Affordable student housing has become a critical issue in higher education, significantly impacting students’ ability to succeed academically and maintain their well-being.

In the short term, to address the pressing issue of affordable student housing, institutions must implement comprehensive support services to mitigate the impact of housing scarcity.

In the mid-and long-term, institutions are implementing a patchwork of tactics to make new student housing developments “pencil out”. To meet this crisis, institutions are getting creative with a mix of funding and innovative construction techniques.

Explore solutions and success stories in our piece below!

Several converging trends are presenting an opportunity for developers to shape the future of retail environments. Download our take on these trends and the opportunities in the marketplace for mixed-use retail. 

By repurposing existing retail centers into mixed-use developments, often called ‘lifestyle centers,’ city and regional planners can address these changing consumer dynamics head on while still satisfying local and regional needs.

A mixed-use development has the potential to transform an area into a regional destination by creating a vibrant and dynamic environment that attracts people from near and far. Such a development combines different types of land uses including residential, commercial, retail, entertainment, healthcare, commercial, and recreational, into a cohesive and interconnected space offering a multitude of amenities and experiences.

With proper planning, these mixed uses offer opportunities to create a modern nexus that supports regional development and evolution. Since retail centers had their own gravity for years, adding new uses as part of a conversion to a lifestyle center reinvigorates the concept of the location as a destination and supplements it with a new local population within the residential component of the development. Download our considerations below!

The absence of affordable housing in communities across the United States has placed significant strain on career educators, particularly those just beginning their vocations who may be burdened with significant student loan debt. The pandemic has compounded the strains already present in the profession, and many educators are opting to leave the occupation altogether.

Workforce housing initiatives contribute to the retention and overall well-being of teachers by significantly reducing the financial burden and stress levels of the educators. Dedicated workforce housing developments offer numerous advantages for teachers and the communities they serve.

Explore strategies we believe can help below. 

Even before the pandemic, the trend of converting retail centers to include new uses was becoming popular. The rise of online retailers left retail centers with a need to adjust on the fly to remain relevant and profitable. It is no secret that the pandemic created even more challenges for these assets.

But the pandemic also provided greater insight. The inherent walkability of retail centers made them prime candidates for adaption and conversion into true lifestyle centers: adding a mix of uses and giving space and opportunity for creating experiences.

Explore the 7 essential live / work / play lifestyle center considerations and design best practices for retail center conversions below. 

One of the more heartening actions to come out of the pandemic is the greater understanding of the power of connection. A repeated connection can turn into establishing a culture and community. This connection often results in greater retention. Fundamentally, people stay where they feel comfortable, safe, and happy.

How can the architecture and design help? Download our insights below!

We know that seniors prefer to age in place, and that it becomes harder to age in place with multiple hospitalizations. 

Can the built environment play a part in this effort? Absolutely.

Wellness can be applied as an additional design dimension for senior living planning by looking for the opportunities where architecture can reinforce it. Download our examples below. 

Market analytics indicate that there is over 232 million square feet of surplus commercial real estate up for subleasing. Predictions from future of work experts, and the growing number of hybrid and remote work arrangements, suggest most of that will go unfilled - so what can be done with the remaining office building assets?

Converting an urban office building to multifamily housing seems like the perfect solution. Demand for residential space is high, with many major cities requiring tens of thousands of new units’ year-over year. There are office properties that need to be repositioned to increase their value.

At HED, experience has taught us that converting these building takes thoughtful analysis and an innovative, surgical approach to manage costs.

Click below for our top considerations to protect ROI in conversions.

More often, families are choosing facilities that not only prioritize community but make safety features and access control high priorities for their loved ones. So how do we create innovative, inviting spaces that allow residents to engage with one another while keeping areas safe and secure? 

Click to download our key takeaways below. 

How can you resolve the three biggest challenges in affordable housing: affordability, social justice, and environmental stewardship, quickly and efficiently?