Takeaways – Life. Lessons. Learned.
John Tippins
John Tippins is the founder and CEO of Northcap, a real estate firm deeply woven into the transformation of downtown Las Vegas. With nearly two decades of experience and over $2 billion in completed transactions, John has become more than a broker—he’s a steward of shaping the City of Las Vegas. In this episode, we follow his rise from humble beginnings to real estate trailblazer, the mentors who shaped his mindset, and how a single lunch meeting turned into $700 million in business. John’s story is one of grit, relationships, vision—and a relentless commitment to being of service.
The Long Game
John’s path wasn’t born of privilege—it was built through persistence, instinct, and relationships. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, he moved to Las Vegas to attend UNLV, where he juggled jobs—from sweeping floors to parking cars—while finishing his degree. One of the most pivotal moments came when he rescheduled a final exam to have lunch with Robert Bigelow, a meeting that ultimately led to over $700 million in real estate transactions and launched his career. John’s humility is deeply rooted in his upbringing and the respect he holds for the mentors who believed in him—people like Sam Cherry, Mark Fine, Irwin Molaski, and Steve Wynn. Their influence is evident in how John shows up today: grounded, generous, and committed to investing in others just as others once invested in him.
Building More Than Just Buildings
John has played a central role in the revitalization of downtown Las Vegas. His firm, Northcap, doesn’t just broker and develop properties, it builds momentum. Long before downtown was trendy or investable, John was assembling land parcels, guiding early development deals, and believing deeply in the promise of the area. John saw opportunity where others saw a desolate submarket. He played a key role in leasing up The Ogden—a residential tower at Fremont and Las Vegas Boulevard—at record pace. He developed relationships with developers like Southern Land and CEDARst to add thousands of residential units downtown.
With projects spanning Symphony Park, the Arts District, and Fremont East, John is helping to transform downtown Las Vegas from an overlooked stretch of city blocks into a thriving, walkable, and increasingly vertical community.
Takeaways From This Episode
- Relationships are your foundation.
- Integrity lasts longer than your commission check.
- Choose your partners carefully.
Watch the entire Podcast episode for the full discussion with John Tippins as we delve deeply into his experiences and perspectives. Thank you for listening! Please subscribe to “Takeaways,” rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts.
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