Community‑first infill development for 10–30 unit multifamily and mixed‑use in Greater Boston.

JV development and pre‑construction for landowners and partners, aligned with MBTA Communities Act zoning momentum.

Past Projects

Guy Shklar / Bio

International Assoc. AIA | LEED GA

With over 20 years of experience in architecture, construction, and real estate development, Guy Shklar brings a full-spectrum understanding of how successful projects are conceived, built, and delivered. He has managed the design and construction of commercial-residential developments totaling more than 500,000 square feet, from initial sketches to occupancy.

Guy’s career spans every stage of the development lifecycle. As a project manager and development consultant, he has led pre-construction, permitting, and execution for complex ground-up multifamily buildings, commercial spaces, and intricate additions in dense urban environments. His work has involved detailed entitlement strategies, multi-stakeholder coordination, and precision in both design and delivery.

In senior roles at Jones Lang LaSalle and the Boston Housing Authority, he oversaw large capital portfolios, coordinated with municipal and state agencies, and guided projects through construction logistics, design review, and final turnover. This breadth of experience allows him to bridge the gap between high-level vision and the practical realities of execution.

Now based in Arlington, Massachusetts, Guy leads Ella NE Living with a commitment to designing and building developments that create both lasting value and strong communities. He is actively partnering with property owners, developers, general contractors, and investors who share this long-term vision.

Guy Shklar Photo

About Me

For over 20 years, I’ve built my career at the intersection of architectural design and hands-on project leadership. I started out as an architect, guiding designs for mid-rise apartments, infill neighborhoods, schools, and public spaces from the ground up. That experience shaped my ability to spot challenges early, balance budgets with vision, and lead teams with clarity, all skills I rely on every day in real estate development and project management.

While much of my early work was abroad, the realities - urban complexity, tough approvals, multiple stakeholders—are the same here. I’ve managed the development and construction of more than 600 residential units, valued at over $150 million, along with public and commercial buildings for owners, agencies, and institutions including JLL and the Boston Housing Authority.

Why Ella NE Living?
After years delivering results for others, I founded Ella NE Living to bring a more personal, design-smart, and community-first approach to multifamily development in Massachusetts.

My goal is simple: to help landowners and partners unlock the real value of their sites, with accountability and trust guiding every step.

I believe the best results are built on direct relationships, clear communication, and deep experience. That’s what I offer, start to finish.

Credentials:

  • International Assoc. AIA | LEED GA

  • 20+ years in architecture, project management & real estate development

  • $150M+ in total project value, 600+ units delivered

  • Jones Lang LaSalle and Boston Housing Authority Senior Project Manager

Our Vision

Connection is the foundation of a better life.

At Ella NE Living, we believe that having the right neighbors is one of the greatest contributions to a person’s quality of life. Our vision is grounded in a simple but powerful truth: people thrive in community.

This is not a theory—it’s personal.
As someone who grew up in shared bedrooms, lived with flatmates into adulthood, and raised a family in a neighborhood where kids could roam freely and neighbors became lifelong friends, I’ve experienced firsthand how community can lift you up. From shared meals to shared babysitting to borrowed backyards, these relationships made our lives richer, safer, and more joyful.

But in too much of modern American housing, we’ve traded connection for separation.
The version of the American dream that tells us to prioritize privacy over people has left us lonely—and it's not working. Research shows that countries with denser, more community-oriented housing consistently report higher levels of happiness and well-being. This isn’t radical. It’s normal—in most of the world.

At Ella NE Living, our mission is to restore that normal.

We develop homes and communities that are designed for connection through thoughtful architecture, shared amenities, and social infrastructure that encourages neighborly interaction. That might look like shared backyards instead of fences. Strong acoustic insulation that allows privacy without isolation. Common amenities that invite informal encounters. And policies that support community care over individual detachment.

This isn’t just philosophy, it’s a smarter way to build.
Shared spaces create more efficient use of square footage, which makes our developments more sustainable and financially compelling. And when people feel connected to their neighbors, they stay longer, care more, and build stronger communities. That’s good for residents, owners, and investors alike.

We’re inspired by global models: co-housing in Scandinavia, New Urbanist towns in the U.S., and garden cities that mix beauty with utility. But our approach is our own, grounded in real experience, real design, and real relationships.

Ella NE Living is for those who believe that home is more than a unit. It’s a shared human experience. And we’re building places where that experience can thrive.

We’re Ice Coast people

Our Happy Place

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