#384 - JASON SOMERS, Founder of Discovolante Development and Crest Real Estate
SUMMARY
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by Jason Somers, Founder of Discovolante Development and President and Founder of Crest Real Estate to discuss the story behind the Californication house and its features; the process of developing houses; working with architects; the Los Angeles architecture and development world; finding the right clients for projects; breaking down documentation and contractor fees; and more.
https://thebeverlyhillsestates.com/listing/the-californication-house/
ABOUT JASON
Utilizing training from exposure to the elite talents of the industry from Developers, Construction Managers, Architects, Engineers, and Contractors as well as the learned success gained from the involvement and completion of over 1,000 diverse real estate development projects, totaling well over several billion dollars, Jason H. Somers and his team at Crest Real Estate have the experience and ability to take diverse projects from the conceptual stages through the completion of construction. Seen as one of the most knowledgeable and reliable consultants in the industry, Jason Somers founded Crest Real Estate which continues to provide exemplary attention to detail, knowledge of code, and rapid response times required by its President and stands on its respected reputation as the most important characteristic of the company.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Introduction to Californication house.
“Expressing to the client how important it is for you to start your interiors and have your construction drawings [before starting construction]. The day you pull your permit is not the day you start construction. Then you start construction is when you are dialed in and you have everything figured out, that’s the way to succeed especially in today’s age.” (09:42)
(15:12) Interior.
“What we tried to achieve in this house is that soul personality, so it is a unique and independent standalone piece that isn’t replicable. So many people talk about the replication of spec houses… We're trying to definitely be a very Michelin-level curated dining experience.” (21:57)
(23:55) Creative approach as developers.
(42:55) Being a client.
“I think that something important in many aspects of life is empathy and putting yourself in the shoes of others… And what this has done has really allowed me to understand design and construction from my client's perspective, because as the developer, and as the client, I hired Crest, I hired the architect, and now I'm understanding, “Why is this not done yet or why didn't I know about this issue?”…It’s a lot of ‘why’ as a client.” (49:10)
(58:26) The architecture and construction industry.
“We’re on a crusade to help the architecture and construction industry stay successful, stay in this positive mindset. Even though the architects and everyone in the industry is cool, there's a lot of animosity between clients and their project teams because of what happens in the field when you're not prepared to go to construction. So it is really on the top of our mind these days.” (01:03:37)
(01:23:17) Vision for Californication house.
(01:32:18) Floor plans.
“Square footage is deceptive these days… Modern architecture has just become so big in every room space. The square footage just adds up.” (01:33:18)
(01:41:47) Architecture in Los Angeles.
