“But a day where I wake up, roll into my office next door to my bedroom, look at my teammates on Zoom, order Uber Eats for lunch, wrap up and order DoorDash for dinner, then watch Netflix before bed, is not a day where I feel inspired. Not to say that those individual things can’t inspire you. But where I feel alive is when I have a shared experience with another human being.”
What may sound like the plot of a dystopian novel is actually our CEO Jodie W. McLean highlighting the tension between technological ease and authentic human connection. In today’s world, there’s room for both—but without emotional bonds, life risks becoming isolating.
At EDENS, what nurtures humanity also strengthens our business. In a recent podcast interview with Brad Hargreaves for “Thesis Driven,” McLean takes a deep dive into EDENS’ design, retail curation and engagement and how these principles add value for retailers in places across our national portfolio.
Brad Hargreaves (BH): Hearing you talk about the design of these centers reminds me a lot of the principles of new urbanism and how people who are thinking about urban design and the way cities should be designed…
Jodie W. McLean (JWM): Wherever the heart of the home is, that’s the role our centers need to play. They need to be the heart of the community. Yes, parking is important, but if we can connect to the surrounding neighborhoods…and make it feel really safe and comfortable…that means we’re doing something really right.
BH: How do you drive dwell time and connectivity? Is that design, leasing?
Something I say a lot these days is we have to do our ordinary work extraordinarily well. I think we have to inspire people.
JWM: What are the values of our community and what are they looking for? We think about national versus local…but if there’s a great local proprietor who, day in and day out, knows every customer that walks through the door…they are important because that’s where a lot of emotional attachment happens.
BH: If you’re asking people today how they use AI, companionship was number one. Are we fighting an uphill battle? Are the robots too good?
JWM: Something I say a lot these days is we have to do our ordinary work extraordinarily well. I think we have to inspire people. We use technology, we believe in it. But I don’t think the computers can ever replace the true connection you have with another human being, and what happens to us as people. We’re just designed that way.
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For the full interview, listen here.
Culture