REM 73: What I learned about Real Estate Development at Machu Picchu

The Incas may have been the greatest real estate developers to have ever lived… This realization struck me as I walked through the gates of Machu Picchu after a 4-trek through the Andes Mountains. It’s easy to think of the technological sophistication of pre-modern societies as primitive, but this couldn’t be further from the truth in the case of the Incas. Machu Picchu is a city built on the top of mountain 8,000 feet above sea level, built out of massive boulders that modern people would still struggle to move today, which are fit smoothly together at right angles like Legos. Their feats of strength and artistry are utterly remarkable but what is truly striking is that fact that the city remains there, unmoved, after 800 years! The root cause behind the durability of Machu Picchu flows from the central focus of Incan culture, their reverence and respect of Pachamama, or Mother Nature. Although their technology allowed them great powers, they didn’t try to usurp or conquer Mother Nature with their creations. Rather they always found ways to partner with Mother Nature using gravity and natural formations to create even better structures than they could have on their own. As we grow into a leader in the industry, I encourage us to always remember to look through the Inca’s lens as we evaluate opportunities to see where we can collaborate with nature, whether that means building stronger structures in better locations, implementing green spaces, or considering ecological impacts. Spending most of our lives in cities and towns, it’s easy to forget how beautiful the world truly is, but also, how powerful the forces of nature can be. The Incas were successful because they respected both the majesty and power of Mother Nature, and if we approach the world with this same respect, our lives and our world will forever be beautiful. Keep Making Milestones, Ben Malech Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/Realestatemilestones Subscribe to my Mailing List!!!! Click Here To learn more about Ben, connect with him through: Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/ Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/ Ben’s email: benmalech@carswell.io