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Redefining Community Through Hospitality and Human Connection
Edie Weintraub, Founder and Managing Director of Terra Alma, joins host April LaMon to share how hospitality, retail, and intentional design can redefine community in modern master-planned developments.
At Terra Alma, Edie and her team advise developers, cities, and emerging brands on how to create environments where people gather, connect, and belong. Through practical examples such as neighborhood cafés that evolve throughout the day to micro food halls that serve as modern community hubs, Edie reveals how small-scale, thoughtful design decisions can lead to lasting impact.
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Introduction
02:59 Collective belonging to address modern isolation.
05:49 The transition from static amenities to locally activated, human-centered spaces.
10:43 Walkable and bikeable design that encourages everyday social interactions.
12:12 Adaptive reuse and respect for site history can serve as identity builders.
15:03 Long-term success supported by sustainable operations, governance, and ownership.
19:19 Incremental development and small interventions that build authentic connection.
25:08 Hospitality-led design that creates welcoming, living-room-like environments.
28:33 Compact, multi-vendor concepts that deliver culture, convenience, and connection.
38:16 Career guidance centered on nurturing relationships and practicing curiosity.
Resources Mentioned:
Women in Restaurants | Website
“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara
"Irreplaceable" by Kevin Ervin Kelley
