WE BUILD DOWNTOWN JOY®.
We're a real estate development company.
And the most valuable thing we develop is common ground.
We align the interests of municipalities and their university neighbors by creating vibrant Main Street environments that integrate campus life with town life. We transform underused or vacant parcels into a thriving, walkable downtown destination. It attracts students and residents alike with unique retail, cultural and hospitality amenities. It creates energy, economic growth, and a renewed sense of community. It's a joy to behold.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE STROLL®.
What makes a downtown “bustling?”
In a word, people. Lots of people, walking around. Out and about. Coming and going from home and work. Shopping, grabbing a bite or a sip. Seeing a show or popping in a gallery. Often, just hanging out. We design downtown districts on an accessible human scale. With unique amenities, conveniences and establishments. Graceful open spaces that encourage lingering. An inviting vibe that sparks socializing. Real estate is indeed about location, location, location. We make it even more valuable and desirable by designing for ambulation, ambulation, ambulation.
ALL ECONOMIC ENGINES
MUST PLAY NICELY IN THE SANDBOX.
We don't kick off downtown development projects by sharing architectural designs.
We begin by helping key parties discover and leverage their shared economic interests.
This is absolutely vital, especially for our many projects with university cities. Historically, schools and towns operated independently. That can no longer be. We show them how they must act interdependently. How their futures are intertwined. How their ability to attract and retain students, faculty, businesses, retailers and residents is connected. We get essential stakeholders on board by convincing them that creating and sustaining downtown is a two-way street.
THERE'S GOLD IN THEM THAR
ABANDONED LOTS AND BUILDINGS.
Where others may see blight, decay, misuse or disuse, we see potential. Huge potential.
Often, the economic disconnect between school and town is exacerbated by a physical divide, where real estate on campus flanks is underutilized or even unused. Tired buildings, vacant acreage, forgotten factories. We know these devalued assets can become invaluable connective tissue for public-private partnership. We turn it into fertile ground for creative thinking--innovative solutions, momentum, excitement and growth where there had previously only been stagnation. Some call this adaptive reuse. We call it adaptive rebirth.
YOU CAN'T FRANCHISE AUTHENTICITY.
Real downtown joy comes from a place that's genuine and unique, not merely another gathering
of the familiar franchises that turn so much of America into Anywhere, USA.
Elliott downtowns are intentionally and unmistakably one-offs. Each is inspired by its community's rich history and heritage. Each sports a design that reflects the place. Each becomes home to businesses and amenities that spring from the local scene. Each showcases the special qualities, characteristics and quirks that are wonderfully one of a kind. Our downtowns embrace and celebrate authenticity. No wonder they're welcomed so joyfully by the people who live, work and play there.
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.
AND THEY WILL STAY.
Placemaking makes a huge difference in the sustainable economic health of university communities.
It's getting harder for universities to recruit students, parents and faculty. Companies and civic institutions face stiff competition to bring in and retain top talent. Communities need to attract new residents and visitors. Satisfying so many constituents is not easy. Because people are choosy, and they want to live in interesting, enriching places. Elliott creates a vision and solution that work for all parties. Our developments draw people in and keep them around, including graduating students, which keeps the community thriving for generations now and generations to come.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IT'S WORKING?
WAFFLES, MY FRIEND, WAFFLES.
We’ve seen firsthand, time and again, the demonstrable power of downtown joy.
The proof is in the pudding, or the waffle batter.
Consider Greenville, North Carolina, home to East Carolina University. And Smash Waffles. This cool new eatery is absolutely booming, along with dozens of other businesses that have taken off in the bustling Elliott downtown development called The Plank District. For decades this area was just a huge dead-zone triangle separating ECU, a hospital and the city proper. Today, it is the happening part of town. Connecting the school and the city. Drawing students, employees and residents together. Rekindling a vitality most thought was gone forever. Wrong. It's back. Witness the magic of downtown joy.