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On December 15th, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board wrote about the “transition risk” posed by a move to a low-carbon economy and cited a report seen by some as a policy roadmap for President-Elect Joseph R. Biden’s administration.   The recent report issued by the Senate Democratic Special…

From companies that successfully switched to telework operations to tenants that pivoted to new business models to market segments that posted strong leasing rates, 2020 contained bright spots despite the pandemic. NAIOP Maryland’s Developing Leaders highlighted those successes as well as optimistic signs for a real estate rebound in 2021…

Developers’ opportunities to meet forest mitigation requirements appear to have narrowed. Brian Frosh, Maryland Attorney General, has issued an opinion concluding that acquisition of credits in a “forest retention bank” that preserves existing forest does not qualify as a mitigation under the Forest Conservation Act. According to the opinion,…

The United States is about to enter a dark tunnel that will negatively impact the economy for several months but, upon its emergence early next year and buoyed by COVID-19 vaccines, nearly every commercial real estate asset class will be on the upswing with promising prospects expected for 2021. That…

State revenues remained surprisingly strong during the height of the pandemic, but state budget analysts see deep cash shortfalls over the next five years. The depth of those shortfalls will largely hinge on how quickly jobs and income recover under the state’s “official” and “alternate” economic scenarios. Although lower than…

Robust growth in the data center market has landed Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) in two new joint ventures, valued at $293 million in total, with Blackstone Real Estate. The ventures involve eight single-tenant, data center shell properties in Northern Virginia, totaling 1.3 million square feet. Blackstone has already acquired…

Commercial office developers should evaluate their building amenity packages to address the shifting values, needs and usage of today’s modern office worker. Industry experts already suggest the desired amenities of tomorrow may focus on digital offerings and experiential environments. Those were some of the insights shared during a recent NAIOP…

The Maryland Commission on Climate Change has declined to endorse a fossil fuel ban in new commercial construction and, instead, is recommending a more deliberate approach to energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. A determined effort by environmental and climate nonprofits sought a ban on fossil fuels in…

The presenters’ visions for a new mixed-use development stretched beyond a blend of commercial, retail and residential properties. Delivered via Zoom, the project proposals included design elements focused on sustainability and wellness, a business development fund to help local entrepreneurs, tax credits for low-income housing and gorgeous patches of green…

With colder weather looming, how can restaurants continue to adapt to attract consumers? Chung GobellDirector of Interior DesignHeath Design Group “Restaurants and bars will need to be more intently focused on customer service to survive the cold months ahead. Some ideas may be to create custom home delivery or express…