Mike Geisler: Where Retail Development Will Occur in 2014

Dec 31, 2013

D Real Estate Daily - December 31, 2013

As I write this, I am in the midst of the busiest December that I have experienced, and definitely the busiest one that our company has experienced. Our industry is healthy on many levels—financing, equity, and leasing are strong, and turnover is low. But we all know that.

So what will next year look like? Much of the same, and better in my opinion. We will finally see more new construction, mainly driven by Walmart and a number of grocers. In addition, there is a tremendous amount of development in the works in and around The Colony off State Highway 121, as well as S.H. 121 and the Dallas North Tollway.

There is a also a significant amount of new development being planned around the JCPenney campus (the next generation of the Shops at Legacy), as well as sites north on the Tollway, including a Whole Foods-anchored center. Much of this development is practical; some of it mixed-use or possibly some form of lifestyle.

The next few years should be very good for all of us in the industry—developers, investors, bankers, brokers, tenants, landlords, contractors, landowners, and customers. Let’s enjoy the moment and hopefully not screw it up!