LionFox Development

LionFox Development, LLC, established in 2024 as a division of LionFox, LLC, is redefining community-centered real estate development in New York City. Spearheaded by Shams DaBaron—who transformed his experience from homelessness to becoming “Da Homeless Hero” and now “Da Housing Hero”—the company uniquely fuses lived experience with strategic leadership, policy insight, and development expertise to create meaningful housing solutions in historically underserved communities. The groundbreaking “Sensible Housing” initiative reimagines urban development by prioritizing community voice, fostering collaboration between residents, developers, and public institutions, and ensuring developments serve existing community needs.

W Despite its recent formation, LionFox has quickly established itself through consulting roles on significant projects including Timbale Terrace in East Harlem and the One45 development in Central Harlem. The company is advancing to co-development on the One45 project through LionFox Delaine, a strategic joint venture with The Delaine Companies. For the Grand Concourse Library Redevelopment project RFP, LionFox has partnered with established industry leaders Brisa Builders and Lemle & Wolff, bringing not only development expertise but a profound personal connection—the library once provided sanctuary to DaBaron as a homeless teen. Specializing in mixed-income, mixed-use developments, LionFox goes beyond traditional housing to create environments that catalyze economic mobility, preserve cultural heritage, and build lasting community infrastructure. Through DaBaron’s transformative vision and hands-on leadership, LionFox Development delivers projects that are not merely built for communities—but built with them.