Anthony LoPinto Anthony LoPinto

This past weekend I visited Minneapolis and experienced the stark differences between a withering downtown retail center and a boomtown retail experience. Once upon a time, the Nicolet Mall was home to great retailers and a terrific urban retail experience. The local retailer Dayton’s had its flagship store there and other anchors and boutique retailers thrived. Then came the Mall of America, followed by the light rail from downtown to the mega mall, and then dominos began to fall.

Dayton’s was acquired by Macy’s, and store after store was downsized or shuttered. The street experience also deteriorated as the mall aged and homeless moved in. On Saturday, an unseasonably sunny day in the 60’s, I took the light rail to the Mall of America and it was mobbed. Crowds crushed all three levels of the monster mall….retail was alive and well. Then we took the rail back to Nicolet Mall where the streets were empty, few stores were open, and I experienced the saddest scene of all. Macy’s was shuttering and the late stages of a liquidation sale was on.

It was a particularly sad scene. Now of course, urban retail is alive and well in most cities, but the old retail centers like Nicolet and State Street in Chicago has yielded to hipper locations or mega malls elsewhere.

Job Listings

CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD Global Account Director (PLANO, TX) Position will direct fully outsourced, cross functional team providing strategy, technology, facilities management, project delivery, and transaction management for a Fortune Global 500 communications technology company. Position will drive the strategic development and leadership of all Account Management Services for the Americas, acting as the primary point of contact for the client’s global leadership team. (Sponsored Job)

CARMEL PARTNERS Land Acquisition Specialist (SEATTLE, WA) Specialist will source land acquisition opportunities and develop a target list of sites throughout the Pacific Northwest markets for apartment development opportunities; develop relationships with land owners, land brokers specializing in the apartment sector; and maintain a current pipeline of properties.

BAID MOUNTAIN, LLC Options & Customization Coordinator (CALISTOGA, CA) Primary duties include maintenance of standard features and upgrade options for 20 privately owned two, three, and four-bedroom homes that will comprise the residential component of this 5-star resort. Individual will work with the design team, the sales and marketing team, contractors and the development team to define standard design upgrade packages.

FEDERAL CAPITAL PARTNERS Development Associate (CHEVY CHASE, MD) Associate will assist in overseeing predevelopment, construction and renovation projects for mixed use, residential, office, industrial, and/or retail assets. Candidate will be an integral member of the team, managing the firm’s underwriting and project strategy with respect to development/redevelopment activities.

GREENLAND USA Architectural Design Manager (SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA) Greenland USA, a subsidiary of Shanghai-based Greenland Group (a Global Fortune 500 company) is looking for an experienced professional to join the Company as a Design Manager to work on a large developmental project in South San Francisco. Specific duties include: managing project management company and consultants; managing design team; and tracking budgets of development projects.

THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA Real Estate Equity Asset Manager (NEW YORK, NY) Individual will be responsible for creating and overseeing customized asset management strategies for assigned investment properties; maximize total return for each assigned asset through the analysis of property efficiencies and identify opportunities for improved performance; and work with third party property managers and leasing agents to provide direction for oversight of business plans, budgets, forecasts, leases, renewals, analysis and approvals.

DLC Acquisitions Analyst (TARRYTOWN, NY) Position will serve as a support to the entire aquisitions and capital markets teams, providing the opportunity to work with senior management on a daily basis as well as collaborating with the asset managment, construction management, property management, leasing, legal and accounting departments.

SHORENSTEIN REALTY SERVICES, L.P. Senior Construction Manager (NEW YORK, NY) Manager will consult with General Managers/Property Managers on project organization, interpretation of lease terms and project plans, oversee and monitor performance of contracted consultants, architects and contractors, perform project management duties as required, represent ownership and maximize revenue to the company and benefits to the ownership.