On November 19^th, ULI members and industry experts met to share perspectives on why life science companies are choosing to locate and grow in the Philadelphia region, how various asset classes are responding to that growth, and discuss the national trends detailed in the Emerging Trends in Real Estate® 2020 report released by ULI and PwC. Over 600 ULI members and public and private industry leaders joined ULI Philadelphia for its 20^th Annual Real Estate Forecast. This year’s national report positioned Philadelphia among the “Markets to Watch” and as a “Stalwart, Surprise, and Determined Competitor” characterized by a track record of capital inflows and recent evidence of solid transaction volume. Local speakers expanded on trends identified nationally.

The remarkable life sciences momentum that is building in our City and region was evident from today’s speakers and market leaders. Jeff Marrazzo, Co-Founder & CEO of Spark Therapeutics, interviewed by John Grady, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), shared the story of the company’s creation and their commitment to growing in Philadelphia. Today, 30 cell and gene therapy companies with $30 billion of capital and more than 60 research labs call Philadelphia home. Ability to attract global talent, relative affordability, and a desirable built environment were all noted as competitive advantages in the region.  Later in the afternoon, Brandywine Realty Trust gave a small group a tour of the Schuylkill Yards project plans, including a building that will be occupied by Spark. Marrazzo is now focused on how to recommit growing our competitive advantage and to engaging the unique talent within these companies to invest in their communities.

The “Philadelphia Rising: Elements of Success” panel of development and planning professionals amplified these themes, by taking a deeper look at some of the City’s key projects (East Market, the Navy Yard and UCity Square) that connect the urban fabric with life science investments. PIDC’s Senior Vice President, Prema Gupta described both the historic and future activity at the Navy Yard, a unique place that has a larger scale for big footprint uses close to a talent pool and airport.  Recent exciting activity includes the decision of Iovance Biotherapeutics to select the Navy Yard after a national search for a new location and the recent approval of residential development at the site. On the other side of the City, Joe Regan, Northeast Region Executive, SVP of Wexford Sciences & Technology shared that their University City portfolio has grown through the adjacency to the universities and dense development. Joe also noted that there is out of market attention to Philadelphia and specifically the neighborhood.

On the residential side, National Real Estate Development’s Daniel Killinger located its only mixed-use development among its major urban projects throughout Washington, DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco at East Market because of overall market strength. Capital Markets expert Alexandra Johns, VP/Market Leader with Grosvener Americas described, that the industry has been through a major value shift that is apparent in the built environment. Philadelphia has the ingredients of authenticity, optionality and mobility. Moderator Matt Cabrey, Executive Director of Select Greater Philadelphia, challenged the panelists and audience to think about what is missing and what the real estate industry can focus on as ways to support this ecosystem. Gattuso Development Partners also gave participants a tour of the 1800 Arch Street/ the Comcast Technology Center later in the afternoon.

Lauren Gilchrist, Senior Vice President and Senior Director of Research for JLL Philadelphia shared extensive data behind some of these themes. She identified a labor shortage as the possible biggest issue in our economy. Wages continue to grow, especially at the high end of the market, and make it more expensive for companies to do business. Philadelphia’s millennial narrative remains strong, with the growth outpacing all other cities in the country. On the multifamily side absorption is high, though construction costs and new types of rental housing based on the shared economy are emerging and shifting the landscape. Lauren also provided data behind the cell and gene therapy growth story. Deal sizes are getting bigger and there are more of them; the sector is attracting a record level of venture capital and raising NIH funding at a rate third only to New York City and Boston. There is low vacancy at the emerging hubs of the Navy Yard and University City and the tremendous amount of real estate built for cell and gene companies online or in the pipeline through 2021 will continue to change the City, economy and market. The continued outlook is uncertain: it’s chaotic and there is more opportunity than ever, but it’s a cautionary tale.

Finally, these themes were reiterated by Mitch Roschelle, Partner and Business Development Leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers. This year, willingness to embrace change and rethink growth strategies is key to successful cities, as identified in the Emerging Trends in Real Estate® Report. Overall, this year’s survey respondents felt almost exactly the same about the outlook of the real estate industry as found in last year’s survey. The economic expansion is at a record length and counting. This year’s report indicates that during volatile times, real estate remains an asset class of great interest. Consumers continue to carry the economy, businesses are not investing in capital expenses, and the tight labor market looms large.