In the News

Reports of the Chicago White Sox contemplation of departing from Guaranteed Rate Field, after threatening to move the team to Florida, present various options for securing the team’s future.

“Getting a new stadium with a significant mixed-use district surrounding it in Chicagoland in a great location (nice suburb or attractive part of the city) would still likely be his best return on investment,” says Rob Hunden, president of Hunden Partners, a real estate development consultancy that advises on large-scale projects.

Business events serve as an excellent opportunity for place brands to thrive. When executed effectively, these events highlight strengths, attract residents and investors by showcasing its distinctive quality of life, and stimulate economic activity within town centers. Five place branding experts shared their insights.

Welcome Steve Haemmerle, New Executive Vice President at Hunden Partners.

Steve Haemmerle, a senior real estate professional known for leading Navy Pier’s redevelopment plan, has joined Hunden Partners as Executive Vice President. He has over 30 years of real estate experience and has led the development of high-profile mixed-use projects in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Steve leads Hunden’s Development Advisory Services practice, working with Hunden’s public and private sector clients to guide projects from concept through implementation.  This includes working closely with several higher education clients in the implementation of transformative mixed-use projects and helping public sector clients engage the private sector to create inspiring places that meet their development objectives.

Hunden Partners presented its latest State of the Industry findings at the 2023 Association of Luxury Suite Directors (ALSD) Design & Build Conference, which took place July 9-11, 2023, at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. Hunden’s annual State of the Industry report highlights data-driven predictions and trends in major league sports facilities.

MANISTEE — Manistee City Council could approve an agreement with a company for a beach amphitheater study at the next meeting on Wednesday.

According to the city council meeting agenda, members are to consider the authorization of an agreement with Hunden Strategic Partners, of Chicago, for a beach amphitheater market and feasibility study.

Financial Feasibility and Economic Impact Analysis completed by real estate advisory Hunden Partners is the basis for qualified partner search

We reached out to our Expert partners to discover what they consider the key area you should be focusing on in order to deliver an inclusive place brand strategy and how you can ensure that you’re engaging with your underrepresented communities.

A new Texas law will allow the city of Corpus Christi to keep a portion of hotel occupancy tax revenue to fund improvements and the expansion of the American Bank Center.

It’s been a quarter-century since the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds received any new investment. That will change this summer when a $65 million, three-phase expansion project begins that will modernize the 40-acre site in Noblesville.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 1, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the Elizabethtown Courthouse Hotel expects to create 18 full-time jobs with a new $8.18 million tourism development project that will bring boutique lodging and tourism dollars to Hardin County.

The scholarship program initiates at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and provides opportunities for a diverse range of students to pursue real estate careers.

Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with Rob Hunden, the visionary founder and CEO of Hunden Partners.

With over 28 years of experience in real estate, tourism, and economic development, Rob Hunden has been at the forefront of transforming communities and shaping the future of placemaking projects.

In this captivating interview, Rob Hunden takes us on a journey into the world of real estate development, sharing his insights, expertise, and the driving force behind his success.

A panel of owners and operators of these developments explains why programming and activation on a year-round, rather than seasonal basis, lies at the heart of every district’s operating philosophy.

A new study  conducted by real estate advisory firm Hunden Strategic Partners in Chicago, provided more insight into where Seminole County could build a new sports facility, how much it would cost, how many events it may be able to host and more.

For your place brand strategy to be successful, citizen engagement should be a continuous and integral focus in your strategic decision-making.

We asked our Expert Partners why they believe cities, regions, and nations should adopt a more strategic and integrated approach to citizen engagement and what their top piece of advice is for places looking to take this to the next level.

Sports-Anchored Entertainment Districts Deliver Experiences Well Beyond Athletics, Say EEE Panelists. As large-scale entertainment districts that are centered around professional sports teams pop up around the country, operators of these developments are realizing that their ability to draw traffic, generate revenue and deliver meaningful experiences goes well beyond the diamond, arena or gridiron.

TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) – The city of Temple is looking into a mobile market plan that would help with the food desert issue in the eastern area of town.

Officials said there hasn’t been a grocery store franchise in east Temple, causing the majority of residents to walk miles to the nearest one because of lack of transportation.

Wasco County has contracted with Hunden Strategic Partners, which is performing an economic and feasibility study for a new indoor and/or outdoor sports facility in The Dalles.

East Temple residents continue to express a need and desire for a grocery store in the Ferguson Park or Crestview neighborhoods despite a recommendation from a Chicago-based consultant against such a venture.

The number one area places are looking to improve their collaboration is with their private sector. Your private sector is a core part of the make-up of your place.

Hunden Strategic Partners announces that its founder Rob Hunden will moderate an impressive panel of major league teams and districts at this year’s Entertainment Experience Evolution in Los Angeles. The much-anticipated conference will cover a range of topics, with Hunden leading the panel entitled “Sports-Anchored Retail Entertainment Districts: What Works and What to Avoid.”

In January, Corpus Christi City Council received the results to a feasibility and economic study about expanding American Bank Center and adding a 600-room hotel.

On the New Jersey Meadowlands Mixed-Use Project: It’s a construction project that would transform the entire region. Let’s hear more in the Bottom Line with Jerry Keenan.

At Friday morning’s mDest23! A Thought Leaders Conference, the Meadowlands 2040 Foundation and Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce revealed the highly anticipated, Phase Two of its Convention Center Economic Feasibility Study.

A plan to renovate KU’s football stadium and build a new “campus gateway” around it has won a $50 million state grant and a commitment of $150 million in funding from the KU Endowment Association.

The role that destination marketing and economic development organisations are taking in their communities is changing. And with it comes a new pressure to find more reliable ways of demonstrating the true impact that you’re having in your city or nation.

Rob Hunden, president of Chicago-based Hunden Strategic Partners, gave the council proposals from a feasibility study it conducted for the city. Plans include a renovation and expansion of the American Bank Center, which would add meeting rooms and a large ballroom.