If you weren’t able to join us for one of our recent breakfast meetings, we’ve provide meeting resources below, including meeting summaries, event photos and some audio recordings.  We hope to see you in person next time, but if you’re schedule doesn’t allow, we’ve got you covered!

“Why Chicago? The Investment Case for Buying & Owning Commercial Real Estate in Chicago”
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Our panel of experts debate the positives – Chicago’s world class talent, technology, transportation, infrastructure and cost relative to its national and global peers – along with current challenges and unique perspectives regarding how Chicago is best positioning itself for the future.
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Listen to the Meeting (audio recording)
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YL Small Group Discussion Series #3:  “Technology as an Amenity”
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Mobile Doorman Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Debjit Das, and Director of Marketing, Will Clanfield, will discussed how technology has become one of the most valuable amenities in multifamily properties today.  Mobile Doorman provides custom apps for apartment communities that elevate the renter experience while delivering valuable data and efficiencies to owners, operators, and investors.
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YLSmall Group Discussion Series #2:  “Tribune Tower Redevelopment”
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
As Principal and Executive Vice President of Golub & Company, Lee Golub discussed the transformation of the historic Tribune Tower from an office building into luxury condominiums. A tour was followed of the sales gallery which overlooks the iconic tower and learned about the planning that went into this one-of-a-kind redevelopment.
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YL Small Group Discussion Series #1:  “State of the US Mall: Land Use”
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Retail assets continue to pose a complex challenge for many owners and investors in today’s market.  Ben Freeman from Brookfield Properties spoke to Brookfield’s strategy for shopping malls and provided insight into how to retail assets can find success in an evolving industry. He then expanded on how these assets have transitioned from “destination shopping centers” and have been transformed into “hubs of daily life” to meet the changing lifestyle and shopping habits of consumers.
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2020 Real Estate Forecast
November 19, 2019
Our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mark Eppli shared a national outlook for 2020, including information from the ULI & PwC Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2020® report.  Following the Keynote, a panel of local industry experts shared their forecast for the Chicagoland market.  Michael Brennan’s opening remarks included his view that the economy overall is in good shape. However, there are pockets of concern, such as in the industrial sector, where “we’re starting to see the effects of a prolonged trade war, especially on the capital goods side, where people are ordering a little bit less,” he said.
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See Mark Eppli’s Presentation
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Retail State of the Market
September 26, 2019
Panelists discussed the technological advances and shifts in consumer preferences and how they’ve adapted to the changing retail environment.  Data analytics is helping retailers understand where customers live, work and how often they are going to a project.  Additionally, when looking at new retail locations, “perpetual demand drivers” are crucial, as office workers, medical employees or universities bring a larger customer base.
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The Convergence of Multifamily and Hospitality Industries – Disrupters and Shifting Strategies
July 24, 2019
Industry leaders discussed the continued evolution of the apart-hotel, resi-tality, and home-sharing industry. While the name of this new business strategy is debatable, the emergence of hospitality uses within multifamily assets is evident. A new field of hospitality operating companies is raising significant venture capital, while both owners and investors are exploring long-term leases and operating adjustments within multifamily properties to capitalize on this newly available market.
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Follow the Chicago River West…Where Opportunities Flow
February 28, 2019
“Until recently, it [River West] has been off-limits for new development due to a zoning code that enabled the proliferation of industrial buildings. Now those restrictions have been lifted. As a result, a variety of factors make it an attractive focus for new development, including vast in-fill potential with ready access to public transportation, a significant level of infrastructure that is already in place, and proximity to downtown Chicago.”
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