The BEX Leading Market Series event, titled “Housing Projects on the Horizon,” convened industry leaders at SkySong in Scottsdale to discuss critical trends shaping the future of real estate development.
Among the notable speakers was Roger Theis, Vice President of Development, Harvard Investments. He provided valuable insights on navigating city approvals, highlighting the firm’s upcoming projects, demand Valley-wide for housing, and the promising opportunities in the build-to-rent sector.
“Overall, demand in Phoenix is great,” he said. “Product that is aligned with what the submarket is looking for is doing really well.”
The event served as an important platform for professionals to share best practices and innovative solutions, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at overcoming current challenges in the development landscape.
A significant part of the discussion centered around effective strategies for obtaining city approvals. Panelists stressed the importance of engaging experienced legal counsel to adeptly navigate zoning laws and regulations.
“We love that cities let us go and build our projects,” Roger said. “It’s all about getting better at building relationships at the city level.”
Additionally, the panel underscored the necessity of comprehensive site assessments and building strong relationships with stakeholders to secure permits and bolster community support.
“The value-add is the open spaces where we can create connectivity with the residents, to drive placemaking at our communities like Estrella,” Roger added. “Engage our residents where they see a neighbor on a daily basis, creating real connections, that’s part of creating a unique space.”
Attending the event from the office in support of Roger were Chris Cacheris, Aaron Pederson, and Cayley Wade.
