Aaron Lubeck
@aaronlubeck.bsky.social
Builder. 🏘️🏚️🏨🏫
Restored 40+ historic buildings.
Designed many more.
Editor @southernurbanism.bsky.social
"OnHousing" Blog | Subscribe 👉 aaronlubeck.com
Restored 40+ historic buildings.
Designed many more.
Editor @southernurbanism.bsky.social
"OnHousing" Blog | Subscribe 👉 aaronlubeck.com
This is student housing.
It was built FOR STUDENTS.
#cottondistrict #DanCamp #MissState
photos Jeff Kirton
It was built FOR STUDENTS.
#cottondistrict #DanCamp #MissState
photos Jeff Kirton
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
This is student housing.
It was built FOR STUDENTS.
#cottondistrict #DanCamp #MissState
photos Jeff Kirton
It was built FOR STUDENTS.
#cottondistrict #DanCamp #MissState
photos Jeff Kirton
It's the codes, stupid.
Words of wisdom from incremental #affordable #housing developer Alli Quinlan.
Words of wisdom from incremental #affordable #housing developer Alli Quinlan.
November 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
It's the codes, stupid.
Words of wisdom from incremental #affordable #housing developer Alli Quinlan.
Words of wisdom from incremental #affordable #housing developer Alli Quinlan.
This is incredible.
via Francisco Gomez
via Francisco Gomez
November 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
This is incredible.
via Francisco Gomez
via Francisco Gomez
Crimes Against Urbanity
November 20, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Crimes Against Urbanity
Homelessness is a HOUSING problem.
Homelessness is not a drug problem.
Homelessness is not an economic problem.
Homelessness is not a climate problem.
HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING PROBLEM.
When we don’t build enough homes, the price of housing goes up.
via @zillow
Homelessness is not a drug problem.
Homelessness is not an economic problem.
Homelessness is not a climate problem.
HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING PROBLEM.
When we don’t build enough homes, the price of housing goes up.
via @zillow
November 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Homelessness is a HOUSING problem.
Homelessness is not a drug problem.
Homelessness is not an economic problem.
Homelessness is not a climate problem.
HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING PROBLEM.
When we don’t build enough homes, the price of housing goes up.
via @zillow
Homelessness is not a drug problem.
Homelessness is not an economic problem.
Homelessness is not a climate problem.
HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING PROBLEM.
When we don’t build enough homes, the price of housing goes up.
via @zillow
Where there's a surplus of supply, rents are falling.
Where there's a shortage of supply, rents are rising.
It's 2025, and supply and demand still matter.
__
Note that #NorthCarolina is the only state with three cities in Quadrant 1 (the success quadrant)
#housing #affordability
Where there's a shortage of supply, rents are rising.
It's 2025, and supply and demand still matter.
__
Note that #NorthCarolina is the only state with three cities in Quadrant 1 (the success quadrant)
#housing #affordability
November 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Where there's a surplus of supply, rents are falling.
Where there's a shortage of supply, rents are rising.
It's 2025, and supply and demand still matter.
__
Note that #NorthCarolina is the only state with three cities in Quadrant 1 (the success quadrant)
#housing #affordability
Where there's a shortage of supply, rents are rising.
It's 2025, and supply and demand still matter.
__
Note that #NorthCarolina is the only state with three cities in Quadrant 1 (the success quadrant)
#housing #affordability
When developers want to build affordability, housing at variable price points, and town centers, it's usually the planning processes that stop them.
I'on developer @GeoffGraham tells the story. https://www.aaronlubeck.com/p/some-thoughts-on-the-democratization
I'on developer @GeoffGraham tells the story. https://www.aaronlubeck.com/p/some-thoughts-on-the-democratization
November 14, 2025 at 7:24 PM
When developers want to build affordability, housing at variable price points, and town centers, it's usually the planning processes that stop them.
I'on developer @GeoffGraham tells the story. https://www.aaronlubeck.com/p/some-thoughts-on-the-democratization
I'on developer @GeoffGraham tells the story. https://www.aaronlubeck.com/p/some-thoughts-on-the-democratization
There is a new proposal to knock down the Durham Athletic Park---the most famous minor league baseball stadium in the world--and replace it with a lawn.
Let me speak for #baseball and movie fans everywhere: "NO".
#BullDurham
Let me speak for #baseball and movie fans everywhere: "NO".
#BullDurham
November 12, 2025 at 4:27 PM
There is a new proposal to knock down the Durham Athletic Park---the most famous minor league baseball stadium in the world--and replace it with a lawn.
Let me speak for #baseball and movie fans everywhere: "NO".
#BullDurham
Let me speak for #baseball and movie fans everywhere: "NO".
#BullDurham
One wonders: how did Haussmann get his variances for stormwater, stepbacks and parking?
#paris #urbanism #design #tradition #architecture
#paris #urbanism #design #tradition #architecture
November 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
One wonders: how did Haussmann get his variances for stormwater, stepbacks and parking?
#paris #urbanism #design #tradition #architecture
#paris #urbanism #design #tradition #architecture
Spokane has been killing it with housing reforms:
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
November 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Spokane has been killing it with housing reforms:
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
"Urban Sprawl" is an oxymoron.
November 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
"Urban Sprawl" is an oxymoron.
A lovely modern take on the #MissingMiddleHousing graphic.
This is what an equitable city looks like.
via @DevaniAlkarim at mddl.com
This is what an equitable city looks like.
via @DevaniAlkarim at mddl.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
A lovely modern take on the #MissingMiddleHousing graphic.
This is what an equitable city looks like.
via @DevaniAlkarim at mddl.com
This is what an equitable city looks like.
via @DevaniAlkarim at mddl.com
For about ten years, I did nothing but historic restorations.
None were harder--or more gratifying--than the restoration of this office building.
At the time, its 2200sf footprint meant that it was The Smallest #LEED Platinum Building in the World.
I served as the developer and contractor.
None were harder--or more gratifying--than the restoration of this office building.
At the time, its 2200sf footprint meant that it was The Smallest #LEED Platinum Building in the World.
I served as the developer and contractor.
November 4, 2025 at 1:02 PM
For about ten years, I did nothing but historic restorations.
None were harder--or more gratifying--than the restoration of this office building.
At the time, its 2200sf footprint meant that it was The Smallest #LEED Platinum Building in the World.
I served as the developer and contractor.
None were harder--or more gratifying--than the restoration of this office building.
At the time, its 2200sf footprint meant that it was The Smallest #LEED Platinum Building in the World.
I served as the developer and contractor.
Consolidation and corporatization of development has transformed our cities. Local developments typically consist of < 4 units, while corporate developments often exceed 50.
Since the 1990s, we have radically corporatized.
This underscores the importance of defending localism.
Since the 1990s, we have radically corporatized.
This underscores the importance of defending localism.
November 3, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Consolidation and corporatization of development has transformed our cities. Local developments typically consist of < 4 units, while corporate developments often exceed 50.
Since the 1990s, we have radically corporatized.
This underscores the importance of defending localism.
Since the 1990s, we have radically corporatized.
This underscores the importance of defending localism.
According to "The Effect of Minimum Parking Requirements on Housing Affordability", parking spaces can increase the cost of new homes up to $50,000 each.
Dropping the mandate opens the door to more affordable housing and walkable neighborhoods. #HB369
Dropping the mandate opens the door to more affordable housing and walkable neighborhoods. #HB369
November 1, 2025 at 12:12 PM
According to "The Effect of Minimum Parking Requirements on Housing Affordability", parking spaces can increase the cost of new homes up to $50,000 each.
Dropping the mandate opens the door to more affordable housing and walkable neighborhoods. #HB369
Dropping the mandate opens the door to more affordable housing and walkable neighborhoods. #HB369
This week, I continue to write on political philosophy, on Michael Polanyi's Moral Inversion:
"The language of virtue is intentionally used to disguise and promote immoral or harmful acts."
Read my latest, onHousing ➡️ https://loom.ly/9igX8e8
(This one is paywalled. Thanks for your support!)
"The language of virtue is intentionally used to disguise and promote immoral or harmful acts."
Read my latest, onHousing ➡️ https://loom.ly/9igX8e8
(This one is paywalled. Thanks for your support!)
October 31, 2025 at 4:07 PM
This week, I continue to write on political philosophy, on Michael Polanyi's Moral Inversion:
"The language of virtue is intentionally used to disguise and promote immoral or harmful acts."
Read my latest, onHousing ➡️ https://loom.ly/9igX8e8
(This one is paywalled. Thanks for your support!)
"The language of virtue is intentionally used to disguise and promote immoral or harmful acts."
Read my latest, onHousing ➡️ https://loom.ly/9igX8e8
(This one is paywalled. Thanks for your support!)
4 plex
stock plan
legal by right in nearly every US neighborhood pre 1927
🇺🇸 Where did we go wrong? 🇺🇸
stock plan
legal by right in nearly every US neighborhood pre 1927
🇺🇸 Where did we go wrong? 🇺🇸
October 28, 2025 at 12:19 PM
4 plex
stock plan
legal by right in nearly every US neighborhood pre 1927
🇺🇸 Where did we go wrong? 🇺🇸
stock plan
legal by right in nearly every US neighborhood pre 1927
🇺🇸 Where did we go wrong? 🇺🇸
Urban townhomes of this size would be natural starter homes, but they have largely been legislated out of existence by urban planners, who habitually require:
minimum lot sizes
setbacks
parking
density maximums
It's an equity issue: these rules kill urban starter homes.
minimum lot sizes
setbacks
parking
density maximums
It's an equity issue: these rules kill urban starter homes.
October 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Urban townhomes of this size would be natural starter homes, but they have largely been legislated out of existence by urban planners, who habitually require:
minimum lot sizes
setbacks
parking
density maximums
It's an equity issue: these rules kill urban starter homes.
minimum lot sizes
setbacks
parking
density maximums
It's an equity issue: these rules kill urban starter homes.
Through its Missing Middle Subdivision State Law, Portland has built more than 1400 new homes in just 3 years.
Credit to #YIMBY Governor @TinaKotek!
Most of them are lower-cost than the neighborhoods where they are built.
Credit to #YIMBY Governor @TinaKotek!
Most of them are lower-cost than the neighborhoods where they are built.
October 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Through its Missing Middle Subdivision State Law, Portland has built more than 1400 new homes in just 3 years.
Credit to #YIMBY Governor @TinaKotek!
Most of them are lower-cost than the neighborhoods where they are built.
Credit to #YIMBY Governor @TinaKotek!
Most of them are lower-cost than the neighborhoods where they are built.
I dig back into political classics to explain why homebuilding humbles the maker—and enrages the idle.
Read my latest essay, onHousing: https://www.aaronlubeck.com/p/the-builder-and-the-blamer
#deTocqueville #Nietzsche #MatthewCrawford #housing #politicalphilosophy
Read my latest essay, onHousing: https://www.aaronlubeck.com/p/the-builder-and-the-blamer
#deTocqueville #Nietzsche #MatthewCrawford #housing #politicalphilosophy
October 22, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I dig back into political classics to explain why homebuilding humbles the maker—and enrages the idle.
Read my latest essay, onHousing: https://www.aaronlubeck.com/p/the-builder-and-the-blamer
#deTocqueville #Nietzsche #MatthewCrawford #housing #politicalphilosophy
Read my latest essay, onHousing: https://www.aaronlubeck.com/p/the-builder-and-the-blamer
#deTocqueville #Nietzsche #MatthewCrawford #housing #politicalphilosophy
Kathleen A. Madden (1947-2025)
I am saddened by the passing of Kathy Madden, a pioneer in the field of placemaking and co-founder of Project for Public Spaces.
I had the opportunity to meet Kathy at the Better Cities Film Festival in Detroit in 2023. She will be missed.
https://loom.ly/qWxC_VM
I am saddened by the passing of Kathy Madden, a pioneer in the field of placemaking and co-founder of Project for Public Spaces.
I had the opportunity to meet Kathy at the Better Cities Film Festival in Detroit in 2023. She will be missed.
https://loom.ly/qWxC_VM
October 22, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Kathleen A. Madden (1947-2025)
I am saddened by the passing of Kathy Madden, a pioneer in the field of placemaking and co-founder of Project for Public Spaces.
I had the opportunity to meet Kathy at the Better Cities Film Festival in Detroit in 2023. She will be missed.
https://loom.ly/qWxC_VM
I am saddened by the passing of Kathy Madden, a pioneer in the field of placemaking and co-founder of Project for Public Spaces.
I had the opportunity to meet Kathy at the Better Cities Film Festival in Detroit in 2023. She will be missed.
https://loom.ly/qWxC_VM
Much of our housing crisis can be understood through Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:
We should focus on developing housing that not only fosters love and belonging but also promotes human flourishing at the highest levels.
One idea to achieve this is... 👇
We should focus on developing housing that not only fosters love and belonging but also promotes human flourishing at the highest levels.
One idea to achieve this is... 👇
October 21, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Much of our housing crisis can be understood through Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:
We should focus on developing housing that not only fosters love and belonging but also promotes human flourishing at the highest levels.
One idea to achieve this is... 👇
We should focus on developing housing that not only fosters love and belonging but also promotes human flourishing at the highest levels.
One idea to achieve this is... 👇
I am leading a panel on urban placemaking in Charlotte in November.
The trains in North Carolina are just scarce enough that it doesn't work.
I need a train from Durham to Charlotte that departs around 5:30 AM and arrives in Charlotte by 8:00 AM for the workday.
The trains in North Carolina are just scarce enough that it doesn't work.
I need a train from Durham to Charlotte that departs around 5:30 AM and arrives in Charlotte by 8:00 AM for the workday.
October 20, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I am leading a panel on urban placemaking in Charlotte in November.
The trains in North Carolina are just scarce enough that it doesn't work.
I need a train from Durham to Charlotte that departs around 5:30 AM and arrives in Charlotte by 8:00 AM for the workday.
The trains in North Carolina are just scarce enough that it doesn't work.
I need a train from Durham to Charlotte that departs around 5:30 AM and arrives in Charlotte by 8:00 AM for the workday.