In our latest roundup, Wells Fargo sues JPMorgan Chase, mortgage rates drop, and the life science RE market falters, and more!
Beyond the Executive Orders: Legislative Proposals to Strengthen the U.S. Critical Minerals Supply Chain
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Critical minerals are the backbone of modern technologies and national security, powering everything from advanced semiconductors and electric vehicle batteries to missile guidance systems and renewable energy infrastructure. As the global economy transitions to more diverse energy technologies, the demand for these essential materials has surged. Despite their vast importance and usefulness, the United States remains heavily dependent on foreign sources—particularly China—that dominate the global supply chain for critical minerals. This reliance threatens supply chain stability, leaving key American industries vulnerable to disruptions, price manipulations and political leverage.
Data Centers: A Field Guide
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By one count, worldwide there were some 11,800 data centers in early 2024. Within that census are facilities so small that they fit in office building closets, while others are among the largest manmade structures on the planet. How are we to make sense of this diverse population?
Data centers house servers, storage devices and network devices to store, process and disseminate large quantities of data of organizations and their customers and supply chains. The size and complexity of these facilities vary with their functions in the business ecosystem. Much like the well-known depictions of the evolution of horses from tiny brush creatures to mighty stallions, the overall category cries out to be broken down along multiple dimensions.
This post provides a naturalist’s field guide to data center types and features.
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (2/26/25) – Uncertainty for Renters, a Record-High Hotel Project Pipeline and Hybrid Hopes for Office Leasing
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In our latest roundup, hybrid work creates hope for the office sector, Texas lawmakers ease office-to-residential conversations, service-based tenants are expected to lease more retail space, and more!
Apple’s $500B U.S. Manufacturing Push and New AI Server Facility in Houston: What It Means for Data Centers
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As we covered previously, President Trump has made clear that the U.S. is focused on increasing investments into building, scaling and speeding the development of AI infrastructure and data centers in the U.S., and Big Tech is responding in kind.
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (2/19/25) – An Embrace of AI, A Squeeze on Construction and a Jump in Mortgage Refinance Demand
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In our latest roundup, tech giants invest in new data centers, senators introduce bill aimed at price-setting algorithms, DoD stops PLA requirements, and more!
Family Offices May See SEC and Tax Treatment Changes Under Trump
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The possibility of a second Trump administration heralding significant regulatory and tax policy changes for the ultrawealthy and their family offices is, to put it mildly, substantial.
For decades, family offices have operated within an opaque legal framework marked by limited guidance, oversight, or public disclosure. They also have navigated a labyrinthine tax code riddled with uncertainties. Trump 2.0 could fundamentally alter this landscape, even if Congress takes little to no legislative action.
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (2/5/25) – The Effect of Trump’s Policies on the Housing Market, Property Value Loss in the Face of Climate Change, and a Transitional Year for the Apartment Market
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In our latest roundup, Southern California wildfires impact supply chain, higher material prices threaten future project demand, commercial real estate distress strains regional banks, and more!
DOGE Takes Aim at Federal Leases Administered by the General Services Administration (GSA)
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In DOGE Puts GSA Leases in the Doghouse, colleagues Matt Carter, Michael R. Rizzo, Andrew J. Weiner, Christian A. Buerger, David L. Miller, Dinesh C. Dharmadasa and Allan C. Van Vliet explain why, even as the Trump administration may be utilizing early exit provisions in the GSA lease cancellations and terminations reported to date, prudent contractors should prepare for other potential tactics to end leases the administration deems unfavorable.
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (1/28/25) – FTC Suing Greystar, DOJ Investigating Top Residential Landlords and Trump Facing Housing Conundrum
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In our latest roundup, construction technology funding stabilizes, office vacancies hit new high, builders outline recommendations to Trump, and more!