John Saxon, Chief of Staff at Howard Hughes Corp, discusses corporate relocation trends across the US. He shares insights on the current state of the office market, effects of remote work, and increased demand for office space in growing communities like Houston and Las Vegas. The podcast also explores Howard Hughes' unique approach in developing master plan communities and provides valuable career advice for finance and real estate professionals.
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Quick takeaways
Coastal states like California are experiencing a downturn in the office market post-pandemic, while communities in Houston and Las Vegas are witnessing significant leasing activity for high-quality office spaces due to an out-of-state migration of residents.
The success of master plan communities lies in creating a live-work-play environment with walkability, where residents have easy access to office spaces, restaurants, and homes, providing a better quality of life.
Deep dives
The Performance of Office Market is Bifurcated
According to John Saxon, Chief of Staff at the Real Estate Development and Management Firm, the performance of the office market post-pandemic is divided. While coastal states like California are experiencing doom and gloom in the office sector, communities in Houston and Las Vegas are witnessing significant leasing activity for high-quality, class-A office assets. This is attributed to an out-of-state migration of residents from coastal areas to the Sun Belt, where the Howard Hughes Corporation's communities are located.
Howard Hughes Corporation: Unique Approach to Community Development
The Howard Hughes Corporation is a developer of master plan communities, where large tracts of land are divided into residential and commercial segments. Land is sold to home builders, attracting residents to the community. Proceeds from land sales are used for commercial development, including offices, retail spaces, and multifamily properties. This creates a virtuous cycle of value creation, as the commercial development increases the desirability and value of the land, attracting more residents. The company focuses on creating cohesive environments where people can have a better quality of life, with walkability, parks, trail systems, and access to education and healthcare facilities within the community.
Balancing Working from Home and Office
The decision on working from home or the office depends on the location and quality of assets. While work-from-home arrangements may be more common in California, communities like the Woodlands in Houston are witnessing a return to the office. The short commute times and the opportunities for collaboration and spontaneous conversations in person are driving the preference for office work. The success of master plan communities lies in creating a live-work-play environment with walkability, where residents have easy access to office spaces, restaurants, and homes, providing a better quality of life.
John Saxon, Chief of Staff at Howard Hughes Corp, discusses corporate relocation trends across the US. Hosts: Carol Massar and Matt Miller: Paul Brennan.