special Report Who’s Who In Real Estate: Edward Kirk

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Across the street from L.A. Live, Edward Kirk is overseeing construction of building what will be one of the two tallest hotels in Los Angeles, a 393-unit, 23-story LA-Marriott.

Kirk, the 46-year-old director of construction at the L.A. office of Sodo Builders LLC, has so far managed $1 billion in hotel, commercial office and multifamily residential construction projects over his 27-year career.

His major local hotel projects include W Hollywood Hotel and Montage Beverly Hills.

Kirk, who has been with the Seattle-headquartered full-service contractor since 2011, said he finds a real emotional connection with his work.

“You spend two years of your life going a thousand miles per hour to build, build, build to then having to show someone how it works and where everything is,” he said. “It can be hard because, as a builder, you feel like it is your baby and you have to turn it over to someone else to take care of it.”

Kirk got his start working for subcontractors on hotel and mixed-use projects. Over time, he worked his way up to project manager and then construction director.

When the hotel construction business was hit hard during the recession, he turned to consulting on other types of residential projects before returning to general contracting with Sodo in 2011.

Postrecession, he said, clients were suddenly much more willing to spend money on finishes and amenities: Room finishes are more upscale, spaces for amenities have become bigger and are better furnished, and even fitness rooms and pool deck areas are being upgraded. Pool decks, especially, are more of a gathering place and a focal point to help drive revenues these days.

“The hotel industry is trying hard to get people into their hotels and spend time in their hotels,” he said. “It’s all an effort to improve end users’ experience.”

Though hotel construction has been picking up momentum, Kirk said, compared with multifamily residential construction, it’s still lagging. He expects more hotel projects to line up if and when the Los Angeles Convention Center is upgraded and expanded.

– Kay Chinn

Contractor

Edward Kirk

Title: Director of Construction

Company: Sodo Buildears LLC

Location: Los Angeles | Age: 46

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