2015 Annual Review responses by Jennifer Marks of BL Companies
Jennifer Marks, BL Companies
Respondent’s Name: Jennifer Marks
Company: BL CompaniesWhat was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2015? President-elect of CREW CT/The Real Estate Exchange and was presented the “Women of Achievement in the AEC Industry” award by PWC. What was your most notable project, deal, or transaction in 2015? BL Companies provided a full suite of design services for the Connecticut Service Plaza renovations; 23 sites completed in 2015, changing the look of I-95 and the Merritt Parkway. What are your predictions for commercial real estate in 2016? Growth in the commercial real estate market will be similar to this year; modest growth overall with a focus on small to mid-size projects. Opportunities for development projects will continue even with the impending interest rate increase. Economy is still uncertain and development will be with an eye to caution in some sectors.
Providence, RI Shawmut Design and Construction celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking for the 195 District Park Pavilion, marking the start of construction on a facility that will feature year-round dining and support space for park operations. In addition to the 3,500 s/f building, the project will include infrastructure upgrades
The New England Real Estate proud to showcase the remarkable projects that have graced the cover and center spread of NEREJ this year, all made possible by the collaboration of outstanding project teams. Now, it's time to recognize the top project of 2024, and we need your vote!
Long-term interest rates have fallen by 100 basis points, and the market is normalizing. In December of 2022 I wrote an article about investing in a high interest rate, high inflation market. Since then, inflation has cooled off, and the Fed has begun lowering their funds rate.
The industrial markets have never been stronger. What has happened is that the build out of Devens with new high-tech biotech manufacturing with housing to service these buildings serves as the connector required to really make the I-495 West market sizzle. Worcester has been the beneficiary