In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, Jeff Deehan of Dymaxion Development shares how his passion for city-building (first sparked by playing SimCity as a kid) evolved into a career in real-world development. Based in Lansing, Michigan, Deehan’s firm takes a hyper-local, mixed-asset approach, developing multifamily, industrial, and even community-scale projects within a 100-mile radius. Rather than chasing population or job growth trends, he starts with a property or area that’s underutilized and reimagines how it can be integrated into the broader economic and social fabric of the region. His firm simultaneously tackles construction, development, and asset management, giving them long-term flexibility and the ability to solve problems in real time.

Deehan discusses the difference between multifamily and industrial development, noting that industrial is typically easier to construct and manage but often faces more public resistance when outside traditional industrial zones. Conversely, multifamily projects generally face less pushback but come with different financing and entitlement dynamics. He also stresses the value of relationship-building in his market, spending hours each day speaking with brokers and local businesses to understand their needs and uncover opportunities.

When it comes to capital deployment, Dymaxion maintains a 50/50 balance between acquisitions and development, focusing on long-term value creation rather than speculative growth. For those looking to get into development, Deehan offers frank advice: start small, avoid overleveraging, and ensure you’re creating value you can live with—because development is rewarding, but definitely not for the faint of heart.

Connect with Jeff:

Website: https://www.dymaxionde...

X: https://x.com/Jeffdeehan

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