by David Bodamer December 4th, 2006
An afternoon session at the ICSC New York National Conference and Dealmaking debated the meaning of mixed-use, with the panel coming in favor of a strict definition of the concept. The panel came down hard, arguing that mixed-use must be vertical and have at least three uses that must be integrated and leverage off of each other. Anything less may be “multi-use” but falls short of being a true mixed-use project, panelists argued.
Kenneth Narva, principal and managing partner with PEG/Park LLC and Street Works LLC laid out five rules for developing mixed-use projects, which are paraphrased here:
1. Mixed-use has to be local. It can’t be a concept that can be replicated anywhere. It must build off the local community and history and maintain the flavor of the surrounding architecture.
2. Mixed-use should be driven by retail. It needs to have other uses, but retail—including restaurants and entertainment—must be the prime traffic generator.
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Topics: Conference Coverage, Mixed-Use, News, Retail Real Estate, Trends |
by David Bodamer December 4th, 2006
The New York National Conference and Deal Making kicked off this morning with a lively opening panel on trends impacting the industry. A big part of the discussion centered on the continuing wave of retailer privatizations and the effect they are having on the way shopping center owners and developers are doing business.—perhaps even more than many people had anticipated.
Owners involved in these deals say they aren’t just about real estate and are insisting they are in it to operate retailers and help turn around ones that have been suffering. Meanwhile, some panelists expressed reservations about the number buyouts that has occurred and wondered if privatizations are always the answer. Taking stock of how some of the more notable brands have fared—retailers like Kmart, Sears, Lord & Taylor, Toys ‘R’ Us and Mervyn’s—was a major theme.
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Topics: Conference Coverage, Mixed-Use, News, REITs, Retail Real Estate, Trends |
Sheldon Silver Could Say No
by David Bodamer December 18th, 2006
Forest City Ratner has been in an ongoing battle to get its proposed Atlantic Yards project approved. Opposition groups like Develop Don’t Destroy and No Land Grab continue to oppose the project, even as it inches closer to reality having gained many of the key approvals it needs.
But the New York Times today raises an interesting twist to the story, which is that the fate of the project could end up in hands of Sheldon Silver, the state Assembly speaker.
Read the rest of this entry »
No Comments Related Topics: Commentary, Development, Mixed-Use, News, Retail Real Estate |