J
osh Lugg, a Pittsburgh native who fell head over heels for Notre Dame as a young recruit, has traded in his football cleats for a real estate career. As co-founder and president of Golden Legacy Partners, he's spearheading the South Bend-based firm into uncharted territory. After a four-month stint with the Chicago Bears, Lugg returned to South Bend, where he's now building a family and business.

    "I said to myself, 'South Bend is where I want to grow roots,'" Lugg explained. "I had some incredible partners who shared my vision, and that's how Golden Legacy came to be." Those partners included fellow Notre Dame linemen Tommy Kraemer, Cole Mabry, and Liam Eichenberg – the latter still playing for the Miami Dolphins.

    Golden Legacy's early success includes acquiring and renovating Harter Heights Place, an 80-unit apartment complex off Niles Avenue. While they have a portfolio of over 500 units within a 15-minute drive of campus, Lugg is adamant that student housing isn't their focus. "We want to bridge the gap between Notre Dame and South Bend," he said. "Our community should be a mix of long-time residents, students, athletes, alumni, and working professionals – all connected through shared experiences."