Ep. 16: The Architect Red Flag You Can’t Afford to Miss
The right architect protects your vision. The wrong one costs you thousands.
In this episode, Katie Kim is joined by Ellen Spencer—architect, project manager, and trusted collaborator—to unpack one of the most misunderstood dynamics in development: how to hire (and work with) design partners who don’t derail your strategy.
If you’re a business owner or investor building your first location—or scaling into development—this conversation is your blueprint.
What you’ll learn:
- How to vet architects who understand your numbers
- What “stamped vs. unlicensed” actually means—and why it matters
- The warning signs of ego-led design (and how to redirect them)
- How Katie and Ellen structured a mixed-use dream deal—and why it collapsed
- The mindset shift from “project manager” to “team integrator”
- Real-life examples of how architecture can make—or break—your capital stack
Listen in if you want to scale smarter, build strategically, and protect your bottom line from design decisions that don’t align with your business model.
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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro: The architect-developer relationship no one talks about
01:25 – Collaboration vs. ego: what makes or breaks a project
03:41 – What it really means to be a licensed architect
07:20 – “Designer architects” and why they can’t always seal the deal
08:37 – Madison Theater: RFPs, vision, and why your team matters
14:47 – The deal that died — and the hard lessons it taught
17:14 – Integrated Team Delivery: how Katie structures smart deals
18:53 – If you’re not listening to your team, you’re wasting money
20:18 – Designing for your brand, not just your blueprint
21:40 – Why Ellen dreams (literally) about strategic design
22:29 – Architect ego vs. project performance
23:40 – Coffee, chemistry, and a date that turned into development
26:04 – From vision board to build-out: CXT Coffee’s origin story
29:02 – Designing for profit: how floor plans reflect your P&L
33:28 – A $379K tax credit story that started with one question
34:51 – Capital stacks and why your architect needs to get them
35:38 – Final words: collaboration is capital — protect your vision
🔗 Connect with Katie Kim
🌐 Website:
https://www.katiekim.com – The Katie Kim Educational Platform
https://www.thekimgroup.com – The Kim Group
📱 Instagram:
@thekatiekim
@thekimgroup
💼 LinkedIn:
Katie Arnholt Kim, CCIM
The Katie Kim Educational Platform
The Kim Group
📘 Facebook:
The Katie Kim Educational Platform
The Kim Group
🔗 Connect with Ellen Spencer
💼 LinkedIn:
Ellen Spencer, AIA, NCARB
linkedin.com/in/ellen-a-210
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