CONCRETE IDEAS AND DYNAMIC SPACES
In the vibrant heart of Texas, where the pulse of commercial real estate beats with a rhythm of growth and innovation, DeLea Becker stands as a towering figure, a beacon of expertise and insight in East Austin's dynamic landscape. With a storied career that spans decades, DeLea has not only shaped her destiny but has also left an indelible mark on the commercial real estate sector. It's within this context that DeLea prepares to lend her voice and vision to two of the most anticipated events in the industry: the Bisnow Austin Design and Architecture event
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The BISNOW panel discussion in March 2024 provides insights into the commercial real estate landscape in Austin, Texas, with a particular focus on development, investment, and city growth trends.
David Webber - Moderator, Weber Studio Architects
"I have the great privilege of getting to moderate this panel, a very visionary group of interesting developers and folks helping to change the face of the city of Austin..."
Frank Navarro - M&O Partners
Mixed-Use and Multifamily Development Focus
"We really try to target walkable sites with direct access to community amenities... generally in secondary and tertiary markets not necessarily always in the urban downtown centers."
Charles Musgrave - Ivanhoe Cambridge
Investment in Austin's Innovation District
"We invest in real estate all asset classes in commercial real estate across the globe... particularly in this marketplace, we are invested in the Innovation District at 12th and Red River."
DeLea Becker - Beck-Reit Commercial Real Estate and Asset Management
Boutique Development in East Austin
"East Austin is my favorite place to be. A lot of it is very expensive so I don't get to do as many projects as I'd love. I do have a 48,000 square foot office retail building that we break ground on this summer on East 7th near Weberville."
Fausto Barba - Hesperus Group
Hotel Development in Austin's Innovation District
"We are hotel developers here in Austin... developing across the Waterloo park, a 27-story tower, 380 room hotel full service..."
Discussion Highlights:
The panel discussed the transformation and development of different areas within Austin, focusing on East Austin, the Innovation District, and the South Austin Entertainment District.
Themes such as the importance of walkability, community amenities, mixed-use developments, and adaptive reuse of properties were prevalent.
Concerns about Austin's growth, the challenge of maintaining affordability, and the impact of city policies on development were also addressed.
This overview provides a snapshot of the diverse expertise and perspectives shared during the panel, reflecting the dynamic nature of Austin's real estate market and the vision of its developers.
David Webber guided the conversation with insightful questions that covered a range of topics related to Austin's real estate development and the broader vision for the city's growth. Below are the questions David Webber asked each panelist, along with a standout quote from their responses:
To DeLea Becker:
Question: "What has been your secret to success in East Austin area? Projects. How did you make it work when others weren't ready to?"
"One of the main things that we do, and we do it to this day, is a lot of our projects we buy and then we occupy it... We do it with our own money. We do all the construction ourselves... I'm actually reducing the risk, and I put it where I know that growth is coming."
To Charles Musgrave:
Question "What is it that y'all are doing over there? How did y'all pick the Innovation District and what are y'all doing to sort of Read it to invigorate that vision for that district?"
"What we saw in the innovation district was differentiation in location... proximity to I think it's 11 acres at Waterloo Park which is kind of centered with the Moody Amphitheatre... and of course the capital."
To Fausto Barba:
Question "Outside of [the difficulties in building in Austin], why pick the innovation district? I asked you that question the other day. I loved your answer. I want to hear you explain a little bit to everybody how you picked the Innovation District."
"So when I see the innovation district here and I see what Austin is doing to improve the infrastructure... I do see that area becoming a mini version of [East Cambridge]."
To Frank Navarro:
Question : About the South Austin Entertainment District: "Tell us about your project and what are you doing to sort of reinforce the South Austin Entertainment District aspect of that district?"
"So right now if you want to get from one venue to another down there you're walking along Manchac the cars are ripping by at 50 miles an hour you got this skinny very badly maintained sidewalk and it's just not a pleasant way to."
These questions and the panelists' responses reveal the strategic thinking and innovative approaches to development and investment that are shaping Austin's future. The quotes highlight each speaker's unique contribution to the discussion, showcasing their expertise and vision for the city's development landscape.
DeLea Becker Insights
About East Austin Development: "I do have a 48,000 square foot office retail building that we break ground on this summer on East 7th near Weberville. So that's my latest East Austin project that and RV park."
On Development Strategy: "A lot of our projects we buy and then we occupy it... We do all the construction ourselves. So I'm actually reducing the risk and I put it where I know that growth is coming."
"East Austin, there's a great history about it, but one of the main triggers was the removal of a lot of toxic industries... Developers rushed in. I do think it was smaller developers like me."
"I can predict better than your average person. I'm also boots on the ground. I live there, I work there, I spend my money there, I go to church there. I know the people there."
"Technology is great, but I don't sit and look at those things. Traffic count? Great. I use a lot of that for marketing more than I do my own intel."
Charles Musgrave Insights
Innovation District Project: "Our project known as 1121 at Symphony Square is the office component of a mixed-use development neighbored to 388 doors at the Waller."
Flexibility and Innovation: "We have built in that the ability to be flexible and convert a portion of our building to life science upwards of 30,000 feet. So flexibility is very key."
"We on our first floor built in the building. Base building infrastructure to accommodate for life science... So flexibility is very key."
"I think your music scene is fabulous. I think the food scene is is is you know market leading in in the country."
"From an office perspective there is a lot of competition in this marketplace... But you just. You know have a little patience and and and target the right prospects for your for your asset."
Fausto Barba Insights
Hotel Development: "We are developing across the Waterloo park. 27 story tower, 380 room hotel full service across from Cambridge from Symphony Square I'm sorry."
Parking and Future Proofing: "We have these Easter eggs that we put in all of our projects on how do you create value for the next owner? And so we studied parking trends in hotels across the nation but particularly in Austin there's... Long term terms with the advent of technology and Uber and so forth."
"People don't rent a car anymore and they'll go park in a hotel. So overall demand for hotel parking is going to be going down."
"We studied parking trends in hotels across the nation but particularly in Austin there's... Long term terms with the advent of technology and Uber and so forth."
"We have a site next to Seton Medical Center and in talking to those executives and the growth that they're undergoing it's interesting their view on demographics."
Frank Navarro Insights
South Austin Entertainment District: "This is like Manchac and Slaughter... It's got about 14 entertainment venues so bars, restaurants, live music venues... our purpose is to bring in multifamily without ruining that authentic old Austin feel that it's got right now."
ETJ Development Advantages: "So in the 1960s there were a bunch of landowners that were stubborn and refused to get annexed into the city... So the obvious benefit there is the lack of zoning... in the ETJ we don't pay city taxes so that's about a 20 percent tax break."
"So in the 1960s there were a bunch of landowners that were stubborn and refused to get annexed into the city... So the obvious benefit there is the lack of zoning."
"In the ETJ we don't pay city taxes so that's about a 20 percent tax break... So it allows us to make deals work right now and have yields that are financeable at a time when that's not always possible."
"We're going to drop another 700 units there that we think are in high demand... I would like to see some more sit down restaurants."
The Bisnow TRENDS AND TRANSFORMATIONS IN AUSTIN CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
This event, renowned for gathering the brightest minds in real estate design, development, construction, and architecture, offers a unique platform for professionals to explore the latest trends, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of commercial spaces. DeLea's participation as a speaker is not just an acknowledgment of her expertise but a testament to her pivotal role in driving the evolution of commercial real estate in East Austin and beyond.
DeLea's Contribution:
Visionary Development Insights: Drawing from her extensive experience in developing and transforming properties, DeLea will share her unique perspective on how design and architecture intersect with commercial viability, sustainability, and community impact.
Future Trends: With an eye always on the horizon, DeLea will delve into the emerging trends in commercial real estate design, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of urban development.
Strategic Networking: For attendees, the opportunity to connect with DeLea offers unparalleled access to a wealth of knowledge and potential collaboration opportunities, emphasizing her role as a connector and influencer in the industry.
Parking Requirements Eliminated: With an eye always on the horizon, DeLea will delve into the emerging trends in commercial real estate design, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of urban development.
Women in Development and Construction: With an eye always on the horizon, DeLea will delve into the emerging trends in commercial real estate design, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of urban development.
What You’ll Learn
How have supply chain delays impacted current and future development pipelines and what strategies can be employed to mitigate challenges and keep projects on track?
How are emerging innovations reshaping traditional construction practices?
What are some unique strategies that developers are engaging with to combat the current challenges in the market? Is covered land play, office conversion, and adaptive reuse something we are going to be seeing more of in the future?
What factors make a building a strong candidate for repositioning, redevelopment, or adaptive reuse?
What are some examples of the most innovative, unusual, or creative projects in the works or underway in Austin?
How are contractors currently balancing tight budgets in the construction industry?
What considerations and concerns do developers have in the evolving real estate landscape?
What are the emerging trends that developers are most interested in, including grocery and restaurant-anchored tenant attraction?
What role do social spaces play in attracting and retaining consumers in the competitive restaurant landscape?
How are developers creating community-engaging spaces within restaurant developments?
How are developers collaborating with chefs in the construction phase to bring culinary visions to life?
The DeLea Becker Difference
What sets DeLea apart is not just her unrivaled expertise and success in commercial real estate but her approach to sharing her knowledge, experiences, and insights. With a focus on authenticity, practical advice, and empowering others, DeLea's presentations at these events are not to be missed by anyone looking to navigate the complexities of the commercial real estate market with confidence and vision.
As DeLea Becker prepares to take the stage at the Bisnow Austin Trends and Transformation in Austin Construction and Development, attendees are guaranteed not just a window into the mind of one of the industry's most respected figures but a roadmap to navigating and succeeding in the ever-evolving world of commercial real estate. These appearances underscore DeLea's status as a thought leader, innovator, and, most importantly, a trusted guide for those aspiring to reach new heights in their professional journeys.
In a narrative capturing DeLea's involvement in these events, her role as an industry expert and a beacon of wisdom shines brightly, offering a glimpse into the future of East Austin and the broader commercial real estate landscape through the lens of one of its most formidable advocates.
Register for the event HERE
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