Between Two Chairs - Demystifying Commercial Real Estate

Building Resilience and Sustainability in South Florida Commercial Real Estate

23 min · 22. apr. 2026
episode Building Resilience and Sustainability in South Florida Commercial Real Estate cover

Description

In this Earth Day–inspired episode, hosts Fernando Arencibia Jr. and Jennifer Wollman discuss how sustainability, resiliency, and climate strategy are reshaping South Florida’s commercial real estate market, moving the conversation beyond traditional drivers like supply, demand, and capital markets. They explore Miami-Dade County’s Sustainable Buildings Program and other regional initiatives that promote LEED-certified construction, long-term operational efficiency, employee wellness, and climate preparedness, emphasizing how these efforts can reduce costs, preserve asset value, and command higher rents. The episode highlights landmark developments such as 1450 Brickell, Brickell City Centre, and the Miami Design District—recognized as the world’s first LEED Gold–certified neighborhood—to illustrate how innovative design and resilient infrastructure enhance both performance and user experience. Fernando and Jennifer also examine the evolving role of ESG, the impact of stricter building codes and insurance reforms following Hurricane Andrew, and the challenges of retrofitting older buildings, concluding that sustainability in South Florida is ultimately about smart stewardship, durability, and responsibly accommodating continued growth in a changing climate.

Comments

0

Be the first to comment

Sign up now and become a member of the Between Two Chairs - Demystifying Commercial Real Estate community!

Get Started

1 month for 9 kr.

Then 99 kr. / month · Cancel anytime.

  • Podcasts kun på Podimo
  • 20 lydbogstimer pr. måned
  • Gratis podcasts

All episodes

168 episodes

episode When Should You Do A Phase I or II Environmental Assessment? Interview with Nicholas Moran artwork

When Should You Do A Phase I or II Environmental Assessment? Interview with Nicholas Moran

As part of a commercial real estate sale, you will most likely do a Phase I and maybe even a Phase II Environmental Assessment. In this episode, Nicholas Moran of Moran Rocks goes through the steps required to protect the buyer from environmental issues that may arise or already be present due to previous owner or tenant activities. Before you put in a offer, make sure the due diligence period will allow for the turnaround time for these important inspections. What is a reliance letter? How long does it take to complete a Phase II? What should you look for when walking a site? This discussion with Nicholas and his experience as a previous regulator, geologist and environmental consultant, provides our listeners with unique insights from both sides of the regulatory aisle.

2. juli 202643 min
episode What Does The Current Economy Mean For The Miami Commercial Real Estate Market? artwork

What Does The Current Economy Mean For The Miami Commercial Real Estate Market?

The beginning of the year predictions that interest rates would drop, has not happened and the current inflation rate actually indicates that there will probably be a rate increase before the year end. The war with Iran and the mid-term elections all add continued uncertainty in the market. That being said, retail vacancies are still low, shopping centers are in high demand with investors, Class A office space in many Miami markets is being absorbed, and immigration to Florida, while slower than it was, is still a positive. There is pressure on industrial and multi-family rental rates, but there investors are still bullish on the area, building housing under the Live Local Act or converting office to residential. In summary, Miami fundamentals are strong and capital is still flowing into CRE.

25. juni 202629 min
episode How To Invest in Self Storage - An Interview With Lauren Rothlisberger artwork

How To Invest in Self Storage - An Interview With Lauren Rothlisberger

What do a military family, the Women's Investment Summit [https://thewomeninvestmentsummit.com/], and self storage have in common? Lauren Rothlisberger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenrothlisberger/] of Everett & Harvey [https://www.everettandharvey.com/] and Serious Storage [https://www.serioustorage.com/]. In this episode Lauren shares her investment journey from residential rental properties into self storage and the nuances of being a General Partner. Her path hasn't been easy, because let's be real, real estate deals aren't easy, but it has been extremely well thought out. From the conscious tie to family with the business name to the details of scaling a business while living overseas, Lauren's background as a military wife plays a strong role in her investing and operating strategies. Three of the many takeaways include: 1) Assessing real risk vs perceived risk and backwards plan for worst case scenario 2) Always look at the repositioning options further down the road and 3) How to overcome the challenge of obtaining commercial financing when you are new to commercial real estate investing. Whether you are a current or aspiring real estate investor, this episode will provide you with insights into the self storage niche. Thank you for pulling up a chair!

18. juni 202656 min
episode What Does It Take From A Logistics Perspective to Host the World Cup? artwork

What Does It Take From A Logistics Perspective to Host the World Cup?

The World Cup starts today, June 11 and Miami [https://miamifwc26.com/] will host our first match on June 15. Planning for this event, that will put Miami on the world stage again - we just wrapped up F-1, started as soon as Miami was awarded the 2026 World Cup four years ago. From fan transportation [https://miamifwc26.com/miami-transportation/] to and from the games and events, to the logistics [https://www.gw-world.com/us/newsroom/world-cup-freight-capacity-logistics/] of moving players, equipment, food and beverage to the stadium and events, there are a lot moving parts. Luckily for Miami, a lot of the infrastructure projects including the airports, stadiums and roadwork, had already been underway due to the growth the region experienced during COVID. I am sure there will be some challenges,

11. juni 202622 min
episode Why Do So Few Commercial Real Estate Sellers Do 1031 Exchanges? A Conversation with Jon Hilley artwork

Why Do So Few Commercial Real Estate Sellers Do 1031 Exchanges? A Conversation with Jon Hilley

What do Scrooge McDuck [https://youtu.be/p9d8l-Gkweg?si=fbn2px9LKVEw6EIk], The Square Grouper [https://squaregrouper.net/], Goldman Sachs, commercial real estate and taxes have in common? The answer is Jon Hilley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhilley/], founder of 1031 Specialists [https://www.1031specialists.com/]. In this episode, we dive into why so few sellers do 1031 exchanges, what differentiates 1031 Specialists from other intermediaries and the Golden Strategy. Jon brings his wide range of experience, curiosity and his "Client Happiness Project" to elevate the 1031 experience. "We are in the joy business". FEA Economic Impact Studies of 1031 Exchanges [https://www.1031.org/assets/docs/FEA-1031_Impact_of_American_Families_Plan-Key_Findings_of_Studies.pdf]

4. juni 202649 min