News: Spotlights

2022 Women in Commercial Real Estate: Cayla Franco, The Bulfinch Companies (Bulfinch)

Cayla Franco
Senior Associate, Property Manager
The Bulfinch Companies (Bulfinch)

What advice would you offer to women getting into the CRE industry? Don’t be afraid to speak up. As a young female in a male-dominant industry, it can be difficult to navigate. Whether it’s to promote a good idea, question a decision or express your opinion, use your voice! Even if your thoughts aren’t taken into serious consideration, you’ll feel much better knowing that you said something versus nothing at all.

What trends will dominate your industry in the coming months? Some of the biggest shifts in commercial real estate trends stem from ESG issues. Investors, tenants, and building owners have all shifted their focus towards how their buildings can become “greener” and more environmentally friendly. Companies, now more than ever, have a responsibility to make positive change to the environment. It will be interesting to see how ESG reporting and requirements change over the next few years and furthermore how the CRE industry adapts.

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of getting all three buildings at my property Fitwel Certified. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the importance of prioritizing tenant health and wellbeing. Perception was an important part of a company’s successful post COVID reopening. The Fitwel certification is a way for us to show our tenants we are taking the necessary steps as a landlord to make the office a safe and comfortable environment.

MORE FROM Spotlights
Spotlights

The New England Real Estate Journal presents the First Annual Project of the Year Award! Vote today!

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!
READ ON THE GO
DIGITAL EDITIONS
Subscribe
Columns and Thought Leadership
Risk-based capital requirements: Impact of rules on commercial real estate loans - by Michael Chase

Risk-based capital requirements: Impact of rules on commercial real estate loans - by Michael Chase

Two popular sources of commercial real estate financing are banks and insurance companies. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, banks and insurance companies combined hold 54% of the nearly $4.7 trillion in outstanding commercial mortgages as of the end of 2023. Both of these lender groups are subject to regulations
Navigating conversations and industrial real estate: Unveiling the intricacies with a dash of dad jokes - by David Skinner

Navigating conversations and industrial real estate: Unveiling the intricacies with a dash of dad jokes - by David Skinner

Here are a few of my favorite topics of conversation: politics, religion, money, and relationships. Other than a below average level of social capability, why do you suppose that those are some of my favorite conversation pieces? Well, I believe that there is a fascinating truth hidden within these realms
CRE market continues to navigate and adjust - by Kristie Russell

CRE market continues to navigate and adjust - by Kristie Russell

The New Hampshire commercial real estate landscape has experienced notable fluctuations in recent years. Within the office sector, there has been a consistent uptick in available space since 2020, attributed to a wave of companies downsizing or closing their New Hampshire operations. However,
The 2024 CRE markets: “The Ups” (industrial) and “The Downs” (Boston class B/C office) - by Webster Collins

The 2024 CRE markets: “The Ups” (industrial) and “The Downs” (Boston class B/C office) - by Webster Collins

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