"Esto no va a mejorar": Roberto Perri sobre la vivienda en España | DOS LEONES UNA IDEA EP08

In this episode of Two Lions, One Idea, we welcome to the studio someone who has spent 22 years building, literally and emotionally, his version of Madrid: Roberto Perri, a Venezuelan engineer who has become one of the leading figures in the city's real estate sector. He arrived intending to stay for a year to complete a master's degree. He ended up staying for a lifetime. 00:00 | From Venezuela to Madrid: the 22 years that changed his life 04:12 | What Madrid was like when he arrived and what it's like today 07:20 | Almagro and Chamberí, the neighborhoods that won him over 09:31 | Why Madrid is the bridge between Europe and Latin America 10:16 | Is Madrid experiencing its best moment? 12:18 | The ideal route to discover the city on foot 14:34 | The buildings and clubs that define Madrid 17:22 | What a builder should never do in Madrid 19:59 | The urban change that surprised him the most 23:36 | His advice for those arriving with a suitcase full of dreams 24:50 | The 2008 bankruptcy that shaped him as an entrepreneur 25:27 | The harsh reality of housing in Spain 28:09 | The measures he believes would solve the crisis 30:35 | Madrid in 10 years and the future of Impar Capital We sat down with him to talk about what is almost never discussed in business interviews: what it feels like when the project you're building collapses. Roberto experienced the 2008 crisis firsthand, had to sell his business, and readily admits that it went bankrupt. But he also explains why, looking back, he wouldn't change that period for anything: it forced him to learn, to seek mentors, and to make different decisions in the following years. From there, we move on to a topic that affects all of us who live in Madrid or dream of living here: housing. Roberto sees it from an unusual perspective, that of someone who builds and sells, and offers an explanation that goes beyond the easy headline: it's not that there's too much demand, it's that there's not enough supply. He tells us that in Spain, around 300,000 new households are being formed each year, while only between 100,000 and 120,000 homes are being built. He also talks about the real difference between the 2007 housing bubble, when there was a surplus of properties, and the current situation, where the problem is exactly the opposite. It's an analysis that doesn't seek to prove anyone right, but rather to present the figures and context to understand why access to decent housing has become so difficult, especially for the middle class. We also walk with him through his Madrid: Almagro, the neighborhood that captivated him from day one; Justicia and Salamanca, their contrasts; the buildings that, for him, best represent the city; and the route he recommends to anyone visiting for the first time. We talked about what has changed in two decades, what mistakes a builder in this city shouldn't repeat, and why he believes Madrid is only just beginning to establish itself as one of the world's great capitals. We closed with what we felt was the most honest message of the entire conversation: his advice for any young person, immigrant or not, who arrives in Madrid with the same enthusiasm he had 22 years ago. He spoke of humility, the importance of having a mentor from the start, and the years he himself lost by not seeking one sooner. If you're interested in the real estate world, if you're part of the Latino community living in Spain, if you wonder why it's becoming increasingly difficult to find a place to live, or if you simply enjoy hearing stories of people who fell and got back up, this episode is for you. Tell us in the comments: Did you also arrive in a city thinking you'd stay only a short time and end up putting down roots? We love reading your comments. It's not an interview. It's an experience. If you enjoyed this episode: 👍 Give it a like 📲 Subscribe to the channel 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don't miss any episodes of “Two Lions, One Idea”. Follow us on our social media📲   / dosleonesunaidea     / lausanchezleon     / franciscoleon   https://x.com/franciscoleon1