Building Communities Where People Want to Stay, with Mark Toro

Mixed-use communities thrive when people want to stay, wander, and return without needing a destination.This conversation explores how intentional mixed-use development creates long-term value by prioritizing walkability, public realm experience, and community alignment. Drawing from real-world examples like Avalon and Colony Square, the discussion highlights how experiential retail, activated plazas, and pedestrian-first design shape not only real estate performance but how people choose to live, work, and gather.When friction is removed from daily life, and places are designed for connection rather than convenience alone, mixed-use districts become living ecosystems that evolve, adapt, and endure.Topics discussed in this episode:Mixed-use developmentExperiential retailReal estate strategyLive-work-playCommunity engagementAvalon developmentPublic-private partnershipOffice leasingWalkable communitiesFind out more about NELSON Worldwide: https://nelsonworldwide.com/Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:We hope you’re Unlocking Value in this podcast with Ozzie Nelson.  Your feedback is important to us and we’d love to hear from you.Here’s how you can help.  Scroll to the bottom, rate our podcast with five stars, and select “Write a Review.”  Let us know what you found most helpful from this episode! And if you haven’t done so already, give the podcast a follow, and you'll be notified when new episodes come out.