Building Brooklyn
Brooklyn Home Company princpals Fitzhugh Karol,
left, Mark Klein and Bill Caleo.
Three alumni are putting creative thought to work at The Brooklyn Home Company, a real estate development company with in-house architectural, construction and design services. This family-run cooperative of custom home builders and artists says it's committed to creating innovative living spaces that are tasteful, functional and timeless. TBHCo has built a reputation as one of the best high-end residential builders in Brooklyn.
Bill Caleo '99 founded The Brooklyn Home Company and serves as president and head
of operations, overseeing the purchase, development and sale of residential properties,
particularly Brooklyn brownstones. A business major, a theater actor and an original
member of the Dynamics a cappella troupe, Caleo credits Skidmore for preparing him
for his current career. "I use my business degree and my acting background, and I
enjoy collaborating with creative people, technical people, a mix-and-match of different
personalities."
Caleo is also active as an alumnus, sharing his experience and business skills as
a member of the President's Advisory Council.
Art major Fitzhugh Karol '04 specialized in ceramics, and now he lends the company's
signature trademark to each TBHCo property. Whether it's an oversized, 400-pound,
reclaimed-wood barn door or a custom-sculpted bannister or fireplace mantel, Karol
says, "We build hand-crafted elements and leave a handmade item or two" for new owners.
Mark Klein '05 adds big-city real estate development skills. Klein began as a psychology
major but switched to management and business after taking MB 107, the iconic introductory
case-study course. "I really enjoyed strategizing a business plan for Callaway Golf—working
to solve a problem for an organization," he recalls. Problem-solving is at the heart
of his work now: "It's what we do, overcoming challenges and finding opportunities
for growth and improvement."
The Brooklyn Home Company's diverse staff of 20 features a full in-house team of experts
who, like the three from Skidmore, devote themselves to artistic integrity, individuality,
environmental sustainability, fine craftsmanship and high-quality architecture and
interior design.
