When New York-based developer Jonathan Rose Cos. (JRC) acquired the Barbara Jean Wright Court Apartments in 2021, the 272-unit, low-rise, 40 percent Section 8 community in Chicago’s University Village neighborhood was in need of some serious repair. Originally built in the 1970s and remodeled in 1999, the complex’s HVAC systems, flooring, kitchens, bathrooms and boilers were long past the point of needing a complete overhaul. The issue? The building was nearly fully occupied, which made this a tricker project than normal. To pull off this occupied restoration, JRC needed a construction …
Industry Voices
The recent changes to New York laws regarding rent-stabilized apartments, included in the 2024 budget legislation and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, are a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, the step is so small that the effect will be the same as standing still. Much of the initial commentary on 2024 housing law updates was about the so-called “good cause eviction” provisions, which have little to do with eviction but are instead a rebranding of rent control. In 2019, the legislature made significant changes to the rules …
Four significant cultural shifts are driving the evolution of multifamily design. Today, developers and architects must create spaces that serve the remote work trend, meet the demand for wellness amenities, keep up with changing sustainability and technology standards and create communities that socially engage their residents. How Hybrid Work Schedules Have Changed Design The shift to remote and hybrid work has profoundly influenced design offerings and space planning at an unprecedented pace in multifamily developments. Before the shift to full-time or partial work from home, the average size of most …
— By Jonathan Treble, Founder and CEO of WithMe Inc. In today’s multifamily landscape, amenities play a pivotal role that goes beyond attracting and retaining prospective residents. The right amenity package can enhance residents’ daily experience, nurture a thriving sense of community and ultimately increase the asset’s overall value. By thoughtfully outfitting an asset with the right amenities, property owners and operators can cater to today’s renters’ live-work-play and remote-work lifestyles. Modern Renters Desire “Third Spaces” Post-pandemic, the traditional boundaries between home, office and social spaces have blurred. Remote and …
— By Mike Branam, director of multifamily, PointCentral Renters increasingly desire smart technology features and personalized automation that can save time, money and improve property security. A 2022 survey from Rent.com reported that a staggering 82 percent of renters wanted at least one smart device in their home. This has encouraged property owners and operators to invest in technology as part of a wider strategy to both attract and retain a resident base that is a good fit for their communities. Technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), as well …
— By John Williams, president, CIO and COO of Avanath Capital Management It’s no secret that the dire shortage of affordable housing is an ongoing issue throughout the nation. The National Multifamily Housing Council reported in 2022 that the United States would need to build 4.3 million new apartments by 2035 to meet demand. The report also stated that the nation’s number of affordable housing units declined by 4.7 million from 2015 to 2020. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem. Both local and federal governments are taking …
— By Kathleen Milisky of Utility Revenue Services (URS) — Every developer knows all too well the headaches that can arise from utilities while building or managing a community. Time lost to issues such as power outages, delayed inspections and miscommunication can add unnecessary costs to any project. Smart utilities management is an effective way to stay ahead of problems before they start. Owners have the option of turning responsibility for the utilities over to an expert before they even pull a construction trailer onto the development site. It can …
Miami is bolstered by a strong tourism sector and population growth, but how has the market fared through the economic tumult of 2023? Multifamily & Affordable Housing Business (MAHB) recently interviewed Robert Kaplan, executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield, about the state of the market. Kaplan and his team are the newest members of Cushman & Wakefield’s Equity, Debt & Structured Finance group, which provides a full-spectrum financial services platform to both domestic and international clients. MAHB: Can you contrast the differences in multifamily transactions in Miami between 2023 and 2022? Kaplan: …
— By Adam Wolfson and Darryl Kasper of Wolfson Development Co. — Against a backdrop of recently proposed (though unlikely to pass) legislation aimed at forcing large build-to-rent (BTR) and single-family-rental investors to shed units and convert them to for-sale housing, BTR fundamentals — and the investment case for the sector — remain strong as ever. While debatably well-intentioned, the legislation mistakes correlation for causation. The BTR sector is indeed benefitting from problems in the housing market. However, these problems pre-dated the industry and are more likely caused by factors …
1031 exchanges are an effective way for investors to protect their capital. They also historically have experienced strong fundamentals in the long term. Why, then, aren’t more multifamily investors taking advantage of tax-deferred swaps? Many property owners simply lack the expertise and industry connections to source acquisition opportunities that meet their objectives. This is especially true considering the tight timeframe many 1031 exchanges operate under, as these types of deals have a built-in ticking clock. Once an investor sells an asset, he or she has 45 days to identify a …