Franco Faraudo

While technology has made offices more efficient, it often overlooks the human touch that workers crave. Personal interactions, especially with friendly staff, are increasingly important in creating a welcoming environment. As offices continue to adapt, the challenge is finding a balance between automation and maintaining the essential human element.

Innovative decarbonization projects across the U.S. are reducing carbon emissions through geothermal heat pumps, greywater recycling, energy-efficient materials, passive design, and retrofit upgrades without displacing tenants.

The Novo Avian Pointe apartments use ultra-efficient geothermal pumps powered by solar, tapping Florida's Floridan Aquifer. (Image: Novo Avian Pointe)

Landlords are turning to third-party software for rent reporting, driven by new laws and tenant reluctance. Companies like Bilt Rewards, Self Rent Reporting, and others offer solutions, while larger platforms like RealPage and Yardi are entering the market. Success will go to those that address tenant pushback creatively.

Vampire draw, the energy used by electronics when turned off, can account for up to 36% of energy waste in buildings. While HVAC and lighting reductions have been prioritized, smart plugs are now being used to automatically cut power to unnecessary devices. As energy costs rise and carbon mandates tighten, more buildings are expected to adopt these solutions to combat this hidden drain.

Schneider Electric, in partnership with JLL and C.Scale, has developed a new building decarbonization tool to help real estate owners estimate the costs and carbon impacts of energy retrofits. Currently, in Beta, the tool allows users to evaluate different upgrade options based on building vintages and local regulations, offering a clearer path to compliance with long-term carbon-zero targets. This calculator, along with similar tools emerging in the market, will be crucial as older buildings work toward decarbonization by 2050.

Not only is Mall of America the country’s largest mall—a title it has held since it opened in 1992—but it is also arguably the most well-known. Located in the relatively quiet suburb of Bloomington, just outside Minneapolis, the mall is one of the nation’s top tourist attractions. Each year, a staggering 40 million people visit the Mall of America, with many traveling from other parts of the country to experience its iconic offerings. This extraordinary foot traffic supports the mall’s 550 retail tenants and 60 restaurants, creating a bustling hub of commerce and activity.

B8ta, a retail tech pioneer, aimed to bridge e-commerce and physical retail by offering brands data-driven insights through interactive store spaces. Despite early success and $90M in funding, the pandemic, rising theft, and operational challenges led to its U.S. closure in 2022, leaving its vision ahead of its time.

From experiential destinations like Area15 to the innovative mixed-use transformation of Old Orchard Mall, and from Hudson Yards' cutting-edge sustainability to Mall of America's unmatched scale and technology, modern malls are redefining retail. These centers showcase creativity, resilience, and innovation, turning once-traditional spaces into vibrant hubs of activity and community engagement.

Quantitative analysts or quants have been around in traditional finance for some time but their techniques are now starting to revolutionize real estate investment strategies. Learn how Universities like Columbia are using data science, AI, and predictive modeling to help firms understand market trends, manage risks, and make more accurate forecasts in real estate.