Day 2: ICSC
"Just give me the damn deal!" Maybe thats not what he said, but we did a double take when we saw former NFL stand-outKeyshawn Johnsondecked out in his ICSC RECon badge with the other32,999 folkson the grounds here in Las Vegas. We didnt get a chance to ask the ESPN sports analyst what his ICSC goals were, but we know his company,Keyshawn Capital Development, focuses on CRE and development projects, includinginner-city revitalization efforts.
At the Transwestern booth, we snapped president for the Americas Chip Clarke and director of national marketing Kim Croley. Chip says based on the moods in San Diego last week at ULI and in Las Vegas this week, the real estate economy is on an "upward trajectory." Congrats to the Houston-based, 22-year Transwestern vet, who ascended to his new gig in January after running the Gulf Coast and Mountain region. Now he has seven regions and 33 separate markets to look after, plus pose forBisnowceremonial shots. What did he used to do with all his free time?
NGKFs Cynthia Ellison (from San Antonio), Partner Engineering Services Misty Vazquez, New York Commercial Real Estate Services' Ravi Idnani, and NY attorney Edward Bullard schmoozed under the desert stars, commenting how activity has picked up across the country.
CBRE head of research for the Americas Asieh Mansour says the housing recovery is already a major growth engine for the retail sector. That's despite recent retail stats being weaker than expected because of the coldest March since 96 (hard to try on bikinis in 40-degree weather), as well as the sequester-related cuts.
At theSundance Squarebooth, CEOJohnny Campbell--who for 12 years has run this fun and bustling 35-square-block area of Ft. Worth owned by theBass Brothers--points to a newplaza areaat its center that will openNov. 1. Though on the area's master plan for30 years, it's been a parking lot until now and will include three office and retail buildings, a dancing fountain, and 55k SF space with outdoor seating, six giant umbrellas, and a big stage that Johnny predicts could become a premier venue for outdoor concerts and bring Ft. Worth an Austin-likemusic scene. Urban planners have long studied Sundance as a model for the pedestrian experience. And Starbucks looks likely to feature beer and wine after 4pm as it's done experimentallyelsewhere.
We're heading to Philly today to cover Bisnow's Annual Student Housing conference. What do we need to see and what restaurants do we need to check out? Tell Catie Dixon, catie@bisnow.com.
