You can only understand why a city looks the way it does if you understand the people who made it. The Skyline Forum is a place to get to know those people: the architects, engineers, urban planners, lawyers, financiers, and real estate developers who bring its spaces to life. Click here for an overview of the episodes we have posted so far. Click here for a list of books, articles, and other resources we recommend. Finally, click here to learn about my new book, The Birth of a Building: From Conception to Delivery.
My name is Ben Stevens. I spent my 20’s in the non-profit world in Europe. During those years, I befriended several architects. And when I later decided to make a career shift, I knew I wanted to be involved in the things they do. One of them suggested I consider doing so as a “real estate developer,” and I took him up on that advice. But I’ve retained my passion for related disciplines like architecture and urban design. I created the Skyline Forum while getting my MBA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to continue researching those fields.
I’m currently a project manager at an affordable housing development firm in Chicago. You can find me on Twitter, LinkedIn or email me on the contact form. Hope we’ll cross paths.