Shackleton’s Post

In the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago, a courtyard can be a priceless asset. These serene pockets of greenery offer a much-needed retreat from the city's relentless pace. For residents, courtyards provide a communal space to relax, socialize, and enjoy a touch of nature right outside their doorsteps. They enhance the living experience, making urban apartments feel more like home. For property investors, a well-designed courtyard can significantly boost property value and attract quality tenants who appreciate the blend of urban convenience and natural beauty. In a city known for its architectural marvels, let's not overlook the simple elegance and immense value that courtyards bring to downtown living. Investing in properties with these hidden gems is not just about financial returns—it's about enhancing the quality of life. What are your thoughts on the value of courtyards in urban settings? Share your experiences or drop a comment below! 🌿🏙️ P/S: A courtyard in a redevelopment in Lincoln Park. #RealEstate #UrbanLiving #Chicago #PropertyInvestment #QualityOfLife

Amenities should attract a wide range of residents while balancing appeal with long-term cost management. Time-tested, community-focused amenities have proven to be solid investments. Multipurpose lounges, outdoor areas, and media rooms foster community and support long-term leases. In the Seattle market, amenities like dog washes and bike maintenance stations are affordable to construct and attract a diverse demographic. Flexible work-from-home spaces, now a staple, offer residents convenience and can provide additional rental revenue. While trendy amenities can command high rents, the construction and operation costs are often passed on to tenants and might not have long-term appeal. Prioritizing well-designed, valued amenities with affordable rents can help reduce turnover and ensure sustained success. #construction #design #architecture #seattle #architects #seattlearchitecture #AmenitiesPlanning #CommunityLiving #ammenities #seattlearchitects #RealEstateDevelopment #LongTermValue Pictured Beam - Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dAgqNcTs

Rising populations and soaring real estate prices pose significant challenges to urban housing. In a desperate hunt for affordable living options, communal co-living spaces have emerged as a creative solution, offering quality living conditions through clever space optimization strategies. Read on. #design #interiordesign #housing

The THIRD post in my "32 days of Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia" project, undertaken in the weeks leading up to my keynote in March at ULI Australia's National Conference: Case Study II.3: Lake Grove Village, Lake Oswego, OR, USA The owners of the Lake Grove Shopping Center in Lake Oswego, a suburb of Portland, conscientiously reshaped the 39,000 sf strip center, built in 1963 and originally anchored by a Piggly-Wiggly supermarket, into a welcoming place for local residents, renaming it Lake Grove Village, anchored by a Zupan's Market. In the reconfiguration, it's not home, and it's not work. It's a “third place" for informal hanging out, fostering community social ties, as codified in several publications by sociologist Ray Oldenburg.   The designers “subtracted" space from the building, selectively demolishing narrow segments from the building to form two open-air passageways, with attractive seating and roof canopies.   There are over 40,000 grocery-anchored shopping in the US alone and almost 70,000 smaller centers are anchored by mini-marts and convenience stores. Buying food is a routine chore for all households. What if 10% of strip shopping centers in *every* sprawling metro area were retrofitted to meet the growing market for welcoming third places, where people might actually want to spend quality time?   Image: “After” view of Lake Grove Village from the website of Lango Hansen Landscape Architects, who worked with Beam Development and Works Progress Architecture, LLP on the project.   #RetrofittingSuburbia #urbandesign #urbandevelopment #LeverageSocialCapitalforEquity #thirdplace ULI Australia Suburban Futures Ellen Dunham-Jones Mike Day of Hatch

Experience the Essence of Livability Porte Homes proudly presents a new community of homes that redefines urban living. Nestled on a peaceful residential street, mere moments from the vibrant Commercial Drive, these modern studio, one, two, and three bedroom residences offer a fresh perspective on spaciousness and comfort. As the first release of homes has been swiftly claimed and our Presentation Centre is now closed, be sure to register with us to stay informed about the highly anticipated final release. Discover how Porte Homes effortlessly merges style and livability, creating a truly exceptional living experience. https://lnkd.in/dbg7iqnk #VancouverProperty #VancouverHomes #VancouverCondos #YVRRealEstate #VanCityProperties #VancouverLuxury #DowntownVancouverHomes #VanCityHomes #YVRRealtor #VancouverHousingMarket #WestCoastLiving #BCRealEstate #VanCityCondos #VancouverEstates #YVRHomesForSale #GreaterVancouverHomes #VancouverWestEnd #VanCityPropertySearch #VancouverHouseHunting #MetroVancouverRealty #presalesstartingprice

Shared Parking Solutions for the Bagnell Dam Strip are the future. Over demand for parking at Lake Ozark’s iconic business district has stifled existing business potential, limited expansion and prevented new business growth. On a single undeveloped parcel just West of #Bagnelldam, a public-private partnership could increase public parking on the #bagnelldamstrip by 300 parking spaces equivalent to 30% of all existing parking. As the City of Lake Ozark contiunes to encourage redevelopment we must consider the right mix of retail, office and residential uses that maximize the parking potential along the Strip. Public Parking is consequential to tourism, it should be easily accessed and plentiful. The “Port Bagnell” building shown reflects a new building design by #Midwestcoast that would host retail, office and residential uses with a creative and simple shared parking design. Engineered to provide ingress on and off of Bagnell Dam Blvd. as well as a secondary entrance onto Valley Rd. This unique design provides a parameter circulation ramp for multiple levels of below grade parking. The #cityoflakeozark will continue to promote smart Economic Development opportunities that strengthen existing businesses and promote new investment. Removing hurdles and providing solutions for our community and those that love to recreate here. #ecodevo #verticaldevelopment #parkinggarage #publicprivatepartnerships #bagnelldamstrip #cityoflakeozark #lakeozarkmayor #midwestcoast #explorelakeozark

Interestingly, retrofitting doesn't just apply to houses, but also urban settings. In this case, bringing back shops and local amenities within reach of local residents. #urbanplanning #placemaking #urbanism #redevelopment #spaceplanning #urbandesign #retrofit https://lnkd.in/eTyg27mc

Hygge Cities ++ [city planning] Hygge is all about creating a warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere that fosters a sense of comfort and well-being. When applied to cities, urban design and planning can play a crucial role in creating hygge environments that encourage social interaction, relaxation, and a sense of community. Here are a three (3) ways in which hygge can be incorporated into urban design and planning to create hygge cities: 1. Green Spaces: Incorporating green spaces such as parks, gardens, and outdoor seating areas into the urban fabric can help create a sense of tranquility and connection with nature. These spaces can serve as gathering spots for community events, picnics, and outdoor activities, fostering a sense of community and belonging. 2. Cozy Streetscapes: Creating cozy streetscapes with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, charming cafes, and inviting storefronts can encourage people to stroll, linger, and interact with one another. Adding elements such as outdoor seating, decorative lighting, and planters can enhance the overall ambiance and create a welcoming atmosphere. 3. Public Art and Installations: Installing public art and installations throughout the city can add a creative touch and give residents a sense of pride and ownership in their surroundings. Art can serve as a focal point for social gatherings, cultural events, and community celebrations, bringing people together and creating a sense of connection.

The City is encouraging office-to-residential conversion projects, and roof top amenities! - City planning is currently polishing up the 'Adaptive Reuse Ordinance" (ARO) for their upcoming planning commission meeting in March 2024, per LA City Planning. They have a draft ordinance posted online that is worth a look at, specifically for the incentives, such as roof top amenities. - One of my favorite items on the DRAFT (ARO) Ordinance is the proposed provision that rooftop amenities can project above the height limit by 16'-0" or 1 story. For those projects that are slammed up against the height limit, this is an incentive to: - Increase existing buildings by 16'-0" above the height limit - Provide a building amenity on the roof - Create Viewing decks for this beautiful city - Increase building value by providing valuable amenity