Episode notes
Matthew Clark, who leads the Urban Division at Colliers International, shares his incredible journey and passion for retail real estate.
From his early days working on historic infill projects to now managing $4 billion in mixed-use real estate, Matthew has become a leading voice in the Jacksonville market.
In this episode, they discuss:
- The Power of Merchandising: How thoughtful retail curation can increase neighborhood rents by up to 300% and foster a true sense of community.
- Jacksonville’s "Tipping Point": Why this city is the Southeast’s best-kept secret and how its slow progress has allowed it to learn from and implement lessons from other major cities.
- Pearl Square: A groundbreaking $750 million+ investment that is set to define downtown Jacksonville with 30 blocks of high-density residential, retail, and world-class design.
- The "Umami" of Retail: Matthew’s strategy for hunting down authentic food and beverage brands that keep people coming back to a project.
- Future Trends: The rise of sophisticated mixed-use developments and the growing demand for contemporary soft goods, home furnishings, and luxury fashion in the region.
Matthew also highlights his collaboration with Brandmarch, emphasizing the importance of a curated platform where creative brokers and retailers can partner to do "really amazing work".
Professional Experience
- Scale of Projects: He currently manages $4 billion worth of mixed-use real estate in Jacksonville.
- Focus Areas: His expertise lies in urban infill projects and historic retail strips, where he has demonstrated the ability to increase neighborhood rents by up to 300% through strategic merchandising.
- Pearl Square: Clark is a lead figure in the $750 million first phase of Pearl Square, a 30-block downtown Jacksonville redevelopment. This project includes 300,000 square feet of retail and approximately 1,250 multifamily units.
- Strategic Approach: His team partners with developers early in the design phase to consult on public realm aesthetics and merchandising plans. He actively scouts new concepts by traveling to numerous cities annually to meet with independent restaurateurs and retailers.
Brands and Categories
Matthew Clark works with authentic and "umami" food and beverage brands like Indigo Road and Ariete Hospitality, while also targeting soft goods, luxury fashion, and home furnishing groups such as Todd Snyder, Reformation, Sezane, Mango, Design Within Reach, and LA Relaxed.