Features Archives - REBusinessOnline

CoStar: U.S. Retail Construction Activity Remains Stymied Through the First Quarter

John Nelson — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:00:45 +0000

ARLINGTON, VA. — U.S. retail construction activity totaled 64.2 million square feet in the first quarter, down from 70 million square feet in first-quarter 2025 and well below the 10-year average (+90 million square feet), according to research from CoStar Group. Brandon Svec, national director of retail analytics at CoStar Group, points to multiple governors for new retail construction, including the popularity of e-commerce, competition from other property types and the previous cycles of broad-based expansion in the retail industry. Additionally, he says elevated costs for land, construction materials, labor and debt have made it difficult for retail developers to justify new construction. “The pullback in construction reflects a development environment that remains difficult to pencil in most markets,” says Svec. “Even in markets with strong population growth and leasing demand, achieving returns that justify ground-up construction has become increasingly challenging.” Data from the Arlington-based commercial real estate information and analytics firm shows that the nation’s retail development pipeline is sinking to levels not seen since the previous two cyclical lows: the early stages of the COVID-19 recovery and coming out of the Great Financial Crisis in 2011. Among markets tracked by CoStar, three Texas markets are leading the way…

The post CoStar: U.S. Retail Construction Activity Remains Stymied Through the First Quarter appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Gen Z Is Defying Traditional Shopping Patterns, Says NRF Panel

Abby Cox — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:47:45 +0000

The U.S. retail industry is entering a new era of transformation, and two forces are emerging as the primary architects of change: Generation Z and artificial intelligence (AI). Insights from the National Retail Federation’s recent “State of Retail and the Consumer” webinar underscore the industry’s modern reality — today’s consumer is actively reshaping how products are discovered, evaluated and, ultimately, purchased. While the oldest of Gen Z consumers are on the cusp of turning 30, the youngest are transitioning into high school. “They’re not kids anymore — they’re teenagers, college students and young adults, and it shows in their spending habits and their sentiment,” said Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights at NRF, during the webinar. “We see them increasingly influencing holiday traditions, differentiating themselves and how they manage costs, as well as leading the adoption of AI tools and platforms.” Even with feelings of uncertainty on both the broader macroeconomic and individual levels, Gen Z consumers are still choosing to spend money in moments of joy and looking for ways to “treat themselves.” In the past five years, average apartment rental rates in the United States have risen 25 to 30 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels…

The post Gen Z Is Defying Traditional Shopping Patterns, Says NRF Panel appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Seniors Housing Industry Faces Predicament of Strong Demand, Limited Supply

Kristin Harlow — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Supply and demand dynamics within the seniors housing sector are at a crossroads, according to the Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2026 report produced by PwC and the Urban Land Institute. Like most commercial real estate property types, new supply is constrained due to increasing financing and construction costs. However, demand for senior living units continues to grow. According to the report, factors driving demand for seniors housing include a rapidly growing older adult population and an increase in older adults renting. The 75-plus age category is expected to grow by more than 4 million people by 2030, according to U.S. Census Bureau projections. The oldest baby boomers turn 80 in 2026. The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) expects that the limited new supply and steady demand will drive the average seniors housing occupancy rate above 90 percent in 2026, potentially reaching the highest occupancy rate reported in the 20 years that NIC MAP has tracked this data. Investors are poised to achieve strong returns. The National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF), which tracks the performance of institutional-grade U.S. commercial real estate, reports that seniors housing strongly outperformed all other property sectors in 2025,…

The post Seniors Housing Industry Faces Predicament of Strong Demand, Limited Supply appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

NRF Projects 2026 U.S. Retail Sales to Rise 4.4 Percent, Exceed $5.6T

Abby Cox — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:45:00 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Retail Federation (NRF) has projected that 2026 U.S. retail sales will grow 4.4 percent over 2025 to $5.6 trillion, outpacing pre-pandemic averages and signaling continued momentum despite global volatility. This year’s projection was announced during the organization’s sixth annual “State of Retail and the Consumer” webinar held on March 18, which examined the health of American consumers and the overall retail industry. NRF’s calculation, created in partnership with Oxford Economics using a new economic model, excludes auto dealers, gas stations and restaurants. The new model integrates a wider range of real-time data to better capture consumer behavior compared to the previous forecasting methods that relied on broader indicators. Although the forecast is in nominal terms (unadjusted for inflation), this model anticipates that a higher proportion of projected sales growth will reflect real gains, rather than inflation-driven increases. The 2026 sales forecast compares with 3.6 percent average annual sales growth over the past 10 years, excluding the COVID period from 2020 to 2022 when growth was atypical. “While the geopolitical environment and ongoing trade policy challenges warrant close attention, we remain optimistic that the underlying fundamentals of the U.S. economy will support continued stability in the year ahead,” said…

The post NRF Projects 2026 U.S. Retail Sales to Rise 4.4 Percent, Exceed $5.6T appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Why Commercial Debt, Equity Arrangers Are Excited for 2026

Taylor Williams — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:46:00 +0000

By Taylor Williams Olympic rings, Great Lakes, stages of grief, military branches and factors that point to a more robust landscape in the world of commercial debt and equity placement in 2026 — they all come in fives. Unlike the other items in that set, however, there is room for debate as to what those five capital markets factors actually are. But according to sources, they are, in no particular order of importance: • Rising investment sales volume, which allows for better pricing and risk assessment in the equity markets • No shortage of deals in need of recapitalization • Strong liquidity and competitive spreads in the debt markets • Short-term stability in the 10-year Treasury yield • Resilient acclimation to a new geopolitical environment Combined, these market forces form the basis of a larger perspective that is defined by optimism — and that optimism is rooted in both qualitative observations and quantitative analysis. And so far, the expectations of at least one major industry research and advocacy organization appear to be in line with the observations of individuals interviewed for this story. In early February, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its 2026 Commercial Real Estate Finance Forecast report,…

The post Why Commercial Debt, Equity Arrangers Are Excited for 2026 appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

General Contractors: Early Collaboration Is Key in Today’s Market

Kristin Harlow — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Builders have “dampened” expectations for construction activity in 2026, apart from data centers and power projects, according to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Citing broader worries about the direction of the economy, the findings were part of the AGC/Sage Construction Hiring and Business Outlook Survey, which was released in early January. Kurt Steinmann, vice president and residential business unit leader at Swansea, Illinois-based Holland Construction Services, says “the market is clearly more disciplined than it was a few years ago, but that’s not a bad thing. “We’ve moved out of a speculative cycle and into one where projects need to be fundamentally sound to move forward,” he explains. “For general contractors, that means fewer starts overall, but stronger alignment on the projects that do proceed.” In other words, developments are better planned, more realistic on budgets and supported by experienced ownership groups. “Owners are moving forward with intention, prioritizing projects that are well-defined and aligned with long-term operational needs,” echoes Caitlin Russell, president of Davenport, Iowa-based Russell. “While interest rates and financing conditions continue to influence timing, demand for experienced general contractors who can provide cost clarity and early collaboration remains strong. Our outlook for the…

The post General Contractors: Early Collaboration Is Key in Today’s Market appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

InterFace Panel: Early Planning, Collaboration Are Crucial to Affordable Housing Development

Taylor Williams — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:55:00 +0000

By Taylor Williams DALLAS — Costs are always a sensitive subject in all types of residential and commercial development. But with projects that draw heavily on alternative and public-sector sources of financing to pencil out — namely affordable housing — the margin for error on cost overruns is even tighter. That’s a very unfortunate reality for developers working to mitigate America’s profound shortage of both affordable housing and housing that’s affordable. But with measured, deliberate upfront planning and collaboration between architects, engineers and general contractors, some of that risk can be mitigated. Editor’s note: InterFace Conference Group, a division of France Media Inc., produces networking and educational conferences for commercial real estate executives. To sign up for email announcements about specific events, visit www.interfaceconferencegroup.com/subscribe. To keep these critical developments on time and on budget, these project partners have had to not only adjust some of their traditional forms of value engineering (VE) — the term given to the collective effort of cost minimization and utility maximization over the course of a project — but also embrace completely new ones. The framework for trying new types of VE hinges on the notion that the whole of the project is greater than the sum of the…

The post InterFace Panel: Early Planning, Collaboration Are Crucial to Affordable Housing Development appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Webinar: Flood Zones & FEMA Compliance — How Developers Avoid Delays, Cut Insurance Costs & Increase Property Value

Sarah Daniels — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The March 2 France Media webinar “Flood Zones & FEMA Compliance — How Developers Avoid Delays, Cut Insurance Costs & Increase Property Value,” hosted by France Media and sponsored by National Flood Experts, examined how flood zones and evolving regulatory requirements are shaping development and financing outlooks. Flood risk is often treated as a late-stage compliance issue, but it can influence site design, permitting timelines, construction costs (and cost expectations) and long-term insurance expenses. Flood maps established by federal and local authorities define development constraints such as base flood elevations and floodways. Because these maps are updated slowly and regulations vary by municipality, developers frequently encounter unexpected complications during permitting, including the need for additional engineering studies, modeling requirements and extended approval timelines. The webinar panelists emphasized ways that developers can mitigate these risks by approaching flood zones strategically and incorporating flood analysis earlier in the development lifecycle. Early collaboration can identify opportunities to cut costs and avoid delays. Watch this brief webinar to learn about common problems caused by flood zones, changes in regulatory needs and practical pathways to help reduce or eliminate flood zone requirements (to increase the value of properties). Click here to download the slide presentation.…

The post Webinar: Flood Zones & FEMA Compliance — How Developers Avoid Delays, Cut Insurance Costs & Increase Property Value appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Gen Z Is Shifting the Future of Retail

John Nelson — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:30:00 +0000

In the digital age, nearly everything is accessible online — entertainment, shopping, friendship, you name it. With a few taps on a screen, we can order three pairs of jeans, have a pizza delivered and carry on a meaningful conversation without ever leaving the couch. Considering that Generation Z — those born roughly between 1996 and 2013 — has grown up immersed in this digital reality, it would be easy to assume they have little interest in traditional, in-person experiences. Surprisingly, the opposite is true. From pop-ups, influencers, to retail, Gen Z are securing their Labubus to their bags and heading out the door to shake up our understanding of successful contemporary retail experiences. After coming of age during COVID, living through what has been called an “epidemic of loneliness,” Gen Z is craving in person experiences more than ever, and where better to go with your friends than the mall? A reported 69 percent of Gen Z shoppers say they prefer shopping in brick-and-mortar stores over online alternatives. However, their renewed interest in physical spaces doesn’t mean a return to retail as we once knew it. Instead, Gen Z is fundamentally reshaping what in-person shopping and entertainment look like…

The post Gen Z Is Shifting the Future of Retail appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Why Bankruptcy Is Still Catching Lenders Off Guard

John Nelson — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:24:00 +0000

The commercial real estate industry has spent the past two years bracing for the next wave of loan losses as elevated interest rates collided with loan maturities. Instead of a wave of payoffs, many loans are still working through extensions and modifications while asset values are being deliberated. Lenders know how to model foreclosure risk. Bankruptcy risk? That’s where the real losses hide. A Class A asset with Class C governance is a Class C risk. Foreclosure risk can be modeled. Expected losses predicted. Timelines are known by state. Recovery assumptions can be debated. Cash flows stress tested and ultimately approved by a committee. Even when outcomes are unpleasant, they are at least visible, quantifiable and expected. Bankruptcy is different — and far more dangerous for lenders. The gap between foreclosure and bankruptcy is where some of the largest loan losses are being created, and painful lessons learned. Counterintuitively, bankruptcy risk runs higher in non-judicial states like Georgia, where 60-day foreclosures create incentive for borrowers to file. In longer-timeline states like New York, foreclosures can stretch 18 months, giving borrowers the luxury of time. Those foreclosure timelines are generally well known and accepted by both sides, which makes outcomes predictable.…

The post Why Bankruptcy Is Still Catching Lenders Off Guard appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Federal Courts Diverge on Takings Clause Protections

John Nelson — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:49:00 +0000

By Angela Adolph, Esq. of Kean Miller LLP Recent federal court decisions reveal diverging interpretations of how a landmark Supreme Court ruling on the Fifth Amendment’s takings clause affects state administration of unclaimed property. Taken together, the cases expose state governments to uncertainty and litigation risk over the constitutional limits of their authority. Property, Post-Tyler The current ambiguity reflects increased national scrutiny of state powers in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s pivotal 2023 decision in Tyler vs. Hennepin County, Minnesota. In that case, the county had seized a residential condominium and sold it for $40,000 to satisfy $15,000 in unpaid property taxes. The former owner sought the $25,000 in residual sale proceeds. The Supreme Court found that a taxpayer’s compensable interest in property applies to both the property and equity in the form of excess proceeds generated from a forfeiture sale of that asset. The decision clarified that economic value is property subject to the takings clause, which prohibits taking private property for public use without just compensation. In Tyler, the Supreme Court emphasized that the takings clause protects more than physical possession; it also protects a citizen’s economic value in property. A state cannot deprive a citizen…

The post Federal Courts Diverge on Takings Clause Protections appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Goodbye Retail, Hello Medical Malls: How Adaptive Reuse Can Accelerate Healthcare Development

Taylor Williams — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:31:00 +0000

By Aran McCarthy, president, FCA Healthcare providers and designers of those facilities are dedicated to creating spaces that meet the ever-growing demand for their services. Despite this desire, cities and towns nationwide are struggling to meet the needs of their growing populations. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, as of January, there are more than 4,800 health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) for primary care facilities in the country. This disconnect between the need for care and the number of facilities equipped to support delivery of said care is on full display, and therein lies opportunity. Markets across the country are simultaneously dealing with a very different challenge; changes in consumer habits have created vacancies within retail real estate. In response to these trends, healthcare designers and system leaders have recognized that the adaptive reuse of former retail properties into “medical malls” offers a practical solution to increasing access to care. This approach prioritizes speed to market and cost efficiency for operators and also enhances community access without the long and costly timelines associated with new construction. Physical Synergy: Repositioning Retail for for Healthcare The physical features associated with many big-box retail locations make them particularly well-suited for healthcare…

The post Goodbye Retail, Hello Medical Malls: How Adaptive Reuse Can Accelerate Healthcare Development appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Retail Real Estate Industry Is ‘Adapting to Change,’ Says Valuation Firm IRR

Abby Cox — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:45:00 +0000

DENVER — The U.S. retail real estate sector is continuing to move forward — but with caution. While the industry’s fundamentals remain relatively healthy, retailers and investors are evolving their strategies and adapting to shifting consumer behaviors, according to Integra Realty Resources (IRR), a commercial real estate valuation services firm based in Denver. IRR’s 2026 Retail Report explores the trends shaping the transformation of retail real estate, and where the sector is headed next. Consumer spending has shifted, largely because of macroeconomic machinations like inflation and slower job growth. Higher-income earners still have the ability to spend, but price-conscious consumers are increasingly trying to maximize value for their dollar at discount grocery and convenience stores. IRR notes that the retail sector posted 1.7 million square feet of positive net absorption nationally, which outpaced new construction more than twelvefold at 214,00 square feet. In the third quarter of 2025, the national vacancy rate slightly declined, coming in at 10.4 percent. Anthony Graziano, CEO of IRR, emphasizes that while leasing is healthy, store closures are masking the improvement. “E-commerce pressure, retailer bankruptcies and ongoing drugstore consolidation have released significant space back into the market, and until that churn settles, vacancy will look more…

The post Retail Real Estate Industry Is ‘Adapting to Change,’ Says Valuation Firm IRR appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

MBA: Commercial, Multifamily Mortgage Originations to Rise 27 Percent in 2026

Hayden Spiess — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:29:00 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Total commercial mortgage origination volume is expected to reach $805.5 billion in 2026, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The real estate finance organization announced the commercial real estate finance (CREF) forecast at its 2026 Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo this week in San Diego. According to the CREF report, originations in 2026 are expected to reflect a 27 percent increase relative to 2025, which saw an estimated volume of $633.7 billion in commercial real estate and multifamily loans. This total would also be the most loan production in the industry since 2022 ($815.6 billion). Of the total, $399.2 billion in volume is predicted for the multifamily sector, which represents a 20.8 increase from 2025’s estimated total ($330.6 billion). Mike Frantantoni, MBA’s chief economist and senior vice president for research and business development, presented the findings, along with Reggie Booker and Judith Ricks, who are both associate vice presidents of CREF Research. “The [commercial real estate] lending market showed strength throughout 2025,” says Ricks. “Commercial originations increased year-over-year during the first six months, and this growth continued in the second half of the year. The multifamily market experienced similar strength throughout the year, and that is…

The post MBA: Commercial, Multifamily Mortgage Originations to Rise 27 Percent in 2026 appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

How to Buy a Medical Office Property

Taylor Williams — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:46:00 +0000

By Ryan McCullough, partner, managing director, Partners Real Estate Over the last decade, medical office buildings (MOBs) have become one of the most in-demand asset classes in commercial real estate. This shift did not happen by chance. Two major changes in the broader real estate market reshaped investors’ priorities and positioned medical office as a durable, long-term investment vehicle. The first was the rise of e-commerce. As consumers moved toward online shopping and same-day delivery, traditional retail properties faced elevated pressure. Investors began searching for asset types with consistent demand and limited exposure to technological disruption. As a result, MOBs, anchored by in-person healthcare delivery, benefited directly from this shift. The second was the COVID-19 pandemic. While retail and hospitality experienced sharp declines, MOBs proved far more resilient. Healthcare services remained essential, patient volumes recovered quickly and medical tenants continued operating. This period reinforced the reputation of MOBs as a defensive investment with stable demand through economic cycles. That surge in investor interest, however, has also led to confusion and, in some cases, unnecessary risk. Understanding the Diversity of Healthcare Assets As a commercial investment, healthcare is not a single, uniform product type. Properties vary widely in use, cost, complexity…

The post How to Buy a Medical Office Property appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Q4 2025 Demand Overview: Industrial and Multifamily Slowed, Office Stabilized, Retail Held Steady

Sarah Daniels — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Lee & Associates’ 2025 Q4 North America Market Report looks at diverging market demand across industrial, office, retail and multifamily spaces nationwide in the last quarter. Demand continued to soften for industrial spaces, while multifamily saw a reversal: decreased demand after seven consecutive quarters of strengthening. Office saw a slow increase in net absorption, but only after six years of negative absorption; retail demand was mixed. Industrial and retail spaces contended with tariff concerns, while all four types of commercial real estate saw either decreased or slowed rent growth in the final quarter of 2025. Lee & Associates’ full, detailed market report is available to read here. The overviews for the sectors below illustrate the market landscape through data on net absorption, leasing and development activity, sales transactions and rent growth, in addition to demand. Industrial Overview: Demand Falls Under Tariff Pressure Falling demand for industrial space continued in 2025 under the added strain of the United States’ aggressive trade and tariff policies affecting commercial property markets across North America. In the United States net absorption declined again in 2025 as tenant and rent growth fell to their lowest levels since the aftermath of the financial crisis. Meanwhile, inventory growth has been scaled back…

The post Q4 2025 Demand Overview: Industrial and Multifamily Slowed, Office Stabilized, Retail Held Steady appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Real Estate Industry Displays ‘Uneven Performance’ Heading Into 2026, Says Valuation Firm IRR

John Nelson — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:42:00 +0000

DENVER — The U.S. commercial real estate industry is currently experiencing a mixed bag of demand generators and property-level performance, according to Integra Realty Resources (IRR), a commercial real estate valuation services firm based in Denver. IRR’s conclusions are expanded in Viewpoint 2026, the 33rd edition of the firm’s commercial real estate trends report. “As we enter 2026, we see that the economic environment is becoming more stable, but growth is slower and visibility remains limited,” says Nick Luettke, economist at Moody’s Analytics. “Inflation has eased from recent peaks and interest rates have started to trend lower, however, borrowing costs remain elevated relative to prior cycles. With labor markets softening and policy uncertainty still at play, economic conditions are supportive in some areas but restrictive in others, contributing to uneven performance across the U.S. commercial real estate market.” IRR partnered with Luettke for the macro-economic trends within the report and sought contributions from nearly 600 valuation advisors in the United States and Caribbean. The report delivers sector-specific insights along with three specialty property reports on healthcare and seniors housing, quick-service restaurants and self-storage. Some key findings and forecasts from the main report include: the sustained poor fundamentals within the highly fragmented…

The post Real Estate Industry Displays ‘Uneven Performance’ Heading Into 2026, Says Valuation Firm IRR appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Q&A: PwC Executive and ‘Emerging Trends’ Chair Details the Foggy Road Ahead for Commercial Real Estate

Taylor Williams — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:50:00 +0000

Interview by John Nelson What a difference a year can make. At this time last year, real estate professionals displayed a sense of confidence and optimism about their 2025 prospects. This year, tariffs, government shutdowns and stubborn inflation have led to a general sense of unease for the year ahead. So finds Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2026, the latest installment of the annual outlook for the commercial real estate industry that PwC and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) jointly publish. The organizations surveyed more than 1,700 stakeholders — including brokers, developers, investors and lenders — in this year’s report, which was adequately themed “Navigating the Fog.” REBusinessOnline recently caught up with Andrew Alperstein, real estate partner at PwC and editorial chair of the Emerging Trends report, to discuss creating the report, the resurgence of the Northeast and the health of several sectors, including seniors housing, self-storage and office. What follows is an edited interview: REBusinessOnline: Were there any surprises in the data or interview process as PwC and Urban Land Institute created ‘2026 Emerging Trends in Real Estate’? Andrew Alperstein: I’m involved in a lot of the interviews that we do, and I see the survey results and work with a…

The post Q&A: PwC Executive and ‘Emerging Trends’ Chair Details the Foggy Road Ahead for Commercial Real Estate appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

In An Era of Complex Conversions, How Can Office, Housing Markets Become Rebalanced?

Taylor Williams — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:46:00 +0000

By Robert Likes, president, community development lending and investment, affordable housing, KeyBank The nation’s housing crisis has reached a breaking point, pushing developers to rethink how and where new supply can be created. Among the most promising — and debated — solutions is the conversion of underutilized office buildings into much-needed affordable housing. On the surface, the concept seems straightforward: repurpose empty office space into homes in locations where demand is highest. In practice, however, these projects are anything but simple. Converting office buildings into livable, modern and affordable multifamily residences requires far more than reimagining floor plans. Success depends on choosing the right property, assembling a complex capital stack and deploying an experienced team capable of navigating regulatory, design and construction challenges. Done right, these conversions not only add critical housing supply but also breathe new life into urban centers struggling with high office vacancies. The Case for Conversions The United States has too much office space and not enough housing units, particularly for low-income households. Office-to-residential conversion projects help to equalize the supply-demand imbalance in both asset classes. According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, we are short 7.1 million rental homes for extremely low-income households. As a result, many…

The post In An Era of Complex Conversions, How Can Office, Housing Markets Become Rebalanced? appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

The Culture of Connection: Reimagining Real Estate for Human Well-Being

Abby Cox — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:12:19 +0000

By Barry B. Scherr, co-founder of the Sundar Corporation The biggest real estate opportunity of our time is to re-establish human connection as an essential part of everyday life. Developers everywhere are trying to understand what comes next. After decades of escalating amenities, bigger gyms, curated rooftops, spas, lounges, wellness centers, coworking labs, landscaped lawns, and multisensory lobbies, the industry has reached a plateau. The arms race for “more” has begun to feel like diminishing returns. What people are seeking now is not another feature, but another feeling: less isolation disguised as privacy, and more meaningful human presence; fewer transactional touchpoints, and more belonging woven into everyday experience. The market is signaling a shift: the true differentiator has become intention over amenities. We are not lacking infrastructure, we are craving a new way to approach place, purpose, and the role of real estate itself. The Impossible Equation of Modern Life Society today asks us to do it all. Work full time. Commute long distances. Raise families. Stay fit. Stay connected. Cook meals. Sleep. Recharge. And somehow flourish. The truth is stark: the structure of modern life is impossible to sustain. And the way we’ve built our real estate is partly…

The post The Culture of Connection: Reimagining Real Estate for Human Well-Being appeared first on REBusinessOnline.