Michael Markman, President of Dresher-based BET Investments, sees retail as being in an exceptionally strong position within the current landscape of commercial development, writes Paul Schwedelson for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Markman has worked in retail his entire career and has recently specialized in developing suburban mixed-use projects that feature both residential and retail components.
In addition to apartments, “if you look at the most bullish aspect of what people are buying today – grocery-anchored shopping centers,” said Markman.
Markman is currently working on a mixed-use project in Conshohocken that involves redeveloping a corporate campus with six existing buildings, featuring up to 200 apartments and between 20,000 and 30,000 square feet of retail space. While the project is currently in the approval stage with Plymouth Township, a rendering of the site includes a potential grocery store.
“When I build these mixed-use projects, the symbiosis is incredible,” said Markman. “When I do a regular shopping center, I have a whole different aspect of what I look at. When I look at doing a mixed-use project, I’m looking for tenants there that are going to attract renters there. I always want to have a grocery store.”
Read more about BET Investments in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
