HUTTO, TEXAS — Houston-based NewQuest Properties has begun construction on a two-building retail project that will add 15,560 square feet of new space to Hutto, a northern suburb of Austin. The project represents Phase II of Townwest Commons, a 32-acre retail center that is anchored by Lowe’s Home Improvement and fronts State Highway 79. Phase II of Townwest Commons is expected to be complete in early 2020.
HUNTSVILLE, ALA. — DaikyoNishikawa US (DNUS) has broken ground on its $110 million automotive plant in Huntsville. The plant will be on the same site as the 3.1 million-square-foot Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA (MTMUS) plant, which is expected to be operational in 2021. DNUS’ plant is expected to come on line around the same time. DNUS will produce plastic automotive parts at the plant and expects the plant to house 380 employees at full production. The MTMUS plant will have the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles annually.
LA CROSSE, WIS. — Kraus-Anderson Construction Co. has completed the conversion of the former La Crosse Plow Co. manufacturing facility into apartments. Now known as Landmark by the Rivers, the property is located at 525 N. 2nd St. Designed by Dimension IV Madison Design Group and owned by La Crosse-based JJAWC LLC, the project consists of 64 loft units. Amenities include an exercise room, multipurpose room, business center, dog wash, coffee bar, rooftop deck and bicycle storage. Monthly rental rates start at $1,600 for one-bedroom units. Retail and office space also is available for lease at the property.
KANSAS CITY, MO. — Academy Bank, a full-service community bank and wholly owned subsidiary of Dickinson Financial Corp., has opened its new flagship retail banking center and home office in the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City. The 4,214-square-foot branch is located at 1881 Main St. It occupies the first floor of the standalone building adjacent to Corrigan Station. The bank shares an outdoor courtyard space with neighboring businesses, including The Roasterie and WeWork. In addition to ATM and mobile services, Academy Bank in the Crossroads features walk-up video banking, enabling customers to speak with a video banker during extended hours. Academy Bank plans to open two more Kansas City-area locations this year. In August, it opened an Overland Park branch.
CHICAGO — Owners Murphy Development Group and CIM Group have opened The Paragon, a 500-unit luxury apartment tower in Chicago. The property lies in the South Loop, between 13th and 14th streets. The 47-story tower features 7,500 square feet of retail space. Solomon Cordwell Buenz served as the architect while Mary Cook Associates designed the interiors. Amenities include a fitness center, yoga room, rooftop sky lounge, clubroom and a 2,100-square-foot coworking space. Each residence features smart home automation for programming lights, outlets, thermostats and speakers. Bozzuto is the property manager. Monthly rental rates start at $1,805 for studios.
HILLIARD, Ohio — Columbus, Ohio-based architecture and planning firm M+A Architects has completed its design work on The Ashford at Sturbridge, a $12 million affordable senior living project. Located in the Columbus suburb of Hilliard, The Ashford at Sturbridge is one of 400 affordable housing communities that Wallick Communities has developed. With 124 studio and one-bedroom units that will be able to house approximately 155 residents upon lease-up, the new facility offers both assisted living and independent living options.
PHILADELPHIA — CA Student Living, the Chicago-based student housing investment and development arm of CA Ventures, will open The Link University City, a 252-bed community serving Drexel University in Philadelphia. The property offers one-, two- and three-bedroom units alongside six two-level townhomes. Shared amenities include a fitness and wellness center, private study rooms, co-working and research lounges, a cyber lounge, breakfast and coffee bar and a sky lounge with a pool table, darts and televisions. Student leases are available starting mid-September 2019.
CHANDLER, ARIZ. — ViaWest Group is developing a two-building speculative industrial park located at the southwest corner of East Willis Road and South Hamilton Street in Chandler, a southeastern suburb of Phoenix. The company plans to break ground on the 140,372-square-foot project this week. The 65,892-square-foot and 74,480-square-foot buildings will be divisible from 16,000 square feet to 35,000 square feet. The properties will feature 28-foot clear heights, ESFR sprinklers, a mix of dock-high and grade doors and a 180-foot shared concrete gated truck court. The project will complete Phase II of the AZ 202 Commerce Park. Phase I, a built-to-suit for PODS Moving and Storage, was delivered in April 2018. The second phase is slated for completion in April 2020. Andy Markham, Mike Haenel and Phil Haenel of Cushman & Wakefield are marketing the new buildings for lease. ViaWest Group will manage the properties once completed.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — A public-private partnership between RISE: A Real Estate Co. and Nova Southeastern University has opened Mako Hall, a 608-bed living/learning community on the university’s campus in Fort Lauderdale. The development offers a mix of one-, two- and four-bedroom, apartment-style units. Shared amenities include lounge areas, open and semi-private study rooms and an outdoor courtyard with hammocks, table tennis and grilling areas. Nova Southeastern is a private university that has 20,793 enrolled students.
STAFFORD, VA. — Barnett Properties has broken ground on Embrey Mill Town Center, a Publix-anchored shopping center in Stafford. The property will also feature 26,500 square feet of small shop space. Carter Bank provided construction financing. Freeman Morgan Architects designed the shopping center, and VHB is the engineer. Steve Sartorio of Barnett Properties will handle leasing efforts. Barnett Properties expects to open Embrey Mill Town Center in early 2021. This Publix will join locations in Williamsburg and Fredericksburg as the only Publix stores in Virginia outside of the Richmond metro area.
