Guy Shklar / Founder Bio

International Assoc. AIA | LEED Green Associate

With over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, construction, and real estate development, Guy Shklar brings a uniquely integrated perspective to the work of building better communities. As the founder of Ella NE Living, Guy leads with the conviction that thoughtful design and strong neighbor relationships are the foundation of a better American lifestyle.

Guy began his career as an architect, spending nearly a decade designing public and private projects across Israel—including schools, athletic centers, light industrial facilities, and numerous mid-rise apartment buildings and urban infill developments. He later moved into project management and development consulting, where he led the pre-construction, permitting, and execution of dozens of commercial-residential new developments for private owners and developers. These included ground-up multifamily buildings and complex additions in dense, infill contexts—many of which required intricate stakeholder coordination and detailed entitlement strategy.

After relocating to the U.S., Guy held senior project leadership roles at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) and the Boston Housing Authority, where he managed large capital portfolios, coordinated with city and state agencies, and oversaw everything from construction logistics to design review.

Known for his ability to bridge the worlds of design and delivery, Guy brings a rare versatility: from concept sketch to certificate of occupancy, he has worked on every phase of the development lifecycle. His leadership style is collaborative and values-driven, rooted in real experience and long-term relationships—with architects, contractors, owners, and communities.

Now based in Arlington, Massachusetts, Guy is building Ella NE Living to bring a human-first, design-smart approach to community development in Greater Boston. He is actively seeking partnerships with property owners, developers, general contractors, and values-aligned investors.

After more than two decades managing complex real estate projects—from multifamily mid/high-rises to large-scale capital renovations—I’ve reached a turning point. I founded Ella NE Living not because the path is easy, but because it is time.

Turning 50 helped clarify something I’ve known for years: I have the experience, insight, and vision to lead a development company rooted in both design and purpose. For too long, I was waiting for the perfect moment—until I realized that the only thing standing in the way was me.

This decision is personal. It’s about putting my skills to the test, having skin in the game, and showing my daughter—now on the cusp of her teenage years—that risk is not something to avoid, but something to grow from. It’s about choosing leadership over comfort.

It’s also strategic.

Eastern Massachusetts is facing a severe housing shortage—a result of decades of stagnant zoning policies that have restricted growth and limited housing supply. The result is a real affordability crisis. Now, for the first time in a generation, the State and many local municipalities are beginning to act.

With the passage of the MBTA Communities Act, towns across the region are being pushed to rezone for more inclusive, higher-density housing. In places like Arlington, Medford, and other forward-looking communities, town planners and residents are starting to view population growth not as a necessary evil, but as an opportunity—to become more vibrant, more accessible, and more resilient.

This is the moment. And Ella NE Living was created to meet it—by building the kinds of homes and neighborhoods that bring people together, strengthen communities, and create long-term value for everyone involved.

Past Projects

  • Modern multi-story apartment building with glass balconies, surrounded by green trees and a well-maintained lawn, under a blue sky with some clouds.
  • Three modern multi-story apartment buildings with balconies, surrounded by palm trees and cars, under a blue sky with some clouds.
  • Modern multi-story residential building with glass balconies and a minimalist design, surrounded by greenery in an urban setting.
  • Multiple modern apartment balconies on a white building against a blue sky.
  • Modern multi-story residential building with balconies and glass railings under a clear blue sky
  • Tall modern building under construction with glass windows and a crane on top, surrounded by trees and parked cars.
  • Modern multi-story apartment building with white and dark gray facades, balconies on each floor, and a landscaped area with small trees and plants in front.
  • Modern building entrance with glass doors, concrete walls, and metal railings.
  • Modern multi-story residential building with glass balconies, surrounded by trees, blue sky, and street lamps.
  • Modern white building with geometric design, large glass windows, and an open framework structure on top, set against a clear blue sky.
  • Modern multi-story apartment building with glass balconies and white exterior walls, with some trees in the foreground.
  • Modern white multi-story apartment building with balconies and glass railings against a clear blue sky.
  • A modern multi-story residential building with white and brown exterior finishes, balconies, and large windows, set against a partly cloudy sky with trees in the foreground.
  • Modern multi-story residential building with brick exterior and a rooftop solar panel system, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
  • Modern white residential building with multiple balconies and windows, surrounded by parked cars and street signs.
  • Modern white single-story building with flat roof, surrounded by green lawn and trees under a partly cloudy sky.
  • An conference room with rows of light wood tables and black chairs, a large purple screen on the front wall.
  • Empty modern office with desks, chairs, computers, and vibrant wall art.

At Ella NE Living, we develop community-oriented multifamily and mixed-use housing in the walkable neighborhoods of Eastern Massachusetts. Our focus is on urban redevelopment, with a sweet spot in 5–15 unit infill and mid-scale projects, where design quality and thoughtful execution can make the greatest impact.

We work both independently and in partnership—with landowners, developers, and other general contractors—bringing skin in the game through a combination of capital and sweat equity. Whether acting as a general partner or a limited one, we align with teams who share our values and long-term vision.

This isn’t a fee-based consulting business. It’s a hands-on development practice built around collaboration, responsibility, and commitment to better outcomes—for residents, investors, and communities alike.

 

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.

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!