NEW LONDON, CONN. — The Hampshire Cos. has acquired a two-acre parcel in New London and has unveiled plans to develop a 100,000-square-foot self-storage facility on the site. The development site is located at 351 N. Frontage Road. The 800-unit facility will feature modern architecture with four levels of climate-controlled storage space. Construction is slated to begin in the second quarter. Hampshire Cos. has repositioned or developed 33 self-storage facilities with an aggregate value of more than $415 million since 2012.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Agoura Hills, Calif.-based AMCAL Equities LLC has acquired 35.3 acres near Fort Worth Alliance Airport for the development of a new multifamily project. Construction of Phase I will begin in June and deliver 264 units, while construction of Phase II will begin in 2022 and deliver 256 units. Amenities will include multiple pools, a fitness center, media and movie room, business center and a dog park. Lane Kommer and Dan Spika of Henry S. Miller represented AMCAL Equities in the land sale. Ryan Turner, David Davidson and Ed Bogel of Davidson Bogel Real Estate represented the seller, Dallas-based Harwood Properties LLC.
ANN ARBOR, MICH. — Granger Construction and architect Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) have completed the renovation of the Robert H. and Judy Dow Alexander Cancer Center at the St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor’s hospital campus. The $24 million project involved the expansion of the cancer center to 66,000 square feet in order to provide space for the hospital’s growth and to enhance the facility’s cancer research and treatment facilities. Home to 38 exam rooms, the expanded facility offers a separate entrance and exit for patients. The existing building’s main atrium was also replaced, and significant exterior improvements were added. A new infusion center overlooks a healing garden. St. Joseph Mercy Hospital owns the facility and served as project developer.
For developers of affordable housing, a certain amount of NIMBYism is virtually inevitable. But the contentiousness of our times has amplified the rumbling of, “not in my backyard,” into a shout. Time consumed in countering the claims and tactics of affordable housing opponents can damage or derail a developer’s plans — delaying approvals, raising costs and in some cases causing the project to be abandoned altogether. At a time when large segments of the population have been priced out of many neighborhoods, the need to defuse NIMBYism is critical, not simply for preserving individual communities, but also for protecting the greater social fabric. Fortunately, time-tested strategies that have long been used to win over local affordable housing opponents become even more effective when shifted to web-based platforms. Savvy developers are now using their websites and social media to discredit stereotypes about affordable housing communities, demonstrate transparency and promote dialogue. When community members realize that affordable housing is something that can contribute to their neighborhood rather than detract from it, the conversation changes dramatically. Introduce Yourself with a Compelling Website Opponents of affordable housing often couch their objections as an appeal to the greater good, highlighting the potential effect a community …
REDMOND, WASH. — Demolition began on Jan. 8 for Microsoft’s multibillion-dollar overhaul of its corporate headquarters campus in Redmond and includes the decommissioning and demolition of 13 buildings. In mid-2018, the company announced its plans to renovate its campus and build nearly 3 million square feet of new workspace on 72 acres at its current campus in Redmond. Construction of the new buildings is expected to begin soon, with completion slated for 2022. The project team includes architecture firms LMN, NBBJ, WRNS Studio and ZGF Architects; general contractors Skanska, Balfour Beatty, GLY and Sellen; and lead landscaping architect Berger Partnership with OLIN. CBRE, JLL and OAC Services are serving as project managers for the redevelopment. Once complete, the modernized campus will include: • 18 new buildings, ranging from 180,000 square feet to 200,000 square feet, clustered in four distinct villages • Accessibility features to enhance mobility and ease of access for all employees • Buildings that are four to five stories in height • Atriums and courtyards for improved daylighting and direct connections to the outdoors • Sustainable design strategies • A gateway to serve employees and visitors arriving via Sound Transit’s Redmond Technology Center light rail station • A …
GOODYEAR, ARIZ. — Minnesota-based Andersen Corp., a window and door manufacturer, along with Opus Development Co., has broken ground on a manufacturing facility within Goodyear Crossing Industrial Park in Goodyear. Situated on 26 acres, the 550,000-square-foot facility will feature 21 truck bays on the east side of the building, four truck bays on the southeast corner, rail service by two lines and a front entrance with two stories of glass windows. As lead developer, designer and constructor, Opus expects the building shell to be completed in October, and Andersen aims to have the facility fully operational by first-quarter 2020. The project team includes Opus Development Co. as developer, Opus Design Build as design-builder and Opus AE Group as architect and structural engineer of record. Cushman & Wakefield represented Andersen, while JLL represented Opus in the lease deal.
MIAMI — CIM Group has completed construction of CAOBA, a 43-story apartment tower located at 698 N.E. 1st Ave. in downtown Miami. The 444-unit building is the first tower to open at the $2 billion mixed-use Miami Worldcenter development. The City of Miami has approved an adjacent 40-story, 429-unit tower. CIM Group has received a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for CAOBA, allowing residents to move into their apartments, which range from studios to three-bedroom units. Amenities include a resort-style pool deck with downtown and ocean views, fitness center and a clubroom with a chef’s kitchen, as well as pet-focused facilities including a dog-walking lawn and a dog-wash area. CAOBA also includes more than 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space for shops and restaurants that will connect to Miami Worldcenter’s retail promenade and plaza currently under construction. The property is situated one block from Miami Central, downtown’s new transportation hub, and Brightline’s high-speed rail Miami terminal.
ATLANTA — Selig Enterprises has added two new food and beverage tenants at The Works, a $1 billion mixed-use development underway on 80 acres in Atlanta’s Upper Westside neighborhood. The Atlanta-based developer has announced a new food hall known as Chattahoochee Food Works. Headed by Robert Montwaid of Gansevoort Consulting, the new food hall will occupy 16,000 square feet of space within The Makers Building, which will front a quarter-mile linear park known as The Spur. The food hall will feature vendors, a test kitchen, artisanal market shops, space for events and tables that double as charging stations. Selig will also add a new 9,000-square-foot taproom and macrobrewery for Scofflaw Brewing Co., an Atlanta brewery founded in 2016 by Matt Shirah and Travis Herman. The new location will serve as Scofflaw’s main research and development facility and will feature a programmed outdoor area with games and gathering places. Situated off Chattahoochee Avenue, The Works will span 350,000 square feet of retail and entertainment, 500,000 square feet of office space, 500 residences, 200 hotel rooms and 13 acres of green space. The 27-acre Phase I is currently under construction and scheduled for openings in early 2020.
PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KAN. — Tutera Senior Living & Health has completed construction of Mission Chateau Senior Living Community in Prairie Village, just south of Kansas City. Development costs for the 214,800-square-foot, 18.4-acre development were estimated at $55 million. The community features 22 independent living villas, 121 independent living apartments, 40 assisted living units and 40 memory care units. Other offerings include on-site home healthcare and several Tutera rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities nearby. Tutera has also teamed up with 20/20 Fitness in Prairie Village to offer residents wellness services. Partners on the project included interior design firm studioSIX5, engineering firm BHC Rhodes, Nearing Staats Prelogar & Jones Architects and Luke Draily Construction Co.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Hertz Investment Group, owner of 65 East State, has planned a $2.5 million renovation of the 26-story office building in Columbus. Additions include an 80-person conference room and a café area. The lobby will receive updated lighting, new seating areas, new artwork and an electronic directory. The existing locker rooms will be remodeled and updated to support the new fitness center. The landscaping, signage and outdoor patio will be updated as well. Andy Jameson and Dan Dunsmoor of Colliers International handle leasing for the 494,488-square-foot property.