Working in the commercial real estate industry, you get a perspective of how large and multi-faceted this industry is, with hundreds of different jobs, roles, motivations, and ultimately types of assets that are managed, maintained, invested in, leased, and developed. For many outside of the industry, commercial real estate can seem like a "linear concept”, but it is far from that.

Brick and mortar and e-commerce are like two circles of a Venn diagram, overlapping in their central goals of engagement, but forming separate concepts and strategies for a retailer. Conversely, Experiential Retail, Retail as a Service, and Micro Retail are more representative of building blocks, growing on top of each other to create a fully formed experience for the target retail customer. Read more about how these concepts are overlapping to create new opportunities in the retail asset class.

The commercial real estate industry continues to transform, creating new opportunities and challenges for users and service providers alike. These trends are affecting the commercial real estate sectors individually (Industrial, Retail, Office, Hospitality and Multi-Family), as well as the industry as a whole. Being knowledgeable and able to adapt to these changes will create opportunities instead of threats for those [so lucky] to be involved.

If you've driven past or to the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) lately, you'll likely have noticed that it is a changing and growing landscape.  The EIA innovatively came up with a Master Plan for the future of the land surrounding the Airport that involved making available much of the Airport's under-utilized land for the purpose of commercial development by private companies.

In an article published today by the Financial Post, Earnest Research has analyzed debit and credit transaction data to reveal that 89% of all holiday spending, beginning after American Thanksgiving and ending at Christmas, was captured by the retail giant Amazon.  The close second?  Wal-Mart at a whopping 4.4%.  

After months, or rather years, of doom and gloom for the derelict malls that encompass huge swaths of land in our urban epicenters, a pathway has presented itself for the landowners of these properties.  One solution to the woes of these Class B and C malls is their conversion into warehouse space for the ever growing and expanding E-Commerce market.

The Calgary Ring Road Agreement created opportunity for the Tsuut'ina First Nation to formulate a partnership that would bring about success, prosperity and longevity to their future generations.  The fortunate developer of choice in what is now one of the largest first nation developments in Canada? Canderel.

Last week, an Open House was held by the ICE District in order to outline the plan and vision for Phase Two Development of the District to the North of Rogers Place

Take a look at the quarterly reports and videos that outline the commercial real estate transactions and trends of Q1 2017 in the Greater Edmonton Area.  Have we really hit the bottom? 

There is a new bet on Wall Street that is beginning to gain steam.  The bearish short against Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS), specifically securities backed by loans taken out by shopping mall operators, is being coined as the next Big Short.

Construction projects are made up of a combination of hard costs and soft costs that must be budgeted with accuracy in order to ensure the success of the project, but what is the difference between these hard and soft costs?

I'm pleased to provide the Annual PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and Urban Land Institute (ULI) Report on upcoming and emerging trends in the Canadian and American Real Estate markets.

Take a look at the quarterly reports and videos that outline the transactions and trends of Q4 2016 in the Greater Edmonton Area.  What do we expect heading into 2017?