Renewing The City is the official podcast of Polias—a commercial real estate firm reshaping Athens, Georgia, one property at a time. Each episode dives into community-building, place-making, and real case studies of transformative retail and mixed-use development. You’ll hear from the people driving these projects forward and get an inside look at how thoughtful commercial real estate can truly renew the city we call home.
Why do some real estate projects seem to take so long?
In this episode of Renewing the City, Paul Taylor Smith and Dave Mulkey discuss the tension between vision and timing in commercial real estate development. They explore the risks that come with transformational projects, the wisdom of waiting for the right conditions, and the work that continues even when construction has not begun.
From the future of Beechwood Shopping Center to the realities of rising construction costs, interest rates, market demand, and long term planning, this conversation offers an honest look at what happens behind the scenes of development.
Waiting does not always mean standing still. Sometimes it means preserving flexibility, improving what already exists, studying what could be possible, and preparing to act when the time is right.
This is a conversation about patience, stewardship, risk, and why good development often takes time.
2 Mar 2026
City Building
Chad Draper has spent decades building something most developers never think about — a city worth staying in.
In this episode of Renewing the City, host Paul Taylor Smith sits down with Chad, founder of the Eulalia Group, to talk about what it really means to be a city builder. From transforming a 1921 Ford dealership into downtown Monroe's hottest brewery to actively filling gaps his community is missing (like a downtown doctor's office), Chad's philosophy is refreshingly simple: be a good neighbor at scale.
If you care about your city, your community, or just want to be inspired by someone quietly doing the work — this one's for you.
In this episode:
The story behind the Eulalia Group
Why the oldest cities are still the most beautiful
How to be a "good neighbor" as a developer
Practical ways anyone can help build a better city
Must-visit spots in downtown Monroe, GA
10 Dec 2025
Renewing The City
Renewing the City takes you inside the real conversations shaping how Polias is reimagining Athens, Georgia. Hosted by Paul Taylor Smith, this episode pulls back the curtain on the passionate debates that guide every Polias project where purpose, profit, beauty, and community all get woven together.In this episode, the team talks candidly about:• The tension between purpose and profitability• How the Polias values of Stewardship, Transformation, and Community actually show up in real projects• Why some plans get thrown out entirely even after months of work• What it looks like to balance big box requirements with community-centered beauty• A real time charrette story where the team had to choose between the “predictable path” and the “narrow road”• Why long view, generational thinking matters in today’s development worldThis episode is all about transparent conversations, big questions, and the pursuit of projects that make Athens better for generations.
24 Nov 2025
Story of Holiday Market
Beechwood Holiday Market: The Origin Story | Renewing the City Podcast In this episode of Renewing the City, host Paul Taylor Smith sits down with Dave Mulkey to unpack the unexpected, inspiring, and deeply meaningful origin story of the Beechwood Holiday Market, one of Athens, Georgia’s most beloved seasonal traditions. What began as a response to the uncertainty and isolation of 2020 has grown into a vibrant annual celebration of community, legacy, and the spirit of stewardship. From makeshift holiday huts and hand-tied Christmas trees to big-band performances and a full Christmas Carnival, the Holiday Market has evolved, yet its purpose remains the same: to bring joy, connection, and tradition back to Beechwood.
13 Nov 2025
What's In A Name?
The playbook is thrown out the window when forming a generationally transformative real estate venture focused on your hometown and neighbors you love.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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