News

  • Project teams refine processes for office-to-lab conversions

    Project teams refine processes for office-to-lab conversions

    A weakened office market combined with ongoing, strong demand for life sciences space in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic has prompted some property owners – and their project teams – to refine processes for creating laboratories within existing office buildings. Bala Consulting Engineers has heard from multiple clients who are looking…

  • Pro-bono effort improves Baltimore City teachers’ lounges

    Pro-bono effort improves Baltimore City teachers’ lounges

    Six Baltimore City Public Schools have new Teachers’ Wellness Lounges thanks to the Educator Support Collaborative – a non-profit group comprised of more than 30 Baltimore-area companies, including numerous NAIOP MD members. The pro-bono effort leveraged more than $250,000 worth of architectural, interior design and construction services as well as…

  • NAIOP urges technically, financially realistic building energy transition

    NAIOP urges technically, financially realistic building energy transition

    On June 5th NAIOP submitted comments on the Maryland Department of Environment’s draft Building Energy Performance Standards urging the department to make changes to ensure building performance targets and Alternative Compliance Fees are technically feasible and financially realistic. The 2022 Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA)…

  • Adapting to the times: Developers craft new lives for failing buildings

    Adapting to the times: Developers craft new lives for failing buildings

    The former Radisson Hotel and Holiday Inn in Baltimore is being transformed into a two-tower, 708-unit multifamily complex with 30,000 square feet of retail. Image courtesy of MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services. Rattling off the retail and residential strengths of the Vivo Living development in the Inner…

  • Industry Roundtable: Developing Leaders

    Industry Roundtable: Developing Leaders

    Gaining entry into, navigating and achieving sustainable success in the commercial real estate industry can be a complicated and intimidating process for young professionals, a situation that became increasingly complex with challenges presented by the pandemic. Alex Mawry, Development/Construction Project Manager for Merritt Properties; Michael Tait,…

  • Assembly approves major changes to Forest Conservation Act

    Assembly approves major changes to Forest Conservation Act

    In one of the most consequential bills of the 2023 session, the General Assembly approved the first major changes to the Forest Conservation Act since it was enacted in 1991. The 2023 Forest Preservation and Retention Act (SB 526/HB 723) will require developers and local…

  • Companies tap into the lure of artful space

    Companies tap into the lure of artful space

    From vibrant abstracts and minimalist landscapes to custom-made sculptures, digital displays, graffiti walls, motivational phrases and manipulated drone imagery, art is becoming a more prominent part of the workplace. In an era when employers are struggling to entice workers back to offices and building owners are searching for…

  • What’s needed to maintain Baltimore’s renaissance?

    What’s needed to maintain Baltimore’s renaissance?

    Stakeholders representing the local commercial real estate development, brokerage, medical, and economic development sectors presented their opinion on deliverables needed to maintain the renaissance underway in Baltimore City at a recent seminar sponsored by the Baltimore Business Journal.   Shelonda Stokes President, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore “More than…

  • Property tax increase proposed for Montgomery County

    Property tax increase proposed for Montgomery County

    Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich has proposed a 10-cent property tax increase that would raise an additional $220 million to fund education. The increase is included in Elrich’s $6.8 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2024. The County Executive says the increase is needed to finance the Montgomery County Public…

  • C-stores are evolving, expanding and thriving

    C-stores are evolving, expanding and thriving

    Once upon a time, gas stations only sold gas. But, beginning in the 1950s, with Americans clocking in longer hours at work, the convenience store (C-store) model was conceived as a way to provide time-depraved consumers with new options to pick up a gallon of milk or…