ULI Philadelphia’s 2021 Awards for Excellence finalists represent superior development projects in the greater Philadelphia region that embody the ULI mission of shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

Daniel Killinger, President, National Real Estate Development, developer of East Market, joins us for “Five Minutes with a Finalist”. Here’s what he had to say:

Can you share your favorite story behind this project?

In 2014, when we first started the East Market project, National Development approached one of Philadelphia’s leading healthcare institutions, Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, to lease space within an existing office building in the development for their administration team. After much negotiation, they decided not to move forward with the lease. While unfortunate, this rejection challenged us to pause and more clearly define how our project vision would attract and retain leading changemakers. Modest development proposals were not going change the perception of the neighborhood. We strategized and transformed our vision to build a new neighborhood, rooted in the city’s history, organized around an interior pedestrian walkway with active public spaces. With the bold goal of transforming the neglected district east of City Hall, we envisioned a new neighborhood anchored in a sense of place. The vision was bold enough to be a catalyst to transform the entire neighborhood into a vibrant destination and purposeful mix of diverse tenants and uses. Fast forward almost seven years, and our purpose-driven development brought the institution back to the negotiating table. Today, we are in the process of building Jefferson a 19-story outpatient care facility – the final piece of the East Market development and the culmination of our new neighborhood vision.

How have you had to respond or shift your project over the past year due to COVID-19?

Amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, National Development and our partners within the East Market project rose to the occasion with swift responses prioritizing the health and safety of our employees, tenants, residents, community, and stakeholders. An immediate top priority was to ensure the small businesses and residents within East Market were supported with resources and concessions, as needed. We maintained clear lines of communication with all partners, understanding the long-term benefits that temporary accommodations would bring to the larger project vision. Due to these quick responses and short-term concessions, the project maintained all tenant leases, stabilized two apartment buildings, and opened a new hotel and three restaurant concepts throughout the pandemic. Moving forward, as the pandemic fueled a widespread appreciation for outdoor spaces and public health, the project will expand its pedestrian-friendly outdoor gathering areas and further commitments to sustainable, healthy design. The challenges of the pandemic have reinforced our mission to developing forward-thinking, technologically advanced environments that set the standard for today’s evolving work-live-play environments.

What inspires you the most about Philadelphia and the region right now?

While other cities in America saw a mass migration to the suburbs in 2020, the real estate market in Philadelphia boomed as workers fled higher-priced, dense metropolises. Philadelphia’s accessibility, open spaces, walkability, and diverse neighborhoods make it an increasingly desirable urban center. I am inspired by our region’s growth while maintaining the unique personalities of Philadelphia’s neighborhood pockets. From Center City to the Navy Yard, Northern Liberties, West Philadelphia, and beyond – our neighborhoods are teeming with growth. I am encouraged by each neighborhood’s ability to grow and embrace development while maintaining individual characteristics that are authentically Philadelphia. Center City is opening back up. The Navy Yard has a bold new vision. Life Sciences are accelerating University City’s growth. Northern Liberties and Fishtown are booming. Philadelphia continues to grow while maintaining its deep rooted personality and authenticity.

Winners will be announced live at a virtual celebration on June 16. For more information and to register, click here