Philadelphia 2026 Forecast

Thu Jan 29, 2026

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Philadelphia 2026 Forecast

A 250th Birthday Bash for the CRE Market: Celebrating the Semiquincentennial of the Birthplace of America

Thursday January 29 2026 @ 8:00 AM EST

$115.00

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Speakers and Panels

The people shaping the city’s biggest year yet

Rich Gottlieb

President & COO, Keystone Development + Investment

Joseph Forkin

Joseph A. Forkin is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC). He oversees the day-to-day operations and management of the non-profit corporation responsible for maintaining, programming and redeveloping the Central Delaware Waterfront District. He is a key strategist in waterfront planning, zoning, and development, having participated in over $900 million of waterfront redevelopment, including parks, trails, creative placemaking, infrastructure improvements, and private development. Mr. Forkin was instrumental in the development of the award winning Master Plan for the Central Delaware; he was a leader in a campaign to secure over $900M in funding to build critical infrastructure assets and attractions needed to elevate the marketing of the Waterfront District, to create new public access to the River, and to incentivize private development; he is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the design, development, marketing, and construction of Riverfront parks and attractions. He is DRWC’s liaison with City, State, and Federal government agencies and officials. Under Mr. Forkin’s leadership, DRWC has directly completed $100 million of public capital investments, leading to the successful opening of 11 major projects, with 8 more currently underway. The DRWC's strategic efforts have attracted $1.11 billion in private development investment, fostering the creation of 13,000 jobs. The market value of the waterfront area has increased by $1.06 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 140%. In addition, the DRWC proudly hosts hundreds of events every year, most of which are free to the public, showcasing and celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Philadelphia's communities. Mr. Forkin lives along the Delaware River in the East Torresdale section of Philadelphia with his wife, Heather, and his three children.

Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

President & CEO

Joseph Forkin

President & CEO, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

Sara Doelger

Principal, Argosy Capital

Jennifer Kebea

President, Campus Philly

Moderator

Britni Ackrivo

Senior Vice President, Gregory FCA

Moderator

George Kotridis

Principal, CLA

Celebrate with us at Philadelphia 2026 Forecast

Why This Matters:

Philadelphia stands at an inflection point. The city is about to host the country’s 250th birthday, global sporting events, and welcome millions of visitors while undergoing leadership and demographic transitions that will define the next decade. For developers, investors, and commercial real estate stakeholders, this is more than a forecast. It is a roadmap to understanding how civic momentum, capital repositioning, demographic shifts, and regional competition converge to shape opportunities. This is Philadelphia’s kickoff celebration. A room full of the people who are steering the market forward, talking candidly about how capital, talent and development are about to collide in one historic year.

This event matters because 2026 is not just a milestone year. It is Philadelphia’s chance to reintroduce itself to the world, attract new capital, and reset its growth trajectory. Walk away with a sharper perspective on how to anticipate shifts, position projects, and engage in the partnerships that will carry Philadelphia beyond its 250th anniversary into its next chapter of growth.

What Makes 2026 Different

2026 is not a normal milestone. It is Philadelphia’s chance to reset its narrative, draw new global attention, and show investors, employers and residents why this region has staying power.

The 2026 Effect
How the country’s Semiquincentennial and the World Cup are expected to influence development, civic priorities and global visibility for Philadelphia.
Where capital is moving
Investment sales are up more than 20% year to date and outside capital sees Philadelphia as an affordable alternative to pricier coastal markets. Learn which neighborhoods and property types are positioned to benefit.
Policy shifts that matter
With the administration prioritizing public safety, business climate and transit, hear what these changes could mean for approvals, incentives and market confidence.
Regional competitiveness
Philadelphia ranks in Zillow’s Top 5 hottest housing markets for 2025 thanks to its affordability advantage. Understand how we truly stack up against peer metros and why employers and talent are watching closely.
The cost pressure problem
Insurance premiums and climate related risk pricing are altering underwriting and feasibility. Get clarity on how leaders are adapting models and managing risk.
Retail and consumer behavior
Foot traffic in Center City continues to rebound and mixed use projects are rethinking activation. See where demand is moving as 2026 approaches.
Federal and state funding streams
From infrastructure dollars to economic recovery programs, hear where new funds are flowing and which projects are likely to benefit.
Lessons from other host cities
Learn what Atlanta, Boston and other global event hosts can teach Philadelphia about using a milestone year to drive lasting investment.

For questions regarding content and speaking, please email our Director, Event Production, Virginia Baker, at Virginia.Baker@bisnow.com. Want to get involved? Contact Dane.Sinks@bisnow.com or Max.Kleinberg@bisnow.com to get information on sponsorship, pricing and availability at this event. To request disability-related accommodations, please contact ally.araco@bisnow.com no later than seven business days prior to the event.

Venue

To be announced soon!

Agenda

Time	Activity
8:00 AM 9:00 AM	Registration, Networking and Birthday Breakfast Kickoff Arrive early. This hour is always one of the most valuable parts of the program! Start the morning with coffee, conversations and a celebratory atmosphere as we officially open Bisnow’s first Philadelphia event of 2026. Expect a lively room full of developers, owners, capital sources, employers and civic leaders gearing up for the city’s 250th birthday year.
9:00 AM 9:45 AM	Philadelphia 250 – Catalyzing the Next Era of Growth A look at how the Semiquincentennial, the World Cup, new infrastructure investments and major civic programming are converging to create economic momentum not seen in decades. Explore what 2026 means for branding, placemaking, development pipelines and long term legacy.
9:45 AM 10:30 AM	Brotherly Shove – Pushing Philly Ahead in the Regional Growth Race 2026 puts Philadelphia in a rare spotlight. Dig into the competitive economics shaping the region, from attracting residents and employers to retaining students and early career talent. Hear how the city can strengthen pipelines, meet employer needs and use policy levers to turn its milestone year into lasting regional momentum.
10:30 AM 11:00 AM	Post Panel Networking and Philadelphia 250 Coffee Toast Wrap up the morning with more conversations and a light celebratory toast to the start of Philadelphia’s milestone year. Connect with leaders shaping development and investment as the city enters its most high visibility moment in a generation.