let's dig in!
THE SKY'S NOT ACTUALLY THE LIMIT...
Metropolitan does not believe in artificial limits. Without such constraints, we are able to stretch as far as we need to, to ensure that the needs and objectives of our clients are fully satisfied. Our currency is not measured in dollars, but in the depth of the relationships we form -- on every project. We work with developers, investors and lenders and offer a suite of services tailored to the unique needs of each client type.
Our Development Services include:
FEE DEVELOPMENT: Metropolitan has been identifying, attacking and solving complex, multi-dimensional real estate projects and problems for many years. We offer comprehensive, cradle-to-grave development services, from site selection to punch list. We have been known to add significant value during the project design, entitlement and construction phases and have learned to see around corners that others cannot. Although you may be the owner of the project, we step up to "own" a positive outcome. We align with our clients and bend over backwards to become a truly valuable extension of their project teams. Our fees are always reasonable and our level of service unparalleled.
CONSULTING SERVICES: Metropolitan can also apply its two plus decades of real world development experience to help you shape your investment thesis or to guide or manage your project through its consulting services. We offer a broad range of a-la-carte services including (but not necessarily limited to):
- Due diligence
- Pre-development planning and consulting
- Feasibility analysis/market analysis
- Zoning and entitlements
- Planning and design management
- Proforma development and analysis
- Third party consultant management
- Construction Management
- Bidding and procurement
VENTURES: Metropolitan helps its clients maximize value in transactional opportunities of joint venture and partnership with a particular focus on minimizing risk, and the efficiency of dollars spent and value created. We have years of experience with a wide range of ventured transactions and have learned that the potential to create value is not always aligned with the strategic goals of the constituents involved. Let us vet your opportunity and help you decide whether and how to proceed.
IT'S ALL ABOUT RISK...
Our Investor and Lender Representation Services include:
PRE-INVESTMENT/UNDERWRITING REVIEW: We pride ourselves in providing first-class project underwriting and objective project evaluation services. We focus on not only understanding the material aspects of each project but also in identifying and quantifying potential risks. Finding gaps in underwriting from flaws in project planning, design, entitlement strategy through budgeting is critical while making investment decisions.
- Revenue and Cost Assumptions Review
- Financial Modeling Review
- Project Programing Review
- Project Status Reporting (inclusive of due diligence documentation review)
INVESTMENT PROGRESS REVIEW AND REPORTING: For going concerns or funded real estate developments, we can monitor project progress in two ways. Remote monitoring is perfect for pre-investment decision review or limited project scopes, but is frequently utilized to monitor progress and to review project documentation with monthly reporting. On-Site monitoring can be variable in nature and is typically tailored to the need of the client. It can range from occasional quality review to monthly on-site project visits with monthly executive level reporting. Typical services offered include the following.
Project Documentation:
- Project Programming Review
- Design completeness and scope of work review
- Entitlement status review
- Cost and constructability of a project (both hard and soft costs)
Financial Review:
- Payment Application review – typically monthly
- Billing accuracy, estimated cost vs. actual and review of monthly funding/ draw requests and back-up documentation
- Final payment and project close-out review
Quality Review:
- Monthly project design and construction progress reports
- Overall review of adherence to plans, specifications and accepted industry standards
- Adherence to construction schedule
- Monthly site visits with progress reports and quality control option
- Correctness of submittals, change orders and other documentation
- Project Turn-over process review
our team
Pawel (Paul) Hardej (Principal), trained as an architect, he is a developer & senior consultant, entitlement expert and community steward. He combines the vision and passion of a long-time entrepreneur with the steady hand and structured approach of a corporate professional, allowing him to interface naturally with a wide range of clients and partners. He has been directly responsible for the acquisition, design, development or redevelopment of almost $2.5 billion of mixed-use, condominium, multi-family communities totaling over 2,000 units, as well as multiple retail and entertainment properties. Pawel has also negotiated millions of dollars in incentives, tax credit deals and complex entitlements and is considered a zoning and urban planning expert. Prior to founding Metropolitan, he was an Executive Vice President at Lincoln Ventures and also served as Vice President of Development at Intracorp, one of North America’s largest residential developers, where he managed the development of multiple projects, including Austin project of the year in 2023, a 49-story 44 East condominium high-rise project in downtown Austin, TX. Pawel started his career in early 1990's in Chicago, IL, his first adopted hometown in the United States and later as founder and CEO of Metropolitan Development Enterprises, a vertically integrated CRE developer where he developed numerous award winning multifamily high & mid-rise and town home projects over a twenty plus year stretch.
A native of Warsaw, Poland and now residing in Austin, TX, Pawel studied Architecture at both Warsaw Polytechnic University and at the University of Detroit Mercy and also at the International Academy of Merchandising & Design in Chicago.
Matt Long (Vice President), is a construction industry expert who has worked in the construction and development field for the last 18 years. He has been a part of contracting billions of dollars in construction projects across the Dallas, Austin and Houston markets, spanning a wide variety of sectors, including: multifamily, mixed-use, retail, office, senior living and hospitality.
Matt currently helps run multiple projects for Metropolitan while continuing to track current market costs. Matt’s passion is construction metrics and the ability to predict and dictate a project’s viability early in the process by being conscious of how proven historical formulas balance with current market trends. Matt’s goal is always to avoid value engineering at later stages of design by helping architects create the most efficient building a site will bear at concept.
Matt is married with eight children and has a degree in Construction Science from the University of Oklahoma where he also played NCAA tennis.