Mixed-Use Development--What's Driving the Trend?

 Industry-wide collaboration to discuss issues relating to Mixed-Use

NEW YORK (September 18, 2006) — Mixed-Use is quickly establishing itself as a distinct product type and a trend that is revolutionizing the real estate landscape.  Combining the elements of residential, retail, office and entertainment, Mixed-Use projects are succeeding in both the urban and suburban markets and on a global scale.  This growth brings challenges, as well as opportunities and a unique set of issues that are specific to Mixed-Use.

To understand Mixed-Use in today’s real estate market, the International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc. (ICSC), the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, American Resort Development Association (ARDA), and the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC), have joined together to host the first industry-wide conference on Mixed-Use development.  The 2006 Conference on Mixed-Use Development will take place November 16-17 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Fla. For complete conference details, visit: www.mixed-useconference.com

The 2006 Conference on Mixed-Use Development will focus on the challenges and opportunities related to developing, designing, financing, leasing, managing, and marketing a Mixed-Use project.  Highlights of the conference include:

• "What's Driving Demand For the Biggest Trend In Real Estate Development?" – Forest City Residential Inc. President & CEO Ron Ratner, the nation's preeminent mixed-use developer, explains why mixed-use is so compelling in today's world and discusses its future prospects.
   
• "Genius Loci - The Soul of the Place" – Development today often finds itself creating mixed-use centers that strive to capture the vitality and civic life of idealized villages, towns and cities.  Does modern, traditional or referential architecture really matter in gaining public acceptance? Or does finding the soul of a place (its Genius Loci) and its architecture lie in the interpretation of its culture, archaeology, history, geography and customs?  Eric R. Kuhne discusses how his research throughout the world has led him to focus on ideas, storytelling qualities, the ethos, the soul of places and people as a way to create great civic places.
   
• Presentation of Cross Organizational Survey Results – The results of the first-ever cross organizational survey undertaken by BOMA, NAIOP, NMHC and ICSC to better understand what mixed-use really means and to identify the catalysts for future growth will be released.

In addition, the 2006 Conference on Mixed-Use Development will feature a number of educational sessions.  Some of these educational sessions will focus on Conceiving, Operating and Marketing Mixed-Use Properties; Partnering With Local Government to Assure a Successful Mixed-Use Project; the Design of Mixed-Use Properties; and How to Value Mixed-Use Properties. 

“The 2006 Conference on Mixed-Use Development is a result of the tremendous growth in the mixed-use sector,” remarked BOMA International Chairman Kurt Padavano, RPA, CPM, FMA, SMA, and Chief Operating Officer of Advance Realty Group of Bedminster, NJ. “This multi-industry collaboration will examine one of the biggest trends in real estate development and is essential for anyone involved in developing, designing, financing, leasing, managing and marketing a mixed-use project.”

For registration and additional conference information, please visit www.mixed-useconference.com or www.boma.org.

About ARDA:
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has nearly 1,000 corporate members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, and owners through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC).

About BOMA:
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international federation of more than 90 local associations and affiliated organizations. BOMA’s 16,500-plus members own or manage more than 9 billion square feet of commercial properties in North America and throughout the world.  The mission of BOMA International is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information.  Founded in 1907, BOMA International celebrates 100 years of commercial real estate in 2007. Learn more at www.boma.org.

About ICSC:
Founded in 1957, ICSC is the not-for-profit global trade association of the shopping center industry.  It serves its over 60,000 members in 100 countries by assisting in the development of their businesses through professional education, conferences and conventions, publications, research and legislative actions.  For more information, visit www.icsc.org

About NAIOP:
The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties is the nation’s leading trade association for developers, owners, investors and other professionals in industrial, office and mixed-use commercial real estate. Founded in 1967, NAIOP comprises 13,000+ members in 52 North American chapters and provides networking opportunities, educational programs, research on trends and innovations and strong legislative representation. For more information, visit www.naiop.org.  

About NMHC:
Based in Washington, DC, NMHC is a national association representing the interests of the larger and most prominent apartment firms in the U.S.  NMHC's members are the principal officers of firms engaged in all aspects of the apartment industry, including ownership, development, management and financing.  Nearly one-third of Americans rent their housing, and almost one in five Americans lives in apartment homes.  For more information, visit NMHC's web site at www.nmhc.org. 

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