Experienced Businessman and Entrepreneur
LRE & Co Secures County Approval for Major Retail Development in Crescent City, California
LRE & Co, a full-spectrum real estate development, asset management, construction, and hotel management firm, has successfully obtained approval from the Del Norte County Planning Department for a major retail development project in Crescent City. The...
Renting vs. Buying: Rethinking the American Dream
The American dream has long been synonymous with homeownership, the white picket fence, the mortgage payments that build equity, and the pride of owning your slice of the pie. Yet today, 36% of American households rent their home, representing millions of people...
San Francisco Just Hit the Reset Button – Welcome back to a Clean, Confident, and Commercial-Ready City
As a longtime resident of San Francisco and a commercial real estate developer, I’ve seen the city go through dramatic highs and lows. SF has had many years of uncertainty, rising vacancies, deteriorating street conditions, and growing frustration among residents and...
Retail’s Comeback Is Real — And Cities Should Help Us Build on It
By Akki Patel After years of speculation about the “death of retail,” something remarkable is happening in 2025: brick-and-mortar retail is not just surviving — it's thriving. Across the country, retail vacancy rates have dropped to their lowest levels in decades,...
Empowering Mothers in the Workplace: Building Stronger Communities Through Inclusion
At LRE & Companies, we believe that empowering mothers is not only a matter of equity—it’s a foundation for stronger businesses, healthier communities, and sustainable economic growth. As a real estate development firm rooted in community-building, we’ve seen...
The Hidden Power of Hiring: How the Right People Can Make or Break Your Business: Part 1
Hiring the right people is one of the most critical decisions a business owner can make. A strong team can propel a company forward, while the wrong fit can slow progress, create friction, and even set a business back. Over the years, I’ve learned that hiring isn’t...
The Power of a Diverse Team in Real Estate Development: A Q&A With Akki Patel
At the helm of LRE & Companies, Akki Patel has built a reputation for visionary leadership in commercial real estate development. With a deep understanding of market trends, community needs, and business strategy, Akki has led LRE’s expansion across Northern...
Social Connection-Focused Q&A with Akki Patel
How do you see the role of commercial real estate evolving, particularly with projects like the Social Connection at Roseville Junction? Commercial real estate today is much more than buildings; it’s about creating spaces that foster connection and community. The...
Akki Patel Q&A: Inspiration, driving philosophy and more
What orginally inspired you to get into commercial real estate?My fascination started young. My father was involved in real estate, so I was surrounded by it early on. I remember being a kid, barely tall enough to hand out brochures, talking to people about projects...
Making a Real Estate Project “Pencil Out” in California
As an energetic and risk-taking entrepreneur, I’ve spent years navigating the intricate world of commercial real estate in California. At the helm of LRE & Co., I have learned that making a commercial real estate project "pencil out" – or estimate whether a...