How has the demand for your services evolved over the past 16 months, and what trends are you gearing up for?

The hospitality industry went through a period of pause, but now we’re observing a resurgence, especially in restaurants and country clubs. What’s catching attention is the focus on exterior spaces, a concerted effort to maximize outdoor areas in business design. Architects, designers, and owners are innovating to make the best use of these external spaces. Country clubs, traditionally centered around golf, are transforming. They’re exploring concepts like outdoor movie nights, family-friendly game rooms, even incorporating food trucks—creating environments that bring families together outdoors.

With the rise of online shopping, what’s the future of commercial real estate?

The impact of online shopping and delivery services on big box retail users is significant and irreversible. Office spaces, too, are facing a shift as more employees adapt to remote work. This shift will inevitably reduce the demand for office spaces. Consequently, there’s a growing need to repurpose these spaces for businesses and services that can’t be executed remotely. From manufacturing to specialized training facilities, to various personal services and restaurants, these spaces will need to evolve to meet new demands.

What’s your near-term outlook considering these shifts?

The increasing number of new residents is a key driving force in our sector and will likely remain so. This influx in our county’s population will fuel expansion and new business creation. However, our challenge lies in finding suitable, properly zoned, and reasonably priced properties that are shovel-ready. Obtaining approvals and permits in South Florida has become progressively more difficult over the last decade, elongating the process to about three to four years from property acquisition to construction readiness. The availability of buildable land might become limited, but its effects won’t be immediate.