Jonathan Moore is a Tampa Bay problem-solver who believes in the boomerang effect. That “give and you shall receive” philosophy has permeated his relationships within the Tampa Bay business community for two decades.
Today, the InVision Advisors president manages design and construction processes for owners, keeps philanthropy top of mind and wakes up every day excited to lead his firm in tackling the latest challenge du jour.
“We like problems,” he says. “Nobody calls us for an easy project and says: We have no timeline, no budget and design whatever you want.”
An architect with a mantra like the one above seems a natural choice to take on responsibility for the lengthy Patel Estate project, which is exactly what happened years ago. Moore eventually sold that architecture firm, which still assists with the design of physician Kiran Patel’s elaborate Tampa compound today. What came next was the formation of InVision Advisors, which helps owners succeed with their building programs—whether it’s an expansion, new construction or facility logistic infrastructure.
Moore, and his staff, manage the design and construction matrix for owners who don’t have the time, knowledge or interest (or all three). As architects, they examine the drawings and map out master schedules, and master budgets, beyond needed construction materials. Cost savings is top of mind; so is project efficiency. What they accomplish is something much more visible than those general terms.
To see for yourself, step into the lobby at the Tampa Theatre. (Do it, really: the space is vintage and memorable.) That lush carpet underfoot is there because of Moore and his InVision team, who found it at a $25,000 savings. The forensic effort involved in the lobby restoration and auditorium reseating meant meetings with what Moore calls “NASA-worthy scientists” to determine the original colors of the carpet, and curtains, and then sourcing a near-replica.
Moore and his team recognized Brexit was about to occur, and with it, a massive shift in currency value. They jumped on the opportunity to order the carpet from Great Britain. InVision’s fifth project with The Tampa Theatre is currently underway. Other local project highlights include the St. Petersburg Pier, Ford’s Garage, the Bryan Glazer Family JCC and Florida Polytechnic. Plenty of opportunity exists here in the Tampa Bay area, he says, with one caveat:
“My biggest competition in the Tampa Bay market is the lack of knowledge of what we do,” he says.
That’s more intentional than it sounds, as Moore tends to blend into the background on purpose. After more than 1,000 projects and an excess of $1 billion in development, he prefers to step into a project, set up a framework for success, and be the person who is whispering valuable advice in the CEO’s ear garnered from extensive experience. While the end result of the real estate development may be impressive, a process free of trouble is the goal.
More than half the firm’s current work is in the nonprofit space, and this suits Moore fine. He’s a past president of the Rotary Club and has sat on the board of Habitat for Humanity. Giving back, and getting involved, comes naturally to him. Such efforts are how real relationships are built in the market, he says, and this philosophy leads to rewards in more ways than one.
These days, his advice is full of new suggestions to meet the challenges presented by COVID-19. Construction upgrades such as touchless building entry, once viewed as premium, now trend as standard. More space is needed to assuage the health fears of a socially distanced workforce. In some projects, he says, that means the elimination of the break room. Then there’s the air.
“If you follow the path of air movement, you’re following the viruses as well,” he says.
No longer will workers simply grumble about the workplace thermostat being out of reach. Keeping potentially harmful pathogens from being easily inhaled has become a construction concern. The placement of air ducts, and returns, is now an often-mentioned project focus.
Just another problem Moore is happy to solve.
“The constraints are what gets me up in the morning,” he says. “It helps us bring value to our clients.” ♦
