Melmark, a national leader in the human services field, will break ground in early 2025 on the development of an adult community on a three-acre site in Tewksbury, MA. The project is intended to address an increasing need in Massachusetts for adult services that are evidence-based and instructional for individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The pilot project will cost an estimated $15 million to complete. Melmark collaborated with the Caveney Architectural Collaborative on the design, which will include four residences housing 20 adults, an instructional and vocational day program for 50-plus individuals, a vocational coffee shop social enterprise, daily living activities, supports, community engagement, recreational opportunities and affordable staff housing. Vantage Builders will manage the construction of the three-acre site.

“Our goal is to develop an infrastructure and model that is campus-based and rooted in full community integration and resource-sharing, which will allow individuals to age in place through their whole lifespan,” said Melmark president and CEO Rita M. Gardner.

The global financial sector is anticipated to grow, not just in 2025 but through 2030. In addition, banks and other institutions plan to boost their workforces by looking for talent with skills in data analytics, AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering. To attract those employees, these companies will upgrade their office designs to improve the workplace experience.

This is one development found in JLL’s just-released “Financial Services Real Estate Trends to Watch” for 2025. Other things to look for include the following.

The Impact of AI and Technology

• According to research, 65% of financial firms have a strategy for AI integration; these companies are developing AI use cases for real estate management. Additionally:

• 67% plan to increase CRE technology spending by 2030

• 62% anticipate their office spaces will be tech-enabled by 2030

The report said that areas likely to see automation include daily occupancy planning, workplace design and fit-out, project design and construction workplace strategy and lease administration.

Changing Demographics and Wealth Management

The report estimates that by 2045, over $84 billion in assets could be transferred from baby boomers to millennials. This means that wealth management firms need to “reimagine spaces for younger clientele. “

Additionally, wealth management centers are blending digital and in-person experiences and expanding into urban cores and suburban markets. The trend also demonstrates ground-floor stand-alone spaces and co-locations with retail branches.

Greater Alignment with Business Demands

“The role of CRE leaders in financial services is evolving from operational tasks to strategic business partnering,” the report explained. As a result, commercial real estate strategies should align with business objectives, including company growth plans, talent strategies and client needs.

Additionally, CRE functions are shifting reporting structures closer to that of operations and human resources. “By successfully navigating challenges like talent shortages and technology implementation, CRE leaders can position themselves as key drivers of innovation and growth,” according to the report.

A Focus on Premium Assets

Anticipated talent growth will likely mean higher portfolio utilization by 203. This will increase the focus on design and employee experience and the demand for high-quality assets in key locations.

However, “firms are encountering difficulties in finding suitable space in gateway markets due to limited supply,” the report said. Because of this, expansions might take place in non-traditional financial hubs.

Puyallup Tribal Enterprises (PTE) has announced the creation of the Tribe’s own construction company, Tahoma Construction Services (TCS), to handle the tribe’s growing portfolio of construction projects.

TCS will specialize in commercial and residential projects. One of its first will be to act as general contractor for a Tribal housing complex with 45 townhomes and 10 single-family homes. The housing project is funded by the Tribe’s own funds.

“TCS will not only provide jobs for Tribal members and give the Tribe the ability to build its own projects, but it is also another opportunity for revenue diversification as TCS plans to expand and start bidding on local projects,” said Matt Wadhwani, the Tribe’s Financial Officer and PTE CEO.

Puyallup Tribal Enterprises is the parent company of Tahoma Construction Services, and shares the same leadership team, reporting up to the Puyallup Tribal Council. “The broader reach is to be a profitable company that provides long term construction jobs for Tribal members,” said Kyle Eley, PTE’s COO.

Trinity Partners, a full-service commercial real estate firm headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is establishing operations in Atlanta with the acquisition of APG Real Estate Services, Atlanta Property Group’s (APG) leasing and management platform. The acquisition brings 46 industry professionals and a 19-building, 5 million-square-foot portfolio of property management and leasing services to Trinity Partners.

Trinity’s Adam Colvin added, “With this acquisition, Trinity Partners is officially planting its flag in Atlanta, continuing a growth story that has been playing out across the Southeast.” 

Austin Chase and Robert Pavese will head the Atlanta office, along with Joe Crawford, Sarah Beckom Stevens and Kathy Long, who will oversee and expand Trinity Partners’ Atlanta portfolio. Trinity Partners will lease and manage each office, retail and mixed-use asset within APG’s owned portfolio.

This acquisition brings Trinity Partners to 250 professionals and a 36 million-square-foot leasing and management portfolio. Trinity’s largest parcel in its Atlanta portfolio is the Palisades, a four-building, 639,000-square-foot office campus in Central Perimeter (photo).