Developers Gil Dezer, Jon Paul Perez: Problems Everywhere Else Will Benefit South Florida

Last week, move-ins began at Society Las Olas, a 34-story, 639-unit development on the Fort Lauderdale Riverfront that has taken the title of the largest co-living development in the country.The first building is just Phase 1; when its Phase 2, another similarly sized building, gets constructed, it will feature more than 1,200…

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This series aims to capture a moment in time, talking to men and women in commercial real estate about how their lives and businesses are being transformed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Darcie Lunsford has two important roles: She is executive vice president and director of office leasing at Butters Realty & Management, a 30-year-old real estate firm, and the current president of NAIOP Florida. In the latter role, she represents the commercial real estate industry at the state level, fighting for legislative changes. This year, for instance, she sought to roll back state sales tax on commercial rents, and argued that internet retailers should be taxed the same way as brick-and-mortar ones. 

We caught up with Lunsford, who was editor of the South Florida Business Journal before sliding into a commercial real estate role, as she cranked on deals during the coronavirus with her Shih Tzu, Gus Henry, by her side. Bisnow: Describe your work-from-home life and what you are doing in…

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In Case You Missed It...

The coronavirus pandemic has subdued international and domestic travel to a trickle of its former volume, leaving U.S. airports mostly empty of passengers.

Retail has taken a hit overall, but airport concessionaires face even bigger challenges. With passenger volumes equaling only 5% to 10% of usual traffic, retailers and restaurants at U.S. airports have faced a dramatic cut in revenues, forcing many to temporarily close and furlough staff.

Despite the incredibly difficult operating environment, retailers are highly reluctant to permanently close airport locations, owing to the competitive process of obtaining them in the first place, as well as the contracts that require them to keep paying their obligations. 

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Still reeling from a barrage of business interruption insurance claims tied to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. insurance industry is gearing up for a second wave of property claims as protests in some parts of the nation wreak havoc on retail outlets, restaurants and office buildings.

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The owner of a Dupont Circle hotel is bringing a lawsuit against a Florida private school whose student stayed at the property last year. An affiliate of Donohoe Cos. that owns the Residence Inn Dupont, 2120 P Street Associates LLC, filed the lawsuit in the U.S.…

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