From Military Discipline to Real Estate Success with Felipe Castillo

Episode Overview
In this episode of The Land Development Podcast, host Ryan Glick sits down with Felipe Castillo, partner at PlaceMKR, to discuss his path into real estate development. Felipe shares how his early ambitions to become an architect evolved into a passion for development after gaining exposure to the broader aspects of the industry. His story highlights the influence of military service on his work ethic and leadership style.
Felipe takes listeners through the intricacies of land development, from rezoning to managing investor relationships. With over 30 successful rezonings under his belt, he emphasizes the importance of engaging with local communities and understanding the political landscape to secure project approvals. His insights into raising capital, balancing project complexity, and driving revenue provide valuable lessons for both new and experienced developers.
One of the standout discussions revolves around Felipe’s involvement in redeveloping the iconic Backyard venue in Bee Cave, originally started by Willie Nelson. Felipe explains how his team is transforming the site into a vibrant mixed-use destination while preserving its rich history. This project underscores his philosophy of blending creativity with practical development strategies.