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Must-See Structures In Washington
State
posted Mar 16, 2018, 3:17 AM by Dean Kirkland [ updated Mar 16, 2018,
3:18 AM ]
A visit to Washington State is often associated with
the Space Needle in Seattle. But other wondrous
buildings and structures in the state should make
your trip truly worthwhile. Hereunder are some of
them.
Image source: thedailymeal.com
Chapel of St. Ignatius
The perfect example of modern religion-inspired
architecture, this chapel located at the Seattle
University stands out for its use of myriad lighting.
Different hues are filtered through colored glass,
representing the various pillars of the Catholic
faith. This church is an AIA New York Design
awardee and has a scale model set up at the MoMA
in New York.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Erected in 2000, this modern museum was
formerly called Experience Music Project or EMP. It
is a great complement to the proximate Space
Needle at the Seattle Center Campus. Designed by

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Frank Gehry (famous for the Guggenheim Museum
in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall), the
deconstructed-looking structure is home to the
largest collection of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia on
the planet.
Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Connecting Tacoma and the Kitsap Peninsula, this
bridge was the third longest suspension bridge in
the world during the time of its construction in the
1940s. While the bridge has undergone various
repairs through 1950, it led architects and
scientists to important technologies in
aerodynamics and aeroelastics. A second bridge
was erected in 2007 to carry eastbound traffic.
Image source: oregonlive.com
Paradise Inn
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987, this
stunning hotel perches 5,400 feet on the south
slope of Mount Rainier in Mount Rainier National
Park. It was built more than a century ago in 1916,
constructed from native rocks, cedar shingles, and
timber found in the area.
Dean Kirkland is based in Washougal, WA. He
heads Kirkland Global, LLC, a property
development company. For more insights on
property development, check out this link.
These Emerging Trends Will Shape Real
Estate In 2018
posted Mar 13, 2018, 11:19 PM by Dean Kirkland [ updated Mar 17,
2018, 1:35 AM ]
Real estate is believed to continue soaring in 2018. A
“sudden drop in altitude,” according to the Emerging
Trends in Real Estate report, does not appear to be in the
offing, with survey respondents and insiders expecting a
long gliding path for the industry. Demand is expanding
real estate utilization rates across generations, from baby
boomers through to millennials and generation Z.

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2017 has been anything but a slow year, according to the
annual look ahead of the Urban Land Institute. There has
been an expanding affordable housing shortage, a wave of
natural disasters that came with staggering costs, and new
regulatory and tax challenges due to proposed Trump
administration policy.
Image source: Pixabay.com
A turn for the worst, however, is deemed by real estate
experts and analysts highly unlikely. For one, the housing
shortage is seen to offer positive developments, with mid-
priced single-family homes affordable for a cross-section
of buyers deemed a golden opportunity. Developers have
a gold mine in urban row houses, transit-oriented
development, practical mid-market homes, and affordable
rental units for young adults.
The emphasis on smarter workplaces also puts more
pressure on offices and their workers to perform.
Therefore, developers and commercial property owners
have a need to provide beyond space and a great location,
and promote an environment for success. This involves
configured office spaces that boost productivity.
Image source: Pixabay.com
On the retail front, U.S. retail stores continue to struggle
with less foot traffic, the rise of e-commerce, and

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consumer shifts that change expectations. Thus, trends
shaping retail’s future include the continue obsolescence
of department stores, the overall maturity of the retail
sector, changes in consumer preferences, as well as
advances in technology.
Dean Kirkland is a property developer based in
Washington and heads Kirkland Global, LLC, a company
based in Washougal and among those who spearheaded
and oversaw the development of the $12 million 192nd
Avenue Plaza retail center. Read more on this page.
Examples of exterior structures for
commercial complexes
posted Nov 19, 2017, 11:08 PM by Dean Kirkland [ updated Nov 19,
2017, 11:09 PM ]
Developers know just how important the appearance of a
place can be, especially when trying to attract business.
Take two apartment complexes for example. The façade of
Complex A is bare without a tree in sight with just a simple
walkway leading into the structure. Complex B has a
garden with a fountain in the middle, gravity walls, several
patios, and multi-level walkways leading into a vast
entrance where people can get a glimpse of an even more
impressive courtyard inside. It’s obvious which apartment
complex will get filled up first.
Image source: cnn.com
Here are a few structures developers may want to
consider for their properties:
Fountains
Fountains are classic hardscapes, which if properly
maintained may be the most recognizable structure in a
building’s façade. Think of all the skyscrapers in New York
and Chicago, and how many of them have recognizable
fountains below.
Walkways
When arranged and laid out creatively, walkways can
transform the exterior of a structure. Imagine brick-laden
walkways framed by freshly trimmed grass that lead to
fountains and small gardens. Wouldn’t that be a place
people would want to see on their way to work?

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Retaining walls
Retaining walls build an additional dimension to
landscapes. Instead of looking flat and dull, retaining walls
create a fantastic image of hilltops due to the different
levels they produce. Put in a short stairway or through
walls, and that’s a classic marriage right there.
Image source: greenmeadowsinc.com
Dean Kirkland heads Kirkland Global LLC., a property
developer based in Washougal, WA. Read more about
property development when you subscribe to this blog.
Property development: Foundational
work to do
posted Oct 24, 2017, 4:34 AM by Dean Kirkland [ updated Oct 24, 2017,
4:35 AM ]
There are likely quite a number of budding developers out
there who want a good look at the process of property
development and how to go about it in a simple, efficient
way. Here are some tips to get started on this endeavor.
Image source: Pixabay.com
It is always best to do one’s homework, researching
thoroughly before buying. Research the area, talk to the
local authority, and check out all the former uses of the
land. Check out the title as well: are there any restrictions
that can get in the way of developing, and are all basic
services available and within reach? Is there a special

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consent needed, and would development put a
neighboring land or community at a disadvantage? Be
well-acquainted with any ongoing legal disputes or
considerations.
Review the financial aspect. Estimate costs and budget
ruthlessly, and negotiate as much as possible to save
money. It is also important to avoid rookie mistakes in
property development, which goes far beyond buying,
building, and selling. Look at where to add and develop
value, not just waiting for prices to rise.
Find the right seller, and have good information about why
they are selling, may it be due to financial difficulties,
geographical transfer, or bankruptcy. At the same time,
know who to sell to, keeping a good idea of who to target
once development is done. Know the target buyer’s pain
points, motivations, and preferences to seal the deal.
It also takes the right team and advisers who have the
industry and legal expertise. From a good law firm and
financial advisers to planning specialists and architects, do
the due diligence to find them and benefit from their
knowledge and experience.
Image source: Pixabay.com
Dean Kirkland is a property developer who is part of the
team of investors and developers who oversaw the
development of the 35,000-square-foot 192nd Avenue
Plaza retail center in Vancouver, WA. Read more on this
page.
Introducing the Real Estate Developer
posted Aug 29, 2017, 6:01 AM by Dean Kirkland [ updated Aug 29,
2017, 6:02 AM ]
Dreaming about becoming a real estate developer and
thinking only of the rewards is a waste of time. People who
do this often end up quitting after a few months because
they are unprepared for the job that lies ahead. In fact, this
holds true with just about any endeavor worth undertaking
in life if one hopes to achieve success.
Before one becomes a real estate developer, they should
have a good education. It is this education that helps
developers get through the hard times of the job. What
real estate developers learn in school is very technical,
and there are a lot of technicalities to be faced in real
estate development.

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Image source: blog.rent.com
A degree either in business administration, urban
development, finance, or construction management is a
plus, too. Having these degrees makes for an easier time
to get certified and licensed.
Image source: mindpluckd.com
Now that the technical side is taken care of, developers
can improve on the intangibles of their tasks by going
through on-the-job training. This gives developers a lot of
valuable experience. Knowing the meat and potatoes of
the job via hands-on experience is a great supplement to
knowing the technical side of the processes involved. Just
like any job, there are situations in real estate
development that cannot be found in books. Only
experience will tide the developer through.
Dean Kirkland is a developer from Washougal, WA. For
more about the real estate industry, visit this blog.
The best practices of successful property
developers
posted Jul 19, 2017, 10:26 PM by Dean Kirkland [ updated Jul 19, 2017,
10:27 PM ]
Successful property developers did not get to their position
overnight. For many of these people, making their mark in
the industry required years of experience including failed
attempts until they learned the ropes of the commercial
real estate business. What are the things property
developers do differently that leads them to success? Here
are some of the best practices:

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Image source: Homeforafrica.co.za
They look for opportunities.
Outstanding property developers look at places differently.
Their vision is important when it comes to developing
property that's not in the best shape. Expert developers
can see how a liability can be turned into a profitable
venture.
They have a wide network
To become a successful property developer, one must be
able to gather the best talent to work on a challenging
project. Property developers have a wide network of
professional acquaintances from different industries that
will help them establish and develop a place. From
engineers, architects, lawyers, bankers, and advertisers,
top developers know who to call for help.
They take on risks and solve problems
Having been in the industry for long, these developers
have learned that risks can't be avoided. This is why they
also harness their problem-solving skills so that they'll
know how to roll with the punches. These developers are
bold because they have gained the expertise to take on
exciting projects that will bolster their careers.
To become a good property developer, one must continue
to be passionate about the business. Learning new trends
and taking on challenges is important to keep growing
especially in an industry that keeps evolving.

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Image source: Reference.com
Dean Kirkland is a property developer and head of
Kirkland Global, LLC based in Washougal, WA. His
company developed the 192nd Avenue Plaza retail center
in Vancouver, WA. Visit this page for updates.
The growth of Vancouver, Washington
posted May 18, 2017, 4:20 AM by Dean Kirkland [ updated May 18,
2017, 4:20 AM ]
It’s quite interesting to look closely at a particular corner of
the state of Washington to learn a thing or two about
progress.
Image source: vbjusa.com
Overall, the population of Washington is estimated to be
close to 7.1 million people. Just in the past year, the state
recorded a population increase of about 100,000. Clark
County in Vancouver accounted for 10 percent of that
growth. It is also the second-fastest-growing county in the
state. To date, it makes up for 7 percent of the state’s
population, despite its relatively small size, which is quite
amazing.
It seems that nothing has stopped Vancouver from
becoming the highly-developed place that it is, and by the
looks of it, growth will still be continuous in the years to
come.
Another fact to note is that Washington State as a whole is
expected to abide by the Growth Management Act of
1990. This requires counties to establish 20-year Urban
Growth Area (UGA) boundaries for every city to

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accommodate projected growth. Lands outside the UGA
cannot be annexed, but lands within the UGA can be
annexed liberally.
It levels the playing field among counties in terms of
development, as everyone gets a fair shot. However,
where Vancouver’s growth was limited horizontally, it more
than made up for vertically. A significant amount of the
construction has been dedicated to tall buildings. The
dynamic infrastructure here has provided for a bustling
economy.
The latest news is that construction is still on-going, which
means that Vancouver will keep at the trajectory and it is
expected to improve even more. This explains how the
county of Vancouver made an impact with 7 percent of the
population of Washington, even if it is limited by
Washington’s Growth Management Act. And such figure is
still expected to increase. With that much people
concentrated in one place, there is literally quite nowhere
else to go for Vancouver but up.
Image source: cityofvancouver.us
Dean Kirkland is a developer based in Washougal, WA,
and heads Kirkland Global, LLC. For more on property
development, subscribe to this page.
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