We worked as brokers for a futuristic human-carrying drone project
When Skyports—a London-based pioneer in human-carrying drone technology—approached us, Commercial Brokers International, with their vision of launching an unprecedented urban air mobility project in Los Angeles, we knew we weren’t just facilitating another regular commercial real estate deal. We were helping lay the groundwork for a future that felt straight out of science fiction. As commercial real estate brokers, our job was to translate their ambitious concept into real, functional, and scalable infrastructure across one of the country’s most complex urban landscapes. Oh trust me, we have quite a story to tell here.
Understanding the Mission
Skyports’ mission is bold: to create a network of “VertiPorts” where electric vertical takeoff and landing drones can safely carry passengers across dense urban zones—beginning with piloted drones and eventually shifting to fully autonomous flight. These VertiPorts aren’t just landing pads—they’re multimodal transport hubs that require the right combination of airspace access, zoning compliance, and proximity to major transit routes.
That’s where we came in.
The physical ports are impressive: half-acre spaces that accommodate two to four drones, complete with charging stations, lounges, and even small retail areas. But the most obvious challenge was finding sites that could accommodate that footprint—especially in urban infill locations or on high-rises with limited rooftop space. This is not yet our first hurdle in the way though.
Educating the Market
Early on, we realized that our biggest task wasn’t just site selection—it was education. Landlords and stakeholders across LA had never encountered a project like this (or, the idea is so novel that it is exceptionally hard to pitch). Many were skeptical, wondering if flying taxis were more fantasy than reality. Not every conversation was easy. Some property owners flat-out rejected the idea—calling it “crazy,” “impossible,” or “a fad.” Others were more open, seeing potential value in being early adopters. Slowly but surely, the tide turned. As brokers, we leaned into the data, pointed to international examples like Singapore and São Paulo, and showed the economic upside of being a first mover.
As one landowner said after we walked them through the projections: “I thought this was sci-fi. Now I see this is transit.”
So we became educators as well as brokers. We walked stakeholders through the noise profiles (surprisingly quiet, approximately equivalent to the noise volume of a vacuum cleaner), flight paths (regulated and safe), and the potential benefits to their properties (from higher tenant value to positioning near future transit hubs). Once landlords understood the vision and saw the data, the conversation changed.
Navigating the Logistics
Working with Skyports meant mastering the logistics of a transportation system that didn’t exist yet. We had to anticipate what a typical passenger journey might look like—say, from LAX to Downtown LA—and reverse-engineer the real estate to support it.
We sourced and vetted locations where travelers could be dropped off by car, board a drone within minutes, and land near key business districts in a fraction of the time it would take by car. We balanced accessibility with zoning, airspace clearance, and noise sensitivity, often in densely packed areas with limited land availability.
The Biggest Challenges
Among the biggest hurdles was power infrastructure. These VertiPorts need substantial electric capacity for drone charging, yet utility coordination in Los Angeles can delay upgrades by years. We had to collaborate closely with engineers, Skyports’ technical team, and local officials to forecast future demand and secure infrastructure agreements that would scale with the project.
We also had to navigate height restrictions, flight corridor mapping, and FAA guidelines—all while ensuring passenger safety and comfort in buildings that may not have been designed for this kind of future use.
Despite all the difficulties along the way, we identified eight viable locations across LA County for the initial rollout, with more under consideration. Areas around LAX proved the most complex due to existing flight paths and regulatory bottlenecks, but the Skyports team is actively working on creative solutions.
Why This Matters
This project has given us a front-row seat to a shift in how cities will operate. As brokers, we believe drone transit will reshape tenant demand and drive a new layer of value for properties connected to VertiPort nodes—much like proximity to a subway station or major highway once did.
What used to be "air rights" for signage or views may soon mean landing rights for electric air taxis. Skyports is targeting an official launch in the near future, and with infrastructure, policy, and public sentiment aligning, that timeline is within reach. As their real estate partners, we’re proud to have played a role in something this transformative—not just for the city of Los Angeles, but for what urban mobility can become worldwide.
