ICSC RECon, the annual global real estate convention, was held this year once again in Las Vegas May 19-22, attracting approximately 40,000 attendees from around the world.

As reflected in the Laguarda.Low projects displayed in the Design Trends Hall – experiential retail and mixed-use development continued to be hot topics. The evolution in creative placemaking included experiential retail as the new normal – with wellness centers, food halls and live entertainment venues as programming vehicles that will attract shoppers and increase attendance and revenue.

Similarly, the shift towards mixed-use reflects an opportunity to convert portions of retail property by adding an office, hotel or other non-retail component. Many major property owners are already taking advantage of subdividing unused land parcels and either developing the alternative use or selling the parcel for a complimentary non-retail use.

Retail evolution was a prominent theme and is promising news for a firm such as Laguarda.Low - who bring a wealth of transferable international mixed-use expertise to the US market.