News

The retail sector is facing another wave of changes, including shifting consumer patterns among Millennials and the emergence of the medtail submarket. Panelists participating in a recent webinar sponsored by Placer.ai debated the current and long-term prognosis of bricks and mortar retail. Given the pent-up demand exhibited by consumers nationally,…

When the effects of the pandemic forced nearly all employees to work remotely, there existed a perceived “even playing field” in terms of workers receiving an equal share of valued assignments, mentorship opportunities and promotions. But with many employees returning to the workplace on a near-regular basis, the ones still…

In an effort to disrupt the cycles of generational poverty, City of Refuge Baltimore, the Port Covington Development Team, Weller Development and PI.KL Architects have unveiled plans for a new, multi-purpose facility in Brooklyn. The project would transform a 30,000-square-foot light industrial building into a 60,000-square-foot City of Refuge Baltimore…

The seemingly insatiable demand for large-scale warehouse/industrial buildings has breathed life into another, typically overlooked asset class that is drawing the widespread attention of both end-users and investors alike. Industrial Outdoor Storage (IOS), also known as Outdoor Storage Land (OSL), has emerged as a significant complementary necessity among logistics companies…

Never underestimate the power of a playground. In September, developers, designers, builders, philanthropists and community members gathered in West Baltimore to celebrate the completion of the Excel Academy Family Center and the adjacent Poppleton Family Center Playground. A Neighborhood Zones project of United Way of Central Maryland, the center offers…

Americans’ growing interest in spending more of their days – including their workdays – outdoors is spurring property owners to invest in outdoor amenities. Gradually, those investments are also showing that some of the simplest amenities – like a walking trail – can be highly valued and highly impactful. “One…

State officials are studying revised climate plans that would require 50% cuts in carbon emissions from commercial buildings by 2030 and levy a $100 per ton carbon emissions fee on properties that fail to achieve that reduction. On Sept. 18, the Maryland Department of Environment released a revised draft pathway…

Retail e-commerce sales are expected to grow by nearly 14% this year to eclipse the $900 billion mark, a trend that was consistently edging up over the past five years but dramatically accelerated over the past 18 months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With shopping patterns now permanently…

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated rather than caused many of the retail trends currently prevalent in the United States and worldwide economy. But what constitutes “the new normal” when it comes to shopping online, visiting restaurants and developing the next phase of retail centers? The coming surge of new drive-thru retail…

On Sept. 3, the Maryland Department of Environment released a draft pathway to decarbonize buildings by 2045. Major policy provisions in the draft include: An all-electric building/energy code applied to new construction beginning in 2024 with a cost-effectiveness test for commercial construction;A clean heat standard that would incrementally reduce…