PropTech highlights: Power 100 List, the spa of the future, Blueprint 2024, and more

In this edition of our newsletter, we're rounding up ten of the most interesting stories from across real estate and PropTech. Let's get started.

Vacation Rental Startup Blues: Aside from Airbnb, short-term rental startups have faced a bumpy ride

The vacation rental industry can point to one massive startup success story in Airbnb, but other ventures haven’t fared so well. Several companies in the space that went public during the market boom between 2020 and 2022 have underperformed. What’s the state of vacation rental startup investments today?

Commercial Observer Unveils its Power 100 List: These are the market movers who will ‘survive ‘til ‘25’

Commercial Observer recently published its annual 100 list of the most influential real estate market movers. The Observer compared the past 18 months in the real estate world to a reality show with all the highs, lows, and chaos that come with that. And, yeah, the most feared man in real estate - Jerome Powell - earned the No. 2 spot. Who else is on the list?

The Decline of NYC Residential Amenities: Are condos with a heavy focus on additional facilities becoming rarer?

The era of lavish amenities at New York City residential developments may be coming to an end. The Real Deal reports the golden age of amenities is waning, with new condo projects scaling down in size and frequency. What else do industry experts say about what’s happening with NYC residential amenities?

The Spa of The Future: A trippy new spa in Texas promises to bring elevated states of mind like awe and euphoria

The co-founder of the immersive art experience Meow Wolf is creating Submersive, a 25,000-square-foot therapeutic spa in Austin, Texas that will feature video projection, steam, AI technology, lasers, and immersive art. Slated to open in 2026, how will this “spa of the future” bring modern technology like neuroscience to an ancient field?

A Luxury Retail Giant: Inside LVMH’s global real estate strategy and massive bet on in-person retail

LVMH, the owner of luxury brands Dior and Louis Vuitton, has poured billions of dollars into real estate worldwide. In prime locations in global cities like Paris and New York, the company buys buildings to ensure its brands remain where they’ve spent decades building a presence. What’s behind LVMH’s deep-pocketed real estate strategy and massive bet on in-person retail?

Michelin Rates Top U.S. Hotels: The restaurant gurus are now picking the cream of the crop among elite hotels

Michelin's restaurant gurus recently assessed the world’s most luxurious hotels, establishing a key rating system for the first time. Only 11 elite hotels in the U.S. earned a converted “3 Keys” award, four of which are in New York City. What luxurious hotels have Michelin deemed the cream of the crop?

Viva Las Vegas: Meet PropTech Consulting Founder Jonathan Klein & others at Blueprint 2024 in September

Blueprint 2024 is coming to Las Vegas from September 17th to 19th. The premier event for industry executives, real estate and construction startups, and VCs will feature over 250 speakers, including PropTech Consulting Founder Jonathan Klein. Meet the first 100 speakers, including our Jonathan Klein.

Calling all entrepreneurs: Apply for the exciting new Entrpeneur-In-Residence position at PropTech Consulting

PropTech Consulting is looking for an Entrepreneur In Residence (EIR) to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and shaping the strategic direction of our PropTech consulting company. Learn more about this exciting new position and how to apply.

The Ultimate PropTech Throwdown: Apply for the 2024 Pitch Battle at this year’s iOi Summit

Contestants at the 2024 Pitch Battle take center stage in front of a captive audience and gain valuable exposure and feedback. Learn more about this excellent opportunity live at the iOi Summit in Chicago on August 28th, where the winner gets a $15k cash prize, major publicity, and other big-time perks.

A Property Listing Superpower: A new Matterport tool uses Stable Diffusion to make indoor panorama images better

Matterport unveiled an impressive new tech tool to remove furniture items for indoor panorama images for property listings. Read about how they did it and what the before-and-after photos look like.

That's a wrap for this edition!