Atlas West Group CEO Daniel Shkolnik Shares Insights at IMN’s Multifamily & ADU Conference in San Diego
‘AWG is rapidly growing and raising capital. We have a strong track record of creating value and passive profits for investors.’
SAN DIEGO (October 1, 2025) - Our CEO Daniel Shkolnik took the stage recently at the IMN Conference on Multifamily Housing and ADUs, held at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. He joined two lively panels that touched on some of the most pressing issues in today’s housing market:
1. Navigating the Evolving ADU Landscape
2. Debt, Deals & Capital Stack: Financing in a Tight, Turbulent Market
Both panels sparked great conversations about where the industry is heading and how Atlas West Group is approaching the challenges and opportunities ahead.
ADUs: A Key Piece of the Housing Puzzle
“In the first panel, Daniel joined a group of experts talking about the rapid growth of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Moderator Peter Anadranistakis, CEO of Circle Stone Capital, compared the pace of change to artificial intelligence:
"ADUs are evolving like AI. Things are changing rapidly.”
Daniel agreed — and expressed optimism:
“Even though there’s been some roll backs, we’re bullish on ADUs…it’s helping solve the housing crisis. ADUs have evolved a lot and they’re going to continue to evolve.”
He also stressed the importance of responsible development. At Atlas West, we aim to deliver quality homes people want to live in, while keeping costs manageable:
- Outdoor space, higher ceilings, and plenty of natural light.
- Modern, durable appliances.
- Avoiding costly extras like pools and underground parking so units stay affordable.
“We’re building missing middle housing,” Daniel explained — homes that bridge the gap between luxury apartments and traditional single-family housing.
Daniel also pointed out that Atlas West keeps about 70% of the projects we build, showing confidence in the product and long-term commitment to our communities. While there are challenges with interest rates, labor, and land costs, our projects maintain strong stability with 95% of tenants renewing their leases.
Financing Smartly in a Shifting Market
In his second panel, Daniel tackled the topic of financing in today’s tougher environment.
“Private credit is hot now,” he noted. “There’s a lot of competition, so we’re actually seeing some compression in rates and more favorable terms. However, We’re still saying no to a lot of things we would have said yes to 24 months ago.”
Key points from Atlas West’s financing approach:
- Leverage is conservative with long standing relationships. - Targeting at least a 30% margin before starting a project.
- Careful underwriting focused on long-term value, especially as labor costs in San Diego continue to rise.
This discipline helps ensure that each project is set up to succeed — for investors, partners, and the communities where we build.
What It Means Going Forward
These two panels showed how fast the market is changing, but also how much opportunity there is for smart, sustainable housing development. For Atlas West Group, the takeaways are clear:
- ADUs are here to stay — and we’ll keep finding ways to make them both high-quality and affordable.
- Disciplined financing matters more than ever, especially in a market where costs are unpredictable.
- Long-term commitment pays off — by keeping most of what we build, we stay invested in the success of our communities.
We’re grateful to IMN for bringing together such a strong group of leaders and for the chance to share our perspective. Atlas West Group will continue to push for housing solutions that make sense for residents, investors, and partners alike..
ABOUT: Atlas West Group is a privately held full-service development and investment firm operating throughout San Diego County. The company is a premiere provider of urban-infill housing and specializes in transforming underutilized properties into vibrant multifamily communities. Atlas West utilizes innovative permitting programs and creative construction strategies to bring out-of-the-box solutions to the region’s housing shortage and affordability crisis. The Atlas West team brings decades of experience to real estate development projects, giving the firm the network, reach, and insights needed to navigate complex situations and deliver results.