EP57 – Driving retail real estate success through community anchors
10 Apr 2025
Christine Mastandrea, President and COO of Whitestone REIT, shares how a community-first mindset can drive long-term value in commercial real estate. From tailoring retail environments to local culture, to acknowledging and leveraging psychographics and generational shifts, Christine lays out Whitestone’s strategy of turning shopping centers into vibrant and diverse hubs for community.
We explore how retail spaces can serve as the “living rooms” of their neighborhoods, and why flexible, experience-driven developments are key to succeeding in today’s constantly changing landscape.
Tune in to better understand the value of building resilience and relevance into a retail property investment.
Resources Mentioned:
Key moments
01:07 Meet Christine Mastandrea: Background and early career
03:36 The rise of REITs
05:00 Teaching experience and generational Insights
06:32 Christine's role at Whitestone REIT
08:14 Strategic decisions and market focus
11:55 Whitestone's IPO journey
14:41 Wearing a lot of hats at Whitestone
19:51 COVID-19 response and adaptation
26:09 Entrepreneurial mindset and growth of the “small business”
28:45 Impact of high Interest rates and inflation
31:10 Generational shifts in consumer behavior
36:36 The role of retail in community building
42:44 Challenges and opportunities in retail development
49:03 Advice for breaking into the CRE industry
50:45 Redefining retail for the future
This week's guest and host
Christine Mastandrea
President and COO
Whitestone REIT
Cole Perry
Associate Director of Research
Resources
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