Midwest

MARQUETTE, MICH.  — A public-private partnership between EdR (NYSE: EDR) and Northern Michigan University has opened The Woods, a 417-bed living-learning community located on the university’s campus in Marquette. The property is the first phase of a $75.4 million, 1,229-bed development scheduled for full delivery in 2018. The community features robust internet and wi-fi capabilities, classrooms, study rooms, television lounges and laundry facilities. A large patio area, fireplace and an open lobby are designed to accommodate art shows, student events, university functions and various types of entertainment for residents year round. “When we began this relationship with Northern Michigan University in 2016, we were struck by how dedicated the entire campus was to modernizing and revitalizing the on-campus housing for current and future students,” says Randy Churchey, CEO of EdR. “From student recruitment and retention, to graduation and academic success rates, we’ve seen first-hand what an impact high-quality on-campus housing can make for a university, as well as its students.” EdR is leasing the land from the university and owns the community through its on-campus equity plan titled the ONE Plan program. This public-private partnership is the largest construction project in the university’s history. EdR is one of America’s largest …

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ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis College of Pharmacy has opened its new $50 million recreation and student center. The 193,000-square-foot building marks the end of a two-phase construction project that has added more than 400,000 square feet of space to the campus. Features of the new building include a 10,000-square-foot recreation center, a 350-seat dining hall and a 220-bed residence hall for first- and second-year students. The additional residence hall will double the amount of living space on campus. The building will also house the college’s intercollegiate athletic programs, giving student athletes access to a 1,100-seat competition gymnasium and training facilities. The building also features a recreation gymnasium, a 200-meter track, meeting rooms and a student center with student support offices. St. Louis-based Forum Studio designed the building. Paric Corp. managed the project construction.

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FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. — ElmTree Funds has acquired a 116,824-square-foot office property in Farmington Hills. Upon acquisition, ElmTree oversaw a $7 million renovation at the property, which is occupied by Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Inc. As part of the same sales transaction, ElmTree acquired eight other buildings in various states totaling 312,974 square feet for $74.1 million. Each property is 100 percent leased. Other properties acquired in the Midwest include a 16,668-square-foot healthcare building in West Des Moines, Iowa, and a 16,694-square-foot healthcare building in O’Fallon, Mo. BioLife Plasma Services LP occupies both properties.

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WHEELING, ILL. — The Missner Group and Sitex Group are developing an 84,000-square-foot speculative industrial building in Wheeling. The ground-up facility will be located on a 5.3-acre site at 1075 Chaddick Drive. The building will be designed to accommodate both small and mid-size users, for either a single-user or divisible up to two tenants. The warehouse building will feature 30-foot clear heights, 10 exterior loading docks, two drive-in doors and 90 vehicle parking spaces. Ron Cinkus and Dan Castrogiovanni of The Missner Group will lead construction on behalf of the firm, while Harris Architects will provide design services. Completion is slated for early 2018.

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DES MOINES, IOWA — Outlets of Des Moines has unveiled its tenant list leading up to the grand opening on Oct. 20. Notable tenants include Nike Factory Store, LOFT Outlet, Tommy Hilfiger, Bath & Body Works, Toys “R” Us Express, Under Armour, Famous Footwear and Levi’s Outlet Store. A list of retailers was announced each day last week, along with a $1,000 sweepstakes contest. By entering the contest on the shopping center’s Facebook page, shoppers will have the opportunity to win the $1,000 now through Sept. 21. New England Development is the project developer.

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CHICAGO — 4C Insights has signed a 14,394-square-foot office lease expansion at 1 E. Wacker Drive in Chicago. The data science and media technology firm previously occupied 4,785 square feet in the building. This expansion more than triples the firm’s footprint. Bill Sheehy and Mark Cassata of CBRE represented 4C in the lease transaction. John Beason and Monica Moore of JLL represented the undisclosed landlord.

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NORTH RANDALL, OHIO — Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has unveiled plans to open an 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center at the former site of Randall Park Mall in North Randall, roughly 15 miles southeast of Cleveland. “Along with Team NEO and the Village of North Randall, the Cleveland Port Authority and the Greater Cleveland Partnership, we are pleased to partner with Amazon to revitalize and bring jobs back to a property that has stood vacant for too long,” said John Minor, JobsOhio president and chief investment officer. “Amazon’s investment at a site where the nation’s largest shopping mall once stood will now support digital retail jobs.” The new center will create approximately 2,000 full-time associate jobs with benefits. Employees will work with Amazon Robotics to pack and ship smaller customer items such as electronics, toys and books. Amazon currently employs more than 4,500 full-time hourly associates at its two existing Ohio fulfillment centers in Etna and Obetz. “Our ability to expand in Ohio is the result of two things: incredible customers and an outstanding workforce in the state,” said Sanjay Shah, Amazon’s vice president of North American customer fulfillment. “We very much appreciate the state and local elected leaders who have supported Amazon’s arrival …

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AUBURN HILLS, MICH. — The Palace of Auburn Hills, formerly home to the Detroit Pistons, is slated to close this fall. Bob Seger & The Silber Bullet Band will play the final show at the arena on Saturday, Sept. 23. Conceptualized and built in 1988 by Arena Associates, The Palace has experienced a series of upgrades and renovations during its history, including $40 million of capital improvements made during the ownership of Tom Gores. No decisions or timetable regarding future plans for the building or the property have been made at this time. Business operations for the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment will continue to function and be headquartered inside the building. Basketball operations will commence at the team’s practice facility adjacent to the venue while the new Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center in Detroit is being constructed. The Pistons will play at the new Little Caesars Arena in Detroit starting this season.

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ALLEN PARK, MICH. — KeyBank Real Estate Capital has provided a $12 million loan for the refinancing of an 809,918-square-foot industrial center located in Allen Park, a southern suburb of Detroit. The property consists of two buildings and a garage. The facilities were built in 1957 and 2000, with renovations in 2010 and 2014-2016. Roush Industries anchors the property. Robert Williams of KeyBank originated the 10-year CMBS loan, which features a 30-year amortization schedule.

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WAUKEGAN, ILL. — PREMIER Design + Build Group LLC has completed a 626,8480-square-foot industrial tenant build-out for an e-commerce company in Waukegan, a northern suburb of Chicago. The fulfillment center resides on the grounds of Bridge Point North, a 240-acre business park located at Route 43 and McGaw Road. The facility features 16,121 square feet of office space, 53 exterior docks and 130 trailer positions. The tenant will likely hire a minimum of 100 full-time employees to staff the facility, according to PREMIER. Joe Ahrens and Scott Lebak of PREMIER oversaw the project. Cornerstone Architects Ltd. provided architectural services, while Manhard Consulting Ltd. and Structures Unlimited delivered engineering support. Bridge Development Partners was the project developer.

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