Originally published by Tony Mecia on March 7, 2021, for Charlotte Ledger Business Newsletter.

The Charlotte Ledger’s Tony Mecia last week interviewed the chairman of Charlotte’s Real Estate & Building Industry Coalition (REBIC), Alan Banks, about the city’s proposed 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Banks is also the founder and president of Evans Coghill Homes, a Charlotte homebuilder.

This interview was part of extended coverage of the 2040 plan in the March 8, 2021, edition of The Charlotte Ledger e-newsletter. [More info / sign up for The Ledger here]

Remarks were edited for brevity and clarity:

Originally published on March 8, 2021, by VTS for CommercialObserver.com. 

VTS, the commercial real estate industry’s leading leasing, marketing and asset management platform, has released a global survey of office landlords showing that while landlords are working hard to bring tenants back to the office in a COVID-safe environment, there is mass uncertainty about exactly which measures will best accomplish this and which are most desired by tenants.

For the “2021 VTS Global Office Landlord Report,” the company partnered with an independent market research firm to survey senior leaders, all with budgetary authority, at 154 office landlords representing 5.3 billion square feet of commercial assets.

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Originally published by Patricia Kirk on March 8, 2021 for WealthManagement.com.

Commercial real estate services firm CBRE has just invested $200 million to acquire a 35 percent share of flexible workspace operator Industrious, with plans to purchase another 5 percent in the near future, making CBRE Industrious’ largest shareholder.

According to Bloomberg, Industrious, which now has more than 100 locations in 50 U.S. cities, plus Singapore, is already backed by approximately $200 million from other investors, including Brookfield Properties.

As part of the deal, CBRE is merging its own flexible workspace operation, CBRE Hana, with Industrious. When the transaction closes, 10 CBRE U.S. and U.K. Hana locations will be operated by Industrious.

Originally published on March 3, 2021 for NAIOP News

NAIOP is again partnering with CEL & Associates, Inc. to compile the 2021 NAIOP/CEL Commercial Real Estate Compensation and Benefits Survey. A nationally known real estate advisor, CEL has conducted this survey –the largest in the industry – for 32 consecutive years.

Complete the survey by April 30. 

This valuable survey is the national standard allowing commercial real estate businesses to stay current on salaries, bonuses, and benefits for CRE professionals from executives to entry-level positions. Each company that responds to the survey will receive a complimentary electronic copy of the full comprehensive survey report – a $2,500 value!

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Public Input Sessions

The City of Charlotte’s Great Neighborhoods Committee is in the process of reviewing and evaluating the city’s current Non-Residential Building Code (NRBC) Ordinance. The NRBC Ordinance addresses interior, exterior, and property maintenance standards for commercial businesses. The NRBC ordinance was created in 2009 and has not been reviewed since it was originally passed by Charlotte City Council. 

Violations to the NRBC Ordinance can range from buildings open to vagrants and criminal activity to broken windows or major structural issues. If commercial buildings are not properly maintained, they can have a negative impact on surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. Therefore, the City of Charlotte is seeking community input for the review and evaluation of the ordinance through four virtual meetings and an online survey.

MEETING DATES/TIMES

Join the CLT Development Center for the launch of our new Digital Plan Room! 

The CLT Development Center has partnered with ePermitHub to launch the Digital Plan Room, a new electronic document review solution that is seamlessly integrated into the Accela Citizen Access environment. The Digital Plan Room is the next generation of electronic plan review. This solution will introduce many new features to optimize the plan review process, making it easier and faster for design professionals and plan reviewers to communicate so reviews can be approved faster with greater efficiency.

The Digital Plan Room system includes:

• Simple file uploads and automated versioning at the sheet level
• Collaborative issue/condition communication for plan review comments
• Seamless user experience within Accela Citizen Access

Join the CLT Development Center for our virtual customer training session Friday, March 5th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM to learn more about the enhancements and latest features, ask questions and get answers. Cate Marshall, ePermitHub Project Manager will be moderating with a live demo/walkthrough conducted by our project consultant, Seth Axthelm. Those unable to attend the virtual training session will also be able to watch the session recording on our website!

Despite the severe economic downturn of 2020, the U.S. construction industry grew. Direct expenditures for building and nonbuilding construction climbed $51.7 billion to reach $1.4 billion for the year. Total jobs supported by construction grew by 400,000. And construction’s percentage of total U.S. GDP rose from 19.5% in 2019 to 21% in 2020.

In the annual NAIOP Research Foundation study, “Economic Impacts of Commercial Real Estate,” Stephen S. Fuller, Ph.D., university professor emeritus, Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, detailed construction activity and impact across real estate sectors, analyzed factors impacting growth rates and argued that robust support of construction activity in commercial real estate and other sectors could drive America’s economic recovery.

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Insights from Both Sides of the Aisle
March 10, 2021 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT

Registration Rates Increase Tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/3)

Next week, hear exclusive insights on the current political climate at the state and federal levels from renowned political strategy consultants, Brad Crone (“The Democrat”) and Chris Sinclair (“The Republican”). Find out what both sides have to say about the changing real estate landscape, the new administration, and what key issues are impacting our state and industry. Submit questions for the speakers in advance here. 

This event is hosted by NAIOP Charlotte. All NAIOP NC members as well as nonmembers are invited to participate.

Our Speakers

Brad Crone
Campaign Connections
Brad Crone, 51, is president of Campaign Connections, a Raleigh-based consulting firm specializing in public affairs, public relations, and grassroots campaigns for trade associations, advocacy groups, and corporations. A North Carolina native, Mr. Crone has been providing governmental affairs and public relations consulting services since creating his firm in 1991. Prior to that, he was a daily newspaper publisher at The Thomasville Times in Thomasville, N.C. He was the first desktop newspaper publisher in the state with his weekly publication The Clayton Star, which he sold in 1989. Read more.

U.S. demographics are becoming increasingly diverse. However, commercial real estate continues to lag, especially with representation in C-suite roles. At NAIOP’s 2021 Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat, Equality Institute CEO Bernadette Smith shared strategies to help real estate companies become more diverse and inclusive.

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Originally published in the NAIOP Source E-Newsletter on February 23, 2021.

Discussions at NAIOP’s CRE.Converge Virtual 2020 revealed optimism for the future despite current challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenging conditions for commercial real estate, particularly for speculative projects and for sectors that are more exposed to cyclical risk. However, it has also created opportunities, particularly as the economy emerges from the crisis.

Both aspects of the pandemic were a major focus of discussion during NAIOP’s CRE.Converge Virtual 2020, held in October.

A Period of Transition for Retail

Compared to industrial activity this year, “it’s been a tougher year overall in retail, although it shows signs of great activity lately,” said John Morris, executive managing director, Americas industrial & logistics and retail leader at CBRE. “In late September we saw the best transaction week we’ve had since last year.”

Originally published in the NAIOP Source E-Newsletter on February 23, 2021.

The Budget Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives was scheduled to begin work this week on assembling the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package following the submissions from nine House committees. The committees submitted their legislative proposals in accordance with the budget reconciliation instructions contained in the budget resolution passed by the House and Senate. The budget reconciliation process allows the legislation to bypass the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster hurdle normally applicable to legislation, enabling the bill to pass with a simple majority vote. 

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Originally published by NAIOP Research Foundation on February 22, 2021.

Strong Growth in Demand for Industrial Space

The NAIOP Research Foundation has published the NAIOP Industrial Space Demand Forecast or Q1 2021.

Key Takeaways

Originally published for GlobeSt.com by Kelsi Maree Borland on February 9, 2021.

If the latest impact survey from NAIOP is an indication, the recovery will be a bifurcated one. The organization conducts routine surveys to assess market activity during the pandemic, and the most recent shows investors continue to be wary about the market conditions. Investment activity has improved for resilient asset classes, but others continue to struggle amid the ongoing pandemic.

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Originally published in the NAIOP Source E-Newsletter on February 18, 2021.

Dusty parking codes and parking minimums have contributed to the creation of between three and eight parking spaces per car in the U.S., cost real estate developers untold billions of dollars, and caused gridlock in urban centers. But now, these decades-old rules may be in for a dramatic overhaul as parking demand drops as much as 90% in many areas of the country, and municipalities and businesses consider these empty spaces for other uses.

Traditionally, municipalities have not allowed the cost burdens of “free parking” placed on developers to sway parking policy, according to Christine Banning, IOM, CAE, president of the National Parking Association, writing in the Spring 2019 issue of Development magazine. What could now change these parking minimums is the need for cities and towns to convert parking spaces into other uses, such as outdoor dining spaces, in an effort to save these small businesses. Residents, eager for lunch or dinner out with family and friends, are backing these changes.

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NAIOP members had the opportunity to learn about the association’s legislative agenda and its priorities for 2021 during the virtual 2021 Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat, including specifics regarding what might await the industry on tax policy in the new presidential administration.

Some of President Joe Biden’s proposals offered during his campaign for the White House would have profound implications for the commercial real estate industry if enacted. Coupled with some of the elements of his robust policy agenda, the fiscal situation Biden inherits means that we can expect that there will be a lot of pressure to increase revenues in order to pay for politically popular initiatives in a fiscally responsible manner. As the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget noted in a research brief, Biden’s campaign proposals would raise federal revenues between $3.35 trillion and $3.67 trillion over a decade and would increase taxes for the top 1% of earners by 13% to 18% of after-tax income.

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Presented annually since 1979, the Developer of the Year Award is given annually to one developer that best exemplifies leadership and innovation in the commercial real estate industry.

Nominations for 2021 are now open!

Nominate your company for NAIOP's highest honor using our online nomination tool. Nominations close on Friday, February 26.

The Developer of the Year award is determined by a five-member selection committee of industry peers that uses the following criteria to evaluate entries:

1. Outstanding quality of projects and services. Detail your portfolio’s innovation through the incorporation of sustainability, technology, building wellness, and resiliency as they apply to the development and building operations. Judges take into consideration the size and diversity of a nominee’s portfolio.
2. Financial consistency and stability. Detail your company’s strategies for return on investment, economic sustainability, and success.
3. Ability to adapt to market conditions. Detail your company’s adaptability and success navigating economic, community impact, demographic and environmental conditions.
4. Active support of the industry through NAIOP. Detail how your company and your employees are involved in NAIOP through the number of active NAIOP members, your chapter participation, your support of NAIOP Corporate programs, and your employees’ participation on chapter and Corporate Boards of Directors.
5. Support of the local community. Detail your company’s charitable and philanthropic activities within your market.

View Past Winners

Originally published in NAIOP E-Newsletter on February 2, 2021. 

Watch NAIOP's State of the Association hear a recap of 2020, preview NAIOP's legislative priorities, and learn what’s next for the association as we journey through 2021.

The last 12 months have been filled with unexpected challenges and a pandemic none of us could have imagined. It impacted our lives and our industry in countless ways, from how we operate our businesses to tenant demand and use of space.

We anticipate a steady readjustment to a post-pandemic world, with a deep examination of how office, industrial, retail, and other shared spaces will be reimagined. These changes can be viewed as opportunities. The CRE industry continues to modernize and adapt as we create new strategies that will help us succeed.

In January, NAIOP conducted its seventh survey of its U.S. members on the impacts of COVID-19. Since April, the association has examined the pandemic’s effects on commercial real estate and how firms have responded. The four months since the last survey witnessed significant events, including federal elections and the FDA approval of two highly effective coronavirus vaccines. Respondents to the survey report improved rent collection rates, an increase in industrial investment activity, and an improved outlook for employment in their firms. Fewer respondents now expect the pandemic will significantly affect their business operations for more than a year. However, respondents also report continued disruptions to ongoing development projects.

The survey was completed by 228 NAIOP members between January 19 and 22. Respondents represent a range of professions, including developers, building owners, building managers, brokers, lenders and investors.

Below is an overview of the survey results with direct quotes from participants (in italics) followed by raw data from the survey and a profile of respondent characteristics. Results from September’s survey can be found here. Note that charts in this analysis illustrate data from the three most recent surveys. Data from the April-July surveys are published in earlier posts.

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Last week, the House of Representatives and Senate advanced measures that would allow the Biden administration to use the budget reconciliation process to pass a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill without facing a filibuster in the Senate. The House passed their version of the budget resolution last Wednesday, and then passed the Senate's version as amended later in the week. The Senate passed the budget resolution after holding a so-called "vote-a-rama," a series of lengthy votes on Republican amendments to the resolution. The Senate ultimately adopted the budget resolution by a 51-50 vote, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tiebreaking vote.

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Originally published by Trey Barrineau for NAIOP's Winter 2020/2021 Issue.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts were major topics during the NAIOP Research Foundation’s National Research Directors Meeting in September.

The NAIOP Research Foundation held its National Research Directors Meeting in September ahead of CRE.Converge Virtual 2020. The meeting, which was conducted via Zoom because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, brought together NAIOP’s Distinguished Fellows and research directors from national real estate brokerage, data and investment firms for a virtual discussion of current trends in office and industrial development, as well as the effects of the pandemic on the commercial real estate industry.

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