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/