Meet the new guy behind the curtain at Curbed Detroit.
Paul Beshouri is now editor of the popular real estate and development blog, whose New York-based parent company also operates the Eater and Racked web sites in numerous cities.
Beshouri, 23, has been writing for Curbed since April, and has plenty of the slick wit and informal banter expected from a Curbed writer.
The previous editor, Sarah Cox, was promoted to Editorial Director of Curbed. She now manages the content for all 12 Curbed cities.
Beshouri grew up in Birmingham and took policy classes at Central Michigan University before returning to the metro area to intern for Curbed.
He moved up the ranks after information in his November article on the Lafayette Towers foreclosure auction made it into USA Today.
“Real estate is something I was always interested in. When I found Curbed, it felt very familiar,” Beshouri says. “I just kept pestering Sarah to let me help more and it escalated from there.“
After a few weeks of running the site, Beshouri says he is building himself a foundation while continuing Curbed’s regularly scheduled programming.
“I want to maintain the same level of connection with the readers and the same tone, but the only way I can do it is through my own voice,” he says. He plans to keep Curbed’s mix of property highlights and development politics, but add more information about Detroit’s lesser-known neighborhoods.
“Setting up shop in Detroit can be a daunting task,” he adds. “But it’s been really exciting. Detroiters are always ready to fully support anyone willing to make the effort. That passion and loyalty is one of the best things about Detroit.”
Since becoming editor, Beshouri’s online quips have landed him some critical commenters.
Beshouri says, “I'd be disappointed if readers didn't chime in loudly and often. I like that there’s debate and discussion and I don't like the idea that Detroit should accept any and all development with open arms. Detroiters have the right to think a development is ugly, in bad taste, or counterproductive. Curbed can be a forum for that discussion.”
