--- title: Managing a successful mixed-use property – what real estate managers need to know description: Discover the essentials of managing mixed-use properties, including key strategies and the unique challenges that come with integrating various functions. image: https://blog.irem.org/hubfs/mixed-use-blog-3.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2020/05/managing-a-successful-mixed-use-property-what-real-estate-managers-need-to-know#main-content) ![IREM logo](https://blog.irem.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Primary%20IREM%20Logo.png?width=2251&height=676&name=Primary%20IREM%20Logo.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [irem.org](http://www.irem.org) [irem.org](http://www.irem.org) [All posts](https://blog.irem.org/all) May 22, 2020 # Managing a successful mixed-use property – what real estate managers need to know ![Picture of IREM](https://blog.irem.org/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/www.irem.orgimagesIREMfBLogo2019-3.jpg?width=50&name=www.irem.orgimagesIREMfBLogo2019-3.jpg) By  [IREM](https://blog.irem.org/author/irem)  ·  2 minute read Share [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2020/05/managing-a-successful-mixed-use-property-what-real-estate-managers-need-to-know) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2020/05/managing-a-successful-mixed-use-property-what-real-estate-managers-need-to-know) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2020/05/managing-a-successful-mixed-use-property-what-real-estate-managers-need-to-know) The International Council of Shopping Centers defines mixed-use properties as follows: “A mixed-use development is a real estate project with planned integration or some combination of retail, office, residential, hotel, recreation, or other functions. It is pedestrian oriented and contains elements of a live-work-play environment. It maximizes space usage, has amenities and architectural expression, and tends to mitigate traffic and sprawl.” While mixed-use developments are not new – Rockefeller Center in New York was completed in 1939 – they’ve experienced renewed popularity. Almost all multi-family buildings constructed today include some kind of retail, entertainment, or service component. And the trend is growing. So, what’s driving the trend? ### The growing trend of mixed-use Three of the main reasons mixed-use developments are thriving are: - Office space within a mixed-use property can command higher rents - 22 to 33% higher than rents at stand-alone office buildings - Demand for mixed-use property is growing among prospective tenants and residents, as target audiences among all generations seek vibrant, walkable communities - Mixed-use developments have a built-in customer base, making them attractive to owners and developers But managing a mixed-use development requires a broad set of property management skills. Consider the complexities that can result from combining a hotel, private residences, parking, restaurants, offices and quite possibly even a theater, all in one property. So, there are several different approaches to the management structure of mixed-use developments: - A small mixed-use development is likely to have one manager responsible for the entire development. - A large mixed-use development with a single owner may have a general manager responsible for the entire development and separate managers with property-specific skills, experience, and knowledge for each use. - If a hotel is a component of the property, a separate management team is required for the hotel component, as hotel management is a unique discipline. Management and operational issues that may differ among the property types, including: - Hours of operation - Signage - Deliveries - Trash removal - Parking - Promotional events - Noise - Sounds - Odors - Security issues - HVAC & utility operations The real estate manager for each component of the mixed-use development must recognize and appreciate the unique needs of each property type. Each component should have a coordinated management plan that maximizes the benefits of the development, and minimizes potential conflicts. Effective mixed-use property managers: - Understand how commercial uses intersect with residential uses - Think holistically and grasp the big picture - Develop a business plan that meets the owner’s goals and objectives - Can adapt, be proactive, and anticipate problems and opportunities - Hold strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship skills Above all, it’s critical to attract the right mix of tenants and residents – the key to managing a profitable asset. Each property type must be able to succeed on its own in order for the mixed-use development to be successful. Mixed-use developments are truly unique, as they present opportunities not typically found in other types of developments. With every opportunity, there are challenges. But, when the mixed-use property is thoughtfully planned and managed, the development can meet or exceed the expectations of owners and occupants.  Want to learn more? Explore IREM’s mixed-use [online course](https://www.irem.org/learning/courses/mixed-use-course) offering and get up-to-speed in this growing area of real estate management.  ### Leave a comment ## Related posts [![](https://blog.irem.org/hubfs/communication.png)](https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2018/03/communications-strengthens-property-management-asset-management-connections) [Commercial](https://blog.irem.org/tag/commercial) ### [Communications Strengthens Property Management-Asset Management Connections](https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2018/03/communications-strengthens-property-management-asset-management-connections) [![](https://blog.irem.org/hubfs/RIsk-Management.png)](https://blog.irem.org/why-property-resiliency-starts-with-property-managers-sustainability-as-a-risk-management-strategy) [Risk management](https://blog.irem.org/tag/risk-management) ### [Why property resiliency starts with property managers: sustainability as a risk management strategy](https://blog.irem.org/why-property-resiliency-starts-with-property-managers-sustainability-as-a-risk-management-strategy) [![](https://blog.irem.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/incentifind.png)](https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2025/08/powering-sustainable-property-management-turning-market-trends-into-competitive-advantage) [Economy and trends](https://blog.irem.org/tag/economy-and-trends) ### [Powering sustainable property management: Turning market trends into competitive advantage](https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2025/08/powering-sustainable-property-management-turning-market-trends-into-competitive-advantage) [![Primary IREM Logo r](https://blog.irem.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Primary%20IREM%20Logo%20r.png?width=2213&height=665&name=Primary%20IREM%20Logo%20r.png "Primary IREM Logo r")](http://www.irem.org) IREM® Headquarters 430 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 750 Chicago, IL 60611 US [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/InstituteofRealEstateManagement) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-of-real-estate-management/) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/ireminfo/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/@IREM_info)   © Institute of Real Estate Management 430 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60611 [IREM Harassment Policy](https://www.irem.org/File%20Library/Footer%20Nav/IREM-Harassment-Policy---October-2023.pdf) [Privacy Policy](https://www.irem.org/privacy-policy) [Digital Millennium Copyright Act](https://www.irem.org/digital-millennium-copyright-act) Copyright © 2026, IREM ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1013802&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "IREM", "url" : "https://blog.irem.org/author/irem" }, "dateModified" : "2026-04-02T16:31:25.624Z", "datePublished" : "2020-05-22T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Managing a successful mixed-use property – what real estate managers need to know", "image" : [ "https://blog.irem.org/hubfs/mixed-use-blog-3.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2020/05/managing-a-successful-mixed-use-property-what-real-estate-managers-need-to-know", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.irem.org/hubfs/Primary%20IREM%20Logo.png" }, "name" : "IREM" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : [ "IREM" ], "url" : "https://blog.irem.org/author/irem" }, "datePublished" : "2020-05-22T05:00:00+0000", "description" : "Discover the essentials of managing mixed-use properties, including key strategies and the unique challenges that come with integrating various functions.", "headline" : "Managing a successful mixed-use property – what real estate managers need to know", "image" : "https://22645210.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22645210/mixed-use-blog-3.png", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://22645210.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22645210/Primary%20IREM%20Logo.png" }, "name" : "IREM" }, "url" : "https://blog.irem.org/learning/publications-news/blog/irem-blogs/2020/05/managing-a-successful-mixed-use-property-what-real-estate-managers-need-to-know" } ```