Bio
As the President of Rappaport, Henry Fonvielle oversees the leasing strategy for third-party landlord and tenant representation services and all shopping centers within the company’s extensive portfolio. Dedicated to reinvigorating, designing, and constructing top-tier mixed-use developments and shopping centers within the D.C. market, Henry utilizes over 35 years of experience in the retail industry to create well-organized and exceptional projects from conception to completion. With comprehensive knowledge in a wide array of retail types including urban, mixed-use, neighborhood, lifestyle, and power centers, Henry is recognized as a trusted retail advisor and an expert in the commercial real estate industry.
His ability to form and cultivate close-knit partnerships within his team and among his clients enhanced Rappaport’s reputation as a well-respected and experienced firm committed to cultivating places. Under his leadership, the company’s leasing and brokerage portfolio soared from 35 to over 170 properties. Prior to joining Rappaport, Henry was Senior Vice President and Retail Department Head for the Vornado/Charles E. Smith Commercial Realty.
Henry is Co-Founder of the Skyland Workforce Center Leadership Council, member of the Executive Leadership Team for the Alzheimer’s Association – Ride to End ALZ, Emeritus member of the Foundation Board and Ball Chair of Children’s National Hospital, member of the Bisnow Diversity Board, Board member for Tall Ship Providence Foundation, Board member and Gala Chair for Atlas Performing Arts Center, At-Large member of the Board of the USTA-Mid-Atlantic, ICSC member and former Mid Atlantic Event Chair. Henry formerly served as Vice-Chair for Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, as a Board member for Federal City Council, Washington DC Economic Partnership, and the Urban Land Institute CRC Green Council.
Show Notes
- Henry Fonvielle’s Role at the Rappaport Company (00:05:20)
- Comparison of Henry Fonvielle’s role with Gary Rappaport’s at the Rappaport Company and their collaboration in managing the firm.
- Cultural Differences Between Firms (00:06:00)
- Comparison of Charles E Smith and Rappaport Company, discussing the differences in culture and learning experiences.
- Henry Fonvielle’s Origin Story (00:08:20)
- His upbringing in North Carolina, his family background, and the influence of his parents on his life.
- Henry Fonvielle’s College Experience (00:10:45)
- Henry Fonvielle‘s decision to attend Wake Forest and his life-changing experience with the Casa Artom program in Venice, Italy.
- Started at Ferris & Co. in Investments (00:13:45)
- Investment broker at Ferris and subsequently Legg Mason
- Transition to Real Estate (00:14:45)
- Henry’s transition from the securities industry to real estate and his early experiences at Charles E. Smith as a leasing agent.
- Revitalizing Retail Properties (00:16:15)
- Fonvielle’s efforts in revitalizing retail properties in downtown Washington, D.C., and his approach to leasing and redesigning storefronts.
- Evolution of Crystal Underground (00:19:45)
- Discussion of the Crystal Underground retail environment, its significance, and the variety of tenants and services it provided.
- Redevelopment Projects (00:23:00)
- The evolution and redevelopment of projects like Skyline and Potomac Yards Center, including the transition from retail to new uses.
- Transformation of Potomac Yard (00:25:30)
- The successful development and transformation of Potomac Yard, overcoming initial challenges and achieving long-term success.
- The deal to keep the Caps and Wizards in DC (00:27:30)
- Discussion about the deal to keep the sports teams in DC and the impact on the district.
- Meeting Gary Rappaport and World Gate (00:28:30)
- Henry’s first encounter with Gary Rappaport and his involvement in the WorldGate shopping center.
- Development of WorldGate (00:30:15)
- The history and challenges faced during the development of the WorldGate shopping center in Herndon, Virginia.
- Transition to work at Rappaport (00:33:00)
- Henry’s transition from Charles E. Smith to Rappaport and the changes in the real estate industry during that time.
- The growth and evolution of Rappaport (00:38:15)
- The expansion of Rappaport’s services and the impact of Henry’s brokerage experience on the firm’s growth.
- Challenges and strategies in urban retail (00:49:20)
- The complexities and strategies involved in urban retail development and the early recognition of QSR expansion into urban areas.
- The evolution of urban retail (00:53:15)
- Discussion about the struggles and challenges faced by urban retail, including the impact of the pandemic and the need to re-energize urban retail spaces.
- Challenges of getting people back to office spaces (00:54:00)
- The difficulties faced in getting office workers back to their workplaces and the impact on restaurants and retail businesses in urban areas.
- Struggling and successful urban retail areas (00:55:30)
- Discussion of struggling urban retail areas and standout properties, including the impact of developments like the Wharf and Union Market.
- Creating engaging retail spaces (00:56:45)
- The importance of creating vibrant and engaging retail spaces, with a focus on specific properties and successful tenants.
- Tenant representation and landlord business (00:58:40)
- Comparison of tenant representation and landlord business, including the approach and staffing differences.
- Challenges and strategies in retail leasing (01:03:45)
- The complexities and strategies involved in fully leasing a shopping center or ground floor urban space, including the process of merchandising a property.
- Unique retail property – Eden Center (01:11:45)
- Discussion of the unique retail property, Eden Center, its cultural significance, and the challenges and exceptions in its merchandising.
- Interesting transactions in retail (01:15:45)
- Insights into some of the most interesting transactions in retail, including leases, sales, and unique property situations.
- Potomac Yard Center and Market Square (01:16:00)
- Discussion about the amazing Potomac Yard Center and the new listing, Market Square.
- Spring Valley Village and Central Park (01:16:30)
- Excitement about Spring Valley Village and the successful leasing at Central Park.
- Leasing and Management Approaches (01:18:45)
- Contrasting the leasing and management approaches of different firms in the region.
- Property Management and Construction (01:20:20)
- Emphasis on property management, construction, and value-added improvements.
- Placemaking and Retail Experience (01:21:40)
- Creating a positive retail experience through placemaking and mixed-use development.
- Urban Retail and New Restaurant Leases (01:23:30)
- Discussion about the unique urban retail and the signing of new restaurant leases.
- Signal House and Team Contributions (01:24:45)
- Mention of the unique Signal House building and the contributions of team members.
- Empowering Team and Motivational Leadership (01:25:40)
- Empowering the team and the importance of motivational leadership.
- Trends in Retail Concepts (01:30:00)
- Observations about trends in retail concepts, including the focus on food and grocery stores.
- Interface Between Online and In-Place Retail (01:35:50)
- Discussion about the interface between online and in-place retail experiences.
- Personal Priorities and Giving Back (01:36:40)
- Henry’s personal priorities, including family, work, and involvement in nonprofit organizations.
- Success and Happiness (01:39:45)
- Henry shares his perspective on success and happiness, emphasizing the importance of happiness for achieving success.
- Spread Love (01:40:20)
- Henry suggests the message “spread love” for a billboard on the Capitol Beltway, promoting positivity and kindness.
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