John Cheary’s Post

Even as offices remain stubbornly empty, people have chosen to stay in Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles, etc., because we want to be near other creative and ambitious people, to eat great food and enjoy amazing culture. But a lot of city dwellers did move to smaller cities – places like Nashville, Raleigh, Columbus – and have chosen to stay. What we’re finding is that while they may embrace having a little extra space and slightly lower rent, they miss some of the benefits of greater density. So what’s the solution, both for these transplants and the cities that want to keep them? The answer lies in what I’ll call “urban pockets”. Read more on Bisnow at the link, and the image is of our design for the The Standard Hotel Highline! https://lnkd.in/em7_wCQJ

BEAUTIFUL MIDTOWN EAST!!

Houston has been recognized as a Top 10 U.S. City & a Global Best! Houston has been ranked a Top 10 U.S. City and one of the World's Best Cities in the 2024 rankings by Resonance. As the urban core, Downtown plays a key role in shaping the city's standing on the global stage. What sets Downtown apart: 🌍Cultural Capital – A year-round stage for arts and entertainment, from world-class performing arts to global festivals that unite our diverse community. 🍴Culinary Crossroads – From Michelin-recognized restaurants to wine bars and food halls offering a tour of the globe on your fork, Downtown showcases Houston's world-class dining scene. 💼Economic Engine – With global headquarters, Fortune 500 companies and a hub for innovation in energy and green tech, Downtown powers Houston's economic leadership. 🌆Livability Enhanced – Walkable streets, green spaces and dynamic neighborhoods make Downtown a sought-after destination for locals and visitors alike. Downtown is the heartbeat of Houston's success, and this recognition underscores its role as a hub for talent, culture and innovation. Read the full rankings: https://lnkd.in/eZMCA-kK

✨ Why I Love Working in New York City ✨ Something truly special about New York City is how its settings, people, and energy constantly enhance the work I do. This morning, on the train from DC, I dove into deep work—mainly writing. It felt like a meditation, a calm focus in motion. When I arrived at 1 Penn, a vibrant co-working/retail/office space, the atmosphere shifted. Its energy is open and lively, and I embraced the buzz. I made calls, tackled projects, and found productivity in the frenzy. Now, I’m at my all-time favorite NYC workspace—the Ace Hotel Lobby. A place that’s equal parts cozy and inspiring. Here, I’ll finish this quick update before meeting an old friend for a Stumptown coffee and a good conversation. A familiar space for a familiar face. Later, I’ll head to a partner meeting followed by dinner at Oscar Wilde in Chelsea. This enigmatic, festive spot never fails to deliver smiles, hugs, and great humor—a perfect setting for connection and celebration. I love being in this city, and I love working in this city. New York brings out the best of my creativity, connection, productivity, and joy—the forces I rely on to not just do my job well, but to do it with passion and purpose. What cities and settings inspire your best work? #NewYorkCity #WorkLife #Creativity #Connection

THE THIRD PLACE an update from Amsterdam... The very idea of the Third Place is really the foundation of human connection and the economics of where people live, work, and shop. Amsterdam is the center a unique example of this in Europe, a city built from the marshes and all the land created from scratch. Dense, four to five-story buildings with canals that connected businesses and people, and yet highly walkable. Every aspect of living there or visiting is based on being in the Third Space of connection and engagement. Stores, shops, outdoor markets everywhere you walk. This creates an unending level of connection. When we think of cities and urban areas, we understand how to bring people together where creative thinking and engage in the public place. https://lnkd.in/gfDQK-_9

In this video, Esther Kurland takes a look at how approaches to density can change over time even in the same development. As what was London's working riverside has been converted to different uses including housing, offices, culture and tourism, there have been dramatically different attitudes at different points about what is acceptable in terms of building heights, open space between them etc... Here we're looking at one of the more subtle examples of those changes – all of the buildings under discussion operate at what many would call a human scale – but there's still a very clear difference between the three phases.

🌟 Highlight of the Week: 🌟 This week, we’re spotlighting an exciting hotel development project in Cincinnati, OH. A historic mid-rise building is being transformed into a luxury destination under a renowned hospitality brand. Key Deal Highlights: • The project combines historic preservation with modern design, bringing new energy to the area. • Substantial financial incentives and funding have been secured to support construction and development. • Fully permitted, with all necessary city and federal approvals in place, ensuring a smooth project timeline. • This development showcases a blend of heritage and innovation, setting the stage for a premier hotel experience while revitalizing a key urban area. 🌐 Explore more opportunities at ritselcapital.com and discover how we create value through diversified investments. Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. Please consult a professional advisor for any investment decisions. #HospitalityInvestments #HistoricPreservation #UrbanDevelopment #RitselCapital

Today, I had the distinct opportunity to speak to a packed house of downtown stakeholders brought together by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association (Canada). Thank you to their indefatigable CEO Puneeta McBryan for the robust conversation, and also to my fellow panelists, David Downey, Executive Director of the International Downtown Association, and Trent Edwards, COO of Brookfield Properties Residential for sharing your invaluable perspectives! During our deep dive, several themes emerged: 👉 While there are challenges, Edmonton has wonderful gems of authenticity upon which to draw inspiration and differentiation. Places like Fu’s Repair Shop (a truly unparalleled restaurant experience...the ambience, the nostalgia, the music...I could go on!) and Rice Howard Way offer pockets of genuine character that set Edmonton apart from its suburban counterparts. These areas, rich in local culture, are essential to building a vibrant, distinct downtown that attracts businesses and visitors from both near and far. 👉 With institutions like the Art Gallery, Citadel Theatre, and the Centre for Music, Edmonton has solid cultural assets. Enhancing accessibility and creating a continuous, walkable experience around these destinations can transform them into even more powerful downtown anchors. 👉 The Urgency of Downtown Housing: For a truly thriving core, more downtown residents are essential. Every effort must be made to expand housing options, from office-to-resi conversions, selective redevelopment, and new builds must all be on the table. 👉 The Need for Prolonged Strategic Public-Private Collaboration: From building credibility with low-cost, high-impact initiatives to pilot programs that test new ideas, collaboration between the city, developers, and investors can lead to actionable change. I was thrilled to participate in this conversation on behalf of Streetsense. With bold leadership and a collective consensus for action, there is real momentum behind Edmonton’s vision for its future! #ImaginingDowntown #DowntownYEG #UrbanRevitalization #CityBuilding #SustainableCities #EdmontonFuture #placemaking #placestrategy

What You MUST Know Before Moving to Beverly hills California | Living in Beverly Hills US Are you thinking about moving to Beverly Hills, California? Join me on my journey through the glamorous streets and serene neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, CA! In this video, I share essential insights you need to know before making the move to this iconic city. From the rich history of Beverly Hills to the luxurious lifestyle it offers, I've got you covered! I hope you find this video helpful and love it. Please feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comment section below. I will be more than happy to answer them all. Link to the video:https://lnkd.in/gq4s69EH #BeverlyHills #RealEstate #LuxuryLiving

John D Wood & Co. Journal | City Chic: Explore Urban Elegance in Global Capitals 🌇 Paris, New York, and London each offer a unique blend of cultural richness, business connectivity, and sophisticated living. Here we look at what living in these global capitals could look like. #RealEstate #CityLife #PrimeProperty