April 24, 2025
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From player to coach—writing the playbook for successful sports district development
In this episode of Conversations with the Best Minds in Real Estate, RCLCO’s Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives, Joshua Boren, speaks with Eric Nordness, Managing Principal of Marquee Development. In this role, Eric has led the Rickett family’s real estate development and investment arm in its work for over a decade— including the development of Gallagher Way, a mixed-use entertainment district situated in the heart of Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood.
“[There is a] need for us to expand our business beyond just traditional game day–we need to use these venues more than the 81 home games we have or the 10 concerts in addition to that […] and we talked about how you engage your fans earlier, and further out from your stadium. So, can we get our fans here earlier? Can we engage with them in a different way? Can we connect to our community? These assets are embedded in neighborhoods and they can be a big, loud, noisy object at times–so how do we make this about bringing our neighbors over and creating community spaces?”
– Eric on the importance of a 365-day activated sports district
Eric shares his career journey that brought him to Marquee, how his team is bringing the “Wrigley Field experience” to other sports districts around the country, and how sponsorships are challenging the old adage ‘you can’t create more real estate’.
“One executive looked at me and had a really important point for me. They said, “just remember: this is our Wrigley field.” So, as important as anything might be, we need to get this right.”
– Eric on his experience working with clients
About Eric Nordness
Managing Principal of Marquee Development
As Managing Principal of Marquee Development, Eric has led the Ricketts family real estate development and investment business for the past nine years. With 20+ years of real estate experience, Eric excels in master planning, real estate placemaking, and hospitality development. He creatively integrates neighborhoods with hospitality assets, prioritizing inclusive processes, design, and operations. He received his undergraduate degree from University of Iowa and his graduate degree from University of Chicago.
About Joshua Boren
Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives
Joshua Boren is the Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives for RCLCO and works across the firm’s three lines of business to drive major efforts and undertakings both externally and internally. Specifically, Joshua specializes in leading business development, client management, marketing, and customer solutions as part of the RCLCO team. With nearly 20 years of experience, Joshua brings a particular expertise in understanding how network building and relationship management is critical to organizational success, resulting in millions of dollars of revenue generation and successful RCLCO engagements across a range of client types include institutional investors, developers, owners, operators, and the like.
