Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, now has one of the nation’s most successful home retrofitting campaigns—Go Green Nashville. It started two years ago as a small pilot initiative by the ULI Nashville Sustainability Committee, targeting an urban neighborhood within the city, and has now taken off. Read more to discover what has made this community-based initiative so successful and what lessons can be applied in your area.
Ten years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, lower Manhattan has become one of the fastest-growing residential neighborhoods in New York City with a population that has more than doubled—to 56,000—over the last decade, reports the Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc. Read more to learn about the new residential and office projects that stand as a testament to this neighborhood’s comeback.
Over the past decade, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines have all embarked on major housing upgrade programs, creating a military housing construction boom. As such, those in the industry say assignments for the military are one of the hot sectors in the real estate market. Read why companies involved in military construction expect even more contract opportunities during the years ahead.
By tracking jobs, creating a compelling product, and seeking transit access, one can spot the “next neighborhoods” targeted for real estate development, says developer Rick Holliday. He says developers who are monitoring a market should be tracking company expansion news, hiring announcements, office leasing, and other news. Read what other tips he has for pinpointing the next areas for development.
Around the country, some midsize cities are now shrinking—but green space is replacing boarded-up homes; single-family houses are rising where crowded cinder-block apartment complexes once stood; and individuals and couples are moving into rehabilitated homes that once housed families of eight. Learn how municipalities like Youngstown, Ohio, are trying to make shrinking work to their advantage.
At a time when the real estate market is anemic, student housing development is relatively robust. Long considered a laggard in the multifamily sector, student housing is becoming a standout as more developers are taking a harder look at the field, in light of rising rents and increasing enrollments. Learn what any entrepreneur should do before delving into this potentially lucrative housing sector.
Texas was the last state affected by the recession and is one of the first to emerge. It benefits from population and job growth and from being a business- and tax-friendly state. Read about the bright spots in the state’s real estate sector—including major markets like Dallas–Fort Worth and Austin—and learn which sectors hold the most promise.
Internet giant Google is among a number of new investors in low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) that have breathed new life into the affordable housing sector. However, the market is currently in flux: high yields that characterized the affordable housing market in 2009–2010 have returned to more normal levels—requiring those who want to enter the LIHTC arena to do their homework.
Hong Kong–based Swire Properties is planning Brickell CitiCentre (BCC), a nine-acre (3.6-ha) mixed-use development in the heart of Miami’s Brickell Financial District. And in May, Genting Malaysia Bhd announced plans to build Resorts World Miami after buying a 13.9-acre (5.6-ha) piece of land. Read how downtown Miami’s fast-growing residential population has made these projects possible.
Across the United States, making old new again is rapidly becoming a trend in the retail real estate industry. In a market where competition for tenants is fierce, sprucing up older properties can make a difference in getting retailers to sign leases. Read more to learn how developers can successfully renovate tired retail properties to secure higher rents and better tenants.
South America’s largest and most vibrant economy, Brazil, is very hot for real estate development nowadays. It is also one of the fastest-growing emerging countries in the world, with gross domestic product gains of 7.5 percent last year, and expectations of 4.5 percent this year—substantially outpacing the United States. Learn what companies should know before jumping into this exciting real estate market.
Thinking of doing real estate development in China? Then read what tips ULI members Bill Callaway, principal at SWA Group, a Sausalito, California–based international landscape architecture and planning firm, and Gene Schnair, managing partner in the West Coast offices of the international architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, have for those who want to do business in the Middle Kingdom.
