On August 11^th, CBRE hosted the ULIsf Young Leaders Group (YLG) for an intimate round table Fireside Chat with Jon Knorpp, Managing Director of Giants Development Services. The San Francisco Giants are a professional baseball franchise based in Mission Bay, San Francisco. Although the Giants are most known for winning three championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014, they have now embarked in an effort to transform Mission Bay through their in-house real estate development team with the help of Mr. Knorpp.

Approximately 35 young leaders sat around the large table on the 44^th floor of CBRE’s office while Mr. Knorpp delved into his current life at the SF Giants and shared everything from past experiences to lessons learned.

Mr. Knorpp began the night by describing his initial experience with real estate development in Tahoe after graduating with a business degree from University of Nevada Reno. Mr. Knorpp’s career soon brought him and his young family to the Bay Area where he quickly escalated the ranks and gained valuable experience. His career grew as he worked as Senior Development Manager for Forest City REIT, Vice President for Emerald Fund, Senior Vice President of Residential and Retail Development for Catellus Development Corporation and served as founding/senior partner with Wilson Meany Sullivan (WMS).

Without question, the YLG’ers quickly shifted the subject of conversation to a project on the minds of many after the success of Proposition D, which approved the development project know as Mission Rock. Who better to discuss this project with than Mr. Knorpp, who oversees entitlement and development for this 28-acre mixed-use master plan which includes Seawall Lot 337 and Pier 49? Mr. Knorpp discussed many facets of the project, including some of the engineering, sustainability, and affordability aspects of the large development.

After a lot of shoptalk, the group was enthused about the project but still had one big question to ask, “How does baseball and real estate mix?” The answer is to create the ‘heart of the city’ within Mission Bay – a once industrial site, within a development that integrates affordable housing, parks, open space, commercial space and, of course, baseball.

By Pamela Nieting