John Deere - In Real Estate?

The lawn and landscape industry has recently reported a new partnership between John Deere and a large home developer.

"CARY, N.C. – John Deere and St. Lawrence Homes, a premium North Carolina homebuilder, have partnered on a pilot homebuyer incentive program: The John Deere Signature Community located in Durham, N.C. This marks the first time John Deere has partnered with a homebuilder. As part of the program, John Deere will provide custom landscape packages, standard plant warranties, irrigation systems and top-quality John Deere equipment with every home in the new community."

The article goes on to say, "The St. Lawrence Homes/John Deere partnership goes beyond simply breaking ground on a new home-buying concept - it actually creates a new way of living for people who appreciate the beauty of nature at home," said Tosh Brinkerhoff, customer integration manager, small property owner, John Deere. "Our partnership with St. Lawrence enables homeowners to connect with their property from the moment they move in, and provides the tools and services to cultivate this passion."

Is this the beginning of a trend? Will we see this type of "lifestyle" partnerships creep into the commercial real estate industry?

Already the Wall Street Journal has reported other names joining the teaming concept such as Georgio Armani and Orvis. It is interesting to note that Orvis' partnership is with Cushman & Wakefield, a COMMERCIAL real estate firm.

For all you developers out there, what's next, "Starbucks Office Centre?"