Sr. Manager Editorial Content for @JLL Americas, covering Trends and Insights in commercial real estate.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Bianca Montes
How DFW’S Retail Market Quietly Became Commercial Real Estate's Strongest Category
Despite decades of back-to-back challenges, the Dallas-Fort Worth retail continued to evolve and transform to evade every obstacle to its growth and emerge stronger. In the case of challenges like ecommerce, Amazon and the pandemic-induced shutdown of 2020, the market not only evolved, it embraced the challenges and learned how to creatively bounce back stronger.
M2G Ventures Closes on Eight Buildings in South Stemmons Submarket
M2G Ventures venture further into South Stemmons submarket this week, acquiring eight buildings for an additional 207,000 square feet in its portfolio. M2G’s uses a strategic value-add approach to bring Class B properties up to Class A standards, maximizing asset value. The transaction includes Commonwealth Business Park, a six-building, light industrial park located at the gateway between the East Brookhollow and Dallas Design District/North Trinity submarkets.
What Is the Biggest Mistake You See Clients Making in Divorce?
This article is sponsored content. Interested in advertising with us? Click here. What advice do you have for readers who are thinking about divorce? In my observation, how we divorce matters. From the first communication between spouses about divorce, there is an opportunity for intentionality around decisions. One of my clients demonstrated this perfectly. She had wanted a divorce for years but feared the reaction of her husband, who had some unusual personality characteristics.
Scenes from the D CEO Commercial Real Estate Awards 2022
On Wednesday, March 30, more than 500 industry executives gathered at the Frontiers of Flight Museum for the 2022 D CEO Commercial Real Estate Awards. The exclusive night honored the region’s top projects, transactions, dealmakers, and industry executives. Special recognition was given to John Goff, chairman of Crescent Real Estate, when he was presented with this year’s Pioneer Award. He also earned Deal of the Year for his third acquisition of The Crescent.
Meet the Dallas 500: Rogers Brandon Healy
One of the most recognized faces in residential real estate Rogers Healy, owner and CEO of Rogers Healy and Associates Real Estate, has made a name for himself with unique marketing. In 2021, his firm quadrupled in size, averaging over $100 million in sales per month. And Healy has started 2022 off with engendering a land and lake vertical that solidified more than $50 million in the pipeline in just one week. “We are trying to take over the market,” Healy said.
SRS Real Estate Partners Launches New Industrial Division
No market was hotter than North Texas last year for industrial deals, and Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners is the newest player to the enter the warehouse and distribution vertical. SRS has served the North Texas region since 1986 specializing in retail space and now, SRS Industrial—which launches with six industrial professionals—will aim to serve the retailers in need of industrial space.
See the Winners of D CEO’s Commercial Real Estate Awards
The last year in commercial real estate was one for the record books. Not only did we see highest-ever sales prices for office properties (both total price and per-square-foot), North Texas also paced the country in industrial development. Demand for industrial and data center space hit peak levels, as did absorption of retail space, following two years of lackluster activity due to the pandemic.
Four Reasons Why North Texas is a Favored Corporate Relocation Destination
In my daily conversations with companies considering a move to North Texas, one repeated sentiment echoes the excitement that corporate leaders, site selectors, and developers have about the success of our region: diversity. Companies pick North Texas because they want an environment that’s rich in options—whether with office space, housing, or workforce growth opportunities. Beth A.
Former Director of Chicago's Millennium Park to Oversee New HALL Park Green Space
Scott Stewart has been named executive director of the planned community park that’s coming to HALL Park in Frisco. He brings exceptional experience to the role, previously serving as executive director of the Millennium Park Foundation in Chicago. There, he oversaw a $10 million annual budget and $20 million in fundraising gifts and grants and more than $2 million in annual donations since 2016.
Industry Pioneer Roger Staubach Is the Ultimate Power Broker
Commercial real estate services have evolved to include everything from space planning and data analytics to incentives negotiations. But in the early days, it was a simple matter of development and leasing. It’s hard to convey the huge impact the advent of tenant representation—and the unlikely disruptor who helped pioneer it—has had on the industry.
Retail Roundup: New Drops, New Spots, and an Air Max Day Pop-Up Party
Dondolo’s Catalina Gonzalez Jorba has collaborated with New York-based Neely & Chloe to create a new handbag collection that’s the stuff of preppy cottage-core dreams. Inspired by the Provence region of France—cottage-core is nothing if not Provencal—the line features soft, floral patterns perfect for spring. There’s something for everyone in this line, with card holders, totes, diaper bags, changing pads, and more for sale.
D CEO Releases the 2022 Power Broker List
We asked the leaders of North Texas brokerages to tell us who generated the most revenue for their companies in 2021. The number of names they were allowed to submit was based on their total numbers of licensed brokers, with a couple of exceptions for equal partners. In all, executives at a record 99 firms employing more than 2,400 brokers participated. Members of the 2022 Class of D CEO Power Brokers are presented below in alphabetical order, by area of specialty.
Flame Innovation When I first heard that the Solo Stove burned a nearly smokeless fire, I didn’t believe it. But after several impromptu campfires with our two pyromaniac sons, I can say that the experience is worth the upgrade. How does it work? The fire pits eliminate smoke by burning with higher heat. The company, owned by Solo Brands, has grown to 170 employees, with sales in the first six months of 2021 outpacing all of 2020, when revenue was $133 million for the fiscal year.
Meet JLL's New Dallas Tenant Rep Co-Leads Torrey Littlejohn and Bret Hefton
The Dallas office of JLL recently announced who would replace Brooke Armstrong, who left in September to become CBRE’s new president of advisory services. And it is a team: Torrey Littlejohn and Bret Hefton were named co-leads of the role in January. The duo has worked together on a number of office deals together and will oversee JLL’s Dallas office tenant representation division. Hefton joined JLL in 2019 and has been a top-performing broker.
Kacey Musgraves’ new album, star-crossed, might be all about her high-profile divorce. But I can’t think of a better way to spend my Valentine’s Day than jamming out to the East Texas native’s latest hits tonight at American Airlines Center. Musgraves, who was born and raised in the town of Golden (population: 200), won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2019 with Golden Hour.
Nutty Joe Rogan Guest Accuses D Magazine of 'Deafamation'
Last month our Will Maddox wrote about a Dallas cardiologist named Peter McCullough, who had made some newsworthy statements in December when he appeared as a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, by some estimates the largest media platform in the United States. McCullough works at an esteemed Dallas practice called HeartPlace, and he has an impressive résumé.
Crescent Real Estate's John Goff to Receive D CEO's Pioneer Award
Over the course of his career, John Goff has shown an uncanny gift for choosing just the right projects and investments at just the right time. The chairman of Crescent Real Estate is also known for boldly bringing the highest level of quality to his developments. His portfolio speaks for itself, starting with The Crescent in Dallas, a project so significant to Goff he named his company after it.
The New Mule Alley Will Change How You Feel about Fort Worth
A new mixed-use development is drawing a decidedly hipper contingent to Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards district. Dubbed Mule Alley (a nod to the converted mule bars that now house shops, restaurants, and live entertainment venues), the development has helped make the once-touristy area a revitalized destination—”not just for when your cousin comes to town,” as Kayla Wilkie, lead of design and development for Stockyards Heritage Development Co., puts it. Shop Take home a piece of Texas.
Conversation With: Ty Lee, Common Dwelling
Non-accredited investors have previously been locked out of investing in single-family rentals. But that’s not the case any longer thanks to Dallas-based Common Dwelling. Drawing on his career in architecture and real estate, founder Ty Lee launched an online investment portal targeting single-family rentals throughout Texas. His unique business model renovates, manages, and leases the properties—and design is kept in-house with construction partners to keep costs lower.
Five Leadership Tips for an Uncertain Future
Roughly five months into a global pandemic, I became the go-to leader for more than 400 people. Was it a daunting task? You bet. But not for the reasons you may think. The logistics were certainly challenging. As I’m sure you can relate, I had to figure out the best way to manage via Teams and Zoom. But it wasn’t the details of virtual life that captured most of my focus; it was the people.
Why Health Wildcatters Is Heading to Pegasus Park
For Health Wildcatters, the move to Pegasus Park is about collaboration, access, and wooing potential investors. Moving the cohort and organization’s operations to the 23-acre mixed-use campus will allow capital movers to meet with various companies and startups to determine potential investors. J. Small Investments and Lyda Hill Philanthropies came together to reimagine the former Mobil Oil Corp campus as a science and tech hub.
Finalists Announced: D CEO’s 2022 Commercial Real Estate Awards
It wasn’t easy, but after culling through all of the nominations in our tenth annual Commercial Real Estate Awards, we have named finalists in all 21 categories. Launched in 2013, D CEO’s annual program recognizes outstanding projects, deals, and industry players. The selected finalists represent many of the region’s largest transactions and developments, but also several smaller deals that are poised to be game-changers in their industries or neighborhoods.
Hawai'i - D Magazine
While touring the youngest of hawaii’s eight main islands, I sometimes felt as if I were on another planet. That certainly was the case when hot volcanic smog from one of the world’s most active volcanos brushed against my face—and even more so when I peered inside. Known as The Big Island, Hawai’i offers diverse natural features, from lava-carved tunnels in the middle of a rainforest to snow-capped mountains. But what truly sets it apart is its black lava terrain and black-sand beaches.
2022 North Texas Land Absorption Report Reveals Record Demand for Land in North Texas
As 2021 has now come to a very fascinating and positive end, the North Central Texas land market has experienced significant influences modifying its prior accelerating four years of sales and absorption activity. To some surprise, the effects of COVID-19, an unstable political environment, rising inflation in Federal denial, Federal taxes, CRE threats, and significant increases in construction costs have not had a serious impact on land pricing and activity.
EdTech Trendsetter Taylor Shead Bounces Between Technology and the Board Room
Taylor Shead founded STEMuli in 2016 with her former Apple Inc. coworker Wade Auston with the goal of connecting students to virtual mentoring and internships. In 2020, the company partnered with Dallas ISD to launch a virtual learning platform to help students connect with teachers throughout the pandemic. The fashionable CEO spends time in schools and meeting with corporate partners while working in a tech space, and her fashion choices reflect that diversity.
Shearman & Sterling First To Sign Lease at The Link at Uptown
Shearman & Sterling, a global law firm, became the first tenants of The Link at Uptown, a 291,968 square foot office development located at 2601 Olive St. in Uptown. Representing the tenant in the 22,838-square-foot lease were CBRE’s Chelby Sanders and Ryan Buchanan. JLL’s Blake Shipley, alongside Sarah Kennington and Bryce Jackson from Thirty-Four Commercial, represented the seller.
Mike Geisler of Venture Commercial Wins NTCAR’s Stemmons Service Award
The North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors has been handing out its Stemmons Service Award for 45 years. It’s held in high esteem among those in the North Texas commercial real estate community as it recognizes not only professional accomplishments but also industry and community involvement. NTCAR revealed its annual winner on January 20 at the Dallas Country Club: Mike Geisler, founding principal and managing partner of Venture Commercial Real Estate.
Conversation With: Sharon Morrison, esrp
It has been almost nine years since Sharon Morrison co-founded real estate firm esrp. Today the firm has six partners, including Morrison, and has grown to include 24 brokers. The company established its headquarters at The Star in Frisco—and even more recently, announced a second office location at HALL Arts in the Dallas Arts District.
Mike Ablon Details His Plans for Oak Lawn—His Most Ambitious Project Yet - D Magazine
When real estate developers talk about their projects, they often focus on size, location, amenities, and other physical details. Mike Ablon, principal of PegasusAblon, talks about connection points.
DFW’s Tech Workforce Fuels Economic Growth
When it comes to Texas and technology, people invariably think of Austin. And while it’s true the Capital City attracts a lot of tech talent and tech companies, it’s a mistake to overlook Dallas-Fort Worth, which is a tech hub in its own right. Consider this: 14 Dallas-area companies ranked in Deloitte’s 2021 Technology Fast 500, an annual ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America.
Multifamily Architecture Pioneer Mark Humphreys Passes Away
Dallas has lost one of its architecture titans. Mark Humphreys passed away following a lengthy health battle last week. He was 67. Humphreys founded his eponymous Humphreys & Partners Architects in 1991. The Dallas-based firm specializes in apartment, condo, and mixed-use development around the globe. The company has almost a dozen offices in the U.S., South America, and Asia. Architecture visionary Mark Humphreys passed away last week at age 67.
D CEO Real Estate’s Most-Read Stories of 2021
In reviewing the commercial real estate reports that were most popular with readers last year, it’s no surprise that most involved breaking news about deals. Even throughout the pandemic, North Texas remained one of the nation’s top-performing markets, and stories about relocations, new developments, and first looks at projects certainly resonated. But our coverage is also built on the access we have to leaders developing the projects, making the investments, and doing the deals.
Succeeding in Business in the Long Term: Weathering Booms, Bubbles, and Busts
The commercial real estate market is prone to cycles of strength and weakness and periods of growth and decline. There are booms, bubbles, and busts. Successes don’t come easy, short-term gains don’t just happen, and long-term stability isn’t a matter of chance. 2022 marks Jackson-Shaw’s 50th year in business.
Deadline Extended: D CEO’s Commercial Real Estate Awards
The deadline for D CEO’s Commercial Real Estate Awards program, which honors the region’s top projects, transactions, dealmakers, and industry leaders driving activity in 2021, has been extended to Friday, January 14. This year, we’ve added a new category to highlight the recent influx of hospitality projects in the region. We also are bringing back the Emerging Commercial Real Estate Professional of the Year category.
Behind the Scenes of
Curating a collection of gifts for high-level business executives was no easy task. We analyzed the pages of the Dallas 500 (you can take a peek at the 2022 edition here) to create six personalities and made mental notes of the clothing they wore to events, accessories they were drawn to, and what sort of items they used in their offices. Giving special attention to local brands and retailers was a top priority.
Nate Kowallis: Tapping the Well of the Veteran Workforce
On Veteran’s Day, our hearts and minds turn to those who so willingly served our country. We may think about the training and deployment of our military personnel around the world, we think about their brave actions and sacrifices, and we offer veterans our gratitude for what they did on behalf of the country.
Escape to the ‘Coolest Caribbean Island You've Never Heard of’ With Site Selection Group CEO King White
With crystal-clear ocean waters and the type of beachy lifestyle that defies the concept of time, it’s easy to see why the Caribbean is a favorite destination for travelers from Dallas and beyond. Still, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect as I embarked on an excursion to Nevis, an under-the-radar island in the northern part of the West Indies. Travel Tips Rum Punch and Island Culture An avid lover of the Caribbean, Site Selection Group CEO King R.
How Famed Texas Artist Jon Flaming's Work Ended Up in the Hilton Dallas Park Cities
Hung above the fireplace at the Hilton Dallas Park Cities is a new piece of art. It’s called The Stray. The painting is the first thing that catches my eye when I walk into the hotel. Real estate developer Dupree Scovell walking through the lobby in a bone white Stetson hat is the next. The artwork is a commissioned piece by famed Texas artist Jon Flaming (pronounced Fleming).
How Famed Texas Artist Jon Flaming’s Work Ended Up in the Hilton Dallas Park Cities
By signing up for our newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Candice Romo on the Trains at NorthPark
The Trains at NorthPark are back with Dallas power couple Candice and Tony Romo leading fundraising events as honorary chairs. With more than 700 railcars and 1,600 feet of track, the beloved event has been running for the past 34 years to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Since 1987, the event has raised more than $13 million and helped more than 40,000 families. The exhibit opened Nov. 13 and runs through Jan. 2 on Level 2 between Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
Diane Butler Shares 3 Lessons on Effective Team Building
Zig Ziglar said it best, “Successful people use their strength by recognizing, developing and utilizing the talents of others.” I’ve been fortunate to work with many fantastic people, teams, and organizations, and, as a result, I understand the differences between leadership and management. Leaders lead people; managers manage things. Leadership is about cultivating talent that’s motivated to learn and understand, believe in the vision you set for the team, and work to achieve common goals.
North Texas Industrial Portfolio Exchanges Hands
TA Realty, a real estate investment firm out of Boston, has purchased a five-project portfolio in North Texas. The sale includes nearly 700,000 square feet of shallow bay industrial development in major distribution submarkets across North Texas, including Lewisville, Carrollton, McKinney, and Richardson. Each of the assets, previously owned and developed by HLCI, broke ground in late 2020 and were delivered between May-August 2021.
Step Inside Todd Interests' Brand New East Quarter Residences
The newest residential highrise in downtown Dallas’ burgeoning East Quarter neighborhood has officially opened its doors. “The opening of our Residences solidifies East Quarter as a true neighborhood,” said Todd Interests managing partner Patrick Todd. “The authentic but sophisticated character of [East Quarter] will feel familiar to those that have spent time in Brooklyn, Williamsburg, or Chelsea. For Dallasites, it may be their first time to experience a walkable, upscale, urban neighborhood.
Niecy Nash, Shangela, Bobby Berk, and Todrick Hall Join Star-Studded Black Tie Dinner
Brad Pritchett and Terry Loftis, co-chairs of the nation’s largest LGBTQ fundraiser dinner, knew they wanted to make the 40th annual Black Tie Dinner something special. And on Nov. 15, they pulled out all the stops at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Dallas, returning to what was previously an in-person event that attracted about 2,500, following a virtual program in 2020.
Commercial Real Estate
All leaders in the business community have been faced with making changes to their organizations to survive and thrive throughout the continuing pandemic. John Riggins, Talley Riggins Like other industries, construction companies are grappling with challenges, including supply chain interruptions, rapidly rising costs in materials, and labor shortages.
Capital Flows in Real Estate: Industrial Investments Continue the Surge
As more data comes out, real estate investors are getting a clearer picture of what life beyond the pandemic will be. In the dark days of COVID-19, U.S. and global investors alike were scrambling to ascertain valuations as cash flows shifted daily. That rollercoaster ride has leveled out. Cliff Booth, Westmount Realty Capital The rapid labor market recovery and substantial wage growth have helped stabilize the economy, boosting property markets in 2021.
The Hunt Family's Rosewood Ranches Is Bringing the Pasture to the Table
Walking into one of Dallas’ newest barbecue joints, I knew what I wanted as soon as I laid my eyes on the menu. “Wagyu brisket,” I tell a man behind the counter at Oak’d Handcrafted BBQ, which recently opened on Greenville Avenue with an impressive group of backers behind it. As I watched my meal being prepared, I had no idea that the process of getting the meat to my plate had been several decades in the making.
Dallas Lifestyle Brand Hari Mari Drops First Slipper Collection
Following the launch of Hari Mari’s apparel line in May, the iconic Dallas-based footwear company has launched its first slipper line. “Our customers have asked for a winter counterpart to our sandals for quite some time now, and we are thrilled to bring a made-in-the Americas slipper to the table,” says co-founder, Lila Stewart.
Worldwide Express Ditches Victory Park Headquarters for Deep Ellum Location
Worldwide Express is relocating its Dallas headquarters from Victory Park to Deep Ellum’s brand new office tower, The Stack. Founded in 1992, Worldwide Express is a fast-growing logistics and technology company supporting small-to-mid-size businesses across the United States. The move follows its merger with Phoenix-based GlobalTranz Enterprises in June. The company signed a 10-year lease for 24,480 square feet in the 16-store mixed-use office building, joining fintech company Bestow.
On the Road: How to Spend a Weekend in Memphis
When I was first invited to spend a couple of days in Memphis, I instantly envisioned myself knee-deep in barbecue with a strong drink in tow. And while I ate my weight in smokey, dry-rubbed ribs at the famous Central BBQ and drank my way through much of the city, I walked away from my trip dripping in the region’s rich history. Much like New Orleans, Memphis is the type of place where you can viscerally feel its past.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Bianca
Contact Bianca, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack