From the Editor: Cautious Optimism Going into 2020

Despite signs pointing to an economic slowdown, the commercial real estate industry remains cautiously optimistic about what lies ahead. According to the NAIOP Sentiment Survey and Index, respondents expect continued growth in rents and a steady availability of capital.

This attitude was reflected in the sessions at NAIOP’s CRE.Converge conference in Los Angeles in October. Attendees discussed how the changing dynamics of the global and domestic markets, as well as the rise of technology, are influencing short- and long-term opportunities. A common topic of conversation was WeWork’s recent troubles, yet many agreed that coworking and flexible-space business models will endure.

Stay informed,
Jennifer LeFurgy, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief

In This Issue

Rapid technological changes and new consumer preferences are reshaping supply chains and transportation networks around the world. What will be the impact on industrial real estate?

Preserving and maintaining older public buildings is an ongoing struggle in many municipalities. Cambridge, Massachusetts, recently adopted a citywide facilities improvement plan that addresses this problem.

An adaptive-reuse project at a 100-year-old textile mill in North Carolina shows how dormant historic properties can be transformed into vibrant mixed-use destinations in urban settings.

In October, NAIOP’s Research Foundation gathered industry research directors for a discussion of city tier rankings, the future of coworking in the wake of WeWork, and other industrial and office trends.

Autonomous vehicles might not be speeding down roads anytime soon, but the commercial real estate industry needs to prepare for the implications of this driverless revolution.

Prohibition-era alcohol laws are still on the books in many parts of the country, and they have a negative impact on development. NAIOP chapters across the U.S. are working to change many of these antiquated regulations.

Offices that provide maximum flexibility for different work groups can improve employee engagement and boost productivity. A case study from Microsoft shows what that can look like.

Labor shortages are affecting 81% of contractors across the country, according to a new survey. That, in turn, is impacting delivery times for projects and raising costs.

Ware Malcomb CEO Lawrence R. Armstrong shares some of what he’s learned about commercial real estate during his decades at one of the industry’s leading design firms.

“Seamless” concrete floors are being installed in more industrial properties, but developers need to know the pros and cons of this product.

The NAIOP Research Foundation’s latest report, “Profiles in the Evolution of Suburban Office Parks,” examines how developers in the U.S. and Canada are modernizing older parks with new uses and amenities.

Pop-ups and other short-term uses for property are common across the country, but owners and tenants need to exercise caution when it comes to approvals, leases and other legal arrangements.

CRE.Converge 2019 in Los Angeles generated a lot of fascinating sound bites — and not just from Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak, the event’s keynote speaker. Review some of the comments from real estate professionals who were in attendance.

NAIOP’s Developing Leaders Awards honor young professionals in the commercial real estate industry. The 2019 winners were recently recognized for their outstanding professional accomplishments, strong leadership and community involvement.