HOUSTON, TEXAS – December 4, 2025 – Lee & Associates – Houston, a leading commercial real estate services firm, is pleased to announce that Wade Bowlin has joined the company as Executive Vice President, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities in office agency leasing, landlord representation, and strategic advisory services across the Greater Houston area. Bowlin brings over 30 years of commercial real estate experience, including senior executive leadership roles at globally recognized firms….
From Fuel to Future: Redeveloping Aging Gas Stations in a Changing Market
December 2025 – Mary Doetterl, Research Director, Lee & Associates – Houston Across the country, aging gas stations are emerging as valuable redevelopment opportunities for investors seeking well-located retail or mixed-use sites. These properties typically sit on high-visibility corners with strong traffic patterns, ideal ingredients for long-term commercial success. Yet repositioning old fuel sites requires careful attention to environmental, regulatory, and market-driven challenges. The first major hurdle is environmental remediation. Older underground storage tanks often…
Executive Insights: Brandi Dees on the Future of Fuel, EV & Automotive Real Estate
The retail fuel and automotive landscape is evolving, and real estate strategy is evolving with it. In a recent Houston Business Journal Executive Insights interview, Brandi Dees of Lee & Associates – Houston discusses the future of fuel and EV retail locations and how changing consumer behavior, new technology, and the growth of electric vehicle infrastructure are influencing real estate decisions. With more than 20 years of experience in retail real estate, site selection, acquisitions,…
Fueling the Future: Transitioning from Gas Stations to Multi-Energy Hubs
November 2025 – Mary Doetterl, Research Director, Lee & Associates – Houston The fuel station of tomorrow is evolving far beyond the gas pump. As electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative fuels gain market share, forward-thinking operators are transforming traditional gas stations into multi-energy hubs that cater to every type of traveler. “Most recently, consumer behavior is shifting more toward convenience, sustainability, and digital integration… gas stations will remain highly relevant as multi-service hubs,” says…
THE LEE LENS – What Higher for Longer Really Means for CRE Investment in 2025
Elevated borrowing costs are reshaping commercial real estate investment nationwide, and Houston is no exception. However, the region enters this environment with resilient market fundamentals, supported by steady tenant demand, disciplined development, Port Houston activity, and a diverse economic base. Even so, capital has become more selective, placing greater emphasis on durable cash flow, asset quality, strong locations, and operational performance. In this edition of The Lee Lens, we examine how the higher-for-longer interest rate…
THE LEE LENS – STICKY BUT SHIFTING: INSIDE THE CAP RATE RECALIBRATION
After nearly two years of elevated interest rates and shifting market conditions, commercial real estate investors find themselves at an unusual juncture. Despite clear increases in borrowing costs and economic uncertainty, cap rates remain surprisingly sticky. At the heart of this dynamic is a fundamental disconnect between sellers holding tight to earlier valuation benchmarks and buyers recalibrating for heightened risk. The result is a cautious, fragmented market—one defined less by distress than by recalibration. Nationwide,…
Houston Industrial & Manufacturing Capital Markets: Growth Anchored by Port and Expanding Submarkets
October 2025 – Mary Doetterl, Research Director, Lee & Associates – Houston Houston’s industrial market continues to demonstrate resilience in 2025, even as broader capital markets navigate elevated interest rates and tighter lending conditions. Investor focus remains strong on modern logistics and distribution facilities, while manufacturing growth in the North and Northwest submarkets is adding an important new dimension to the region’s industrial history. According to Lee & Associates’ latest Houston industrial report, citywide net…
Beyond Distribution Warehouses: How AI Manufacturing Is Redefining Houston’s Industrial Landscape
September 2025 | Mary Doetterl, Research Director, Lee & Associates – Houston Houston Industrial: From Petrochemical to High-Tech For decades, Houston’s industrial history has been defined by petrochemical adjacency and logistics linked to the Port of Houston. But a new wave of demand is emerging. One powered not by energy commodities, but by artificial intelligence. With Apple, Nvidia, and Foxconn investing heavily in AI server factories and supercomputing facilities in Houston, the…
Why Office Sublease Space Is Gaining Attention in 2025
July 2025 | Mary Doetterl, Research Manager, Lee & Associates – Houston As Houston’s office market continues to evolve, sublease space is taking center stage for tenants seeking agility, affordability, and speed to occupancy. “Subleases give landlords both a challenge and an opportunity,” says Blake Virgilio, Principal at Lee & Associates. “While it introduces more competition, it also lets us reposition space creatively and work directly with subtenants looking for long-term solutions.” Cost…