Being Famous for Something with David Sours

In this episode of Cool Times, Jenna and Vince sit down with David Sours, Senior Vice President at CBRE, for a deep dive into the evolution of cold storage real estate—and how one man’s obsession with buildings turned into a national platform.

With 23 years at CBRE and a reputation for being famous for something, David unpacks how he became a go-to expert in refrigerated warehousing, why mentors matter, and what the data really says about speculative cold storage growth.

From brine refrigeration systems to raising industrial roofs, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and tactical advice for anyone in real estate, cold storage, or just trying to carve out their own niche.

❄️ Cool Takeaways:
Find Your Niche – David shares the early days of his career and how a single cold storage listing launched a national specialty practice at CBRE.

“Be Famous for Something” – A mentor’s advice that became a career-defining principle—and why standing out in your field matters more than ever.

Cold Storage: Then vs. Now – From 17 available buildings in 2003 to national-level data tools today, hear how the game has changed (and what hasn't).

Raising the Roof—Literally – David recalls a deal where they lifted the roof on a 1970s building to make space for a 33-degree cooler.

Spec Builds & Market Nuance – Why cookie-cutter doesn't cut it, and how understanding tenant demand by region is critical in today's landscape.

Mentorship & Data – David talks about building a team, training the next generation, and the real value of curated, industry-specific data.

Bonus Wisdom – Want better sleep? Write down your stress. David's TED Talk dream is all about the power of rest and organization.

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