CHICAGO — Philip Kroskin, head of real estate and senior vice president of investments with Sunrise Senior Living, has a message for those who are reluctant to invest in seniors housing development: “Why are you being so stupid?” Kroskin’s blunt question came during a recent two-day InterFace event at the Swissotel Chicago. Taking place June 24-25, the InterFace Seniors Housing Midwest conference drew 215 attendees and featured a number of panel sessions. 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. Joining Kroskin on stage for a panel titled “When Will Development Rebound?” during the first evening of the conference were Paul Branin, executive vice president of growth for Health Dimensions Group; Mike Mattingly, principal and co-founder of Avenue Development; Greg Markvluwer, vice president of real estate development at Erdman; and moderator Erin Berry, director of interior design Direct Supply Aptura. Development Deterrents Kroskin’s somewhat damning query was not to suggest that economic and logistical difficulties — such as heightened interest rates and labor costs — do not pose a valid deterrent. Panelists acknowledged these challenges throughout the course of session. …
