Q1 2022: CAPEX Spotlight - Michael Cagle
MICHAEL CAGLE, VP of Renovations, Velo Renovation
Michael Cagle
is currently Vice President of Renovations at Velo Renovation, a property renovation company located in Dallas, TX. Michael graduated with a BS in Architecture from Texas Tech in 2004 & worked as an Architectural Illustrator until 2013 when he founded CagleArt LLC, a company that focuses on developing state-of-the-art 3D architectural design imagery. Today, Michael has over 15 years of experience working in the field of architecture, design, & execution of commercial & residential real estate construction projects in the US. Before joining Velo, Michael oversaw the completion of several multi-million dollar designs & renovation projects on Class B & Class C properties for several Dallas-based private equity firms. One of the first projects Michael took on as VP of Renovations at Velo was for one of SPI’s 2021 acquisitions, The Ventura (formerly known as Central Park Apartments).
I got to sit down with Michael & ask him more about where he draws his inspiration, processes, & his overall experience working in the architectural design industry.
What initially attracted you to the field of architectural design?
“I’ve always had an interest & passion for creating. When I was younger, before DIY was a thing, my mother & I would always make things together. My mother was very crafty, and I was passionate about art. I decided to follow architecture because it was a practical way to earn a living & fulfill my desire to create. I am passionate about design, because at its best, it strikes a beautiful balance between the analytical & artistic.”
“I am passionate about design, because at its best, it strikes a beautiful balance between the analytical & artistic.”
At Michael’s first job out of college, he worked as an Architectural Illustrator. “I was labeled a ‘visual designer’ by my colleagues,” Michael laughed. “I was always the guy who made people’s ideas pretty, but I was never able to make my own designs.” As an Architectural Illustrator, Michael was responsible for translating high-net-worth clients’ visions into 3D visual renderings, managing project schedules, & documenting their completion.
In 2013, Michael founded his own company, CagleArt LLC. As Founder & Managing Member, CagleArt has allowed Michael to work closely with clientele to design & translate their vision into reality. It has allowed him to express his creative freedom as a designer & artist, something that his past jobs never allowed him to do.
Michael joined MultiFamily Property Group as VP of Repositions in 2017. The projects he collaborated on at MPG inspired the next collaborative venture. In the fall of 2021, Michael partnered with JC Castillo to form a new company, Velo Renovation, that focuses on property renovation & repositioning.
At Velo, I get to do what I love & work with great people, both on my team & on the client side,” said Michael.
Aroya Apartments, Renovated by Michael Cagle
What was one of your favorite projects?
“A recent project I enjoyed working on was Central Park Apartments because we were able to renovate the entire leasing center, rather than just augmenting with new furniture & accessories.” Michael explains his favorite projects are the ones where he has “carte-blanche” to design & foresee the renovation of a project exactly how he envisioned, rather than design by committee.
Central Park was Michael’s first renovation project as VP of renovations at Velo Renovation, LLC. SPI Advisory acquired Central Park Apartments (now known as “The Ventura”) in March of 2021. Prior to acquisition, SPI planned on a renovation of the apartment complex’s Leasing Office & enlisted the help of Michael. The project took around 2 ½ - 3 months to complete from design to construction.
The Ventura, an SPI Property, Renovated by Michael Cagle
Every project is a chance to try new styles & learn from past designs and iterations and make things better the next time.