This Father-Son Team Built A $1.3 Billion Empire (Here's How) Shawn and Edan Evenhaim

## No Vacancy with Taylor Avakian

**Episode Title:** This Father-Son Team Built A $1.3 Billion Empire (Here's How) Shawn and Edan Evenhaim

**Guests:** Shawn Evenhaim and Edan Evenhaim

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**[00:00] Taylor Avakian:** Welcome back to No Vacancy, the podcast dedicated to all things LA multifamily. Today, I am incredibly honored to have a true powerhouse father-son duo with us, Shawn and Edan Evenhaim, from Balaciano Group and the iconic 'The Q' brand. Gentlemen, thank you so much for joining me. Your work is literally reshaping the Los Angeles skyline, and with nearly $3 billion in transactions and multiple Builder of the Year awards, I know our listeners are eager to hear your story.

**[00:45] Shawn Evenhaim:** Thank you for having us, Taylor. It's a pleasure to be here and share our journey.

**[00:48] Edan Evenhaim:** Absolutely, Taylor. We're excited to dive into how we operate in such a dynamic market.

**[01:00] Taylor Avakian:** Shawn, let's start with your incredible journey. You began as an immigrant in construction and evolved into this large-scale multifamily development. Can you walk us through that initial transition and what inspired you to move beyond just building to developing?

**[01:15] Shawn Evenhaim:** Of course. Coming to this country, I started with what I knew – construction. But very quickly, I saw the immense potential in Los Angeles real estate. I realized that to truly control the quality, the vision, and the outcome, I needed to be involved in more than just the physical construction. It was about understanding the entire lifecycle of a project, from acquisition to design, and ultimately, to the people living in these buildings. That's where the idea of vertical integration really started to form in my mind. I wanted to build not just structures, but communities.

**[02:05] Taylor Avakian:** And that leads perfectly into one of the hallmarks of Balaciano Group: your true vertical integration. You handle everything in-house: entitlement, architecture, general contracting, and even property management. Edan, from your perspective, why is controlling that entire process so critical, especially in a market like LA?

**[02:25] Edan Evenhaim:** It's absolutely paramount, Taylor. In Los Angeles, where regulations are complex and competition is fierce, vertical integration isn't just an advantage; it's almost a necessity for us to deliver the kind of product we envision. By having in-house teams for every stage, we maintain complete control over design, quality, and timelines. For example, our architects work hand-in-hand with our general contractors from day one, anticipating constructability issues and cost implications. This eliminates miscommunications, reduces delays, and ultimately, allows us to deliver a superior product that truly reflects our brand's vision. It also allows us to be incredibly agile and adapt quickly to market changes or unforeseen challenges.

**[03:20] Shawn Evenhaim:** To add to that, it also allows us to really understand the cost structure and the value engineering from the very beginning. We're not just building; we're designing with the end-user and the operational efficiency in mind. This translates into better design, higher quality construction, and ultimately, better community outcomes for our residents.

**[03:45] Taylor Avakian:** That makes perfect sense. It sounds like a well-oiled machine. And speaking of your brand, 'The Q' has become synonymous with premium residential properties. Edan, you've mentioned being inspired by companies like Tesla or Louis Vuitton in terms of brand building. How do you translate that philosophy into multifamily real estate?

**[04:05] Edan Evenhaim:** That's a great question, Taylor. For us, 'The Q' isn't just a name; it's a promise of a certain lifestyle and quality. Like Tesla, we aim for innovation, sleek design, and an integrated experience. Like Louis Vuitton, we focus on craftsmanship, exclusivity, and a consistent, recognizable identity. This means no concessions on quality, from the materials we use to the finishes, to the technology integrated into each unit. Every 'Q' property has a cohesive identity, a distinct aesthetic, and a commitment to service that stands behind the product. We want residents to feel like they're not just renting an apartment, but becoming part of a curated experience. It's about creating a premium product that justifies its value and fosters loyalty.

**[04:55] Taylor Avakian:** That's fascinating. You're not just building apartments; you're building a lifestyle brand. And part of that modern lifestyle undoubtedly involves technology. You're known for creating genuinely smart apartments. Can you elaborate on how you integrate technology at scale and how you use data tracking to constantly improve your buildings?