Business Journal homes in on a dozen residential developers who, surprise, are building in the L.A. market.

Emile Haddad, 52

President and Chief Executive

Five Point Communities, Aliso Viejo

Haddad has spent nearly three decades in real estate development. As an executive at Lennar Corp., the Laguna Hills resident developed several suburban subdivisions. But he’s facing his biggest challenge yet at Five Point Communities, a newly formed company that has taken over the massive Newhall Ranch project in the Santa Clarita Valley, which went bankrupt after the housing bust. Not a single one of its 21,000 homes has been constructed.

Reason I’m a Residential Developer: I was a frustrated civil engineer. I love making deals and being able to see the result. Developing communities allows you to do all of that. It’s about deal-making, designing, financing and building.

If I Weren’t a Residential Developer I’d Be: Writing and teaching. I like interacting with people.

Most Challenging Development: I will take the Fifth.

Best Career Moment: Best is when I get lucky.

Worst: Worst was when I did not follow my instinct.

My Colleagues Don’t Know: They know too much.

Favorite Project I Didn’t Develop: The Irvine Ranch – a master plan that stayed true to its vision and quality despite several real estate cycles.

Best Thing About Developing in L.A. County: Mature market with a very large economic engine. L.A. County has 11 million people and 4 million jobs. (It’s) a gateway to Asia, a very constrained land market. (These are) all very strong drivers.

Worst: Traffic.

A Competitor I Would Emulate: The Irvine Co. (for the Irvine Ranch development).

Bucket List: Build out Newhall Ranch and make sure that everyone I take care of is set.