How four major D.C.-area developers stay busy during a real estate rut

It’s no secret that commercial real estate is in a bit of a slump right now. And it’s not just the market, but the activity, or lack thereof — fewer cranes, fewer new office buildings and fewer big projects in general. “I would characterize the outlook as paralyzed. The market knows what it needs — generally ‘more’ of everything — but everyone is waiting for greater certainty to act,” said Robert Gilbane Jr., senior vice president of development for Gilbane Development Co.