebekah shares lessons from the frontline – from self-storage to student housing – and explains why real estate’s next cycle of growth will be defined not by assets, but by operators bold enough to think differently.

Key talking points:

🚀 Why operational and tech-led models are essential to unlocking real estate value today

💡 What early-stage investors look for in founders – and why alignment beats experience

🏗️ How Propela Ventures backs new operators building platforms from the ground up

🌍 Where Europe's most investable real estate opportunities are emerging – and why

📈 Why scalability is the key to institutional funding (and how to achieve it)

🔥 Why now is the perfect moment to build – even in a market full of uncertainty

If you’re building (or backing) the next generation of real estate platforms – or wondering how to make your assets more investable – this conversation is full of insights you won’t want to miss.

Rebekah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-tobias-2187b66 

Propela Ventures: www.propelaventures.com 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian is joined by Charles Tarriere — investor, strategist, and co-founder of Evonite — to explore how value is created in today’s real estate market when risk is high, data is scarce, and cycles move fast.

Charles shares how Evonite’s independent, risk-based investment model challenges the status quo, and why understanding tenants, embracing simplicity, and sticking to core fundamentals are more important than ever.

Whether you’re navigating stranded assets, rethinking retail, or eyeing overlooked offices — this episode will sharpen your view of what makes a resilient portfolio.

Key talking points:

📉 Why over-consolidation in fund management is narrowing investor choice — and how Evonite offers an alternative

🏢 Why the most underrated asset class right now might just be… offices

🧠 How real tenant insight (not just data) drives smarter investments

🧱 Why “simple” buildings outperform in a fast-changing market

🎯 Why being disciplined about exits is key to long-term returns

If you believe value-add should mean more than a buzzword — this episode is essential listening.

Charles’ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/charles-nicolas-tarriere-6243412/ 

Evonite: https://evonite.eu/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by James Price – Senior Vice President Residential at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts – to unpack what it really takes to deliver long-term value in branded real estate.

Branded residences aren’t just about prestige. They’re about performance, property management, and experience – every day, year after year. With two decades of international development experience, James shares what makes Four Seasons’ approach distinctive – and why simply sticking a logo on a building won’t cut it.

This is a masterclass in how real estate value gets built – from feasibility to finish, from floor plans to feeling at home.

Key talking points:

🏗️ Why great branded residences begin with rigorous design and legal groundwork

📍 How location, architecture, and community combine to create lasting value

🛠️ The Four Seasons difference: in-house management, not third-party outsourcing

📈 Why scale matters — and how it shapes service, cost, and resale potential

👥 How community, people, and hospitality drive value far beyond aesthetics

If you think branded residences are just about name recognition, this episode will change the way you understand what delivers true long-term value – for developers, investors, and owners alike.

James’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamespricefs/

Four Seasons Residences: https://www.fourseasons.com/residences/

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

The Future of European Offices: ESG, Hybrid Work & the Flight to Quality

In this Paris special episode of Bricks & More, host Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Emilie Jaskula, Head of European Real Estate Research at BNP Paribas Asset Management, to explore the rapidly evolving European office market and the forces reshaping real estate investment across the continent.

Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience, Emilie breaks down how macroeconomic shifts (including rising interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainty) have fundamentally altered office market dynamics. She also explains how the post-pandemic shift to hybrid and remote work has forced landlords and investors to rethink traditional office strategies and reposition assets around flexibility, experience, and long-term resilience.

Adrian and Emilie also explore:

- The long-term impact of hybrid and remote work on office demand

- Why ESG has become a core driver of value, not just a compliance exercise

-  The shift from a traditional B2B leasing model to a more tenant-focused, B2C mindset

- The growing polarisation between prime assets and secondary/tertiary offices

- The risks of obsolescence in outdated, inefficient buildings

- How digitalisation and smart building technologies are reshaping asset management and performance

Emilie also highlights the continued strength of prime offices in key European cities such as Paris, London, and Frankfurt, where demand remains resilient for high-quality, well-located, and future-proofed space. She discusses how landlords are now expected to deliver more than just square metres; prioritising wellness, community, sustainability, and user experience.

Despite ongoing disruption, Emilie challenges the “office is dead” narrative, arguing that offices remain essential but are becoming more selective, experience-driven, and performance-focused than ever before.

Tune in to discover how Europe’s office market is being reshaped by ESG, technology, and changing work patterns and what it takes to succeed in the next era of real estate investment.

Follow & Catch Up With Us

Want more from Bricks & More: Unlocking Real Estate Value? Follow Adrian for more exclusive content, and get in touch with Saentys if you have a destination, real estate, or hospitality project of your own.  

Follow Adrian Strittmatter:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter

Follow Bricks & More:

https://linktr.ee/bricksandmore

Contact Saentys:

Website: saentys.com     

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/saentys/

Instagram: instagram.com/saentys/

Follow Emilie Jaskula:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-jaskula-25a6332/

The Rise of Smart Buildings: Digital Twins and the Future of Real Estate

In this episode of Bricks & More, host Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Dan Drogman, CEO of Smart Spaces, to explore the rapid evolution of proptech and how digital twin technology is reshaping the real estate industry.

Dan shares his journey from early work in web design and development to building one of the leading smart building platforms, explaining how his technical foundation helped him pioneer solutions that enhance tenant engagement, improve operational efficiency, and drive asset value for property owners.

Adrian and Dan also explore:

- The challenges of new technology in a traditionally conservative industry

- Integrating modern platforms with legacy building systems

- Designing tools that encourage daily engagement from tenants, landlords, and property managers

- Using smart tech for access control, energy management, and personalised tenant experiences

- Leveraging data insights to improve decision-making/building performance

Dan also discusses global trends shaping the market, including the rising demand for flexible, sustainable, and tech-enabled workspaces. He explains how smart building technology is becoming more accessible across all property types, not just premium developments,and why digital twins are key to creating responsive, data-driven environments.

Tune in to discover how smart building platforms are transforming real estate, delivering not only efficiency and cost savings, but also healthier, more engaging, and future-ready spaces for everyone.

Follow & Catch Up With Us

Want more from Bricks & More: Unlocking Real Estate Value? Follow Adrian for more exclusive content, and get in touch with Saentys if you have a destination, real estate, or hospitality project of your own.  

Follow Adrian Strittmatter:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter
Follow Bricks & More:https://linktr.ee/bricksandmore

Contact Saentys:

Website: saentys.com     

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/saentys/Instagram: instagram.com/saentys/

Follow Dan Drogman:LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/drogmanWebsite: https://www.smartspaces.app/

In the second episode of our Dubai Special, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by Zeeshaan Shah – entrepreneur, founder & chairman of The One Group – to explore how visionary leadership and a human-centred philosophy can unlock extraordinary real estate value.

From selling mobile phone contracts as a student to shaping $2.5B of projects worldwide, Zeeshaan shares how his guiding belief has never changed: real estate should improve people’s lives. That means creating destinations that feel like mini city-states – safe, social, lifestyle-focused places with community, convenience and genuine hospitality at their core.

In a world where expectations have shifted post-COVID, and where safety, tax certainty and lifestyle are driving global demand, Zeeshaan argues that the real opportunity lies in designing for how people want to live, not just what can be built.

Key talking points:

🏗️ Why the most powerful definition of value is simple: solve real problems

🌅 How tiny design decisions – orientation, views, access, flow – create compounding value

🛎️ Why luxury today is less about marble and gold, and more about hospitality-grade living

🔐 How political polarisation, safety and tax regimes are reshaping where people choose to live

👥 Why community and wellbeing are now the real drivers of demand

💡 How management after handover is where long-term value is either protected or lost

If you think real estate is about floor plans and finishes – or if you’re serious about building places that are healthier, happier and more valuable – this episode will make you rethink how value is created.

Zeeshaan’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/zeeshah 

One Group: https://oneg.com/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In the first of our Dubai special episodes of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Mark Eacott – Global VP of Design at Ennismore – to unpack how design, culture, brand and experience fuse to create lifestyle destinations with emotional depth and commercial longevity.

Together, Adrian and Mark explore how lifestyle brands evolve, how residents become ambassadors, why some markets respond differently to design cues, and what’s next for branded living as technology, service, and culture collide.

Key talking points:

✨ Why branded residences work when design, service and community all pull in the same direction

🏙️ How “sense of place” becomes a commercial lever, not just a design flourish

🔧 The amenity space race – and why smarter, flexible spaces beat bloated service charges

🤝 How global brands localise through storytelling, cultural programming and community integration

💡 Why the future of “residential” is actually “living”: mixed-use, lifestyle-led and emotionally resonant

🏠 Why success depends on long-term partnership – not selling, walking away, and hoping for the best

If you want to understand why some destinations feel alive, and others feel like branded ghost towns, this conversation with Mark will change how you think about design-driven value.

Mark’s LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/markeacott 

Ennismore: https://ennismore.com/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

European Self-Storage: Scaling Opportunity in a Fragmented Market

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Craig Mason, Investment Director at Pithos, to explore the evolving European self-storage market and the opportunities emerging for entrepreneurial operators.

Craig explains how smaller ventures can create long-term value in a sector increasingly shaped by institutional investors and established brands. He draws clear parallels between self-storage and the hospitality industry, highlighting how customer service, flexible pricing, and a seamless user experience are central to driving occupancy and returns.

This episode also explores:

- Why local teams are critical to understanding demand and building trust

- The operational similarities between self-storage and hospitality

- How digital booking systems, automation, and data analytics improve performance

- The growth gap between Europe and the more mature U.S. market

- Strategies for scaling in a competitive and consolidating sector

Craig also shares practical insights for new entrants, from leveraging local market expertise to building scalable operating models that differentiate in a crowded landscape.

Tune in to discover why self-storage remains one of Europe’s most dynamic and under-appreciated real estate asset classes, and what it takes to unlock its full potential.

Follow & Catch Up With Us

Want more from Bricks & More: Unlocking Real Estate Value? Follow Adrian for more exclusive content, and get in touch with Saentys if you have a destination, real estate, or hospitality project of your own. 

 
Follow Adrian Strittmatter:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter

Follow Bricks & More:

https://linktr.ee/bricksandmore

Contact Saentys:

Website: saentys.com     LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/saentys/Instagram: instagram.com/saentys/

Follow Craig Mason:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-mason-37416422/

Website: http://www.pithos.eu

Impact Investing in Real Estate: Profit During A Housing Crisis

In this episode of Bricks & More, host Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Mathias Flattin, co-founder of Crayon Partners, to explore how real estate investment is evolving in response to today’s housing challenges.

Mathias shares his journey from venture capital into co-founding Crayon Partners, explaining how his background in innovation and risk-taking shaped his approach to impact-driven real estate investment. He outlines how the firm integrates social impact with financial performance, aiming to address housing affordability while delivering sustainable returns.

Adrian and Mathias also explore:

- Transitioning from venture capital to impact-focused real estate

- The rent-to-own model as a scalable solution to housing affordability

- Empowering families to build equity while maintaining stability

- Leveraging digitalisation and AI for smarter asset management

- Adopting a demand-centric approach to meet evolving tenant needs

Mathias explains how Crayon uses data analytics, AI-driven tools, and digital platforms to enhance operational efficiency and tenant experience, while maintaining a long-term, socially responsible investment strategy. He emphasises that sustainability, inclusivity, and adaptability are no longer optional, they are central to building resilient portfolios.

Tune in to hear how innovative models like rent-to-own, combined with digital transformation, are reshaping the future of real estate. This episode proves that impact and profitability can go hand in hand.

Follow & Catch Up With Us

Want more from Bricks & More: Unlocking Real Estate Value? Follow Adrian for more exclusive content, and get in touch with Saentys if you have a destination, real estate, or hospitality project of your own.  

Follow Adrian Strittmatter:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter

Follow Bricks & More:

https://linktr.ee/bricksandmore

Contact Saentys:

Website: saentys.com     

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/saentys/Instagram: instagram.com/saentys/

Follow Mathias Flattin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathiasflattin/?locale=en

Website: https://www.crayonpartners.com/

An Architect’s Journey: Designing for People, Sustainability, and Value 

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Dicky Lewis, co-founder of White Red Architects, to explore how architecture can balance design, business, and impact.

Dicky shares the story of launching White Red, highlighting the importance of setting a clear vision and values from the start to guide both creative and commercial decisions. He reflects on the challenges of balancing innovative design ambitions with client expectations, budgets, and timelines, offering practical insights into navigating these competing demands.

This episode explores:
- How post-pandemic work patterns are reshaping office and workspace design
 - Using storytelling to integrate end-user experiences into architecture
 - Practical sustainability strategies in materials, energy, and adaptability
 - The role of architecture in expressing brand identity and values
 - Building strong collaborative relationships across clients, consultants, and contractors

The conversation also delves into the evolving role of narrative in architecture, showing how design can create emotionally resonant, functional spaces while addressing societal challenges. Dicky highlights how architects can foster inclusivity, resilience, and wellbeing, framing architecture as both problem-solving and storytelling.

Tune in to hear actionable lessons for architects, developers, and design professionals, and discover how thoughtful design can shape spaces that inspire, connect, and endure.

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Want more from Bricks & More: Unlocking Real Estate Value? Follow Adrian for more exclusive content, and get in touch with Saentys if you have a destination, real estate, or hospitality project of your own.  

Follow Adrian Strittmatter:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter

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https://linktr.ee/bricksandmore

Contact Saentys:

Website: saentys.com     

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/saentys/

Instagram: instagram.com/saentys/

Follow Dicky Lewis:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dicky-lewis

Website: whitered.co.uk

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by Brian De’Ath, Managing Director of Sales & Marketing at Ballymore, to unpack what real value creation looks like in residential real estate – beyond pricing models, amenities arms races, and short-term gains.

At the heart of the conversation is Embassy Gardens and its final chapter, The Capston – a 21-year regeneration journey that reframes value not as a number to be maximised, but as a place to be perfected.

Key talking points:

🏙️ Why the best developments don’t start with price – they start with “the best place to live”

🧠 How buyer value has shifted from calculators to emotional conviction and lived experience

🎭 Why art, culture, and storytelling only work when they’re authentic – not decorative

🚪 How overlooked details (like lift cars, circulation, and arrival moments) quietly drive long-term value

🤝 Why trust, honesty, and human connection matter more than ever in selling off-plan

📉 What London’s stalled pipeline really means – and why scarcity will reshape future value

If you’re interested in how bold vision, obsessive execution, and long-term thinking turn developments into destinations – this episode is a masterclass in how value is felt, not just calculated.

Ballymore’s website: http://ballymoregroup.com/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Tareq Fontane, SVP Investment Management at Kingdom Hotel Investments, to unpack what it really takes to generate long-term value in luxury hospitality.

From stewarding icons like The Savoy in London and Hôtel George V in Paris, Tareq offers a rare owner–operator perspective on how brand legacy, financial performance, governance, and guest experience must work in lockstep.

The conversation goes beyond design and prestige to explore the hard decisions behind renovations, pricing strategy, service culture, ESG, and why short-term cost cutting can quietly destroy long-term asset value. At its core, this is a masterclass in treating landmark hotels not as static assets, but as living brands that demand constant discipline, investment, and care.

Key talking points:

🏛️ Why landmark hotels require stewardship, not just asset management

📊 The delicate balance between short-term returns and long-term value creation

🛎️ How service culture and employee investment directly protect brand equity

💸 Why cutting costs in luxury hospitality can be far more expensive than it looks

🧭 What post-COVID demand shifts reveal about pricing power, experience, and time as the ultimate luxury

If you think luxury hotels are about marble, Michelin stars, and Instagram moments, this episode will challenge you to see them for what they really are: complex, high-stakes businesses where value is earned every single day.

Tareq’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tareqfontane 

Kingdom Hotel Investments: https://kingdomhotels.com/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

Bricks & More is back for Season 3 – and it’s our biggest season yet.

Following an incredible Season 2, Adrian Strittmatter returns with even more global voices, sharper insights, and bolder conversations exploring how real estate value is created, unlocked, and sustained. 

This season brings together international industry leaders, innovators, and thinkers who are redefining how places are designed, developed, operated, and experienced.

Season 3 also adds a new location to the journey: Paris – one of the world’s most influential real estate markets. Expect on-the-ground perspectives from the developers, investors, and advisors shaping the city’s future.

New episodes are coming soon.

Get ready to raise the bar – and unlock real estate value, one conversation at a time.

Season 2 of Bricks & More is officially a wrap.

This season took the conversation further than ever — more guests, more locations, and deeper insight into how real estate value is created, unlocked, and sustained. 

From London to Dubai, we explored the forces shaping the future of real estate through candid conversations with developers, designers, investors, operators, and industry leaders from around the world.

A huge thank you to our growing global audience for listening, subscribing, sharing, and engaging – your curiosity and energy continue to shape what Bricks & More is becoming.

Season 3 is already in the works – and it’s only going to get better.

Until then, let’s keep unlocking real estate value together.

In the third of our ‘Dubai Special’ episodes of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by Dan Von Barloewen and Lindsay McGinn from Accor One Living to unpack one of the fastest-growing – and most misunderstood – frontiers in global real estate: branded residences and mixed-use living.

The episode challenges the idea that value is created at the point of sale. Instead, it reframes branded residences as living ecosystems where value is generated through day-to-day operations, brand authenticity, resale performance, and lifelong relationships with residents.

Key talking points:

🏙️ Why branded residences succeed (or fail) based on service, governance, and long-term commitment — not branding alone

🏷️ The difference between a “labelled residence” and a truly hospitality-led branded home

📊 How demographic insight, psychographics, and local culture determine the right brand for the right place

🔁 Why resale premiums, homeowner satisfaction, and operational discipline matter more than launch-day price uplifts

🌍 How wellness, longevity, community programming, and global brand ecosystems are reshaping residential demand

🚀 What’s next: build-to-rent, private members’ clubs, yachts, and new models of lifestyle-driven investment

If you think branded residences are just about luxury positioning – or if you’re curious how hospitality thinking can future-proof real estate assets – this episode offers a masterclass in how value is really generated, protected, and sustained.

Lindsay’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-mcginn-3859081/ 

Daniel’s Linkedin: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/daniel-von-barloewen-58b08024 

Accor One Living: https://accor-residences.com/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

The Future of European Real Estate: ESG, Mixed-Use Growth, Flight to Quality & the New Office Standard

In this Paris special of Bricks & More, host Adrian Strittmatter sits down with  Marc Fauchille, a senior executive at LaSalle Investment Management, to explore the rapidly evolving European real estate landscape and what it takes to create value in today’s market.

Marc emphasises that traditional value drivers (location, quality) are insufficient. Adaptability, sustainability, and tenant experience now shape European investment and development. Post-COVID, occupier expectations shifted permanently, increasing demand for flexible workspaces, strong ESG performance, and digitally enabled buildings. The discussion also focuses on the ongoing "flight to quality," where investors and tenants prioritise best-in-class assets in core European cities like Paris.

Adrian and Marc also explore:

- Why adaptability and tenant experience now matter as much as location

- The long-term impact of hybrid work on office design and demand

- How ESG has become a core requirement for attracting capital and occupiers

- The rise of mixed-use developments blending office, retail, and residential space

- Why prime European cities continue to outperform secondary markets

- How digital infrastructure is reshaping expectations of modern buildings

Marc grounds these themes with a detailed case study: Bergère Paris, a LaSalle Investment Management refurbishment. He details how the project combined heritage architecture with modern sustainability, smart systems, wellness amenities, and flexible offices to create a future-ready Paris workspace. This acts as an example of repositioning existing assets over new development, demonstrating how thoughtful redevelopment unlocks long-term value and attracts high-quality tenants.

Throughout the episode, Adrian and Marc reflect on what these shifts mean for investors, developers, and occupiers navigating an increasingly complex market. Tune in to discover a clear view of how European real estate is being reshaped by ESG, technology, and changing workplace expectations and what it takes to stay ahead.

Follow & Catch Up With Us

Want more from Bricks & More: Unlocking Real Estate Value? Follow Adrian for more exclusive content, and get in touch with Saentys if you have a destination, real estate, or hospitality project of your own.  

Follow Adrian Strittmatter:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter

Follow Bricks & More:

https://linktr.ee/bricksandmore

Contact Saentys:

Website: saentys.com     

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/saentys/

Instagram: instagram.com/saentys/

Follow Marc:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-fauchille-a6299a5b/

Website: https://www.lasalle.com/