Author: Nicole Martinez
Nicole Martinez has worked with a variety of local and national publications including Reuters, Univision, VICE Media, Hyperallergic, Crain Communications, Miami New Times, Miami Herald's INDULGE Magazine, Apparel News, The New Tropic, Savoteur, and Art Law Journal. She is based in South Florida.
Articles by Nicole Martinez
- Florida’s In-Migration Expected to Weather Post-Pandemic Return to Office
Published on September 28, 2021 in Development
The state of Florida is looking to hold on to the gains it made over the last two years, with an estimated population growth of 900 new arrivals per day in 2021. According to leaders speaking at the ULI Florida Summit, office and industrial leasing gives them hope that the trend will continue. - Rising to the Next Challenge in Retail’s Evolution in South Florida
Published on July 27, 2020 in Development
ULI MEMBER–ONLY CONTENT: Despite the challenges facing the retail sector in 2020, South Florida’s Aventura Mall has continued to reinvent itself as a retail destination. - Drawing More Talent, Large Employers to Southeastern Florida
Published on April 08, 2019 in Economy, Market & Trends
At a panel discussion during ULI’s Fort Lauderdale Emerges conference in February, Mike Jackson, longtime chief executive officer of AutoNation, was joined by Vinnie Viola, chairman and owner of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and chairman emeritus of Virtu Financial, to discuss Fort Lauderdale’s place among America's most important business communities. With moderator Bob Swindell, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, the pair discussed the appeal and consistent challenges facing Fort Lauderdale’s ascension as a major business hub. - Bringing More Mixed-Use Residential to Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Published on March 15, 2019 in Development
In 2018, downtown Fort Lauderdale added just over 1,000 residential units. An additional 3,000 units have already come to market so far in 2019, with more underway. While speakers at ULI Southeast Florida’s “Fort Lauderdale Emerges” event acknowledged the risk of overbuilding, they were also confident that a blockbuster mixed-use project will attract interest for decades to come. - South Florida Mayors Focused on Reducing Congestion, Keeping Housing Affordable
Published on March 04, 2019 in Development
Speaking at a recent ULI event in Fort Lauderdale, Dean Trantalis, mayor of Fort Lauderdale, was joined by Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen and Jenni Morejon, the president and CEO of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, on a panel discussing some of the short-term policies being implemented to make major strides for local residents, tourists, and companies alike. - U.S. Tax Reform Sparks Renewed Interest from Latin American Investors
Published on November 05, 2018 in Capital Markets
Immigration-based investment programs are drawing investors and high-net-worth individuals from South and Central America to countries such as Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus, experts said during a panel discussion at the ULI Latin America Conference, held in Miami during September. U.S. tax reforms are also leading potential investors to take another look at markets in Nevada and Florida, they said. - Latin America Continues to Be Growth Opportunity for Mid-Market Retailers
Published on October 29, 2018 in Planning & Design
While 93.1 percent of all retail sales in Latin America are still made in-store, savvy retailers are increasingly exploring opportunities to merge the in-store experience with the convenience of shopping online. Panelists speaking at the ULI Latin America Annual Conference in September also said that retail is ripe for investment, as the growing middle class is gaining access to credit and earning higher wages in many cities. - Planning a Sustainable Recovery for St. Croix after Two Destructive Storms
Published on August 27, 2018 in Development
Hit by two major hurricanes in 2017, St. Croix —one of the U.S. Virgin Islands—is oised to receive nearly $2 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a portion of which could potentially transform the island’s current social and economic footing if used strategically. - Developers Embracing Their Role in Building for Resilience in Florida
Published on July 17, 2018 in Sustainability
For the first time in the history of ULI's Florida Summit, a keynote panel addressed the issue of resiliency across the state. But resiliency, however, isn't just about climate change – it's about centering the needs of a community and ensuring its continued progress in the face of mounting challenges, like climate change, affordability, and employment stagnation. - Developing Code-Compliant Tiny Homes to House Florida’s Workers
Published on July 13, 2018 in Development
Hospitality, tourism, and medical services remain the largest industries driving Florida's economy; but hotel and restaurant workers, nurses, and hospital administration employees often struggle to find suitable housing in the state’s largest cities. Panelists at the 2018 ULI Florida Summit discussed innovative solutions to the problem. - How Two New Florida Hotel Concepts Are Competing with Airbnb, Marriott
Published on July 02, 2018 in Development
Florida remains one of the healthiest worldwide hospitality centers. Hotel occupancy in Miami-Dade rose to 87.9 percent in March from 85.7 percent in the same month last year, and the average daily room rate in was also up. At a panel discussion during ULI’s 2018 Florida Summit, two hotel developers shared how their decision to lean into the evolving trends within hospitality and tourism have bred overwhelming success. - As Demographics Shift, Placemaking Becomes an Increasingly Important Component of Retail Development
Published on June 18, 2018 in Development
Retail developers who gathered at the 2018 ULI Florida Summit talked about what is working and what isn’t, as they shift their focus to more entertainment and dining amenities combined with mixed use from the traditional strip centers of the recent past. - Living with Rising Sea Levels: Miami Beach’s Plans for Resilience
Published on May 23, 2018 in Sustainability
In April, a team of ULI members on an Advisory Services panel traveled to Miami Beach to advise the city on its preparations for sea-level rise and to brainstorm about what could be done better. The group concluded that the city has made an admirable start, including investment in a $500 million program for stormwater management, but a more comprehensive and holistic approach needs to be taken. - The $3 Billion Project Transforming Downtown Tampa
Published on February 28, 2018 in Development
With roughly 58,000 people moving to the city of Tampa in 2016 alone, the region stands out as an example of accelerating U.S. growth. Water Street Tampa will give an urban facelift to Tampa’s skyline and double the downtown area in size. - As Art Revitalizes Urban Neighborhoods, Maintaining Affordability Remains a Challenge
Published on February 14, 2018 in Planning & Design
In February, ULI South Florida/Caribbean gathered a panel of researchers, real estate developers, and economic development agencies at the new Arts & Entertainment District—the latest neighborhood to emerge as a cultural destination for city residents. - Drawing Buyers of All Ages to Florida’s Walkable Suburban Downtowns
Published on July 10, 2017 in Development
For years, Florida was considered a sunny retirement community, a haven for northerners looking to escape harsh winters. But as the state’s university system has grown, industry has expanded and drawn more corporations to Florida’s largest cities. The influx of professional opportunities has drawn younger generations to settle or remain in Florida, prompting an interesting demographic shift for real estate developers. - Making Infill Work in Florida’s Urban Cores
Published on June 27, 2017 in Development
A rising class of government officials and developers across Florida, attuned to the acute challenges limiting urban infill development, are attempting to remedy these obstacles and have found some success. They shared their insights during a discussion at the recent ULI Florida Summit, held in Tampa. - Three Developers Capitalizing on Tampa’s Growth
Published on June 05, 2017 in Development
Tampa and its surrounding cities—such as Sarasota, Bradenton, and Clearwater—are quietly attracting millennials and young families. With lower land prices and a relatively underdeveloped market, Tampa Bay developers are betting on a boom. - Three Mayors Discuss Their Legacies of Urban Design in the U.S. Southeast
Published on June 02, 2017 in Planning & Design
Glenda Hood, former mayor of Orlando, and Joe Riley, former mayor of Charleston, South Carolina, were joined by Joe Buckhorn, the longtime mayor of Tampa, in a discussion about their legacies as mayors at the ULI Florida Summit in Tampa. - Positioning West Palm Beach as a Financial Center of the Future
Published on April 03, 2017 in Development
Officials in West Palm Beach, Florida—located in a region that boasts some of the wealthiest residents in the world—have made strides in attracting leading financial firms, while also making significant investments in enhancing residents’ quality of life. At a ULI Southeast Florida event in March, local officials and real estate development experts outlined the city’s plan for attracting new companies to the region. - Attracting Millennial Workers to Florida: Transit Could Help
Published on March 16, 2017 in Infrastructure
The Brightline, set to begin service this July, has prompted a unique opportunity within southeast Florida for transit-oriented development projects, as the privately funded rail service will connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. - Access to Public Spaces, Waterfront Locations Driving Healthy Luxury Condo Market in South Florida
Published on December 19, 2016 in Development
Amid reports that U.S. luxury condo sales are slowing, many developers and real estate speculators are wondering whether Miami is perched on the edge of another recession. Or will it remain one of the world's strongest condo markets?