How do you spell success? Perhaps “BBM.”
That is, in the world of commercial real estate development in Naperville, BBM Incorporated is a success story. And how one defines BBM’s success in Naperville takes more words than this column allows, but I’ll give it my best effort.
I had the pleasure recently of meeting both Ruth and Dwight Yackley of BBM Incorporated, developers of Washington Corners and Main Street Promenade (west and east). I asked that same question regarding the definition of success in commercial real estate.
Not surprising at all, they began to describe relationships between BBM (as the developer) and all the people involved in making the project happen, and how they aim for real estate to enhance the quality of life for the community. In fact, we did not talk at all about the best metal beam, window, siding, or roofing system one might use in a development. Bricks and sticks just did not seem to be a major determinant in BBM’s definition of success.
Ruth Yackley stated, “We get a significant amount of enjoyment seeing a new store open, like the Grand Opening of J. Crew.”
And speaking of Grand Openings, Main Street Promenade East, located at Main and Van Buren, has yet to celebrate its Grand Opening, even though several new tenants are open.
When I pressed the Yackleys for more of real estate-related definition of success, Dwight directed me back again toward what might sound more like how a community grows and prospers.
“Creating meaningful destinations,” he said.
The best way I could interpret the meaning is that when Main Street Promenade was built a decade ago, the destination included “catalog tenants” with built-in customers to insure success. Making sure every tenant is successful and that people enjoy the experience is a top priority, according to the Yackleys.
Still, Ruth and Dwight attribute their success to all those who came before them, visionaries who paved the way for creating a healthy and vibrant downtown.
