On the level: There was a time when Christopher Herman didn’t want to be involved in multifamily housing. So much for those plans.

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When Christopher Herman got his architecture degree, he had aspirations to be the next Frank Gehry – or at least the Frank Gehry of the Southeast.

What he didn’t want to do was design, or be in charge of producing multifamily housing. But after a stint working for Cox Schepp Construction, the Queen City native is doing just that as national multifamily team project executive for Dallas-based Balfour Beatty Construction, part of London-based Balfour Beatty.

Herman said he’s never been busier, as the apartment market is heating up at a time when getting a home loan remains tough.

What do you like about architecture? My dad was in construction, and at an early age I reviewed plans with him. I like seeing something go from a piece of paper to being built. I designed Elizabeth Square Apartments. It is an urban project, and I feel it fits the concept of the neighborhood well.

Do you miss doing architecture?
I feel I am using my architect skills. I practiced architecture for almost six years, and I have used that experience to get a visual to conceptualize buildings. It helps the developer and architect make good design decisions, both on the residential and the military side.

Military side? Our multifamily work is on 20 military bases around the country right now. We are currently doing multifamily work at Fort Jackson in S.C.

Do you sit in on the lenders meeting with developers? Sometimes I get to sit in with the lender and the developer. Right now, to get anything underwritten, the balance sheet must be strong. But you need to have the right team and the right story to make those products successful. We are actively pursuing a little over $500 million in the multifamily market in the Southeast

The apartment enthusiasm is there. There are over 6,000 apartments proposed in Charlotte for this year. There is a projected growth of 4 percent on apartments this year. I think the challenge is to get the financing.

Why did you want to be the next Frank Gehry? I love his “blobitecture,” that organic design aesthetic he had. I loved designing Elizabeth Square, because I had that opportunity to design where people live and what they see every day.

Christopher Herman

Lives in: Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood

Age: 31

Family: wife, Susan

Education: bachelor’s in architecture, University of North Carolina at Charlotte