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What is ‘placemaking’? How conscious real estate can transform communities

What makes a place feel truly special? Is it the architecture, the people, or the energy it exudes? For Terry Montesi, CEO of Trademark Property, it’s all of these and more. He believes the most impactful environments transcend their physical form, becoming places that unite people and foster meaningful emotional connections.

In a recent episode of The Conscious Capitalists podcast, Terry shared his vision of placemaking with Raj Sisodia and Timothy Henry and how the real estate industry can create spaces designed with care that can deliver both emotional impact and financial returns.

What is placemaking?

Real estate has traditionally been viewed as a functional enterprise: parking lots to hold cars, stores to drive purchases, and sidewalks to move people along. But Terry challenges this mindset with placemaking, which focuses on creating spaces where people genuinely want to be.

At its heart, placemaking is about how spaces make people feel. By integrating features like public art, green areas, and thoughtful design, it transforms commercial developments into environments that foster social interaction and emotional connection. It’s not just about filling space—it’s about creating destinations.

Take the Market Street Woodlands project in Texas, for example. By investing in vibrant public spaces and thoughtful details, the development became a thriving hub of activity. During the grand opening, a father shared how his children asked to visit “the park at Market Street.” For Terry, this moment underscored the success of their vision—they hadn’t just built a shopping center; they’d created a meaningful place for the community.

But, do retail spaces still matter?

In today’s digital age, where online shopping dominates, you might think that physical retail spaces are losing relevance. But Terry believes otherwise. Brick-and-mortar stores aren’t just about transactions—they’re about the experiences that can’t be replicated online.

“Retail is stronger now than it’s ever been,” Terry explains, pointing to the rise of omnichannel strategies that seamlessly blend digital convenience with in-person interaction. By designing spaces where people can connect, relax, and enjoy themselves, his developments provide value beyond shopping. These places remind us that people still crave shared experiences and meaningful interactions, even in a tech-driven world.

Can real estate really build for people, not just profit?

At Trademark Property, real estate development goes beyond maximizing returns. Terry’s philosophy is rooted in stakeholder capitalism, which prioritizes the needs of everyone involved—residents, retailers, and the community at large.

His latest project, The Vickery, exemplifies this approach. Through public-private partnerships, the development features enhanced streetscapes, shared spaces like pickleball courts, and inviting green areas. These elements create a sense of ownership and pride within the community, while also boosting the project’s long-term success.

This stakeholder-focused approach demonstrates that considering the broader impact of a project doesn’t just benefit communities—it also makes good business sense.

The “problem” of balancing purpose and profit

For Terry, profit and purpose are not at odds; in fact, they reinforce each other. His commitment to servant leadership drives him to prioritize stewardship and community impact in every project.

While placemaking and stakeholder engagement may not always fit neatly into a financial spreadsheet, the outcomes are clear: higher rents, lower risks, and stronger community relationships. His guiding principle, “more special than they had to be,” encapsulates his belief that going beyond the bare minimum creates lasting value for all stakeholders.

Beneath all of Terry’s success lies one simple but profound idea: care. Care about the people who live, shop, and spend time in your spaces. Care enough to go beyond what’s required to create something extraordinary.

By focusing on care, his developments leave a legacy of connection, pride, and joy. This philosophy is a powerful reminder that business—when approached thoughtfully—can be a force for good.

Terry Montesi’s journey is more than just a story of success in real estate. It’s proof that conscious capitalism works. By embracing placemaking, prioritizing stakeholders, and balancing purpose with profit, he’s created spaces that do more than generate revenue—they enrich lives and inspire communities.

Imagine if every industry adopted this mindset. How much better would our workplaces, neighborhoods, and world become?

🎙️ Listen to the full conversation with Terry Montesi on The Conscious Capitalists Podcast