Designing Profit: How Bill Caleo Built The Brooklyn Home Company | EP662

Business of Architecture Podcast

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What happens when a trained actor walks away from the stage and steps into the world of real estate development? In this episode, Rion Willard speaks with Bill Caleo, co-founder of The Brooklyn Home Company, about how one bold move—and one deeply personal project—sparked a $500 million design-led business. You'll hear the journey of how heart, family, and instinct came together to form a vertically integrated firm that's rewriting the developer playbook.

Bill shares how his theater background gave him a unique edge most developers miss—and why he believes developers have a duty to shape culture, not just buildings. You'll also hear a surprising story about one handcrafted object that saved an entire project during a financial crash. And for architects dreaming of more control, more beauty, and better margins, this conversation just might crack something open.

In this episode, discover:

• The unusual career path that became a secret advantage
• A costly mistake that revealed the most profitable design move they ever made
• Why their most powerful marketing strategy isn't what you think

To learn more about Bill, visit his website: https://www.thebrooklynhomecompany.com/