Bellevue Downtown Association’s Post

Seattle is on the cusp of a transformative era. With 6.9 million square feet of office space under development, our city is embracing a future that balances economic growth with sustainable practices. Key projects to watch: • East Link Starter Line: Connecting South Bellevue to Redmond • Waterfront Seattle Program: Enhancing our iconic waterfront • Bellevue 600, 555 Tower, The Spring District: Are just a few of the private developments that will be reshaping our urban landscape These developments aren't just about new buildings – they're about creating vibrant communities, improving connectivity, and preparing for global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As Rachel Smith, president & CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, notes, we're facing "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to redefine our city. What excites you most about Seattle's growth? How do you see these changes impacting your life or business? Let's discuss the future of this dynamic city. https://lnkd.in/gMK8f3gm First Class Homes 425.269.7229

The root of crappy leadership is fear. Over eggs, toast, and coffee this morning, Asim and I talked about what it takes to gather a group of people and get them moving toward a positive, unified goal. Clearly one of his strengths because he's done several times in his career, Asim reminded me of the power of understanding the collective benefit of working together when we just decide that's what we're going to do. I saw many examples of bravery, excitement, and success from his experiences. (As a part of our chat, he shared this article from Steve Smith in the St. Louis Business Journal as a response to a The Wall Street Journal article on STL.) These regional issues are the same issues I see within many organizations. They're because a leader and/or group of people are operating from a place of fear. Fear keeps people and organizations not just stagnant, but eventually dry and dusty places where life used to be. What is one practical way you take action to solve problems as a leader? What is the impact you’ve noticed?

Based on recent developments, the geographical splitscape of vibrant commercial energy is becoming balanced in the uniquely divided city of Kyle. We've seen the west side of Interstate 35 bloom in response to the needs of its rapid population expansion, with waves of tenants investing in food, entertainment, and lifestyle businesses. Now, a shift is happening: the east side of the highway is matching strides. Traditionally, the growth hub for retailers: •Overflowing demand for food and entertainment outlets •West side was the primary weighing scale for the commercial activity However, a wind of change is blowing east. The new focal point – revealing the other face of retail growth: •Retail centres flourishing on the east side •Rapid occupancy post-construction What truly stands out is the speed at which this change is occurring. A new retail center that broke ground earlier this month has already reached near-full occupancy, driven by an array of players integral to this unfolding success story. The ramifications of this restructuring are twofold: 1. Diversification of Locale: A decentralization that validates the connotation of Kyle as a promising urban center-location bias is dwindling. 2. Increased Investment: Both sides of the highway becoming hotspots means dual investment opportunities for businesses. By harnessing the east-west balance, Kyle has the potential of a strengthened strategic position. A balancing act, Kyle shows us, can bring symmetry, distributive growth and opportunities on both sides of the divide. As the months unfold, keep an eye on this developing story of eastward expansion - it signals fresh beginnings and business potentials for those willing to tap into it. #Kyle #RetailGrowth #RegionalDevelopment

Property X-Change is passionate about sharing fresh ideas to create thriving high street property that works for all Londoners. Did you know that…? 💡 The oversupply of retail floorspace and rising vacancy rates is identified as the top challenge facing Britain's high streets and town centres, by 43% of respondents in a survey published by Lambert Smith Hampton and Revo in 2023. https://lnkd.in/eh-QHRfn 💡 There is an overall 13% oversupply of retail space and vacant shops on the high street in London (British Retail Consortium Q2 2023 and Centre for Cities Q1 2022). Lambert Smith Hampton, Revo - Retail. Property. Community., British Retail Consortium, Centre for Cities

Imagine a downtown where interesting and beautiful places keep you wanting to walk further, to see more and experience all of the diverse activity that surrounds you; (kinda like the feeling you had the first time you visited City Museum). I envision a place where people would prefer to not have a car when living in or visiting downtown because of how it takes away from the vibrant experience and sense of adventure one gets just from being there. What if we rebuilt downtown to be a fully livable, self-sustaining community that has everything one needs for a happy and healthy life, (like groceries, parks, schools, jobs, etc.) all without ever needing to get into a car? But let's not stop there. What if we built a place that was truly invigorating... a place that daily inspires creativity and sparks the innovative and creative juices waiting to be unlocked in each of our brains? We can use lessons learned from neuroscience to inform how we create such a place that stimulates our neurons. We can even tap into the brain hacks that gaming and social media companies have used to design this place by creating a compulsion loop that: 1. triggers interest, 2. provokes action (i.e., walking one more block, checking out a store/event/piece of art, etc.), 3. provides a variable reward (things change and you never know what you will experience from one day to the next), and 4. entices an investment (time, money, talent, etc.) back into the community so that each resident or visitor can leave their finger print on the place - which then triggers the interest of the next person. Let's not make the mistake of thinking that we need to build back what once was, (i.e., a central business district where people come for their 9-5 and little else). Downtown hitting "rock bottom" is our chance to build something entirely new and different. It's time to think outside the box. Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Let's start a discussion!

The future of our community is looking bright. Some key points from the article below worth noting: 1) The transformation from a Rust Belt emblem to a Renaissance City highlights Hamilton's resilience and potential. 2) The $165-million Spooky Nook Sports complex symbolizes a beacon of revitalization, infusing life into old industrial sites. 3) Downtown Hamilton is burgeoning with new hotels, signifying a welcoming ambiance for visitors and potential investors. 4) The local food and drink sector is flourishing, adding a unique flavor to the city's urban fabric. 5) Crawford Hoying's ambitious $150 million mixed-use project forecasts a promising horizon of economic and cultural resurgence. 6) The city’s proactive approach towards advanced manufacturing has attracted global companies, diversifying the economy and bolstering the job market. 7) The comprehensive strategy to transform Hamilton into a vibrant hub has not only created job opportunities but also established a community where people and businesses thrive.

How do we reimagine the work that we are doing? Creative minds have to come together to solve complex problems.

Post-pandemic, it’s time to reimagine what the future of our downtown cores looks like. In San Francisco, Union Square is primed for transformation. Largely a shopping-only district, the neighborhood has struggled over the last few years, but with those struggles comes tremendous opportunity. Check out this blog by my Gensler colleagues Barry Bourbon, and Jason Ambrose to learn how Union Square can become a dynamic, around-the-clock destination.

What makes Columbus Ohio and the surrounding region the hottest real estate market in 2024? I have five good reasons why. 1. Room to grow: Columbus Ohio and its metro has space to grow in all directions as it is not confined by borders like Detroit, Chicago, and New York. 2. Ease to do Business: Columbus has become a major business center for a lot of businesses. In recent years multiple companies have either moved HQs to Columbus, built regional offices, or invested heavily into doing business in Columbus. 3. Affordability: While it is true prices have increased because of inflation, time and time again Columbus has been ranked in the top for affordability of homes. 4. Education: Columbus is home to multiple educational institutes and has become a place for leadership development. Ohio State, Capital, Otterbein, and more offer programs that can help give newcomers the right education. 5. Culture: Columbus has become a major cultural center. The city boasts a lot of areas where people showcase their culture. Columbus is home to major districts like the Arena District and the Short North as well as the many community events the city and region hosts every year. Interested in finding your home here in Columbus Ohio, or want to expand your business, contact me at ben.maag@cbrealty.com or 614-928-6892. #columbusohio #columbus #ohio #realestate #realestateohio #movingtocolumbus #ohiostate #coldwellbanker

Leadership and partnership between our regions, towns, cities and public and private sector is more important than ever. This morning, we attended 'Urban Futures: What’s next for Liverpool?' and heard from a panel of key decision-makers. We explored the evolving real estate landscape in Liverpool and how we can work together to build a prosperous and sustainable future for our city. Avison Young Stephen Cowperthwaite #LiverpoolCityRegion #Growth #SustainableFuture