Changing the Game in Commercial Real Estate: Behind the Scenes with Karen Cherry of Howard Hughes Corp

Today I’d like to introduce you to friend, client, and VP of Office Leasing at the Howard Hughes Corporation, Karen Cherry. When I thought of who to interview in this blog I immediately thought of Karen and wanted to share her story, enthusiasm, and passion for what she does each day. 

Tell us how you got to your role at Howard Hughes. What led you here?

I had worked in commercial real estate brokerage focusing mostly on Landlord representation when Howard Hughes became a client in 2014. I had significant experience working in the Downtown Columbia market so I was familiar with the existing buildings and tenants. It was a natural progression to join the Howard Hughes team in 2016 and dedicate my time completely to leasing the Downtown Columbia portfolio.

 How have you seen the Downtown Columbia project evolve over these last few years?

It has been fascinating to watch the project go from conceptual design to construction to delivery of buildings. With my background being solely focused on transactions, it was rare for me to see the full development cycle. Now I feel like I’m a part of something bigger than just a deal. 

What's got you excited about the future as you think about Downtown Columbia?

A few short years from now, Downtown Columbia is going to be a very different place…in such a good way! I’m excited for the new restaurants and retailers that will be opening. I’m excited for the new cultural events that will be happening. I’m excited to see the successes of the companies that will locate in the new buildings. There is so much to be excited about!

What's your unique approach to your role? What perspective do you take that helps you keep moving the needle forward?

I realized very quickly that I need to have a very different approach to leasing office space. Today’s office users see their space as more than just where they come to work. They see their office as a recruiting/retention tool, as a place that reflects the company’s culture, as a place where employees can be productive and happy. So, in order to meet the needs of today’s office users, I need to be “selling” my office space very differently. I tend to put together very creative solutions to meet each company’s specific requirements. Flexibility, creativity, and proactiveness have not always been words that describe the commercial real estate process…I’m working to change that.

What motivates you each day? What keeps you coming back?

I truly love my job. I feel lucky to be a part of the team that is changing the face of a city with the visions and legacies of Jim Rouse, Howard Hughes, and John DeWolf as our inspiration. It’s really easy to stay motivated when you love what you do, you enjoy the people you are doing it with, and you feel connected to something larger than yourself.

What's the most satisfying part of your role?

The most satisfying part of leasing office space happens when there are really big obstacles that need to be overcome. I love finding creative ways to work through challenges with my clients.

Any advice for ending the year right and starting 2020 on the best footing possible?

I always like to take the opportunity at the end of a year to look back and really appreciate the successes I accomplished over that year. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind that we don’t stop and pat ourselves on the back often enough. Recognizing and celebrating the things that went well in the past year can really help you refocus for the year ahead.

We recently completed a really fun living space transformation at your home. Are you enjoying it? How was it working with L’Image?

Working with L’Image was a really great experience for my husband and me. Neither of us are good at decorating, nor do we have the time to do it. After one meeting with Louann, I knew we had made the right choice. She was able to completely nail our style and come up with a design that also worked functionally for our family. Louann and her team made sure that every detail was covered. We love showing it off and have gotten so many compliments! I’m already planning the next project that I can do with the help of L’Image!