In this special episode of the Real Estate Forum, host Raphael Sidelsky sits down with Ryan Cotton, Head of Bain Capital Real Estate and Head of Bain Capital Private Equity’s global Consumer vertical, for the closing keynote fireside chat from the 17th Annual Columbia Business School Real Estate Symposium, held on December 4, 2024, at Columbia’s Manhattanville campus. The conversation explores Ryan’s thematic, curiosity and consumer driven approach to investing, his views on secular demand drivers across both specialized and traditional asset classes—from life sciences and senior housing to marinas and data infrastructure—and why operational intensity and strategic partnerships are essential to generating alpha in today’s market. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the industry’s most thoughtful investors is reimagining what it means to build the future of real estate.

(00:00) Introduction to the Real Estate Forum and today's special guest, Ryan Cotton.

(02:15) Ryan's journey from studying philosophy at Princeton to working with the Boston Red Sox.

(05:30) Transition to Bain Capital and insights into thematic and alternative investing.

(08:45) The role of curiosity and self-knowledge in successful investing.

(12:00) Key investment highlights, including the Canada Goose success story.

(15:20) Discussion on thematic investing and identifying future trends in real estate.

(18:40) Ryan's views on the current real estate cycle and macroeconomic factors.

(22:10) The impact of AI on business practices and future implications.

(25:30) Audience Q&A session with Ryan Cotton.

(30:00) Exploring niche real estate opportunities and operational challenges.

(35:00) Insights into global real estate allocation: US vs. Europe vs. Asia.

(40:00) The importance of competitive advantage in real estate investing.

(45:00) Final thoughts on the future of real estate and closing remarks