This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Why is that certain real estate projects catalyze community transformation, while others make no impact? David describes why NOT having the typical ‘advantages’ of a real estate developer -land, money & tenants – has proven to be his secret weapon. Instead integrating Innovation + Design + Education + Arts has involved the community in defining the future of I.D.E.A, propelling the project forward with a broad base of support. n 2011, David and Pete Garcia formed I.D.E.A. Partners to lead the development of the I.D.E.A. District (www.ideadistrictsd.com) — Innnovation+Design+Education+Arts — in downtown San Diego. This transformative initiative, located on 35 blocks in the Upper East Village, aims to create a vibrant, sustainable mixed-use district that will generate over 13,000+ design and technology jobs in the next 10 years. IDEA1, their first mixed-use project with partner Lowe Enterprises, will break ground in early 2015. Before starting his own firm, David was the Founder and a Managing Director for seven years with RCLCO’s Development Services Group where he provided development management services to a wide variety of corporate and institutional clients. Prior to that, between 1996-2002, David was a Senior Vice President at TrizecHahn Development Corporation. During his six-year tenure, he was the key project executive on Hollywood & Highland and the Kodak Theater (now Dolby Theater) in Hollywood, CA in collaboration with architects Stan Eckstut and David Rockwell. During this same period he also initiated the development of Paseo Colorado in Pasadena, CA. Video Previous to his position at TrizecHahn, David was Vice President/General Manager at Disney Development Company-West. During his nine years at The Walt Disney Company, he managed the development of over $250 million in projects including The Feature Animation Building in Burbank with architect Robert A. M. Stern and Disney Ice and The Disneyland Administration Building in Anaheim both designed by Frank Gehry. From 1993-1996 he spearheaded Disney’s restoration of the New Amsterdam Theater in New York with architect Hugh Hardy, which catalyzed the highly acclaimed development of additional retail/entertainment business on New York’s famed 42nd Street. David is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He lives in Del Mar with his wife Ann Berchtold. About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

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