Architecture Firm Billings at Two-Year High

According to AIA.org, “the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is a diffusion index derived from the monthly Work-on-the-Boards survey, conducted by the AIA Economics & Market Research Group. The ABI serves as a leading economic indicator that leads nonresidential construction activity by approximately 9-12 months. The indexes are developed from the monthly Work-on-the-Boards survey panel where […]

Repositioning Distressed Retail Assets

Randyl Drummer from CoStar recently posted a story on their website of the need and recent trend for repositioning distressed assets such as malls and other under-performing retail centers in order to transform them into income-producing properties through alternative uses.  This story really hit home with Urban One as we have been consulting in the retail sector for […]

Multifamily Development Market Gaining Momentum

A couple days ago, we did a brief blog post on the retail market heating up.  Today, let’s talk about multifamily.  The multifamily market, specifically new development, has shown signs of growth in 2012.  After the financial crisis, since 2009 the multifamily rental market has experienced an uptick in renter demand and a dip in […]

Retail Real Estate Market Heating Up

Not only will this year mark a resurgence in the multi-family real estate market, but retail will become stronger as well.  Already this year, there has been an increase in the trading of new retail properties by REITs nationwide, with the activity projected to grow moving deeper into 2012.  According to CoStar Group, “The deals […]

Los Angeles Metro Board Approves Environmental Documents on Two Historic Transit Projects

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Board of Directors voted to certify environmental documents for two transit projects that have long been in the works, both of which will have huge impacts on infrastructure and development throughout the Los Angeles region. The Board certified Final Environmental Impact Statements/Reports (FEIS/FEIR) for both the Regional […]