In this episode, Christian is joined by Peter Bronsnick, Executive Regional Director at Cushman & Wakefield, overseeing operations across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Peter's career story of evolution from hands-on developer and deal maker at SJP Properties to leading one of the most powerful real estate advisory platforms in the country of Cushman & Wakefield. Over his two plus decades in the industry, he has touched on every side of the business, site selection, planning, entitlements, construction, leasing, acquisition, capital markets and marketing. Christian and Peter discuss how a developer’s mindset can sharpen leadership within an advisory powerhouse, what defines successful placemaking today, and his role in some of the region's most transformative projects, including M station in Morristown.

https://www.cushmanwakefield.com

https://theantiarchitect.com/

0:00 – Christian introduces Peter Bronsnick and his role at Cushman Wakefield
1:29 – Why developers need to better understand architecture and design
2:49 – Lessons Peter learned working under Steve Pozycki at SJP Properties
4:37 – The importance of discipline, preparation, and internal expertise
5:47 – What frustrates Peter about how architects approach projects
7:07 – Why the architectural vision doesn’t always translate to real-world use
8:29 – How client collaboration has evolved in architecture and development
9:48 – The dangers of overdesign and ignoring budget realities
11:03 – Finding the balance between creative vision and financial feasibility
12:07 – Getting all stakeholders at the table from the start
13:47 – What a perfect architect developer partnership should look like
15:01 – Why architects need to be comfortable pushing back
16:11 – How to help architects better understand developer risk and mindset
18:02 – Why studying failed developments teaches more than studying success
20:05 – The red flags Peter looks for early in developer relationships
21:00 – Why architects are overworked and underpaid and how that starts
23:00 – How the urgency of capital impacts every part of the development process
24:06 – Peter reflects on his biggest lessons from a decade at SJP Properties
26:22 – The importance of sequencing and process in complex development
27:57 – Why SJP was more than just a developer and how that shaped Peter
28:58 – What inspired Peter’s leap to Cushman and Wakefield
30:07 – Building and scaling a business inside Cushman Wakefield
31:52 – Coordinating brokerage, capital markets, and internal teams
33:15 – How New Jersey real estate culture differs from New York
34:57 – Peter’s origin story and how he accidentally got into real estate
36:43 – The story of getting fired by his dad and finding a new path
38:11 – Why Peter pursued real estate at NYU after Michigan State
39:12 – Deep dive into M Station and what made it a successful placemaking case study
42:31 – The future of real estate development in downtown markets
44:01 – Why speed, innovation, and hospitality models are here to stay
46:02 – The mental health impact of placemaking and returning to the office
47:37 – The rise of AI and Cushman Wakefield’s approach to adoption
49:15 – Why future leaders will need to be AI literate
50:06 – Peter’s final thoughts on the future of cities and the importance of results
52:27 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with Peter Bronsnick