Dylan Hart & Conor O’Donovan: Rebuilding the Palisades one home at a time

Apr 22

Is it better to sell your burned lot or rebuild and stay? Hear real numbers, real strategies, and a creative “land contribution” model that lets homeowners keep upside without writing massive checks up front.

In this episode, Jan, Dylan, and Conor discuss:

The founding of Village Rebuild and its mission to help restore the Pacific Palisades community
Their real estate backgrounds and how the fires motivated them to shift into rebuilding homes
The three different rebuilding models they offer: GC services, spec development, and land contribution partnerships
How the land contribution model helps homeowners rebuild even when insurance proceeds are delayed

Key Takeaways:

Village Rebuild was created by two real estate professionals who wanted to help restore the Palisades responsibly. Their goal is to rebuild homes while preserving the character and architectural diversity of the community.
The company offers multiple development pathways to meet homeowners where they are financially and emotionally. This flexibility allows families to rebuild even when insurance payouts or construction capital are uncertain.
The land contribution model allows homeowners to retain equity in their property without funding the entire rebuild themselves. By contributing the land to the project, they become partners in the development and share in the eventual outcome.
Rebuilding costs vary widely depending on lot complexity and design requirements. Custom homes can range from roughly $600 to $800 per square foot, depending on finishes, terrain, and architectural goals.

“If you're going to do it, our advice is to get started.” – Dylan Hart

“I think what a lot of people don't talk about is how encouraging it has been. I think a lot of the subcontractors are willing to really lend advice.” – Conor O’Donovan

About the Guests:

Dylan Hart is a co-founder of Village Rebuild, bringing real estate private equity and development experience along with deep roots in the Pacific Palisades community, where he was born and raised. He previously worked at Caruso Affiliated on the redevelopment of Palisades Village and the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel, helped launch a $225 million cannabis-focused real estate platform at Subversive REIT LP, and later served as Vice President of Acquisitions at Avenue Capital Group. Dylan holds a bachelor’s degree in real estate from NYU and an MBA from Columbia Business School, and serves as a Pacific Palisades neighborhood Block Captain.

Conor O’Donovan is a co-founder of Village Rebuild, where he leads investment structuring and development integration to deliver high-quality homes that preserve the Palisades community. Previously, he worked on the real assets team at ICONIQ Capital and earlier at Goldman Sachs and Eastdil Secured, focusing on real estate acquisitions, development, and capital markets. Over his career, he has executed more than $8 billion in transactions across multifamily, industrial, and office properties, and holds a finance degree from Loyola Marymount University.

Connect with Dylan Hart:

Website: https://www.villagerebuild.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-hart-34a682b4/

Connect with Conor O’Donovan:

Website: https://www.villagerebuild.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conortodonovan/

Connect with Jan Brzeski:

Website: https://scipfinance.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires

Email: pr@scipfinance.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete