Peaks & Portfolios

Years ago, a young sculptor named Jory Morgan Walker helped shape the design of iconic Las Vegas landmarks like the Luxor, Paris, and Mandalay Bay through his fine arts expertise. Today, that same classically trained artist leads one of the West’s most prominent architectural firms, Beecher Walker Architects, blending art, technology, and architecture to create top-performing spaces for commercial real estate investors. Walker shares how to harness the power of design and functionality to boost ROI in even the most challenging market conditions. Discover his insights and strategies for success in today's dynamic environment.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

From a new presidential administration to surging demand for data centers, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year. In this episode, we sit down with James Bohnaker, Senior Economist at Cushman & Wakefield, for an economic outlook with insightful forecasting for the year ahead. James unpacks key factors—including potential tax changes, the economic ripple effects of deregulation, and shifts in immigration—offering expert insights into what lies ahead. Tune in for a nuanced look at the opportunities and risks shaping growth in 2025, across a rapidly evolving market.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

Explore the evolving dynamics of debt and financing in real estate investment with insights from Brad Andrus, Founding Partner of Bridge Investment Group, and Lauro Garcia, Senior Vice President / Managing Director for Stern Brothers. Andrus shares lessons from navigating multiple recessions, emphasizing how downturns can reset markets and create prime buying opportunities for agile investors; particularly through alternative financing methods. Garcia brings a fresh perspective, explaining his innovative use of taxable bonds for construction and acquisition financing. By leveraging traditional banks for letters of credit and issuing fully assumable bonds, he offers a strategic win-win approach for borrowers and lenders. Tune in for expert strategies to thrive in today’s shifting real estate investment market.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

With double-digit vacancies that are the worst on record in many markets, commercial real estate investors are faced with the challenge of navigating negative absorption in the office sector. While the Mountain West region has acted as a buffer, avoiding some of the harsher realities facing first-tier markets, we remain in the thick of what real estate mogul Brandon Fugal dubs a "character-building cycle." In this episode, we sit down with the Chairman of Colliers International to explore the myriad of factors driving change in the sector—from technological advancements to broader economic shifts. Hear why Fugal believes the public is still in the dark about the true impact of remote work, how he aligns with Elon Musk’s controversial return-to-office mandates, and and which investors he predicts will see the greatest returns over the next five to ten years.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

Can innovative urban development turn the tide on housing scarcity? Through an engaging discussion on public-private partnerships and debunking myths of unattractive low-income housing, we explore tax credits and other effective tools for structuring successful affordable housing investments. In this week's episode, we're delving into one of the most pressing issues of our time and discussing innovative funding methods for those looking to make an impact.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

Since 2016, the CRE insurance market has faced turbulence due to natural disasters and rising capital costs. This week's episode with Ted Brown, President and Partner at Lockton Companies, breaks down the impact of skyrocketing insurance rates on deals. Ted explains how underwriters initially priced for low catastrophe risk, but consecutive severe weather events led to increased rates. However, there is a silver lining! Tune in to find out when he believes rates will stabilize.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 Get the scoop on Utah’s booming real estate market with Peaks and Portfolios. Join Kip Paul, Michael King, and JT Redd from Cushman & Wakefield as they share insights on growth and investment opportunities along the Wasatch Front. Learn why Utah ranks as the best overall state in the U.S. and how its growth creates a compelling environment for commercial real estate. Explore Salt Lake City's downtown growth, hotel undersupply, and the conversion of hotels into multifamily units in Utah's hospitality sector.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 What if your next real estate decision could be guided by AI? Tune in as we explore game-changing innovations in Prop Tech. Discover how advancements make property management seamless, from virtual tours to app-based laundry systems and vehicle vending machines. We delve into AI's future in real estate, automating tasks and predicting equipment failures. This episode offers insights on how technology revolutionizes real estate, while also cautioning about potential risks and threats in today's environment.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 The urban landscape is evolving, responding to societal changes, economic pressures, and the global pandemic. Insights from leaders like Julie Whelan of CBRE are invaluable. CBRE's new report reveals the intricacies of urban transformation and growth, offering a future roadmap for U.S. cities. In this episode, we interview Whelan for a deep dive into these findings. Learn about essential elements for a thriving city, and gain a comprehensive guide for vibrant, resilient, and inclusive urban development. Check out CBRE's report on the future of US cities here.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 In this episode, newly appointed PEG Companies Co-CEO Garett Bjorkman explores modern financial landscapes shaping new investment opportunities. We discuss how private credit firms address banks' liquidity gaps in transitional real estate assets. Garett shares insights from his journey from Shanghai to Utah. Topics include conservative lending in multifamily real estate, potential in select service and extended-stay hotels, and balancing affordable luxury projects with investor returns.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 With a "personal vendetta against Chicken Little," WaFd Bank CEO Brent Beardall debunks misconceptions about today’s CRE landscape. This episode highlights the resilience of banking relationships during economic stress, high inflation, and last year's bank upheavals. Beardall’s candid commentary, including his plane crash survival, offers insights on leadership and connectivity. Learn about economic indicators, the Fed's balancing act, and promising regions for real estate investments. Don't miss this episode!Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 Amid a U.S. housing shortage and a shift toward rental living, build-for-rent (BFR) is the fastest-growing sector in commercial real estate. This week, David Bourne, Director of Investments at PEG Companies, explores how BFR is redefining the residential landscape. He discusses economic underpinnings, performance metrics, and financing shifts in the BFR segment. Learn about leading BFR brands like Christopher Todd Communities and Alante Homes and how the industry meets the demands of modern renters.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 This episode explores a groundbreaking algorithm that could convert a third of office buildings into residential housing. Gensler Principal Steven Paynter discusses assessing convertibility based on location, age, and architecture. We delve into the economics of space optimization post-pandemic and challenges in different markets like Salt Lake City. Learn about the economic implications, cost efficiency, affordable housing incentives, and policy impacts reshaping our living and working spaces.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 Passionate about multifamily real estate, Mandy McAllister, CEO of GoBundance Women, left medical sales for financial independence and to help others do the same. This episode highlights her joint-venture partnerships strategy, crucial to her success. McAllister shares how aligned visions with partners and her reputation secured her first multifamily property during the pandemic. She also discusses the evolving market, economic predictions, and balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 Learn to leverage debt strategically with Devin Jolley, debt markets expert and President of Davidson Companies. Jolley shares his experience navigating financial upheavals from the Great Financial Crisis to COVID-19. Discover how past crises reshaped risk management, shifting from deal-making to caution. Understand the recovery of financial institutions post-pandemic, the resurgence of community banks, and regulatory shifts. Get expert insights on securing favorable loans in today’s debt landscape.Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 Join CBRE Global Chief Economist Richard Barkham on Peaks & Portfolios: Presented by PEG Companies, as he explores 2023's unexpected economic strength and its implications for 2024. Discover how government interventions and stimulus measures fueled surprising GDP growth, mitigated a banking crisis, and supported construction activity. Barkham also analyzes U.S. migration and demographic trends, offering predictions for the economic outlook and opportunities for commercial real estate investors.  Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!

 Join us with James Bohnaker, Senior Economist at Cushman & Wakefield, as we dissect the anticipated Federal Reserve announcements for 2024. Explore the expected rate drop and its market impact amidst high interest rates and inflation. Discover hidden investment opportunities in the CRE sector, learn which sectors will thrive or struggle, and hear Bohnaker's bold prediction for the Fed's first rate cut. Navigate the twists of the commercial real estate market with insights to thrive in today's landscape. Want to Get In Touch? Send us a text message!