Categories Narrative, Office Trends, Tech Industry

Redefining Location

Location has been the cornerstone of all commercial real estate decisions since the industry began.  Location, Location, Location.  But with the rise of technological advancements, this sure-fire parameter is being tested. Here are just a few of the trends pushing the boundaries of location: —Remote work. People are working from anywhere and everywhere.  This trend … Continue reading Redefining Location

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Narrative, Office Trends, Tech Industry, Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

As you may recall, Andrew and I are a long time Counselors of Real Estate (CRE). Annually the  Counselors of Real Estate organization  has all the members vote and comes up with the most interesting and comprehensive  list of Issues in our business.  The 2022-2023 Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate report came out last … Continue reading Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

Categories Covid19 Impact, Creative Office Spaces, Narrative, Office Trends, Tech Industry

The Latest Insights and Stats on Hybrid Office Work

Want to understand how employees really feel about the hybrid workplace? Microsoft has put out a fantastic report called the 2022 Work Trend Index Annual Report. An independent research firm conducted a survey with over 31,000 full-time and part-time works across 31 worldwide markets. This report also used valuable data from LinkedIn and Microsoft 365. Here are … Continue reading The Latest Insights and Stats on Hybrid Office Work

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Tech Industry

5 Solutions for Saving Money on Office

The majority of companies are back in the office under some sort of adjusted schedule.  While work strategies differ, everyone can agree that build-out costs are painfully expensive. This is especially challenging during the war for talent that’s happening, and businesses need every dollar they can get to enhance the employee office experience. Since the … Continue reading 5 Solutions for Saving Money on Office

Categories Design, Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends, Tech Industry

Are the Suburbs Back? And other Office Trends from NAIOP

As companies begin to return to the offices which have largely been left empty since the Covid 19 pandemic started, the first trend we are seeing is companies are  going to have to transform the spaces into places where workers will want to be. This is an important move since there is now a shift … Continue reading Are the Suburbs Back? And other Office Trends from NAIOP

Categories Narrative, Office Market, Tech Industry

Gen Z

For the past decade, all eyes have been on the Millennial Generation, the first to grow up in the Internet Age. Now, the next generation after Millennials is graduating college and entering the workforce: Gen Z is starting to make its mark. Comprising 35% of the global population, they are a force to work with. … Continue reading Gen Z

Categories Creative Office Spaces, Economy, Narrative, Office Trends, Tech Industry

Technology Changing Parking

Parking is not the most exciting topic, but for office developers and users it’s critical. Technology is changing everything in our lives and parking is no different. Yes, Uber and Lyft have already started the change as people can now get to and from locations without having to worry about parking.  And autonomous driving is … Continue reading Technology Changing Parking

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends, Tech Industry

Where America’s Developed Areas are Growing?

A few weeks ago I wrote a narrative about rankings, and what I look for in markets where I believe companies will thrive. I posed four questions to ask with the number one question being:  Is the market growing? Below is a great article from the Washington Post on where America is growing by new land … Continue reading Where America’s Developed Areas are Growing?

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Narrative, Tech Industry

Indoor Farming

A few years back I wrote a narrative on indoor farming (you can read it here).  The technology has grown and grown (pun intended) and now we are seeing some incredible changes. Sananbio, one of the world’s largest indoor farming technology providers, has announced an unmanned vertical farming system.  Here’s how it works: –Pour the seeds in … Continue reading Indoor Farming

Categories Narrative, Office Trends, Tech Industry

5G and CRE

I’ve lost track of how many narratives I’ve written about how technology is changing the commercial real estate business. Here’s another one. 5G is on the way and it’s coming fast. What does this mean to the Commercial Real Estate Industry?  Below is an article on strategizing for the arrival of 5G technology. Some of my … Continue reading 5G and CRE

Categories Design, Narrative, Tech Industry

Robotics are Here!

I first commented on this topic back in 2015 (click here to see my narrative and the video). The age of robotics is coming. And last month, it got even closer.  Boston Dynamics announced their first commercial robot is going on sale.  Yes, it will be expensive and limited, BUT it will be a commercially … Continue reading Robotics are Here!

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

The Big-Data Deluge

Watching and learning outside our industry over the past decade, I have seen how Big Data is taking over.  Well, it’s finally coming to Commercial Real Estate.  How much? Below is a graphic from CB Insights showing the companies and areas they are working on for creating smart cities.    Here are some thoughts from … Continue reading The Big-Data Deluge

Categories Creative Office Spaces, Narrative, Office Trends, Tech Industry

Gaining a Competitive Edge in Office Buildings

  Below is an interesting article from The New York Times about office landlords seeking a competitive edge in leasing space to tenants.  Our primary market is Phoenix, so when I travel or read, I am always watching out for trends and changes in what owners are doing and what tenants are leasing.  Here are … Continue reading Gaining a Competitive Edge in Office Buildings

Categories Design, Narrative, Tech Industry

Chinese Company Headquarters WAY different than U.S.

  Chinese company, Tencent, just finished its global headquarters.  In previous narratives, I have discussed US-based tech companies’ cool new headquarters (Click here to read my narrative on Apple’s HQ). This week, I have included two different articles about the same building. What is different? Technology.  In China, the government allows some technology that is not … Continue reading Chinese Company Headquarters WAY different than U.S.

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Humans are Underrated

One trend I actively follow is automation. In 20 years, what jobs will be done by robots? With new advancements in technology, it’s not just the routine data entry and labor jobs that are in danger anymore. Robots can now analyze emotions, perform surgical operations, even drive semi-trucks across the country.  All these developments beg the … Continue reading Humans are Underrated

Categories Architecture, Design, Narrative, Tech Industry

How Tech Office Space Sets the Bar for Everyone Else

What would you do if you had an unlimited budget to improve your company’s next office renovation?  Below is a great article detailing what some tech giants are doing to their interior design to keep their employees happy, productive and in the office.    One simple takeaway is that these companies are doing THE most innovative and comprehensive buildout you … Continue reading How Tech Office Space Sets the Bar for Everyone Else

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Getting Disrupted

In this narrative I talk about disruption quite a bit.  My own industry, brokerage, is in the bullseye of all tech companies.  Below is a Forbes article discussing how technology will do 90% of my job within a decade. Scary, right? Here are some highlights of this work: – Automation may be capable of taking … Continue reading Getting Disrupted

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Autonomous Vehicles

If you’ve been following this narrative for a while, you know that one of my favorite topics is how technology is disrupting the world around us. Of all the technology I’ve covered, by far the most exciting development is autonomous vehicles. Almost every major tech company is involved in this technology, from Uber, to Alphabet … Continue reading Autonomous Vehicles

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

CRE Lagging in Tech Adoption – Why?

Commercial Real Estate is notorious for NOT being market leaders in technology adoption. Why? The Urban Land Institute has an interesting article below that includes these explanations: Old Timers. The industry is full of dinosaurs. Senior Real Estate professionals are the key to developing successful products, having the industry knowledge and expertise that tech companies don’t have. As we see … Continue reading CRE Lagging in Tech Adoption – Why?

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

World’s First AI Lawyer Hired

Artificial Intelligence (AI) used to be the stuff of science fiction. But today, it’s becoming a rapidly-evolving technology with massive implications for many industries. Below is an article about the world’s first AI lawyer.  Why would this make me think about commercial real estate?  We represent a large number of law firms. (Check out our Law Firm Experience.)  This … Continue reading World’s First AI Lawyer Hired

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Driverless Trucks

A few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts about driverless cars hitting the roads and the issues office space will be facing (click here to read). Now, that technology is working with the trucking industry, and as the below article shows, it’s going to have a huge impact on many parts of our lives. Recently a platoon of driverless trucks drove across … Continue reading Driverless Trucks

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Autonomous Cars

I have talked about autonomous cars previously. All of the coming disruption is just the next evolution in transportation. If you think driverless cars won’t happen in your lifetime, you’re wrong. Here is a link to a New York Times article about Ford putting these automobiles on the road in less than 5 years (click here to read). Starting in … Continue reading Autonomous Cars

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Using Drones in Business

We know technology is disrupting business at an incredible rate. One big area is using drones. There has been a lot of controversy and excitement about introducing drones to business, the military, and more. This technology has the potential to disrupt many industries. Below is an article detailing some companies that have already begun testing drones, including … Continue reading Using Drones in Business

Categories Design, Narrative, Tech Industry

World’s Smartest Building

Sustainability is a huge priority for many in commercial real estate these days. The movement towards green, sustainable buildings has opened the doors for new innovations. The below article highlights a building in Amsterdam that received the highest score for sustainability in the world from BREEAM, the world’s leading assessment for sustainable buildings. Even more exciting for … Continue reading World’s Smartest Building

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Robotic Parking

1,000 cars valet parked in a garage. No humans. Unreal. See the story below and if you are really interested, check out the two minute video of the largest parking garage in Europe that is completely run by robots. I have sent some previous narratives on robotics and how it is eliminating jobs. This is one area it will change – … Continue reading Robotic Parking

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends, Tech Industry

Game Changing Trend is Happening Right Now

Each January, I attend Abundance 360 produced by Peter Diamandis. One takeaway this year was how fast driverless cars are becoming a reality. This will happen in our lifetime. Google autonomous cars have over 1,000,000 miles in Palo Alto (click here). Tesla has a new package that will drive your car on the highway (click here) and there are at least … Continue reading Game Changing Trend is Happening Right Now

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

The Rise of Robotics

As you know, I make my living in the office space market. However, I still like to keep up with trends outside of the industry and how they will eventually affect office space. Below is an article about the megatrend now taking place in robotics and what amazing changes are occurring. One of the reasons job recovery has been slower … Continue reading The Rise of Robotics

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Coolest Technology that Could Affect Commercial Real Estate

Today, I want to share with you a company that has a wonderful idea. If they can get this commercialized, it would revolutionize parking lots and roads. Imagine solar panels as surfaces in parking lots, roads and even highways. This is a short article with just some highlights. I would love to see the day where an abundance of our … Continue reading Coolest Technology that Could Affect Commercial Real Estate

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Day 5: The One Commercial Real Estate Tech Company that Changed Our World

In my final narrative for the week, I thought I would end with the company that I believe has made the most impact on our business: CoStar. Before CoStar, all companies had to do their own property research. This was time consuming and expensive. When I first started in the industry, each quarter, every broker in our firm had to … Continue reading Day 5: The One Commercial Real Estate Tech Company that Changed Our World

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Day 4: Tech Companies Trying to Eliminate/Assist Commercial Brokerage

Hope you are finding this week’s series interesting. We are in the homestretch. Below are six additional companies to review. Zillow is probably the only household name among them. Enjoy. Craig 602.954.3762 ccoppola@leearizona.com   Company Name:  http://www.gethightower.com/ Upper Management: Brandon Weber, CEO Donald DeSantis, CDO Niall Smart, CTO Business Strategy: Hightower’s strategy is two-fold: One, to sell software to owners who … Continue reading Day 4: Tech Companies Trying to Eliminate/Assist Commercial Brokerage

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Day 3: Tech Companies Trying to Eliminate/Assist Commercial Brokerage-First Six

Over the next two days, we will review 12 different technology companies that are in the commercial real estate space. Before I look at the companies that are trying to take business from commercial brokerage companies, a little background is necessary. I want to break the commercial brokerage industry down into two key segments: leasing and investment sales. … Continue reading Day 3: Tech Companies Trying to Eliminate/Assist Commercial Brokerage-First Six

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Day 2: Why Tech Has Stayed Out of Brokerage for So Long and A Case Study of a Company Trying to Change It

Day Two of our Five-Day Series–In the early 2000’s, before the dot com bubble burst, hundreds of millions of dollars were invested and lost by startup companies trying to turn the commercial brokerage process into an automated endeavor. The theory was, and still is, that real estate brokerage can be automated like the travel agent business and … Continue reading Day 2: Why Tech Has Stayed Out of Brokerage for So Long and A Case Study of a Company Trying to Change It

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

A Special 5-Day Series on Technology Companies Trying to Replace Commercial Brokerage–Day 1

I spent the last six months reviewing technology companies that are trying to disrupt the commercial brokerage industry in various ways. Over the next five consecutive days, I am going to share with you a number of these companies, what they are trying to do, who has invested in them and, of course, my take on their … Continue reading A Special 5-Day Series on Technology Companies Trying to Replace Commercial Brokerage–Day 1

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

Another Look at the Corporate HQ for Tech Companies

In the beginning of 2014, I ran a five-part series on the new gigantic and expensive corporate headquarters that are being designed and built by the leading tech companies in the world. As we close the year, the NYT ran an updated article (we have included it below) on most of the headquarters we researched. They also had a … Continue reading Another Look at the Corporate HQ for Tech Companies

Categories Narrative, Tech Industry

One Commercial Real Estate Tech Industry to Watch Close for the Good AND the Bad

Crowdfunding has become a hot market for all kinds of ideas, such as the potato salad guy who raised over $55,000 for his recipe (Click here to learn more). The commercial real estate market is not immune to this new trend. With the passage of a new law, there has been a 334% increase of crowdfundings in commercial real estate properties year … Continue reading One Commercial Real Estate Tech Industry to Watch Close for the Good AND the Bad