In a move for self-preservation, retailers are demanding that their landlords withhold or slash rent in the coming months as stores have closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Even before the onset of the virus, retail was already experiencing bankruptcies and store closures as consumers migrated to the web. Now, with social distancing and ... READ MORE >
Real Estate
Real estate and the middle market go hand in hand. Developers in commercial, residential and industrial markets provide the economic fuel to transform local economies, building infrastructure that leads to new business and job creation.
Can hotels become hospitals? Thinking creatively about how to put empty space to work
Hotel companies in the United States are imploring Washington for relief amid the escalating cancellations because of the coronavirus pandemic. Industry leaders face seemingly impossible decisions as revenues have all but disappeared while significant fixed expenses remain. Chief executives from the largest hospitality companies – including Marriott ... READ MORE >
Housing was set to soar. Then the coronavirus hit.
Just a few weeks ago, the housing market was poised to take off. Home builders had changed strategy to focus on entry-level homes to serve a growing need in the market. Permits and housing starts were at 10-year highs. Wage growth and unemployment were strong. Interest rates were down to 3.5%, bringing the market back to a level last seen in 2013. It all ... READ MORE >
As coronavirus spreads, pain goes beyond the hospitality and travel industries
As the human and economic toll of the coronavirus mounts, the real estate industry in North America is wondering where it can safely place its bets. The hospitality industry has taken the brunt of the hit so far, but other sectors of the economy have been nervously watching as the events unfold. Hospitality After the World Health Organization cautioned ... READ MORE >
How ESG is affecting the real estate and construction industries
As public pressure builds for industries to adhere to environmental, social and governance standards, the real estate and construction industries are no exception. The European Union, for example, has passed many regulations that require proper ESG planning and disclosures for real estate businesses. While ESG may not carry the same weight yet in the ... READ MORE >
Betting that size matters: Macy’s closures on trend in retail
The number of store closings in the retail industry is widely publicized. Many media outlets cite data published by Coresight Research, which tracks store openings and closings in the retail ecosystem. Closings reached a record high of 9,302 in 2019, and 2020 is off to an equally troubling start, as Macy’s announced 125 store closings—amounting to roughly ... READ MORE >
Hospitality industry braces for the worst as coronavirus spreads
As the human and economic toll of the coronavirus continues to mount, the hospitality industry is bracing for the worst. On Jan. 30, the World Health Organization cautioned against non-essential travel to China after declaring the outbreak a public health emergency. Major airlines quickly responded, as British Airways, United, Delta and American, among ... READ MORE >
Americans face housing affordability crisis as paltry inventory sends costs higher
The decline in housing numbers reported for December on Wednesday is tied to the dwindling available supply of housing for purchase. Pending home sales reported by the National Association of Realtors through December 2019 decreased 4.9% month over month; however, the year-over-year comparison shows a 6.8% gain on an unadjusted basis. While low ... READ MORE >
Housing to start 2020 with a bang
When Boeing announced on Monday that it would halt production of its troubled 737 Max in January, it raised the prospect that the economy could take a hit in early 2020. But Tuesday's announcement of stronger-than-expected housing starts could ease some of those concerns. The Commerce Department reported that November housing starts rose by 3.2% in ... READ MORE >
How senior housing developers can respond to sagging demand
Developers eager to fill the demand for senior housing created by an aging U.S. population are facing a new and unexpected challenge in the form of rapidly advancing technologies that allow seniors to stay in their homes longer. It’s called “aging in place,” and a host of disruptors have set their sights on this growing market as a participants across ... READ MORE >