Waterfront redevelopment has become one of the most powerful opportunities, but success depends on effective public-private collaboration. In an exclusive interview with IREI, John Drew, founder and chairman of the Drew Co., a Boston-based real estate management and development company, discusses the challenges of transforming industrial sites into thriving urban districts. As cities and developers navigate shifting market conditions, infrastructure demands, and evolving patterns of how people live and work, Drew’s perspective helps frame the practical considerations, partnerships, and long-term planning involved in large-scale waterfront redevelopment.
From your experience, what are the biggest challenges when converting industrial or non-residential waterfront sites into vibrant mixed-use districts?
The biggest challenge with these conversions lies in changing the perception of a neighborhood or space that’s only been seen in one light for genera
