ROMEOVILLE, ILL. — Adam Haefner and Victor DeBoer of Darwin Realty & Development Corp. represented landlord Ardmin Properties Real Estate Investment Group in the leasing of 36,734 square feet of flex space, located at 1265 Naperville Drive in Romeoville. In the first transaction, Primus Natural Stone inked a deal for Unit A, which offers 18,226 square feet of space. Jeffrey Galante of Lee & Associates represented Primus. In the second transaction, Brent DeNoble of Interstate Realty represented Ruhrpumpen Inc. in the leasing of the 18,508-square-foot Unit B. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
BERKELEY, MO. — The City of Berkeley has selected St. Louis-based Kwame Building Group to construct the new Berkeley Municipal Complex in Berkeley. The company is overseeing the design and construction of a two-story, 29,500-square-foot city hall and a 17,200-square-foot fire station, as well as the renovation of an existing police station. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in spring 2011. St. Louis-based ArchImage is providing architectural services for the project.
CHICAGO AND APPLETON, WIS. — Alliant Capital has arranged $52.4 million in Fannie Mae DUS loans for seven multifamily properties in Chicago and two multifamily properties in Appleton. The company secured six loans, totaling more than $37.5 million, on behalf of Horizon Realty Group for properties in Chicago. The 500-unit portfolio includes Buena Terrace, Oakdale Terrace, Sheridan Glen, Barry Court, Wolcott Terrace and The Covington. Additionally, Mickelson Brothers III received a $1.42 million loan for the refinancing of the 23-unit 4840 South Indiana Street property in Chicago. Additionally, a private investor received more than $13.5 million for the refinancing of the 292-unit Lynndale Apartments and the 56-unit Fox Shore Apartments in Appleton. Aaron Abelson of Alliant Capital’s Chicago office closed the transactions.
OKAWVILLE, ILL. — West Washington County Community Unit District #10 has selected Swansea, Ill.-based Holland Construction Services to construct its new $29 million kindergarten through 12th grade school in Okawville. The 166,000-square-foot project will be completed in two phases, with first phase move-in expected in December 2011. The first phase includes the upper-grade wing, a cafeteria, a multi-purpose area, offices and a new gymnasium for the upper grades. The high school area features 12 classrooms, a band room, a computer lab and a stand-alone agricultural building for shop classes. The junior high area features five classrooms, art and music rooms and a computer lab. The second phase includes the demolition of the existing school and construction of the kindergarten through sixth wing. The second phase will feature 18 classrooms, art and music rooms, a computer lab and a new library. Construction of the second phase is expected to begin in January 2012.
NEW YORK CITY — New York City-based Edge Principal Advisors has launched a dedicated investment program in multifamily properties. Initially targeting Chicago and Atlanta, the firm plans to invest in quality apartment communities located in select markets. Edge expects to benefit from out-sized rental demand during the next several years. As part of the program, Edge recently acquired a 295-unit Class A apartment community in Wheaton, Ill. The property, which is currently 95 percent occupied, will be upgraded, re-named and re-launched into the marketplace this spring.
KANSAS CITY, MO. — Gee Whiz Holdings has acquired a four-story, 32,000-square-foot historic property, which is located at 807 Wyandotte St. in Kansas City. The office property, which is known as the Nelkin-Piper building, will become the new headquarters for Trozzolo Communications Group. The company plans to invest $3 million in renovations and upgrades to the historic downtown building. Renovations are set to begin in the fall, with completion scheduled for spring 2011. Helix Architecture + Design is providing architectural services for the project. Evan Warwick of Grubb & Ellis|The Winbury Group represented the buyer; Tim Schaffer and Christopher Wollard of RED Brokerage represented the seller, Rick Powell of Baltimore Place Properties. Pasquale Trozzolo, the CEO of Trozzolo Communications, formed Gee Whiz Holdings.
LAKE IN THE HILLS, ILL. — Omega Industries, an international importer and distributor of steel cable products, has relocated its Northwest Chicago distribution center to Lake in the Hills. The company will occupy a 9,000-square-foot industrial facility at 9180 Trinity Dr. John O’Hara and Lucas Condill of RE/MAX Commercial Real Estate Services represented Omega; Don Wolf and Lisa Horton of Crystal Lake, Ill.-based Wolf Realty represented the landlord in the lease transaction. Additional details of the transaction were not disclosed.
PIQUA, OHIO — Jonesboro, Ark.-based Farr Air Pollution Control (APC) has expanded its operations into Ohio, with the opening of an office in Piqua. The industrial dust collectors and fume collection equipment company will occupy 5,040 square feet of space at 405 Fox Drive within Sherry Industrial Park. The company plans to use the new office as a regional office and training center for its air pollution control division. Occupancy is expected by the beginning of March. Tim Echemann of Industrial Property Brokers negotiated the transaction.
CHICAGO — Rush University Medical Center has selected Reed Construction to complete a build-out for its new Outpatient Cancer Center. Located at 1725 W. Harrison in Chicago, the 45,000-square-foot project includes construction of exam and procedure rooms, new infusion bays for chemotherapy treatment and support staff areas. Loebl, Schlossman & Hackl is providing architectural services for the project, which is scheduled for completion this fall. The project is pursuing LEED Silver certification. Rush University Medical Center is an academic medical center that includes a 671-bed hospital, the 61-bed Johnston R. Bowman Health Center and Rush University.
BEACHWOOD, OHIO — Beachwood-based Developers Diversified Realty (DDR) has appointed David Oakes to senior executive vice president and chief financial officer. Most recently, Oakes served as senior executive vice president of finance, chief investment officer and interim chief financial officer. As CFO, he is responsible for the capital markets, budgeting, tax, investor relations, property and corporate accounting, audit and external reporting functions. Additionally, Oakes will continue to serve on the company’s executive, compensation and management committees and chair the investment committee. Oakes joined DDR as executive vice president of finance and chief investment officer in April 2007.