Headshot of Paul "Bear” Cheezem

Contact

Education

  • Master of Real Estate Development, Clemson University
  • B.S in Economics and Political Science, Clemson University

Projects

  • The Four Seasons Hotel & Residences, Canal Street, New Orleans, LA
  • Historic renovation and redevelopment of the former World Trade Center into a 342-key hotel and 92- unit private residences building. Project costs exceeded $550 million and included historic tax credits.
  • The Julia at St. Charles, Julia Street, New Orleans, LA
  • A 198-unit apartment complex with retail space and interior parking structure in the Warehouse District of New Orleans with a budget of $55 million.
  • Alder Hotel, New Orleans, LA
  • Historic renovation and redevelopment of a former dormitory into a 90-room hotel completed with a budget of $16 million. Project included historic tax credits.
  • 864 South Peters Street, New Orleans, LA
  • Historic renovation and redevelopment of a former warehouse and new construction on an adjacent lot of a 68,000 square foot office building with a budget of $16 million.
  • The Academy Apartments, New Orleans, LA
  • Adaptive reuse of historic school building into a 24-unit multifamily project completed with a budget of $4 million. Project included historic tax credits.

Paul "Bear" Cheezem

Lecturer - Real Estate Development

Bear and a partner started Basin Street Development in late 2024 to pursue historic tax credit properties in the hospitality market with a focus on lifestyle boutique properties. Prior to Basin Street Development, Bear served as Vice President of Woodward Interests since February 2016. Since joining Woodward, Bear has served as Development Manager on several projects including the Alder Hotel. He was recently part of the Four Seasons development team and worked as co-developer for The Julia at St. Charles, a mixed-use apartment complex located at 730 Julia Street. He also has
significant experience working with various types of tax credit programs.

Prior to his present role, Bear worked in Development at SC Housing, where he coordinated with local governments and non-profits to stabilize property values through the removal of blighted properties in strategically targeted areas. He has also worked at M&M Capital where he focused on financing multifamily and retail development and acquisitions. Bear received a Master of Real Estate Development from Clemson University in 2012, and previously received a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Political Science.

Bear’s community and civic activities include Lecturer of Real Estate in Tulane University’s School of Architecture, ULI Louisiana Management Committee, Chair of ULI Louisiana Real Estate Diversity
Initiative, Co-Chair of ULI Louisiana Advisory Services, Investor and Advisory Board Member at Reimagine Development Partners, and Youth Soccer Coach at Louisiana Fire Soccer Club.