Turning Vision into Viable Projects
From Idea to Open Doors
I help founders, institutions, and owner-operators bridge the gap between vision and reality — aligning real estate, capital, programming and design early, so ambitious Third Place(+) projects don't stall, overrun budgets, or die before opening.
From first concept through opening day, I work as a strategic development partner, helping turn complex multi-use isdeas into thriving, community-driven venues that connect life, work, and play.
Chris Ryan - AIA, NCARB
Building Design & Development Consultant
Licensed Architect & Registered Contractor
Board Member & Speaker
TRUSTED BY
The Expectation is Excellence
Whatever your vision, it all starts with your project's unique fingerprint.
What you truly care about, and how you want to activate your community through sport, activities, programming, and events.
That's the foundation for creating what's next..
Reimagining Spaces for Life, Work, and Play
The lines between life and work are more blended than ever, and our digital lives leave people craving in-person activities, engagement, and interaction.
That's where a new type of Third Place(+) comes in; environments that curate ecologies of activities and programming that supports the different aspects of our lives; our work, play, and growth.
These are places where we can play and do the things we love, both individually and collectively, as a deeply engaged and activated community.
Whether it's a state-of-the-art climbing and fitness facility, a coworking hub, or an inspiring community center; these are spaces that foster connection and creativity while improving our mental, physical, and social well-being.
Track Record
Clients opened 9 new facilities in the last 3 years
Projects valued at over $90m
4 businesses open first location
Businesses up to $5bn in revenue
1 business franchise their model
Helped 7 businesses raise funds
17 climbing and dedicated work/ play facilities
Worked on 5 continents
How We Do It
Advising
Fractional CDO & Strategic Development Partner
Get Fractional Chief Development Officer support, embedded with owner teams to align vision, real estate, design, and financial strategy. Helping Third Place(+) projects move from idea to operation.
Project Development
Design &
Project Development
Strategy translated into physical reality through concept testing, site evaluation, test-fits, and visualization. Using budgets and schedules as practical tools for alignment, fundraising, and execution.
Research
Speaking &
Keynotes
Research and speaking focused on exploring emerging models for experiential and Third Place environments, sharing insights through keynotes, workshops, and private sessions.
Testimonials
"It's his experience not only in the Architectural genius in the designs he creates, but in the many details found in-between.
Everything about how we approach our growth as a company has evolved so measurably since beginning to work with Chris."
Britt Riley
Founder - Haven Daycare/ Coworking/ Fitness
"Chris Ryan has been an invaluable resource helping us to convey our concepts to various municipal departments in an expeditious and cost effective manner.
His ability to rapidly translate concepts into visual realities and to scale is remarkable"
Jesse Levin
Founder - Tactivate
"I feel like I wouldn't be in the process of opening and making it happen without Chris; and the guidance through the development world has been great.
Turning an idea into reality, I attribute a lot of that to your help."
Mark Messner
Founder - Rendezvous Climbing
About
Chris Ryan AIA, NCARB
Development Expertise for Complex, Activity-Driven Projects:
From Vision to Open Doors
Chris Ryan is a development consultant who helps founders, operators, and owners turn bold ideas into real, operating places. His work centers on early, high-value decision-making—bridging vision, finance, feasibility, and construction strategy—so projects move confidently from concept to open doors rather than stalling on paper.
With over 20 years of experience as an architect, developer, builder, and former development executive, Chris brings a rare mix of strategic, financial, and executional insight to complex projects. Just as central is a lifetime spent at a high level in climbing, skiing, surfing, and other action sports, including national-level competition. These experiences shape how he understands risk, progression, performance, and community, and directly inform how he helps clients develop places that drive engagement, long-term performance, and strong returns while protecting the downside of invested capital.
Chris specializes in next-generation Third Places and experiential real estate—projects that blend work, play, and community into resilient, activity-driven ecosystems. His work has been featured in Fast Company and Forbes, and he has taught design and professional practice at Roger Williams University and Northeastern University. He holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design.
- Licensed Architect (AIA, NCARB)
- Registered Contractor (GC)
- Former VP Development (2012-2020)
- College & Graduate School Professor (2011-2021)
- Master of Architecture - Harvard GSD '09
- Nationally Ranked Climber (early 2000s)
- Climbing Wall Designer (2001-5005)
- Bachelor of Environmental Design - CU Boulder '02
- Eagle Scout
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