The Birth of a Building - by Ben Stevens (Paperback)

About the Book

Part One of this book focuses on the "birds and the bees," explaining the economic story which motivates people to create new buildings in the first place. Part Two focuses on the longer pregnancy and delivery process. Here we meet the developers, architects, engineers, urban planners, lawyers, lenders, and investors who play a part in the story.

Book Synopsis

Summary

We spend most of our lives in buildings and see new ones being created around us all the time. But the number of people and disciplines involved in a building's creation make it hard to understand the process as a whole. The Birth of a Building is an introduction to those aspects of finance, law, urban planning, architecture, engineering, construction, and real estate development which underlie this fascinating event.

Part One focuses on the "birds and the bees," explaining the economic story which motivates people to create new buildings in the first place. Part Two focuses on the longer pregnancy and delivery process, walking you through the specific stages that a building project will pass through. Every chapter begins with a simple analogy from everyday life that helps the total beginner relate to the subject matter. And because it takes an interdisciplinary approach, The Birth of a Building can serve as an introduction to many different fields.

Review Quotes

"Jargon-free, educated, and packed with relevant analogies--highly recommended for anyone who wants to be a developer."

-- Dr. Andrew Baum, Professor, Said Business School, University of Oxford; Co-Author, Global Property Investment

"This is the perfect text for an introductory course. It's a clear, concise, and relevant summary of the development process."

-- Lauren K. Lofton, J.D., Lecturer, Graaskamp Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"In addition to his understanding of the development business, Ben has captured the wisdom of several disciplines and shared those insights in an accessible, enjoyable way. I highly recommend it!"

-- Dr. Jaime Luque, Associate Professor, ESCP Business School, Madrid; Director, Institute of Real Estate Finance and Management

"For architects, real estate finance can seem shrouded in complexity. The Birth of a Building explains it thoroughly and succinctly. It's indispensable knowledge for architects wanting to increase their value during the design process."

-- Alan Barker, Architect in Chicago

"A concise, a-to-z guide to real estate development. Ben brings a unique perspective and explains complex concepts in easy to understand ways."

-- Spencer Burton, Institutional Investor in Dallas

"Development can be a black box for most. Our cities would be better off if that weren't the case. The Birth of a Building is a timely primer."

-- Brandon Donnelly, Real Estate Developer in Toronto

"I don't believe you can be a successful planner if you don't understand how a development proposal landed on your desk in the first place. That's why this book is a must-read for planners. It explains the project from start to finish."

-- Jessica Vaughn, Urban Planner in Miami

"The Birth of a Building is the perfect asset for all who are interested in the built environment. Construction professionals can increase their project and client impact greatly through this valuable dive into the real estate process."

-- Jordan Schulz, Construction Manager in Madison, WI