The College of Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) named Troy Hannigan, Assoc. AIA, SEED, as its new MS in Real Estate Development program director.

Hannigan, a 2009 alumnus of CABE’s Bachelor of Architecture program, has been an adjunct professor since the program’s 2017 launch. He has taught several courses in the core curriculum, including Sustainable Real Estate Development Process, Capstone and Case Study Studio: Urban Revitalization, Historic Neighborhoods and Adaptive Reuse.

CABE Dean Barbara Klinkhammer says she’s excited about Hannigan’s expanded role.

“His experience and connections in the real estate development community, as well as his focus on urban development and affordable housing, will lead the program to new levels of excellence,” she notes.

Hannigan, who supported the founding of the student-led Jefferson Real Estate Development Club, entered the field while working for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia as project manager and an AmeriCorps member. His work in architecture, construction, real estate and community development focuses on building quality, sustainable, affordable housing through a community-informed design process.

He has also managed single-family developments, complex mixed-use, multi-family housing developments and civic assets from conception through occupancy with budgets ranging from $140,000 to $21 million.

“I started my career in real estate development by accident during the ‘Great Recession’ and I am excited that it has brought me back to Jefferson, where I started my journey in the built environment as an architecture student at Philadelphia University,” says Hannigan, who received an MA in Urban Studies with a concentration in community development from Eastern University. “As the Real Estate Development program director, my goal is to build on the progress to date and showcase what makes the program and Jefferson unique for built environment education.”

Hannigan received the 2014 Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporation’s Rising Star Award for Innovative Leadership and Excellence, the 2015 Philadelphia University Young Alumni Achievement Award and the 2015 AIA Pennsylvania Associate Award. He has also served on the board of directors and as treasurer of AIA Philadelphia and the Center for Architecture and Design.

In addition to his role at Jefferson, Hannigan will remain the full-time program director of Community Ventures, a Philadelphia-based non-profit real estate developer which works in partnership with neighborhood-based organizations to improve communities and to increase the supply of affordable housing.

He has also been an active member of the local Philadelphia architecture, sustainability and community development communities, including the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations and Green Building United.

That experience fits in nicely with the program’s focus, Hannigan says.

“The program doesn't only teach the bottom-line economics of real estate but focuses on environmental sustainability, economic viability, social responsibility and beautiful placemaking,” he shares. “My career has revolved around finding the balance of these topics to build sustainable, affordable housing and invest in Philadelphia neighborhoods through community partnerships.”