Things We’re Loving Right Now: Trends, Topics & Developments In Sports, Entertainment & Real Estate

There’s lots of talk about love during the month of February. With good reason, we suppose. We did just celebrate Valentine’s Day after all, so it’s kind of hard to avoid the subject this time of year. Which got us to thinking about things we love. Not in a romantic sense, but across the sports, entertainment, and real estate landscapes. So we asked our team about things in the industry they’re loving right now. Here are some of the trends, topics, and developments they’re most excited about.

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Cortland McCullers , Director of Development Planning

Visionary City Leaders Driving Transformational Projects

We love working with creative and visionary city staff and leadership who work passionately to bring transformational mixed-use projects to their communities. Across the country, we’ve encountered so many public partners who don’t just see what a site is today – they imagine what it?could?be and work with us to turn that vision into reality. They champion thoughtful urban planning, foster collaboration, and navigate challenges with an unwavering commitment to long-term impact. Their passion fuels projects that not only enhance economic vitality but also create vibrant, connected spaces where people can live, work, and thrive. This shared vision and relentless pursuit of progress make our work possible and that much more rewarding.

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Kurt Eklund , Project Manager

The Growth of Stadium Districts

We're excited about the ongoing trend in stadium developments being a part of a larger stadium district. As sports and entertainment continue to evolve, we’re seeing a major shift toward creating fan-centric experiences in and around stadiums. These districts really serve as the heart of a community.? Stadium districts are a win-win-win for the community when done right because they create a place where local residents want to be, they create a larger opportunity for the team owner and developer, and they create jobs and tax revenues for the local municipality.??

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Mark McCullers , President

Capital Partner Interest

?Capital partners are showing strong interest in sports-anchored commercial developments, recognizing the value these projects could bring to their portfolios. Our ongoing discussions with investment firms and non-traditional lenders suggest there are lots of new opportunities to structure sound, high-impact investments in this space. It’s certainly an exciting development and one we’re continuing to follow and explore.

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Cameron M. , Vice President, Project Management

The Rise of Women’s Sports

The participation of women in soccer across the United States has experienced considerable growth at both the amateur and professional levels. This development can be largely attributed to the passage of Title IX in 1972, which ensured greater access to sports for women and led to a substantial increase in youth involvement. As a result, collegiate programs have become instrumental in nurturing elite talent. Today, women's soccer enjoys heightened visibility, with expanding fan engagement and corporate sponsorship. This upward trajectory continues to empower young athletes and contributes to the ongoing evolution of women’s sports in the United States.

Matthew Hulette , Senior Project Coordinator

Venue Experience Innovations

We love the culture of innovation that’s flourishing in stadium development and operations. More and more we see architects, GCs, developers, vendors, and teams utilizing technology to create efficiencies in the design and construction of venues that are revolutionizing guest, player, and sponsor experiences. Think about the introduction of contactless concession stands, the integration of cell phone applications for game day rewards and ticketing, and the growing opportunities for sponsor activation. All of these and more play a role in making our venues responsive to the current and future needs of our clients and their fans.

Clearly there’s lots to love in sports, entertainment, and real estate right now. And we’re excited to be helping owners, teams, leagues, universities, and municipalities across the country make the most of their investments in all three. If we can help with yours, please contact us. We’d love to share the love with you, too. ?