Building Dimensions
Developers are turning malls into housing, with no sign of slowing
Here’s how and why malls are being repurposed into living spaces In the 70s, 80s, and even the 90s, the mall had it all – food, clothing, socializing, and more. Of course, these days malls have fallen out of favor as the ways we shop, socialize, and spend our free time have evolved. What’s left…
Design-build delivery a safer bet in periods of uncertainty
As the U.S. economy grapples with heightened uncertainty, marked by trade tensions, market volatility, and shifting fiscal policies, real estate developers and commercial property owners face the challenge of making strategic decisions. In such times, adopting the design-build delivery method offers a proactive approach to mitigate risks and maintain project momentum. In fact, according to…
Placemaking sets the pace in senior living communities
Today’s designers and builders connect seniors (and staff) to their environments The concept of placemaking, creating better cities to live in by pulling from a community’s resources and values, dates back to the 1960s. Though the concept itself is 60+ years old, these days, its focus is turning to people who are 60+, specifically, how…
Here’s how multifamily investors are navigating high 10-year Treasury yield
Innovation and creative solutions can be lifelines amid uncertainty As a multifamily housing investor, chances are you keep your finger on the pulse of the U.S. Treasury yields. Savvy investors know these benchmarks can impact financing interest rates, sending borrowing costs up when yields rise, affecting your pro forma, and potentially straining cash flow. At…
Reducing risk in commercial construction is possible. Here’s how.
The key is to focus on collaboration from the start. When you’re planning a commercial construction project — whether it’s senior living, multifamily housing, office space, automobile dealership, or other commercial building project — risk management should be part of your strategy from the very beginning. Risks like schedule delays and budget overruns can derail…
Looking to build trust and satisfaction among senior living residents?
Focus on adding value through meaningful, unexpected experiences. When it comes to attracting and retaining senior living residents, whether you own or operate an active independent living community, an assisted living community, memory care or other type of senior housing, ensuring residents are satisfied and feel a sense of trust is essential. To those of…
Want to fill commercial office space vacancies?
Industry experts say quality is the key. The struggle to fill commercial office vacancies is real. Since the global pandemic disruption and the resulting tectonic shifts in how we work, play, and shop, commercial real estate owner/developers have been navigating an often-sluggish return to office life. According to the real estate and investment management experts…
Rising rents raise the bar on amenities
To stay competitive, multifamily housing aims high with comforts and conveniences. Multi-family rent rates are moving upward (that’s the good news), and so are renter expectations. As an owner/developer of multifamily housing in La Crosse, WI, or Rochester, MN, you are likely aware that rents have been moving in your favor recently. But as the…
Senior housing trends: The age of opportunity
Rising demand and tight supply are shaping senior living development The senior housing industry in 2025 is positioned for significant growth, driven by surging demand from an aging population and recovering market fundamentals. Occupancy rates are projected to reach 88% by the end of the year, up from 87% in 2024, reflecting steady absorption as…
Bridgewater Bank’s latest insights offer direction for real estate developers in 2025
Uptick in commercial financing requests In a recent article for RE Journals, Dan Rafter shared insights from Nick Place, chief banking officer at Bridgewater Bank, on the uptick in commercial financing requests in 2025. The key takeaway? Developers and investors are stepping off the sidelines, and optimism is returning to the market. But what does…