We had the good fortune of connecting with Peter Englander and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peter, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had been working in the real estate development and construction industries in New York City and Fairfield County, CT when I accepted a position with a developer to work in the burgeoning ski town of Telluride, CO. Due to the economy, my position ended earlier than anticipated and the projects that I was going to be working on were cancelled. I’ve loved skiing my whole life and I loved living in the beautiful mountainscape of Colorado. I had the experience and wanted to stay in Telluride so I started my own construction company.

Man in gray suit holding a microphone and paper, standing outdoors with seated people and trees in background.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My primary focus is on construction of high-end single-family homes. I’ve always been a builder. When I was a kid, I was always making models of cars and airplanes. During college, I got into construction and real estate development. I’ve got the ability to bring spatial awareness to an imagined environment and visualize how a space will work after it’s built- is there enough space? Will it function? How will different materials marry each other and join in a seamless way? How will a space feel? How can I collaborate with a designer and a client and figure out how to actually make and build their vision? The design and building process is a fluid one and a very personal one. The building and design of a home evolve over the course of a project. Oftentimes, the plans are a guide. They provide a framework for a finished product. So, bringing patience, creativity, insight and input to a project, rather than just executing from plans is a distinguishing characteristic that I bring to my project team.

Group of people socializing indoors, some holding drinks, with warm lighting and decorative plants in the background.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love nature, art, food, history, design and architecture. San Francisco and Marin County are so rich with all of these things and so many iconic monuments. No wonder it’s a world-class city and one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S. and the world. We have beautiful beaches in Marin County, and, San Francisco is one of the few cities in the world that can claim to be on a beach! Golden Gate Park is bigger than Central Park and designed by the same architect. It’s filled with attractions like the Renzo Piano designed California Academy of Sciences and the Herzog & de Meuron designed de Young Museum. We’ve got the largest Chinatown in the U.S. Getting on a boat on San Francisco Bay is a joy for any visitor- whether it’s a sailboat, a motorboat, or even a ferry. There’s always fantastic music in San Francisco from big, multi-day festivals like Outside Lands and Hardly, Strictly Bluegrass, which is free by the way, to classic venues like the Fillmore, the Warfield and the Greek in Berkeley. The San Francisco Design Center is a great place to get inspiration for a design project. The food scene is wonderful. There are so many creative chefs working here and we’re fortunate to have a climate that is conducive to providing a wealth of ingredients. We’ve got great neighborhoods to explore for food like the Marina, Hayes Valley and Jackson Square. And of course, no trip would be complete without a hike in the redwoods!

Open magazine showing a room with yellow walls, a dining table, and a cozy seating area with colorful decor.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Growing up in a single-parent household in New York City, I had a fairly independent childhood. I’m the youngest of four siblings. My two oldest siblings were already out of the apartment before I was born, and my brother was off to college when I was a little kid. However, we were and still are a very close family. I credit the love and support of my father and siblings for giving me the strength and freedom to pursue my interests and encourage me to pursue new activities develop new skills.

Website: https://englanderbuilding.com

Instagram: @englanderbuildingco

Dalmatian dog lying on a striped blue and white outdoor sofa with an American flag in the background over water.

Open-concept living space with kitchen island, staircase, and seating area with large windows and plants.

Living room with pink sectional sofa, black armchair, white coffee table, fireplace, large window, and wooden ceiling.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.