Master Planned & Mixed-Use Developers

Every community builds retail.
Not every community builds a heartbeat.

When you weave the right mix of restaurants, shops, and gathering spaces into a development, you’re not just filling storefronts — you’re creating the places where neighbors meet, kids grow up, and stories begin. This is what turns a location into a legacy.

Retail Experience Architecture™

Our proprietary Retail Experience Architecture™ framework guides developers from concept to connection.

We combine:

  • Market intelligence – understanding who will live here, what they value, and how they spend.

  • Placemaking strategy – designing spaces that invite people to linger, explore, and return.

  • Curated activation – programming that keeps spaces alive year-round.

    The result: retail environments that drive sales, spark community pride, and become magnetic destinations.

Benefits for Developers

  • Accelerated Sales Velocity – A walkable mix of amenities boosts desirability and helps homes sell faster.

  • A Distinct Brand Story – Your retail mix becomes a signature feature that separates your community from the competition.

  • Lasting Community Bonds – Intentional gathering spaces turn residents into advocates and attract loyal visitors.

Why It Works

  • 79% of Americans say walkable access to shops and parks is important.

  • 90% of Millennials & Gen Z will pay more for it.

  • Homes in walkable communities sell for $500–$3,000 more per Walk Score point.

  • Walkable retail boosts rents by 27–54% and accelerates sales velocity.

When you give people somewhere to gather, linger, and connect, you don’t just fill space — you create loyalty, pride, and value that compounds over time.

Case Study Snapshot – Coming Soon.

Challenge: A Texas community needed a retail vision that would enhance livability and attract regional visitors without overbuilding.

Approach: We implemented an incremental retail strategy — starting with a food-forward anchor, pop-up activations, and curated local operators.

Results: Early activation generated community buzz, increased foot traffic to nearby businesses, and set the stage for phased growth.

[ See More Case Studies → ]

Our Signature Approach

We’ve distilled decades of retail, hospitality, and placemaking experience into a proven, repeatable framework for creating retail that works — financially and emotionally.

Step 1 – Retail DNA Analysis

We uncover who your buyers are, what they value, and what’s missing in their daily lives.

  • Demographic & psychographic research

  • Competitive landscape mapping

  • Category demand & opportunity analysis

Step 4 – Partnership Model Design

A thriving retail core needs a financial structure that works for everyone.

  • Lease, ownership, and JV models

  • Activation-focused deal structures

  • Public-private funding strategies

Step 2 – Listening Before We Build

We spend time on the ground, talking with the people who will live, work, and invest here.

  • Stakeholder interviews (property owners, chefs, civic leaders, business owners)

  • On-site visioning for retail adjacencies, flow, and activation

  • Aligning your development story with community desires

Step 5 – Metrics & Media Integration

We prove the value of your retail beyond rent rolls.

  • Track home sales velocity, PR reach, event attendance, and retail performance

  • Collaborate with your PR team to turn wins into marketing stories

  • Position you as a first-to-market innovator for future projects

Step 3 – Tenant Curation & Activation

The right space without the right people is just… space. We recruit operators who bring your brand story to life and keep energy high year-round.

  • Tenant mix strategy

  • Brand scouting & recruitment

  • Pop-up & activation programming:

    • Night markets in summer.

    • Harvest dinners in fall.

    • Patio concerts in spring.

The Ripple Effect

When retail is planned with intention, it sparks more than commerce:

  • Sales Velocity – Homes sell faster and at higher price points.

  • Brand Story – PR teams excited to share the news and influencer buzz increase.

  • Community Bonds – Neighbors connect and stay engaged.

One coffee leads to a conversation.

That conversation leads to a friendship.

And over time, those friendships weave into the identity of your community.


What We’ve Delivered

  • Curated chef-led anchors that became community icons

  • Flexible retail bays that evolved with tenant needs

  • Seasonal activation calendars that kept traffic high

  • Metrics that proved ROI in home sales and the ripple effect from the amenities offered.

  • terra alma is different because of their passion. Edie works tirelessly to find the critical pieces of the retail puzzle.

    Mason Zimmerman, CEO Pope and Land

  • I recommend terra alma as partners to make your dreams come to life.

    Justin Douglas, Owner of Simple Man Distillery.

  • Edie has the inside track, the beauty is that she has her finger on the pulse months ahead of everyone else.

    Douglas Hines, Owner of The Consulate and Honeybubble

  • We are grateful for you always helping us in our business path..You have become our angel. Thank you!

    Lucero Obregon, Owner of Zocalo and Taqueria La Luz

  • There is a mutual respect and understanding in knowing what we're looking for and what we want. Finding the right location has everything to do with terra alma.

    Alex Kinjo, Creative Director, Kinjo Enterprises

2025 Speaking Engagements

January

23 | Sharpen Conference | Chef Deb [Speaker] Ft. Worth, TX

26 | Global Culinary Conference | Feed the Soul Foundation [Speaker] Houston, TX

March

6 | Table for Twelve | Feed the Soul Foundation [Host] Atlanta, GA

June

6 | Table for Twelve | Feed the Soul Foundation [Host] Atlanta, GA

8 | FAB | TOPIC Coming Soon (Speaker) Charleston, SC

12 | Barcelona, Spain + France Sabbattical

September

5 | Table for Twelve | [Host] Atlanta, GA

December

6 | Table for Twelve | [Host] Atlanta, GA

Podcast

commercial real estate pro podcast.

Edie Weintraub shares insights on building community-focused spaces through concepts like the 15-minute city and public-private partnerships. She highlights success stories, such as food halls driving growth, and offers strategies for mitigating risks in her field. Listen now to explore how to create thriving urban hubs.I LISTEN

GLOW CRE.

Edie Weintraub discusses how aligning your strengths with your passions can lead to success in commercial real estate. Tune in to discover how combining what you love with what you excel at can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career. I LISTEN

NOW podcast.

Edie Weintraub shares how she uses retail and hospitality real estate to build vibrant communities. She highlights the role of placemaking, food, and retail in fostering social connectivity and reflects on her 20+ years of experience. Listen now for insights into creating meaningful spaces that bring people together! I LISTEN

 

Fully Occupied.

Edie Weintraub, founder of Terra Alma, discusses the importance of prioritizing local businesses in retail real estate development. Edie’s local-first approaches into retail development projects and offers practical advice for real estate professionals and community planners. I LISTEN

performance mindset.

Edie Weintraub shares her journey founding Terra Alma, insights on evolving retail trends, and her passion for mentoring women in commercial real estate. Listen to discover how mindset shifts and strategic thinking have shaped her success..I LISTEN

 
 

Presentations.

thriving downtowns.

Downtown development and revitalization are essential to creating vibrant, walkable communities where people want to live, work, and connect. A thriving downtown isn’t just about buildings; it’s about creating spaces that feel alive, safe, and welcoming. By investing in these areas, cities can breathe new life into their historic cores, attract businesses, and foster a sense of pride among residents. Thoughtful urban design and community-centric planning create downtown spaces that are inviting and accessible to everyone.

local brands.

Local brands play a unique role in building the character of a community. They bring a distinct personality and charm to neighborhoods, drawing residents and visitors alike to experience something genuine and homegrown. Unlike national chains, local businesses often reflect the values and culture of the community, making people feel connected to the area and to each other. Whether it’s a family-owned café, a local boutique, or a new restaurant concept, these brands create a magnetic pull, fostering relationships and becoming the social fabric of the neighborhood.

local investment.

When we invest in local businesses and downtown revitalization, we’re investing in the heart of a community. By supporting local brands and creating spaces that encourage human connection, cities can foster a sense of belonging and identity. Downtowns become places where people gather, celebrate, and find common ground—ultimately strengthening the community and giving it a lasting legacy.