Category: Spotlight Content

Innovation in commercial real estate comes in many forms—from new technology and smarter processes to creative problem-solving, stronger collaboration and forward-thinking leadership. Publishing August 28, NEREJ's latest Ones to Watch: Innovators in Commercial Real Estate spotlight recognizes the individuals, teams and companies helping shape the future of our industry.

The A.D. Makepeace Company was founded in 1854 by Abel Denison Makepeace, known at the time as “the Cranberry King.” Seven generations later, the company has diversified into commercial and residential real estate development on lands it has accumulated over the years.

The planning team at Dacon exists to keep two disciplines moving as one: creative vision and construction reality. As the connective link between PDA (our in-house architectural affiliate) and our general contracting team, our planners coordinate projects from first concept sketch through groundbreaking without losing momentum, budget discipline, or design intent along the way.

ReVision Energy is an employee-owned certified B Corp. that has been helping organizations and individuals transition to renewable energy since 2003. Recognized as the No. 1 Solar + Storage Installer in New England, the company delivers customized solar and storage solutions that reduce costs, improve resilience, and advance sustainability goals.

For over 20 years, DeLucia and De Lise have driven innovation in real estate through strategic redevelopment. Guided by a mission to unlock hidden value in prime locations, they transform underutilized properties into vibrant, high-performing assets by combining deep industry expertise, seamless execution, and a commitment to revitalizing local communities.

What innovation or accomplishment are you most proud of? I came to Boston from Ireland 30 years ago and am still proud to call this city home. I’m most proud of what we’re building at Synergy across the city, taking underused office buildings and reimagining them for how Boston actually needs to grow.

What innovation or accomplishment are you most proud of? In almost five years with Currie Project Management, I’ve had the chance to work on a wide variety of projects across New England,

What innovation or accomplishment are you most proud of? I’m most proud of my involvement in the Prevention Thru Design (PTD) safety initiative on an R&D facility project.

Where do you see the biggest opportunities for innovation in CRE or your area of expertise? One major opportunity for innovation lies in repositioning distressed or obsolete properties for today’s market. Bedford Woods is a compelling example: after sitting vacant for years,

How is innovation changing the way you approach your work? The construction industry is being flooded with an unprecedented amount of technology. It’s an exciting time to lead innovation, but the abundance of options makes focusing on the right problems more important than ever.

What excites you most about the future of commercial real estate?  The information now at our disposal has empowered us to move faster and provide clients with more informed, data-driven advice than ever before. At the same time, the industry continues to prove that it will always be a relationship-driven business.

What innovation or accomplishment are you most proud of? Innovation isn’t always a priority, which may seem surprising coming from someone with a design background, but I’m always looking first and foremost at how to best serve my client and the people in their buildings.