The Gaines Group, PLC’s Post

In this video, Esther Kurland takes a look at how approaches to density can change over time even in the same development. As what was London's working riverside has been converted to different uses including housing, offices, culture and tourism, there have been dramatically different attitudes at different points about what is acceptable in terms of building heights, open space between them etc... Here we're looking at one of the more subtle examples of those changes – all of the buildings under discussion operate at what many would call a human scale – but there's still a very clear difference between the three phases.

Enhancing the downtown experience for residents, visitors, and businesses, may not be as complicated as you think. In our Downtown Vibrancy Short Course webinar, you will learn what makes a downtown vibrant, about methods to assess your downtown, how to develop a plan for improvement, and what role partnerships and collaboration play in implementation and sustainability. https://lnkd.in/e_Ju2Suu

Are you ready to reimagine the possibilities for your downtown? Here are some things to consider as you kick off that process!

Thank you Evergreen Canada, for assembling an amazing group of people to make the case for place at the #EvergreenConference. We’re glad to be part of that momentum. During the conference, Field States hosted a workshop where participants collaboratively imagined “a place for placemaking.” Together, we identified city-makers’ needs and hidden opportunities across Canada. We shared great examples of city-making today, and wove speculative futures—a glimpse of tomorrow. Our team left Toronto with two motivating questions. We think of these as vertical and horizontal dimensions defining the future of #Placemaking: 1. The plenary conversation, deftly moderated by Mary Rowe, stretched vertically: Jen Angel showed how tangible, “hands in the dirt” projects—like climate ready schools—amount to entirely new civic infrastructure. Zita Cobb from Shorefast called on us to rewire the biggest system—the global economy—in service of place. What programs, resources, and networks might link place-based projects to big-picture systems, enabling systemic transformation AND real change on the ground? 2. Urban centers tend to dominate the conversation, but one of our workshop participants shifted us laterally to focus on rural communities. Speaking from experience on Fogo Island, Michelle Sparrow highlighted that in rural contexts, a “place” is often a warm indoor gathering space—not the pocket parks and outdoor pop-up markets typically associated with placemaking. How do we ensure that context informs the design process, so the outcomes of placemaking reflect the entire urban-rural continuum? At Field States, curiosity and integrity guide us to discover the real needs of a place—wherever it is, whatever its climate, we look for hidden opportunities and shine a light on the social fabric. That’s the starting point for design, and creating place-based value. Thank you to our session participants for contributing to a lively conversation!

Glasgow has just six months’ worth of prime supply in the market, which is one of the lowest prime office supply levels in the Big 6 markets, based on average demand – so unsurprisingly, the choice for occupiers in the city centre remains critically low. The city is currently starved of well-located, high-quality offices that provide sustainable accommodation along with good wellness facilities for staff. Furthermore, occupiers are prepared to pay higher rents for better space, and with the weight of demand swaying towards ‘best in class’, this could lead to significant rental growth on refurbished stock.

🎶 So go downtown Things will be great when you're downtown No finer place for sure, downtown Everything's waiting for you 🎶 Do the lyrics of Petula Clark's 1964 hit song "Downtown" still ring true today? Or is the urban "Doom Loop" scenario of lower office occupancies, declining property values, diminishing tax rolls, and high cost of living too much for some cities to overcome? On May 8, Chuck DiRocco, CRE, CCIM, FRICS, Eric Larson, Michael Smith, and Kate Thompson will discuss these challenges, outline opportunities, and share success stories that could transform your downtown. It's free. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gSJ6A_KD

Read this piece from Tassos Kougionis, Director at McBains, on prioritising urban regeneration and green growth as central themes for the collective vision of the future. https://hubs.la/Q02yzqSL0

As we continue our journey of transformation and growth, our CEO, Rita-Rose Gagné, shared our Full Year 2023 financial results with EG and discussed Hammerson's strategic progress and future opportunities. The opportunities in our portfolio come from the quality and location of our destinations - the best assets in the very best prime city centre catchments with transportation hubs. “We now want to reinvest in our portfolio and continue to repurpose space, deliver the best space adapted to the new demand and also the best amenities for people who live in city centres or who come to visit. What excites me about the portfolio is this notion of buzzing 24/7 city centre assets that are living spaces. It’s about assets that have a purpose in their community.” Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eiTjqTMb

Public spaces can enhance city living dramatically. When utilised correctly public spaces can become escapes from the busy and noisy urban environment. In this week's blog, we've reviewed a few case studies that have enhanced the city experience by creating areas to escape. https://lnkd.in/ePCCUgeb

Some very cool interventions for transforming unused areas in this article by Paula Pintos Cities constantly undergo infinite changes, leaving many spaces within the urban fabric forgotten and unused. Historic buildings are refurbished, and adaptive reuse explores new possibilities, but what happens with public spaces? Small interventions using simple resources and innovative solutions are the perfect way to bring these neglected alleys, plazas, and highways back to life and reincorporate them into the city. Read more >>