This series profiles men and women in commercial real estate who have profoundly transformed our neighborhoods and reshaped our cities, businesses and lifestyles. 

For seven years, Lee Belland and Mike McVean worked side by side at Trammell Crow. The duo meshed so well they struck out on their own in 1996, forming Stream Realty Partners.

In the last 22 years, Stream has grown to employ more than 750 real estate professionals in 12 markets. The developer owns and operates everything from office to data center properties and transacts $2.4B annually.

Outspoken and frank, McVean said he enjoys going up against the big dogs because it makes things more fun.

Bisnow: How do you describe your job to people who are not in the industry? 

McVean: I talk people into doing things that, left alone, they wouldn’t do.

Bisnow: If you weren’t in commercial real estate, what would you do? 

McVean: Oil and gas for sure.

Bisnow: What is the worst job you ever had? 

McVean: My dad was a McDonald’s franchisee. I worked at McDonald’s for 10 years. Loved the company, but the work was not right for me.

Bisnow: What was your first big deal?

McVean: Westinghouse Security Systems; 545 East John Carpenter in Las Colinas; 26K RSF.

Bisnow: What deal do you consider to be your biggest failure?

McVean: Failed takeovers (friendly) of Amerivest REIT and Signature Office REIT, a non-traded public REIT.

Bisnow: How do you define “making it”?

McVean: Thought it was money. Turns out it is 1) helping people achieve their maximum potential and 2) striving to achieve mine.

Bisnow: What is your biggest pet peeve? 

McVean: Kinda embarrassing as it is a long list, but we can start with “reaching out.”  You don’t have to reach out to me. Just call me.

Bisnow: Who is your greatest mentor?

McVean: My partner Lee Belland and Chuck Anderson of Bandera Ventures.

Bisnow: What is the best and worst professional advice you've ever gotten?

McVean: Best — Keep smilin’ from Fred Trammell Crow; worst —  can’t really say. I think I dismiss bad advice so quickly it doesn’t stay on my hard drive.

Bisnow: What is your greatest extravagance?

McVean: Airplanes and boats. Definitely not clothes.

Bisnow: What is your favorite restaurant in the world? 

McVean: Based on frequency of visits, I gotta go with McDonald’s (dancing with the one that brung me??).  Also love Allsup’s burritos, Taco Villa and a good chifri (Green Door on Harwood).

Bisnow: If you could sit down with President Donald Trump, what would you say?

McVean: Dude!?!?!?

Bisnow: What's the biggest risk you have ever taken? 

McVean: I’ve been broke and I’ve been not broke. Been the same amount of happy the whole time. Thus, there are no risks.

Bisnow: Whose work do you most admire? 

McVean: Trammell Crow. Bob Faith with Greystar. Lincoln Property Co. KDC.

Bisnow: What keeps you up at night?

McVean: See No. 13 [about risks] above.

Bisnow: Outside of your work, what are you most passionate about? 

McVean: My sons. Family. Learning. Flying fast airplanes. Skiing moguls. Fishing in cold, moving water. Boating in warm, turquoise water.