From the Editor: Hope Amid a Long Recovery

Jennifer LeFurgy

The pandemic’s effects on the global economy will continue well into next year. However, there are signs of optimism in our industry.

People are slowly returning to the office, and the workplace is changing as a result. The industrial sector is strong and adapting to current challenges. As events continue to unfold, NAIOP is dedicated to keeping its members engaged with virtual education and networking opportunities.

I encourage you to take advantage of one of NAIOP’s webinars, roundtables or education courses to help stay informed and connected as we weather this storm together.

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

In This Issue:

• Kilroy Realty Corporation, NAIOP’s 2020 Developer of the Year, focuses on sustainable development in major markets along the West Coast.
• An emphasis on cleanliness and employee health and well-being will help office properties stand out in the post-COVID world.
• From remote work to new technologies, the COVID-19 crisis has forced the commercial real estate industry to find new ways of getting the job done.
• The industrial sector stood strong during the pandemic, which was a major topic of discussion during NAIOP’s I.CON Virtual 2020, held in June.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of cold storage, a market that is expected to see explosive growth. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the costs and complexities.
• The pandemic could force cash-strapped municipalities to raise taxes on commercial properties. Here are some of the difficulties — and opportunities — to consider during tax appeals.
• To mitigate flooding, a mixed-use development in Boston’s Seaport District incorporates several unique design features.
• COVID-19 continues to rattle construction spending, labor, and materials cost and deliveries.
• Two recent projects in the Atlanta area showcase the opportunities available for transforming suburban office parks into mixed-use developments.
• The regulations around Opportunity Zones were recently updated. While the law wasn’t significantly modified, investors should still be aware of these changes.
• Demand for truck parking currently exceeds supply in many parts of the country. That could be a problem as e-commerce boosts demand for more ground shipping.
• A mass-timber building in San Francisco demonstrates the potential of engineered wood products, which provide a strong yet light alternative to concrete and steel.
• Public art such as sculptures can provide important tax benefits to commercial real estate developers and investors, but it must be approached with caution.
• Accessibility is an important consideration for office design, and Microsoft’s real estate division takes a broader view that goes beyond the typical definition of “disability.”
• Kimberly Sherman Stamler, the president of Boston real estate firm Related Beal, talks with Development magazine about the COVID-19 pandemic and her perspectives on the industry.

Development Magazine, NAIOP Honored for Editorial Excellence

Development magazine and NAIOP recently won seven awards in the 42nd annual American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards of Excellence. The Azbees honor outstanding writing and design work in magazines, newsletters and digital media from association, B2B, trade and professional publications.

Contributing Editor Ron Derven received a national silver medal in the category of Company Profile – Less than $3 Million Revenue for his feature article on NAIOP’s 2019 Developer of the Year, Alexandria Real Estate Equities. That article also won a gold medal in ASBPE’s Mid-Atlantic region.

Managing Editor Trey Barrineau and contributor Aaron Ahlburn won a national bronze medal in the Single Topic Coverage by a Team category for a collection of stories that examined how technology is disrupting the commercial real estate industry. Those articles won a silver medal in ASBPE’s Mid-Atlantic region as well.

Derven and Development Editor-in-Chief Jennifer LeFurgy won a Mid-Atlantic region gold medal in the Enterprise News Story category for their article “Retail-to-Warehouse Conversions Gain Momentum.” Contributor Anthony Paletta received a Mid-Atlantic region gold medal in the Case History category for his article about an adaptive-reuse project at a former textile mill in Charlotte, North Carolina.

NAIOP’s Market Share blog received a Mid-Atlantic region bronze medal in the Trade Show/Conference Coverage category for its reporting from the association’s CRE.Converge 2019 in Los Angeles. The blog authors were Brielle Scott, Kathryn Hamilton, Shawn Moura and Barrineau from NAIOP; and Darcie Giacchetto, Jessica Spaulding and Julie Goodman from the Spaulding Agency.