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Trifecta of sweet spots: Urban revival, suburban makeovers and industrial boom
Commercial real estate developers and their professionals are a tough breed of entrepreneurs who thrive on thinking outside the box. My recent observation of presentations to the judges for NAIOP’s Deal of the Year awards (to be announced at the May 16 Gala), confirmed the latent creativity and tireless work ethic in this business — a business that is, in reality, all about hospitality and human resources as developers and brokers focus on creating amenity-rich spaces to compete for tenants and the modern workforce.
Hoping for growth
New Jersey has only scratched the surface in the co-working and shared office space sector, despite the fact that it is experiencing rapid growth in New York City and other major markets. Fortunately, we’re hearing that the Garden State is poised to grow its share. The industry’s biggest name, WeWork, has ramped up its search for space in New Jersey over the past year, which means its competitors may not be far behind. The requirements have the potential to further strengthen top submarkets such as the Hudson waterfront, while providing a needed boost in areas where vacancy remains high.
Investor demand still strong in New Jersey as buyers seek safety, certainty in commercial real estate
With 2019 underway, competition among commercial real estate investors has only intensified in New Jersey, largely around properties that offer some level of safety in the later stages of the economic expansion.The Garden State is by no means alone in that regard, but brokers and other experts say they expect demand to stay robust in the near term, citing everything from Wall Street volatility to the continued arrival of buyers from other markets.
Kokes family, with third generation at the helm, is writing its next chapter in real estate
A third generation has taken the reins at one of the state’s best-known homebuilders, leading a boutique investment firm that has positioned the family as an equity investor, lender and developer with a new pipeline that is largely centered on rental properties.
Healthy competition
It’s hard to believe that more than two years have passed since we launched Real Estate NJ with what I felt was a compelling cover story: Foreign investors were making a splash in New Jersey and paying impressive prices for properties across the state. That trend has seemingly slowed since then, at least when it comes to high-profile deals involving trophy properties. But the good news is that New Jersey is still drawing investors from beyond the state — whether it’s New York, Chicago or the West Coast — who are entering the market for the first time.
