Life at Street Level: The ROI of Great Ground Plane Placemaking with Sam Stein
Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Episode 97
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What turns a development into a beloved destination? And how do you prove its value when early planning may not pencil?
Sam Stein, VP of Strategy and Development at Of Place, unpacks how placemaking strategies like ground-plane investment, local-first retail, and integrated public art drive leasing performance, cultural relevance, and long-term asset durability. Drawing on lessons from projects like Water Street Tampa and Rice Village in Houston, Sam shares why the most successful mixed-use environments are designed not just to look good on opening day, but to adapt, endure, and continually reflect the communities they serve.
Discussed in the Episode:
Of Place
Water Street Tampa
Strategic Property Partners (SPP)
Mobile Arena
King Street, Charleston
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Las Ramblas, Barcelona
Antoni Gaudi’s Artwork in Barcelona
Rice Village, Houston
Cherry Creek West, Denver
Pearl Square, Jacksonville
Gasworx, Tampa
Sparkman Wharf, Tampa
Gateway Jax
Phoebe the Flamingo at Tampa International Airport
Blackberry Mountain Wellness Retreat
Artist Thomas Dambo
Cloud Gate (AKA “The Bean”) by Anish Kapoor, Chicago
Sam Stein on LinkedIn
About Sam Stein:
Sam Stein is a placemaking strategist and real estate developer focused on creating vibrant, people-first destinations. Originally from Tampa, he studied environmental science at Duke University and spent over nine years working in commercial development before joining Of Place, where he now helps lead the firm’s development and consulting business. Most recently, Sam led the retail and placemaking efforts for Phase One of Water Street Tampa while at Strategic Property Partners. His work sits at the intersection of retail, mixed-use, and the public realm, helping developers envision and execute market-changing projects across the country.
About Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast:
Dot Dot Dot is the continuing conversation around art in the built environment. Episodes explore art, culture, placemaking, and more with a range of reputable art and business leaders. Tune in biweekly to learn how an original art experience can boost your business and make a positive social impact. Episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts!
