For years, Jeff—the principle of Krieger + Associates Architects—had envisioned launching an LLC dedicated to purchasing, designing, and building custom homes. A key goal of this venture was to deepen his understanding of real estate development, an area of the architectural field he hadn’t previously explored in depth. In the fall of 2020, he took a major step by purchasing a vacant lot in Chestnut Hill. Jeff and his firm designed, documented, and permitted a new single-family home, then brought on a construction manager to build it.
The new home is a modestly sized residence situated on a compact lot, designed to maximize space and functionality. It spans two and a half stories and includes a finished partial basement. The first floor features an open-concept layout that seamlessly connects the living room, kitchen, and dining area, creating a welcoming and versatile space for everyday living and entertaining. The second-floor layout includes a primary suite along with two children’s bedrooms. The third floor offers an additional bedroom and a bonus room which could be partitioned for use as a home office or a children’s play space.
Throughout this process, Jeff gained valuable experience in his role as the developer, learning how to manage contractor hiring, how to finance a construction project, and navigate the responsibilities of being both the client and the property owner. His dual role sparked a deeper interest in the construction phase, allowing him to stay closely involved and engaged in every step of the build. Please enjoy these three videos and photo of the construction process.
