Inside Out: Building a Glass House in Russia

by Glenn Williamson

In Russia, it is said, Nothing and everything is possible. In Inside Out , author Glenn Williamson explains the award-winning development of St. Petersburgs first modern Class A office/retail center by a multinational team of Americans, Russians, Brits, Turks, and Finns.

Inside Out provides a fascinating memoir of his experiences working as a developer in Russia in the 1990s while balancing a home life with a new baby son. With unique and astute anecdotes, it offers insights into Russia, its people, and its culture.

Inside Out , funny and serious, sincere and sarcastic, narrates the anatomy of a real estate deal. Now, at a time when America and Russia consider ways to reset their relations, Williamsons story shows how actual players on all sides of a complex business and personal adventure looked for, and ultimately found, a common language.

If you ever wondered what a developer does all day especially one developing in Russia all your questions will be answered by reading this fascinating story.

Dr. Peter Linneman, Linneman Associates

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 2014

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who has had any experience of life in Russia, whether as resident or visitor, will immediately warm to Glenn Williamson’s fascinating memoir of his time there as a property developer. Admittedly property developers are not often thought of as interesting subjects for a book, but in this case Williamson’s take on the challenges of the reality of living and working in Russia make this a totally compelling read. Williamson, along with many others at the time, saw Russia as a land of unlimited opportunities once the Soviet Union had disintegrated. Russia was the new frontier and ripe for development. But the new Russia is in many ways the old Russia – and they do things differently there. Williamson went to St Petersburg in 1995 and for the next 10 years was consumed by the project to build the city’s first Class A retail and office centre. He coordinated the financing, construction, leasing and property management of the building. Plagued by cultural differences and misunderstandings, not to mention the economic crash of 1998, he finally saw the plans come to fruition. This fast-paced and entertaining account of what it took to complete the project makes for some absorbing reading and gives a real insight into the newly evolving Russian business and economic landscape. But it’s not just a book for those interested in business. Anyone interested in the country will enjoy reading Williamson’s story and pick up some tips along the way on how to understand and cope with that peculiarly Russian outlook on the world.