Jessica Browdy, Founder & President, J. Kelly Advisors

J. Kelly Advisors Founder and President Jessica Browdy explained to Invest: how the education and medical sectors are continuing to drive growth for their firm, as well as how their hands-on approach to assisting their clients through the entire life cycle of their projects sets them apart from their competition.

What have been some of the key highlights for J. Kelly Advisors over the course of the last year?
Over the past year, we have successfully secured several private school contracts, encompassing design and construction management for new buildings, existing campuses, and new campus developments. We have placed a strategic focus on the education sector, driven by the ongoing influx of professionals relocating to Florida with their families. Additionally, we have made significant investments in the healthcare sector, with a notable project underway involving a five-story hospital expansion.
Are there any additional subdivisions or sectors that are also driving growth for the company?
We are observing a rise in mixed-use developments that integrate residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, along with walkable environments, particularly in Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in retail projects, including façade renovations and upgrades, as well as new retail developments and entitlements for land development, especially in the Orlando area.

Where have you seen the most demand for services?
The service pipeline remains robust. With limited greenfield land available for new construction in our region, we are predominantly focused on demolishing outdated structures and replacing them with modern builds. There is a notable emphasis on renovations, additions, and new construction projects, with an increasing focus on resiliency and sustainability compared to previous years.
In the commercial office sector, renovations are currently outpacing new builds, but across all market sectors, there is a balanced mix of both renovation and new construction projects. For instance, we are witnessing substantial growth in new square footage for hospitals, retail, and industrial spaces, leading to relatively smaller-scale office renovations in comparison.

What is your overview of the commercial real estate markets in South Florida at the moment?
Energy efficiency remains a primary focus, as we continue to address heat management and resilience to climate change. Energy efficiency impacts numerous aspects of product selection and building design. Additionally, emerging trends include incorporating advanced audio-visual elements that create a “wow” factor, tailored to the specific type of build. Mixed-use developments have also seen a notable increase in recent years, further reflecting current market trends.
A key requirement across all sectors and clients we work with is the flexibility and adaptability of spaces. In collaboration with our clients, we explore adaptive reuse strategies, assessing how spaces can be repurposed to meet future needs and market shifts while considering factors like zoning and building permits. We also prioritize designing spaces that can accommodate future growth and construction, ensuring they continue to align with clients’ evolving goals. This approach is particularly relevant in downtown districts and industrial areas, where creative design solutions are essential. For instance, the cost per square foot for industrial clients is significantly lower compared to projects in hospital districts or urban areas so the use of space needs to be thought about creatively.
Hospitality and resort design are also seeing growth as people are traveling and Florida is a popular destination. Tourism is thriving in Florida, and there is a high demand for hotel and resort developments. There is a focus on creating unique, experiential spaces.

From a client perspective, what are the benefits of working with a company like J. Kelly Advisors that covers the entire project lifecycle from the initial concept to successful project completion?
Over the past decade, J. Kelly Advisors (JKA) has successfully delivered projects to a diverse range of clients and is currently managing over $440M in design and construction projects. The Florida market is experiencing rapid changes, including challenges related to the availability of skilled labor, supply chain disruptions, and potential policy shifts that could impact costs and demand. Partnering with JKA can help you navigate these complexities, leveraging our deep market knowledge and strong relationships with vendors and contractors to ensure project success.

JKA provides valuable support in planning, budgeting, and managing projects through pre-planning, scheduling, and maintaining active communication among all stakeholders. We also bring expertise in navigating building department requirements, helping clients avoid common pitfalls, saving both time and money. In fact, our services often cost less than the expense of managing a project without our guidance. For example, just last month, we prevented a costly change order that would have been approved by the client, effectively covering six months of our service fees.

At JKA, we address risk early through proactive pre-planning, identifying potential budget overruns or design flaws that may affect operational efficiency. We collaborate with clients to align their needs and desires with their budget and explore creative solutions for any challenges. If meeting a specific deadline is critical, such as for schools, we help determine the most effective contracting method to ensure on-time completion.

Quality assurance is another key benefit of working with JKA. We ensure that design standards are met throughout the construction process and that these standards are integrated seamlessly into every phase. As a service-oriented firm, we take on a select number of projects, allowing us to give your project our full attention and make it our top priority.

How is J. Kelly Advisors leveraging technology and innovation in order to provide the best project management and real estate advisory services to clients?
For our Owner’s Rep services, technology implementation can be challenging. There isn’t a tried-and-true software that aligns with our niche that we feel covers all aspects of our crucial role on project. Most software is either geared toward the GC or the Architect. We created our own set of proprietary tools and software to be able to manage projects in a way that provides clear, concise communication to our clients managing deadlines and tracking information. Some of the creative technology we use on our larger projects is that we perform drone simulations that picture the site over time which builds a picture survey for our clients. By integrating technologies such as BIM, VR, and AI, JKA can improve accuracy, reduce risks, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. These tools also enhance transparency and communication, which ultimately benefit all stakeholders involved.

What are the primary challenges for the residential and commercial real estate sector in South Florida at the moment?
A key challenge currently facing the industry is the agility and speed required to obtain permits. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many professionals in building departments, particularly those in the later stages of their careers, retired. As a result, numerous departments are operating with reduced staff. While efforts have been made to integrate new technology, the adoption has been slow, with some departments effectively in a “beta testing” phase and often needing to backtrack. This leads to resubmissions and delays in project timelines.

Labor shortages remain a critical issue in Florida. The skilled workforce is aging and approaching retirement, and there has been a lack of focus on training and apprenticeship programs within the construction industry. A significant gap exists in preparing the younger generation to enter the trade, as well as in providing training for skilled labor. With a highly competitive market and abundant work available, attracting and developing specialized talent has become a major challenge. In some cases, for specific trades, we have had to bring in workers from other states to ensure that projects are completed on schedule.

Material price volatility continues to be a concern, particularly for commodities such as steel, lumber, and concrete. Supply chain disruptions persist, and we anticipate further delays, especially in the residential construction sector, which also affects the commercial side, particularly when natural disasters are involved. We also have to consider that pricing or access may be affected for materials coming overseas when the tariffs take effect under the new administration.

In addition to regulatory compliance, weather presents another ongoing challenge. While we are not faced with snow or frozen ground, Florida’s hurricane season and frequent rainfall create significant hurdles. Managing delays due to weather, particularly during the rainy season when open ground or buildings are exposed, requires careful planning and mitigation strategies to keep projects on track.