New Urbanism Building Properties
Are we in the midst of a downtown Renaissance? Thomas Jaekel, managing director of Wrightwood Capital based in Chicago, thinks so. “There’s a trend toward movement back into the city, with old neighborhoods being rediscovered,” he says. “In these instances, the combination of high density and land costs makes mixed use a more economic solution for developers.” He adds that mixed-use building properties not only apply downtown, but also appeal to suburban dwellers who desire a more urban setting within their smaller communities. If you’re looking to invest in real estate, you should definitely look into the “new urbanism” concept as you decide which buildings to buy.
One group of people drawn to new urbanism properties are well-to-do baby boomers. They like the idea of comfortably aging in a resort-like setting, where they can do all their shopping, working and living in the same building. In Palm Beach, Florida, some luxury communities even incorporate fitness centers and Aveda spas into their beachfront condos. “We believe there is going to be a great demand right now for these properties,” says Creative Choice Group President Dilip Barot, who is working on just such a real estate investment property. “More affluent people are getting interested in wellness and there are more people willing to live this lifestyle.”
Another demographic for mixed-use building properties is the echo boomers; the children of baby boomers. Many of their parents initially fled to the suburbs but the echo boom cohort is looking to be right in the center of the action. “Echo boomers want to live in a 24/7 environment with a walking lifestyle versus suburban sprawl,” explains Thomas Jaekel of Wrightwood Capital. This crowd is not only concerned about reducing their carbon footprint and energy consumption, but they’re also attracted to social gathering hotspots — restaurants, bars, pubs and concert halls. People looking to invest in real estate need to look toward future generations of home buyers to hedge their bets.
According to the Urban Land Institute’s “Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2009″ report, there are several new trends building properties are leaning toward. Mixed use development and infill development are essential to reduce the appearance of sprawl and urban decay, and modernize our major cities. Going green is another way to attract new buyers who are more eco-conscious than ever. Snapping up distressed apartments and condos near transit is a popular practice that aims to revitalize neighborhoods in trouble. Creating retail centers with drug stores and grocery stores is how you invest in real estate for the future.
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