Market Insights

Rising pressure on U.S. farm operators is opening the door to new institutional investment in one of the nation’s largest and most fragmented real asset markets. As generational turnover accelerates and land values hold steady, agricultural real estate is gaining traction as a scalable, long-term play with broader implications for development.

U.S. shopping malls are entering a new phase of reinvention as experience-driven retail reshapes the sector. Driven by Gen Z foot traffic and demand for in-person engagement, leading properties are evolving into mixed-use, lifestyle destinations that blend retail, dining, entertainment, and community space. This shift highlights a growing divide across the market—while top-tier assets are adapting and attracting renewed interest, lower-tier properties continue to face headwinds.

It’s not shocking to me to see Texas at the top of the corporate investment list for multiple years in a row as their business friendly policies continue to drive investment and a strong labor pool provides the necessary bodies to keep growth churning

The sale of 837 N Parker Drive presented significant challenges from the beginning. The property consisting of warehouse, office, and storage components, had substantial deferred maintenance, including significant driveway and parking lot concerns, along with broader condition issues that complicated the transaction.

Wayne Gretzky’s line still holds: I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been. That is a useful mindset as we think about the future of the former GM site. As Greg Ip noted in a recent Wall Street Journal article, “America Is Seeing a Stealth Boom in Manufacturing,” demand is helping drive new strength in sectors tied to AI, semiconductors, networking, power, and cooling equipment. That is worth keeping in mind as we think about where the next wave of demand may be headed.

Congratulations to Becky, a former teacher and owner of KidStation Daycare, on securing her new 4,418 SF space! Daycare operations come with unique regulatory and zoning challenges that can make site selection a years-long process.

Coldwell Banker Commercial McGuire Mears & Associates is pleased to announce the addition of Christian Horrigmo-Cook as its newest Sales Associate.

The narrative that the American mall is dying is being replaced by a more nuanced reality: the industry is bifurcating. While projections suggest the total number of U.S. malls will drop from 1,200 to 900 by 2028, premier "Class A" properties are actually flourishing. This divide is fueled by a brutal retail landscape that saw over 8,100 store closures in 2025 alone, forcing major brands to abandon struggling centers and consolidate their presence within high-performing, high-traffic hubs.

Is Janesville Built to Win? In the 1800s, a rail stop changed a town’s trajectory forever. It didn't happen because people "voted for trains"—it happened because those towns positioned themselves to compete. Today, hyperscale data centers are the new railroads. As the debate over the former GM/JATCO site intensifies, we’re asking the hard question: Is Janesville competitive enough to be chosen? Before the first public meeting, these billion-dollar decisions are won or lost in spreadsheets based on power, speed, and feasibility. We’re diving deep into the "math behind the megawatt" and what it actually means for Janesville’s future.

While the national headlines suggest office demand is cooling, the Janesville/Beloit Q4 2025 data tells a different story for small-footprint properties. With five sales in the 2,000-4,000 SF range, four of which were purchased by dentists, it is clear that owner-users are prioritizing control and long-term equity over leasing. Whether through adaptive reuse or ground-up construction, the high cost of specialized medical build-outs is driving a "buy-over-lease" trend that keeps the small-office market liquid and competitive.