Real Estate for Breakfast
Real Estate for Breakfast

Real Estate for Breakfast

McGuireWoods

Overview
Episodes

Details

“Real Estate for Breakfast” is a Chicago-centric commercial real estate podcast presented by McGuireWoods. Hosted by Phil Coover, a partner at McGuireWoods, the podcast features conversations with industry leaders including developers, property management professionals, brokers, attorneys, investors, visionaries, tenants, tenant representatives, and business owners. The show delivers thoughtful commentary on current real estate issues, explanations of sophisticated real estate challenges, and insights on emerging trends—all at the intersection of real estate business and law. Phil leverages his experience as both a licensed attorney and real estate managing broker in Illinois to translate complex issues into engaging discussions about real estate, business, and life. McGuireWoods is a full-service firm providing legal and public affairs solutions to corporate, individual, and nonprofit clients worldwide for more than 200 years collectively. Our commitment to excellence in everything we do gives our clients a competitive edge in everything they do. Our law firm, over its 186-year history, has earned the loyalty of our many long-standing clients with a deep understanding of their businesses, and broad skills in corporate transactions, high-stakes disputes, and complex regulatory and compliance matters. To learn more about our discussions, please email host Phillip Coover at [email protected] or visit our website at mcguirewoods.com. This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

Recent Episodes

When Great Minds and Believers Collaborate: Chicago’s Metropolis Pointe, with JC Griffin and Jim Rylowicz
FEB 18, 2026
When Great Minds and Believers Collaborate: Chicago’s Metropolis Pointe, with JC Griffin and Jim Rylowicz
An innovative mixed-use development in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood is being led by a collaboration of “great minds” and a “family that believes in a greater Chicago.” That’s how JC Griffin explains Metropolis Pointe. The family that believes is his family-governed Griffin Venture Group. The great minds include Jim Rylowicz, VP and general manager at CenTrio, a provider of sustainable energy solutions. Host Phil Coover invites them both to discuss the project in this episode. JC describes Metropolis Pointe as a sustainable project that the community, environment, and Earth can be “happy about for generations.” Jim recalls listening to JC’s pitch and realizing that Metropolis Pointe aligns with how CenTrio thinks about energy. “And given that alignment, it was a no-brainer to keep the conversation going.” Tune in to this conversation to hear why Axios selected Metropolis Pointe one of Chicago’s top projects for 2026.Connect and Learn More☑️ Jim Rylowicz | LinkedIn☑️ CenTrio | LinkedIn☑️ JC Griffin | LinkedIn☑️ Griffin Venture Group | LinkedIn | Instagram☑️ Phil Coover | LinkedIn☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.
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43 MIN
Guiding Office Tenants in Today’s Challenging Market, with Melissa Copley
DEC 22, 2025
Guiding Office Tenants in Today’s Challenging Market, with Melissa Copley
Drawing on extensive experience navigating major shifts in the commercial real estate market, Melissa Copley reflects on her practice with McGuireWoods partner and host Phil Coover. Now vice chairman at Newmark in Chicago, where she represents large tenants of office space in major metropolitan areas, Melissa highlights the impact of today’s economic and geopolitical conditions. As tenants consider issues of economic uncertainty and occupancy, they tend to put off decision-making. “I always like to have my clients start early, especially now. It is a shrinking pool of good alternatives,” she says. Tune in for other insights, including why AI can’t replace strategic brain power, what happens when premier space goes vacant, and what strong tenants are looking for in amenities. Spoiler: It’s beyond just a fitness center. Connect and Learn More☑️ Melissa Copley | LinkedIn☑️ Newmark | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X☑️ Phil Coover | LinkedIn☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.
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40 MIN
When You Construct Buildings and Build Relationships, with John Slaten
NOV 4, 2025
When You Construct Buildings and Build Relationships, with John Slaten
Slaten Construction is a “service company for building relationships,” explains founder and CEO John Slaten. And because building relationships is a core value, the company enjoys repeat business from customers with projects ranging from a $400 million data center to a $50,000 office remodel. In this conversation with host Phil Coover, John describes his journey, from launching the firm by himself in 2017 to growing it over the years. Tune in for his insights about weathering construction trends, hiring people who fit the company culture, and doing “whatever it takes” to ensure the firm succeeds – for his customers and his staff.Connect and Learn More☑️ John Slaten | LinkedIn☑️ Slaten Construction | LinkedIn | Facebook☑️ Phil Coover | LinkedIn☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.
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36 MIN
From Single-Family Homes to 200-Unit High-Rise, with Tony Andrews and Dimitri Nassis
AUG 20, 2025
From Single-Family Homes to 200-Unit High-Rise, with Tony Andrews and Dimitri Nassis
Tandem has built an impressive portfolio scaling from single-family homes to a 200-unit high-rise in Chicago's competitive market. To explain why Crain’s took notice with a recent article about the firm, co-founders Tony Andrews and Dimitri Nassis share their remarkable journey with host Phil Coover. After reconnecting in an airport, the childhood friends partnered on their first profitable single-family project. “It was just very simple for me,” Tony recalls. “The accounting was simple. It's pluses and minuses and a little bit of division.” The duo expanded into multifamily developments, weathering the recession of ‘08 and Covid shut-downs. Tune in for their insights about vertical integration in development, the hidden profit strategies some general contractors use, and prioritizing transparency over traditional bidding battles. Connect and Learn More☑️ Dimitri Nassis | LinkedIn☑️ Tony Andrews | LinkedIn☑️ Tandem | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube☑️ Phil Coover | LinkedIn☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.
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44 MIN
Private Equity's Secret Weapon: Real Estate Arbitrage, with Jordan Shtulman and Jonathan Wolfe
JUL 15, 2025
Private Equity's Secret Weapon: Real Estate Arbitrage, with Jordan Shtulman and Jonathan Wolfe
What if you could turn your real estate into a money-making machine while keeping your business running exactly where it is? Jordan Shtulman and Jonathan Wolfe of Stream Capital Partners have mastered the art of sale leaseback arbitrage, helping private equity firms unlock millions from non-earning real estate assets. With host Phil Coover, they explain how private equity firms buying businesses at four to eight times EBITDA can sell the underlying real estate at 12 to 18 times rent multiples. Tune in for their insights about structuring complex sale leaseback deals, the personality traits needed for success in commission-only brokerage, and why being an advisor trumps being a broker.Connect and Learn More☑️ Jordan Shtulman | LinkedIn☑️ Jonathan Wolfe | LinkedIn☑️ Stream Capital Partners | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X☑️ Phil Coover | LinkedIn☑️ McGuireWoods | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.
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41 MIN