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Too early, too late

Someone once said, if you are too far ahead of the pack you're going to get slaughtered. Second movers may often succeed where first movers have laid the groundwork, tested the model, or proven the demand. On the other hand, if you are too far behind, your market may have already left with the pack. Both sides of the commercial real estate equation in this herding metaphor can be seen in the timing involved in two examples. The Fort was a project that proposed a new-type of mixed-use involving recreation, entertainment, and retail. Ahead of its time(at least in this market), it was hard for many necessary parties involved to not look at the project with heavy skepticism since the model did not yet wholly exist. They could not touch it, taste or smell it. They had to believe what they could not immediately see. Execution played a part in the project's demise but timing may have be more crucial than any other element. Another group may still come along to complete the vision or replicate the idea in another market but only time will tell if it would have been a 'Field of Dreams' or just another 'Flop for the Bluff'. On the other side, Coke sees the "third space" importance of our society and Starbuck's dominance in the space as a game they want to play. The idea is so prevalent and proven that they can touch, taste and smell it...its just not Coke's flavor. Will their late entry to the game work? Again, only time will tell.

The new "third places" or new commercial mixed-uses are out there in various versions with varying degrees of success. Adam's experience and interest is to act on these trends without going to the butcher's block. Want a smart RE investment that is cutting edge without bleeding or do you want to position your business in the prime place for the herd? Give Adam a call.

posted by adam commercial @ 7:12 AM