Now that Downtown has gotten attention from national brands, investors are careful to strike a perfect balance between cool boutiques and national chains.

Brett White, Cushman & Wakefield's chairman and CEO, says his firm favors “new organizational models that leverage strategic partnerships” and rejects the industry convention of self-performing “every aspect of the value chain.” 

The winning teams in the second round of the program will build 434 affordable housing units that will feature both rental and for sale affordable units. The developments will be financed through HPD's New Infill Homeownership Opportunities Program and the Neighborhood Construction Program.

The downtown market may be hot, but value-add investors like what they see out in the suburbs.