About Trend
TREND is a social enterprise formed in 2016 with a mission to catalyze and accelerate strategic commercial development that strengthens urban neighborhoods, with a focus on communities of color. We have cultivated a unique perspective and expertise on many aspects of commercial real estate and developed an integrated set of services to strengthen urban commercial corridors and their surrounding neighborhoods.
TREND’s most recent innovation is an inclusive shopping center ownership and community revitalization strategy to identify, acquire and improve service-oriented community shopping centers in select urban neighborhoods in partnership with local entrepreneurs and residents. We assemble teams of Black professionals to manage the properties; expand opportunities for Black-owned businesses to lease storefronts; and structure deals to enable community members to invest and financially benefit from the shopping center. TREND currently owns 5 shopping centers that incorporate this model, with the goal to acquire as many as 16 by the end of 2026. When this goal is achieved, we will have helped over 300 Black, local and small impact investors own a portion of a profitable commercial real estate portfolio valued in excess of $125 million.
TREND also provides advisory services that include assisting small businesses in accessing capital for strategic, growth-oriented investments; advising cities, economic development organizations, corporations, philanthropy, impact investors and other stakeholders – and more impactful – development projects; and broader field building to invent leading-edge tools and practices for inclusive commercial development. We formed an affiliated non-profit community development corporation to further our efforts to foster inclusive growth in neighborhoods, cities and regions.
Market data and analytics
Market data and analytics that provide sophisticated and predictive market data on communities’ current state and change trajectories, shopping patterns within specific commercial corridors, corridor preferences among different demographic groups, retail corridors ripe for investment, and the likely effect of new retail development on communities
Development facilitation services
Development facilitation services by serving as a master broker among parties interested in strategic retail development, organizing a coalition of retailers interested in urban retail development (Retail Coalition of the Willing), providing assistance that accelerates the development timeline, and initiating new retail developments where the data and analytics indicate market opportunities for strategic retail development
Financing tools
Financing tools to allow developers to attract high-impact national and local retail tenants who will influence upward neighborhood trajectory by offering debt and equity financing to close the financing gaps that prevent them from committing
These tools create mutually reinforcing retail and community change that benefits residents and businesses alike.
OUR TEAM
TREND has an esteemed Steering Committee, experienced Executive Leadership and expert Implementation Partners.
CONTACT INFORMATION
30 W. Monroe St.
Suite 510
Chicago, IL 60603
info@chicagotrend.com
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