Navigating a shifting landscape

Whether adeptly managing through today’s market fluctuations or advising on future trends, Wilder’s integrated and experienced teams have a unique take on where the retail industry is headed and how to get there.

Our Approach

Our comprehensive, integrated approach, “The Wilder Way” maximizes value creation and produces forward-thinking destinations. Our teams interact daily to ensure that every strategic initiative, permit, tenant buildout, on-site event and building improvement is executed in a first-class manner.

To facilitate this, our teams operate in pods. Each property is “owned” by a pod consisting of an asset manager, lead leasing rep, financial manager, and tenant coordinator/development manager. Additional resources, including our marketing and retail strategy teams, are allocated to specific projects and initiatives at each property.

Crossing at Walkers Brook | Reading, MA

Leasing & Merchandising

Through dedicated market research and trade area due diligence, Wilder works to create customized merchandising plans for each center.

Then, using our extensive contacts with national and regional tenants, as well as local tenants within each trade area, the Wilder leasing team implements the plan in a way that maximizes potential profitability while at the same time supporting tenant success and asset value creation.

Towne Centre Laurel | Laurel, MD

Property Management

Wilder’s proactive, hands-on approach to property management ensures the continued success of each shopping center.

The company uses a team approach to devise a management plan that combines technical abilities, on-site relationship building, and a complete understanding of retail real estate to preserve and enhance an asset’s value.

Arsenal Yards | Watertown, MA

Property Marketing

In today’s competitive environment, Wilder firmly believes that implementing a strategically developed marketing plan combining on-site experiences with social, digital, and traditional media greatly improves the position of each center.

The Company tailors individual marketing programs to set our centers apart from their competition, develop market share, support retailers’ sales, and ultimately increase the asset’s value.

Analytics

As retail continues to evolve, Wilder understands the critical importance of quantitative analysis to bolster the decision-making process at all ends of the spectrum- whether for our tenants or investors.

We leverage big data to track our properties’ competitive position in their respective markets, understand where our marketing efforts can increase shopper penetration, and quantify opportunities for tenants in our centers.

Wayside | Burlington, MA

Development & Repositioning

We approach each property with a strategic eye to identify untapped opportunities. Then, with a team that expertly drives design, planning, permitting, construction management and tenant coordination, Wilder successfully delivers newly invigorated, vibrant places. We pride ourselves on providing contemporary experiences that exceed the expectations of customers, retailers, and investors.

Arsenal Yards | Watertown, MA

Construction Management

Whether navigating a complex site or ensuring that a tenant executes their buildout on schedule and according to plan, Wilder ensures that the entire construction process runs smoothly, from initial planning to final sign offs. We are acutely aware of the many stakeholders in every buildout or new endeavor and is staffed with experts prepared to monitor and negotiate with contractors and subcontractors throughout the process.

Investment & Acquisitions

We believe it is critically important to not only think like owners, but to be willing to invest in our properties, where our expertise will guide the creation of new value. Wilder co-invests with institutional partners in over 50% of the properties currently under management.

Our acquisition team has a long history of sourcing retail real estate throughout the US and Puerto Rico. We continue to focus on identifying dynamic assets that offer (or can be repositioned to offer) long term value for Wilder, our clients and our partners.

We are actively seeking core and value-added retail assets for repositioning, redevelopment, and expansion.

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Results

Through several market cycles, Wilder has been on the forefront of creating unique destinations that offer compelling experiences for shoppers and visitors alike. The results speak for themselves: Arsenal Yards, Garden City Center, and Dedham Mall all demonstrate our ability to deliver a tailored business strategy that enhances value for our partners and enriches the communities we serve.

Arsenal Yards

In 2013, Wilder purchased what was then known as the Arsenal Mall with partner, Boylston Properties. Previously owned by a national REIT, Arsenal Mall was a B level center with mediocre sales, growing vacancy, and an uninspired 1980’s addition detracting from two historic brick buildings. Regardless, Wilder and partners recognized the tremendous redevelopment potential of the site.

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Outdoor concert at Arsenal Yards

Arsenal Yards

In 2013, Wilder purchased what was then known as the Arsenal Mall with partner, Boylston Properties. Previously owned by a national REIT, Arsenal Mall was a B level center with mediocre sales, growing vacancy, and an uninspired 1980’s addition detracting from two historic brick buildings. Regardless, Wilder and partners recognized the tremendous redevelopment potential of the site. Upon taking ownership, the development team worked together to plan, design and curate Boston’s next great neighborhood. Opened in 2019, the rebranded Arsenal Yards features  Roche Bros Market, Majestic Cinemas, Nike United, Shake Shack, Buttermilk & Bourbon, Pokeworks, and more. In addition, Arsenal Yards includes 300 residential units, 200,000 sf of office/life science, a 150 room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton,  fitness destination, energized public spaces, and innovative on-site programming.

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Garden City Center

In 2009, Garden City Center was a tired and struggling property. Major tenants Linens n’ Things, Circuit City and Borders had all shuttered their stores leaving large vacancies. Despite being leased and managed by one of the largest retail operators in the country, the property was unable to achieve stabilization.

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Starbucks at Garden City Center

Garden City Center

In 2009, Garden City Center was a tired and struggling property. Major tenants Linen’s n’ Things, Circuit City and Borders had all shuttered their stores leaving large vacancies. Despite being leased and managed by one of the largest retail operators in the country, the property was unable to achieve stabilization.

Wilder saw opportunity amidst the turmoil. Working side by side with ownership Wilder developed and implemented a comprehensive strategic revitalization plan. Today, Garden City Center is the retail destination for Rhode Island.  With Wilder’s management and leasing expertise the property has been rebranded, repositioned and expanded with an eclectic mix of retail and restaurants including L.L. Bean, Lululemon, Crate & Barrel, Ethan Allen, Legal Sea Bar, and Tavern in the Square. The center was sold in early 2020 delivering liquidity and profit to the owner.

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Dedham Mall

Dedham Mall was part of a nine-center portfolio acquisition made in 2007 with joint venture partner, O’Connor Capital Partners. Well-located with a strong tenant mix including Stop & Shop, Dick’s Sporting Goods, T.J. Maxx and productive small shops including Five Guys Burgers, Chipotle, and Starbucks, the 748,000 square foot center was well positioned as a dominant shopping place in its trade area.

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At Home at Dedham Mall

Dedham Mall

Dedham Mall was part of a nine-center portfolio acquisition made in 2007 with joint venture partner, O’Connor Capital Partners. Well-located with a strong tenant mix including Stop & Shop, Dick’s Sporting Goods, T.J. Maxx and productive small shops including Five Guys Burgers, Chipotle, and Starbucks, the 748,000 square foot center was well positioned as a dominant shopping place in its trade area.

In 2017, a victim of national store closures, the center’s two-level Sears went dark followed almost immediately by the adjacent Toys R Us. Over 170,000 square feet of first level space and 41,000 square feet of second level space was now available in a disrupted world where large brick and mortar deals were becoming very challenging.

Fast forward through an industry rocked by the pandemic to 2021 and the center’s successful repositioning is now complete. At 94,520 square feet, the décor superstore, At Home, opened one of only two Massachusetts locations. Burlington (Coat Factory) took over 45,000 square feet, Total Wine & More signed on, and Ashbrook Furniture opened in the 41,000 square foot second level space, bringing the center to 99% occupancy.

The center was sold October 2021 achieving a 6.1% in-place exit cap rate.

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