The Turnaround Playbook: How Sandeep Mathrani Saved General Growth Properties and WeWork

98 views

Video added by The Kirsh Connection | Date Uploaded: August 19, 2026 | Date Created: May 05, 2026

Description

Sandeep Mathrani has built a career stepping into chaos—and fixing it. From leading General Growth Properties out of bankruptcy during the Global Financial Crisis to taking over WeWork after the board removed Adam Neumann, he’s become one of the most respected turnaround CEOs in real estate. In this episode, Sandeep delivers a true masterclass on running companies and fixing broken ones. If you’re in real estate, private equity, or leadership in any industry, this episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a playbook. We cover: • His “glass completely full” mentality—reframing problems as opportunities instead of problems • How he rebuilt GGP one asset at a time, despite massive complexity • The 50–30–20 rule: which assets to sell, scale, and optimize • His disdain for the word “busy”—and what it really signals • The 3 keys to loan workouts: reputation, plan, and exit • Walking into WeWork and realizing the math didn’t work—and cutting $2.5B in expenses to survive Learn more about Sandeep: • Connect with Sandeep on LinkedIn: / sandeep-mathrani ******************************************* In each episode of The Kirsh Connection, Andrew Kirsh interviews industry leaders to learn their real-time opinions on today's market, their background and unique career highlights, and guidance for newcomers to the industry. Don't miss an episode of The Kirsh Connection: • Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3GT1hoM • Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3OQrd6j • Listen on Anchor: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... • Listen on Listen Notes: https://lnns.co/7ICHmPQyXnU Andrew Kirsh is a founding partner of Sklar Kirsh LLP and is the Chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department. Sklar Kirsh LLP is a boutique law firm providing services in corporate law, real estate, entertainment, bankruptcy, and litigation. • Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: / andrewkirsh • Connect with Andrew on Twitter: https://x.com/atkirsh • Visit Andrew's business website: https://www.sklarkirsh.com/profession... • Follow Sklar Kirsh LLP on LinkedIn: / sklar-kirsh-llp • Follow Sklar Kirsh LLP on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sklarkirsh/... The Kirsh Connection is produced and edited by Ashley Thays


Categories:
Lending / Finance, REITs, Employment / Jobs, Interviews / Podcasts / Speeches, Investment Funds / Family Offices, Personal Stories
Property Types:
Office, Retail
States:
ALL


Suggested Videos

Flexible Co-GP Structures Build Better Deals with Adrian Berger of Cypress Equity Investment
Commercial Real Estate veteran and founder of Way Capital, Malcolm Davies, speaks with Adrian Berger, Managing Director of Acquisitions at Cypress Equity Investments (CEI), to discuss creative deal flows and capitalizing on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Adrian highlights the value of relationship equity and why networking remains the most valuable asset in a developer’s portfolio. He describes CEI’s creative Co-GP deal-making opportunities and how they are navigating LIHTC in the
HUD Advantage: Maximizing Proceeds, Rates, Refinancing Strategies with Aaron Krawitz, Bravo Capital
Commercial Real Estate veteran and founder of Way Capital, Malcolm Davies, sits down with Aaron Krawitz, Founder & CEO of Bravo Capital and Bravo Property Trust, to discuss how HUD outpaces the market with higher proceeds and better interest rates than other lending options. Aaron provides a realistic look at HUD timelines and best practices to refinance existing HUD debt to capture favorable terms. He highlights the collaboration of BRAVO and HUD to provide financing and guidance for the Ski
The Trammell Crow Blueprint: Cultivating Talent, Strategy, and Vision in CRE with Greg Ames
Malcolm Davies, founder of Way Capital, sits down with Greg Ames, Southern California Market Leader at Trammell Crow, to explore the company’s unique development and investment strategies. Greg shares insights into Trammell Crow’s rigorous interview process and the specific traits that drive success in the commercial real estate industry. He outlines actionable lessons for aspiring professionals and describes how his passion for the field and confidence in the future of capital markets fuel h