James Connor, president and CEO of Duke Realty Corp. (NYSE: DRE), participated in a video interview at Nareit’s REITworld: 2018 Annual Conference in San Francisco.
Connor said that although Duke Realty recently announced a new build-to-suit logistics facility in California, the REIT’s strategy in the region has not changed much since it first entered the market in 2011.
“[In Southern California], you’ll see us doing speculative development, both on greenfield sites and in-field redevelopment, as well as build-to-suit developments,” he said. “We think it gives us an opportunity in these strong markets to grow at an even greater pace.”
Connor said that after being at its current headquarters for 25 years, Duke Realty recently held a groundbreaking for a new corporate headquarters in Indianapolis.
“The new space is much more open, much more collaborative,” he said. “It’s a LEED-certified building, which is a continuation of our efforts to do sustainable development around the country.”
Connor said that the company is willing to invest money in the health and well-being of its associates, part of the reason Duke Realty was recently recognized as both a “best place to work” and as a “healthiest employer.”
“We have a very active wellness program…run by the associates,” he said. “We support that, we invest [in] that, and we reward our associates for living a healthier lifestyle.”