Jamestown

Our CEO, Matt Bronfman, sat down with Connect CRE for their interview series, “Inspiring Leaders in Our Changing Industry” to discuss the many ways he is thinking about the commercial real estate industry at this pivotal moment. Matt discussed our approach to innovation, our new projects at Ponce City Market, and his outlook for the future. "At Jamestown, we see our commitment to innovation as a crucial differentiator, allowing us to bring one of the oldest businesses in the world into balance with how the world is evolving." For the full interview, see here: https://lnkd.in/eAMVaAYC #commercialrealestate #CRE #innovation #industryinsight

At our historic properties, we view ourselves as temporary torchbearers of the rich history and stories they hold. Our mission is to honor a building's legacy while updating it for modern tenants and visitors. Navy Yard Charleston exemplifies the value of preserving historic sites. Established in 1901, the Charleston Naval Base significantly contributed to national defense and local industry, spanning 1,575 acres along the Cooper River. Its activities ranged from shipbuilding to essential wartime operations, making it a cornerstone of Charleston's economic and social fabric. Though the base closed in the 1990s, it is in the process of being reborn as Navy Yard Charleston. This year saw the delivery of the Storehouse Nine live/work units and makers studios, welcoming artists and craftspeople back to this historical area. Navy Yard Charleston seeks to celebrate, amplify, and cultivate new opportunities for the people, businesses, makers, purveyors, and innovators of the region and beyond. For an in-depth look at the history of the Charleston Naval Base, see here: https://lnkd.in/eHJK5ni3 #CommercialRealEstate #CRE #HistoricPreservation #AdaptiveReuse

At their best, the places we create can be the backdrop to profound human connections - where life's most important moments happen. We were moved by the story of an 18-year-old leukemia survivor from Brooklyn meeting his bone marrow donor for the first time at the rooftop of Pier 57 in New York City. The bone marrow transplant - and the human connection - was made possible by DKMS US, an international nonprofit focused on increasing the number of bone marrow and blood stem cell donors. Read the full story in the New York Post: https://lnkd.in/e9kM4ki5

Public art has the ability to create vibrant, engaging spaces that foster community and enrich tenant and visitor experiences. Our efforts at Industry City in Brooklyn are a prime example. While we have been integrating art into our properties for decades, we are glad to see this is a growing trend in the industry, as covered by The New York Times. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eK2nwkJq #commercialrealestate #CRE #publicart #Brooklyn

Adaptive reuse allows us to be stewards of a property's history for future generations, preserving its unique character while providing functional modern uses. This approach not only honors the past but also enriches the present, creating spaces with deep historical roots and contemporary relevance. Chelsea Market is a prime example of adaptive reuse, seamlessly blending past and present. The area has long been a hub for food; the elevated railway that later became The High Line originally served wholesale butchers, while the National Biscuit Company established its factory there in the nineteenth century. In fact, the "Oreo Biscuit" was first developed and produced at the factory that would later become Chelsea Market. Attracting 6 million visitors annually, Chelsea Market has become an internationally recognized destination for food. For local foodies and tourists alike, the Market offers a variety of exploration opportunities, making it possible to spend an entire day there without growing bored—or going hungry. Jamestown sold Chelsea Market to Google in 2018 and currently manages the property’s food and retail. #adaptivereuse #histrory #commercialrealestate #CRE #NewYorkCity

Thoughtful design in a property’s common areas can greatly enhance the visitor experience, especially in those critical first moments when you enter a building. The entrance of the Groot Handelsgebouw in Rotterdam has been updated with a vibrant color wall, drawing inspiration from stained glass and the famed artist Piet Mondrian. As light filters through the color panels, it offers a new perspective to the architectural icon of Rotterdam’s post-war reconstruction. Historic preservation and innovation can sometimes seem like opposing forces, but this colorful lobby addition demonstrates that engaging design solutions can be implemented while maintaining the building’s historic features. #JamestownEurope #commercialrealestate #CRE #design #lobby

Last year, we launched a creative placemaking program in downtown San Jose, California for Google. As part of the program, we enlivened the streetscape and hosted more than 60 community events with a wide range of artists, nonprofits, and food vendors. In early 2025, we plan to expand that work, adding a series of new food & beverage, health & wellness, and retail concepts to the area. We look forward to continuing to activate the site and bring the community together. More on our work with Google in San Jose in The Mercury News: https://lnkd.in/ef7jDvwQ #placemaking #community #sanjose

Creating a strong sense of place is about connecting location, history, and community through design and programming. At Levi's Plaza in San Francisco, the narrative thread of place comes alive through "Passages," a site-specific installation by Ruthanna Halprin Hopper. The installation serves as both a tribute and a continuation of an intimate dialogue with her late grandfather, Lawrence Halprin, the environmental designer of Levi’s Plaza. The work delves into themes of influence, mentorship, ritual, and artistic evolution, exploring Halprin Hopper's own artistic identity through this relationship. A key element is a mask of Lawrence Halprin, created by pop sculptor George Segal, which allows her to metaphorically see through her grandfather’s eyes. This installation embodies a dialogue that transcends time and presence, connecting past and present through the acts of remembering and creating, and also includes works on paper by Lawrence Halprin. “It’s a beautiful full circle, connecting to Levi’s Plaza and my grandfather through this installation. We shared cherished moments together, often visiting Levi’s Plaza where I’d play in the fountain, mirroring his vision of people engaging with the space. Inspired by the High Sierras, his design echoes our hikes and the rock cairns he taught me to create, guiding us home. The stepping stones of the fountain now feel like a path leading back to those memories.” -Ruthanna Halprin Hopper Passages is on view through August 28 at Levi's Plaza, every Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and by appointment. #commercialrealestate #CRE #sanfrancisco #publicart

Today, we announced we will acquire the Atlanta subsidiary of Cincinnati-based North American Properties, a family-owned real estate company founded by William J. Williams, Sr. in 1954. The Atlanta subsidiary NAP Atlanta, which has $2 billion in assets under management as of June 2024, is an owner/operator and real estate services provider of mixed-use properties across the Eastern U.S. The acquisition will reinforce Jamestown’s mixed-use placemaking business and diversify Jamestown into more suburban, high-growth markets. As part of the transaction, a Jamestown affiliate will make an investment in the platform’s portfolio comprised of Colony Square (Atlanta, Georgia), The Forum Peachtree Corners (Peachtree Corners, Georgia), Avenue East Cobb (Marietta, Georgia), Birkdale Village (Huntersville, North Carolina), Ridge Hill (Yonkers, New York), and Newport on the Levee (Newport, Kentucky).    The acquisition also includes the platform’s real estate services business that manages Avalon (Alpharetta, Georgia), Mercato (Naples, Florida), and Riverton (Sayreville, New Jersey). These third-party services engagements will add to Jamestown’s growing real estate services business, which currently includes 22 projects across 19 cities and ten countries. Upon closing, which is subject to customary closing conditions, pending approval from lenders and investors, and anticipated to occur by the fourth quarter of 2024, the Atlanta-based operating platform and its assets will move forward under the Jamestown name—as will its more than 200 employees. Tim Perry, who is currently the Managing Partner of NAP’s Atlanta subsidiary, will join Jamestown’s executive team as a Managing Director and Co-Chief Investment Officer.  For more info, see here: https://lnkd.in/eqEsZAJy #commercialrealestate #CRE #acquisition #Atlanta #suburban #mixeduse

We recently hosted a MAPIC meetup focused on adapting commercial spaces to changing consumer trends. The event, which was held on the roof of IDB Lisbon, included Jan Verwijs, Vice President of Asset Management at Jamestown, who highlighted the role of color and light in creating compelling spaces and connecting with visitors. Jan was joined by Eduardo Pinto Basto, Managing Partner at Placer - Integrated Urban Design & Development, Sofia Ferreira de Almeida, Head of Property & Asset Services at NHOOD Portugal, and Ricardo Rosa, Head of Property & Asset Services at Sonae Sierra. #jamestowneurope #retail #design #portugal