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Mixed-Use Development Expert Robin Zeigler Forms Mural Real Estate Partners Robin Zeigler Former COO of Cedar Realty Trust to lead new venture, pursuing large-scale redevelopment opportunities in economically challenged neighborhoods throughout the U.S.
By Debra Hazel
S
ome people look at older cities and
tioning grocery-anchored centers in urban
see blight and problems. Robin
area into true community cores.
training and small business incubation. “My time working as a chief operating officer
Zeigler has made a career of seeing “I saw how even more impactful it is to create
during the pandemic showed me a couple of
these types of vibrant communities which
things: how important necessity retail truly is,
historically have not had the level of capital
and the desire of people to be together, to be
That’s why the former chief operating
investment [as others],” she said. “But the
out and enjoy nice places — whether dining
officer of Cedar Realty Trust and Mid-
purchasing power and density are there.
outside or visiting a community gathering
Atlantic chief operating officer of Fed-
I’ve seen this need and I know I have the
space, matters,” she said. “The pandemic
eral Realty Investment Trust has formed
skill set and a unique purview as an African-
highlighted human nature above all real
MURAL (Mixed-Use Revitalization Ap-
American woman to address the needs in
estate fundamentals.”
proached Locally) Real Estate Partners, a
these underserved markets.”
nothing but opportunity to rebuild
communities for the 21st century.
The company is currently evaluating ac-
privately owned, full-service real estate company that aims to spur economic develop-
A Holistic Philosophy
quisitions and partnerships through-
ment through the conception, development
MURAL is based on a collaborative, com-
out the country and has earmarked more
and management of mixed-use assets in
munity-driven philosophy that balances
than $500 million for the purposes of mixed-
underserved urban and suburban neighbor-
ambitious development concepts with
use redevelopment and value-add reno-
hoods throughout the U.S.
sensitivity to the challenges that arise
vations on existing shopping centers or
from developing real estate in cultur-
multifamily product.
“I started in the mixed-use development
ally distinct neighborhoods that have
space during my tenure at Federal and as re-
h i s to r i ca l l y l a c ke d a cce ss i b l y p r i ce d
“The reason we selected that primary prod-
gional COO, oversaw the strategy and rede-
housing and quality goods and services.
uct type is because in these underserved communities, there is lack of quality retail
velopment of several mixed-use projects for the East Coast/Mid-Atlantic region,” she said.
The firm, as a consultancy or in developing
goods and services, including grocery stores
“I really got a sense of how important neigh-
its own projects, assesses opportunities
[and] day care centers,” she said. “While oth-
borhoods and how impactful they can be.”
through a holistic study of community
er developers that focus primarily on residen-
needs, such as availability of approach-
tial, including creating affordable housing,
a b l e h o u s i n g , f re s h f o o d , w o r k f o rc e
we looked at it with a more holistic approach.
Moving onto Cedar, she focused on transi-
58 MANN REPORT | AUGUST 2022
