Long live the American mall. These dreamy retail hubs were once bustling scenes of activity, fun, and commerce. If you needed to shop, you went to the nearest mall. There was no question, no contest, and no real competitors. The mall was the golden child of the US retail footprint. But that was years ago. Today’s mall scene has turned bleak as brick and mortar retail has fallen to the wayside in light of e-commerce. The vacancy rate of malls reached the highest point in 2 decades this year. And,…

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The self-storage sector has immense promise for commercial real estate. These spaces are resilient, in high demand, and fit seamlessly into the needs of contemporary society. As people become more transient and hold off on purchasing a home, storage space becomes a necessity – and the proof is in the numbers. In 2019, the vacancy rate for self-storage was only 9.9% and was projected to only climb to 10.0% in 2020.  Evidently, self-storage units are attending to today’s pain points while pushing forward in the commercial scene. The expansion and…

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As the commercial real estate industry strives for a greener future, solar power is making a big impact on the industry’s physical spaces. Environmental concerns have been focused around the commercial arena for years – and it’s no wonder why. On average, commercial properties waste up to 30% of the resources they consume. When you factor in that commercial buildings use up 40% of the nation’s energy consumption, it’s obvious that sustainability initiatives need to collaborate with the commercial real estate business. And that’s exactly what has played out. The…

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Right before the pandemic dominated nearly all CRE headlines, transit-oriented developments were a trending topic within the industry. Transit-oriented development projects are renowned for their positive impacts on strengthening cities and communities. These innovative plans combine secure networks of travel, affordable living, and accessible workspaces into one cohesive cityscape. The buzz surrounding transit-oriented development projects reflected the interest in these contemporary commercial projects, but how are they doing now? We all know that the pandemic ushered in a new atmosphere for commercial real estate as it once stood, and many…

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For months now, retail headlines have been filled with scary stories about how the pandemic is threatening the shopping industry as we know it. Yes, it’s true that the pandemic is putting retail through the wringer, but it’s also initiating some long-pending changes. While this period is hard for everyone, that doesn’t mean that everything coming into play as a result of this historic era will be negative. The fact is, more change has emerged during 2020’s first two quarters than we’ve seen in a very long time. Of course,…

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Small businesses have put up quite a fight over these past few months. While the pandemic acted as a major disruptor for every industry, small and local businesses took an especially hard hit. The pandemic threatened all things ‘business as usual’, making it imperative for small businesses to rethink their operational strategies from top to bottom. In the midst of these ‘new normals’ for small businesses, the industry has seen some truly ingenious survival tactics take form. Here are some of the most unique ways that we’ve seen businesses stay…

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Right now, net-zero construction is in the spotlight of the press. To meet the updated eco-conscious business plans introduced at the beginning of 2020, many companies have committed to a net-zero model. June 5th was World Environment Day, and in dedication to the cause, the World Green Building Council launched their latest campaign. The #ActOnClimate movement included a net-zero goal, and the WGBCouncil announced that more than 100 companies signed The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment pact to make all of their buildings net-zero in the next decade. Obviously, this…

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As markets dip their toes into the reopening process and stores are welcoming shoppers through the door again, retail is facing never before seen challenges. Here are a few of these issues that retailers are dealing with while operating amid COVID: Pressure from Wary Consumers We all knew that regaining consumer trust wouldn’t be easy for the commercial scene. One of the greatest challenges retailers are facing today is consumer distrust. Retailers are responsible not only for keeping the store safe and clean but also to ensure that guests feel…

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