The Real Estate Center and the Chaddick Institute at DePaul University have announced an in-person conference “Takin’ it to the Streets: The Surprising Strength of Chicago’s Neighborhood Retail,” Thursday, February 6 at the DePaul University Loop Campus.
The three-hour conference offers a discussion on the “comeback of the neighborhood corner store” at a time when the market for office space faces high vacancies and negative news.
Speakers for the event include Ciere Boatright, Commissioner, Department of Planning & Development, City of Chicago; Emi Adachi, Global Investment Research, Heitman; Chris Brewer, VP, AECOM; Vignesh Krishnamurthy, Project Development/Deputy Commissioner, City of Chicago; Ryan Segal, Vice President Property Management, Acadia Realty Trust; Ian Tobin, Vice President/Director of Community Development at the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce; and Sarah Wilson, Executive Director, Uptown United & Uptown Chamber of Commerce.
“Neighborhood retail, including entertainment venues, shops, restaurants, and specialty services, is enlivening many parts of our city and surprising many observers by its strength,” said Reagan Pratt, the Douglas and Cynthia Crocker Endowed Director of the Real Estate Center at DePaul University. “Predictions that online shopping, at-home dining, and on-demand streaming would vastly diminish these sectors in post-pandemic times have been off the mark.”
According to reports, retailers are vying for prime locations in Hyde Park, Lincoln Square, Wicker Park, Andersonville, Logan Square, and other areas. For owners and investors, these diverse demand drivers, coupled with a limited new supply of space, are leading to strong economic performance. Rising rents are causing some tenants to look for locations in more transitional neighborhoods like Uptown.
“Neighborhood business districts can thrive when abetted by creative placemaking strategies,” Pratt added. “The esteemed speakers at this conference will outline some of those strategies and inspire new creativity and opportunities.”
The event, which begins at 8:30 am and runs until 11:30 am, is being held on the 8th floor at 1 E. Jackson Blvd. Registration is $50 and can be completed online.
About The Real Estate Center at DePaul University
With the most comprehensive array of real estate courses available in Chicago, The Real Estate Center at DePaul University is the premier place for professional real estate education in the Midwest. The Real Estate Center serves as the productive home for Chicago’s real estate community and an active network of students and alumni, public institutions, private real estate firms, scholars and executives-in residence. The Real Estate Center provides not only traditional academic programs but high-profile continuing education and conferences of specific interest to the real estate community.
