Stephen Ross had an uncompromising vision for a transformational park built over a highway as part of an ambitious Detroit master plan. The challenge was cost. Tina Ladd has built her career remaining determined in the face of challenges. Through her work on both the Detroit master plan and Hudson Yards, she honed her skills to turn the impossible into possible. Today, that same relentless, solutions-driven mindset defines her work at Aker, where she shows that determination applies just as much in multifamily value-add as it does in billion-dollar mixed-use developments.

The Kinwood redevelopment in Rensselaer, New York exemplifies Aker's approach to value-add properties. What began as "Mansions at Technology Park" — a deteriorating 390-unit complex with 21 years of deferred maintenance—became a case study in strategic repositioning. Rather than chasing luxury branding, Aker focused on authentic values that brought a sense of community into a once transient neighborhood.

By building a strong brand around values like dependability, authenticity, accessibility, and even playfulness, the Aker team laid the groundwork for more than just property upgrades — they set the stage for community impact. With a clear phasing strategy, Tina’s team addressed deferred maintenance, added connection-driven amenities, and refreshed apartments with smart, high-impact materials. The result shows how intentional branding, paired with strategic capital investment, can breathe new life into overlooked assets while building a genuine sense of community.

Episode Outline

(01:47) Early career lessons from Hudson Yards and exposure to large-scale development

(04:40) Mentorship lessons in people management and problem-solving

(12:05) Joining Aker, an employee-owned company focused on community building

(19:13) Evaluating and repositioning Mansions at Technology Park

(25:13) Unit renovation strategy based on Aker’s core values

(34:41) Working with branding consultants and creating cohesive guidelines across assets

(40:01) Current projects, including first fund launch and expansion closer to New York City

Additional Resources

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Connect with Marianne Kwok

Connect with Amelia Patt-Zamir

Learn more about Method Develop

Learn more about No Walls Studio

Check out excerpts from the Kinwood brand guidelines

Contact leasing for the Kinwood

Connect with Tina

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Aker Website

Email [email protected] to get in touch with her regarding the fund mentioned in this episode

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