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tadeusz rajwer

tadeusz rajwer

New York, NY, US

 
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About 

An accomplished Director with visionary expertise in solving complex problems in a global, fast-paced environment using a rare combination of business and creative skills. Deep experience in the architecture, design and real estate development industry with a track record of successful and award winning projects against the backdrop of demanding external realities. Able to management projects owners side to create significant value and makes the built world a better place, one project at a time.

Site Selection & Feasibility   
Due Diligence & Financial Structures 
Strategy & Development Plans
Global Experience & Network  
Published & Award-winning
New Project Branding & Marketing  
Presentations & RFP Proposals 
Budgets & Scheduling for Project Delivery   
Permit & Public Process & Complex Zoning 
Design & Documentation   
External Consultants & Internal Staffing 
Green Design & Value Engineering  
Tenders & Construction
Leadership & Mentoring   
Community Service & Charity Work

Employment 

T-DRIVE, New York, NY, US, Founder/Owner

Providing real estate consulting services to owners and developers of residential, hospitality, commercial, government, interior, and mixed use projects for all parts of the development process. In addition, creating and bringing own development projects to the market. Expertise in delivering complex, innovative and award winning projects. Specialized skillset includes due diligence, presentations, analysis, planning, programming, zoning, design options, test fits, zoning, area calculations, financial information, competitor analysis, construction methodology and selection, construction monitoring, budgets and schedules.

Aug 2019 - current
 

Abercrombie and Fitch, Director

• Designed and initiated the aggressive rollout of multiple international flagship stores (14) in Europe and Asia.
• Developed a new Flagship prototype, and implemented previously nonexistent standards and procedures.
• Provided strategy, selection, evaluation, and lease coordination for several new retail opportunities.
• Successfully resuscitated a troubled project by renegotiating a lease agreement, which now promises to be one of the most profitable Abercrombie & Fitch stores in Europe.
• By incorporating construction work into the Landlord’s contract for one particular project, was also able to shorten the overall construction schedule by 3 months.
• Weekly presentations to CEO on Flagship store progress, design and construction issues.
• Set up and supervised the internal and external teams responsible for store documentation and construction, across geographical, language, time-zone and cultural complexities for Flagship projects.
• Developed, monitored, and successfully kept on track aggressive schedule and budget targets.
• Extensive studio leadership, and mentoring of small internal team (7) of project managers and designers via weekly meetings, presentations, recruiting interviews, staffing, strategy tips, and time-management lessons.

Oct 2010 - current
 

Perkins Eastman, New York, NY, US, Associate Principal

• Responsible for managing design team and client communication for multiple projects simultaneously in various phases from feasibility to completion.
• Over 51 projects (13 completed), 63 million sf, billions of dollars in construction costs.
• Extensive expertise completing complicated mixed-use projects without compromising innovation and excellence.
• Direct responsibility for the financial health of projects, and meeting strict financial goals, including developing, monitoring and adjusting budgets and resources.
• Millions of dollars of fees under management.
• Responsibility for developing, tracking and maintaining compliance with schedule.
• Deep understanding of New York zoning and the New York real estate ecosystem.
• Extensive understanding of international forces and working globally.
• Directing business development: proposal writing and leading responses to requests for proposals, competitions and pitch presentations.
• Responsible for retention, recruitment, mentoring, training, career development, studio management and reporting to executive management.
• Responsible for monitoring new trends, techniques and innovations; for developing and rolling out brand standards and implementing new initiatives.

Oct 2012 - Jul 2019
 

Gensler, Design Director

• Hand-picked to lead a design team for the Shanghai Tower Project, a 4million sf, office, hotel, retail, super tower project, currently under construction. At 632m (2075ft), this will be the tallest building in China, and the second tallest building in the world, and has over 128 floors, 3000+ working drawings and 5 different Green strategies.
• In recognition of outstanding work on the Shanghai Tower Project, was selected to stay on to guide and mentor the Shanghai office, and lead other projects.
• Spearheaded the design and documentation of over 20 different mixed use masterplan, retail, entertainment, hospitality and super tower projects in over 20 different global locations.
• Co-managed a studio of 27 people by providing hands on design direction, staffing, mentoring, chasing business leads, writing contracts, marketing, and giving multiple presentations to clients or government officials while travelling on average 3 days per week.
• Extensive business travel to manage clients and projects in USA, in South America and in over 30 different cities in China.
• Awarded Design Director title after over 4 years of visionary designs in July 2010 but left Gensler prior to the official award ceremony in December 2010.

May 2007 - Oct 2010
 

Woods Bagot, Project Director

• Specifically appointed to lead the complex transformation of 1912 Edwin Lutyens heritage building into a super deluxe apartment hotel, a new benchmark of hospitality, in Mayfair, London.
• Managed an internal team of 8 people, and an external team of consultants to complete the documentation for the project on time, and organize for the construction of the hotel to occur without disrupting the functioning of the biggest ballroom in London of 2000 seats, directly underneath.
• Directed a number of masterplan proposals, competitions, and business development leads, which later became successful projects.

Jul 2006 - May 2007
 

Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP, Design Director

• Partnered with Pritzker award winning international architects Renzo Piano from Italy for the Morgan Library project and Jean Nouvel from France for the Rutgers Campus and 100-11th Ave Residences projects to provide local support and ensure success with their innovative New York projects.
• Designed, documented, and created presentations to the Mayor of Rutherford, New Jersey for the Highland Park mixed use project featuring main street concept, parks and 3189 residential units.
• Spearheaded the design for numerous international and local competitions with many successes including the Shanghai Cultural plaza project – a 2000 seat Broadway style theater set into a park, and the Reed-Putnam mixed use project in Norwalk, Connecticut.
• In recognition for the competition winning design for the Shanghai Cultural Plaza, and efforts during the documentation phase, was awarded the title of Design Director, a position that did not previously exist within Beyer Blinder Belle.
• Provided design direction for several major high profile built projects such as the Muhammad Ali center in Louisville, Kentucky, the Natick Mall in Boston, the Apollo Theater in New York and the Kansas City Live downtown rejuvenation project.

Oct 2004 - Jul 2006
 

Brookfield Multiplex, Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA, Development Manager

• Responsible for zoning, code, land use, design, feasibility, acquisition advice and recommendations.
• Responsible for assembly and managing of internal and external teams (architects, interiors, contractors) for high-end residential, hospitality and mixed-use projects from inception to handover. (3 main projects - Maroubra, Monument, and Raffles)
• Responsible for strict financial goals, schedule and budget.
• Collaborate and coordinate with stakeholders such as sales, marketing, development, operations, finance, construction and executive team.
• Writing and managing RFP and competitions for architects and interiors.
• 12 projects (5 built), 5 million sf

Jan 2000 - Oct 2004
 

Education 

New York University (NYU), New York, NY, US, Certificate in Disruptive Innovation

Foster innovation in teams and examine disruptors in the real world.

Jan 2018 - Jan 2018
 

NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate, New York, NY, US, Certificate in Real Estate Development

The Development Lifecycle.
Complex Proforma analysis in excel.

Jan 2014 - Jan 2014
 

New York University (NYU), Masters, MBA

MBA degree, - conferred by 3 top universities in London, Paris and New York
Executive MBA (Global): NYU (USA), LSE (UK), HEC (France) Top Student: Strategy, Marketing

• Three degrees, including two architectural and an MBA degree, conferred by 3 top universities in London, Paris and New York for a ‘book wise’ education. Lived and worked in five different countries with over 20 years experience for a ‘street wise’ education.

May 2007 - May 2010
 

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), MArch, MArch (Urban design)

MARCH (Urban Design): RMIT, Melbourne, Australia Full scholarship 2003

Note: Published book based on this body of work called 'free cell urbanism' available amazon.

May 2000 - May 2003
 

The University of Auckland, BArch, Barch (Hons)

BARCH (Hons): University of Auckland, NZ Top Student final 2 years

Jan 1987 - May 1993
 

Awards 

Published, Other

PUBLISHED: ‘Free Cell Urbanism’ 2010 available amazon

2011
 

parachute pavillion, Other

EXHIBITED: Parachute Pavilion 2006

2011
 

Published, Other

PUBLISHED: ‘Hudson Rail Yards’ 2004

2011
 

Venice Prize, 1st Place

WINNER: Venice prize 1991
Awarded to AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY and collaborating students

2011
 

GDEA award, 1st Place

GDEA AWARD: Shanghai Tower 2008

2008
 

Turoa Ski Lodge, 1st Place

1st PRIZE: Turoa ski lodge 1995

1995
 

Chaffers Housing, 1st Place

1st PRIZE: Chaffers Housing, Wellington 1993

1993
 

Courtney Bus Terminal, 1st Place

1st PRIZE: Courtney Bus Terminal, Wellington 1992

1992
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills