Saturday, May 28, 2016

Evergreen Completes Renovations, Extends Affordable Housing Program At Dixon Square Apartments in Dixon, IL


 
Stephen Rappin
CHICAGO, IL — Evergreen Real Estate Group, in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and City Real Estate Advisors, announced it has completed renovations at Dixon Square Apartments, a 72-unit affordable housing community in Ronald Reagan’s boyhood town of Dixon, Ill. 

As part of the $3.3 million rehabilitation project, which began in Spring 2015, Evergreen secured a 20-year extension of the community’s Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contract, preserving the affordability of the residences through 2036.

“We saw an opportunity to improve the wellbeing of the existing residents and ensure Dixon Square Apartments would continue to serve the Dixon community for generations to come,” said Stephen Rappin, president of Chicago-based Evergreen, the owner and property manager of the building. “Our strong relationships with HUD and IHDA allowed us to secure the financing necessary to make this project feasible.”

Located at 540 Freedom Walk, the three-building property had not been significantly upgraded since it was completed in 1980. Evergreen secured Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) needed to fund the $3.3 million renovation, which took approximately one year to complete.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Kelly Shumaker, kshumaker@taylorjohnson.com, 312-267-4519

Abe Tekippe, atekippe@taylorjohnson.com, 312-267-4528

Alternative Fitness Concepts Whip Neighborhood Retail Centers into Shape

   
Michael DeRouin
CHICAGO, IL —A growing array of indoor athletic and sporting facilities – from climbing gyms and spinning studios to swim and ping-pong clubs – are popping up in metro areas across the country, beefing up occupancies in retail centers that, until now, have struggled to fill vacancies created by the recession and a broader economic shift to e-commerce.

“Because of a community’s density and the fact that they are already built out, many lack fitness options beyond a basic gym,” said Mike DeRouin, president of FitzGerald Associates Architects, which recently designed and built a climbing and yoga gym for First Ascent Climbing & Fitness in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood.

“While golf courses, athletic fields and other large recreational facilities remain cost prohibitive in many urban and suburban areas where land is in short supply, many of these alternative fitness concepts require much less space and, as a result, are exploring all of their real estate options – including retail properties – in order to be as close as possible to population centers.”


For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

John Holden, jholden@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4538
Kim Manning, kmanning@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4527

The Marketing Directors Extends Its Presence Along Eastern Seaboard


Janis Kirtz
ATLANTA, GA – The Marketing Directors, LLC (TMD), a residential development sales and marketing company, has been named the exclusive sales and marketing consultant for The Newport Beach Club in Portsmouth, RI in conjunction with The Marketing Directors, Inc.

TMD’s executive team, comprised of top industry veterans, will lead the way up the coast, expanding the firm’s reach to New England.

“We are thrilled to expand TMD’s reach to Rhode Island,” said David Tufts, president of The Marketing Directors. “This, paired with TMD’s recently announced joint venture with Ansley Atlanta, proves there is huge growth on the horizon for TMD, with more premier projects expected to be announced in the near future.”

In addition to expanding its presence along the Eastern seaboard, TMD has also expanded its executive team with the addition of Executive Managing Director, Brad Horner. 

Horner has been a driving force in the residential real estate marketplace for over two decades, with a specialized focus on new construction sales and marketing of all asset types from Miami to Boston.

Rounding out TMD’s powerhouse trio is industry veteran Janis Kirtz. With 30 years of experience, Kirtz serves as Executive Vice President and In-House Counsel for TMD.


Brad Horner
Prior to that, Kirtz served as President of former competitor Morris and Raper Realtors.
The combination of Tufts, Horner and Kirtz only further solidifies TMD’s position as a marketplace leader in the Southeast.

The joint efforts of these industry veterans rivals none other in the sales and marketing force.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

EMMA
CATHEY
PUBLICIST
LIZ LAPIDUS PR
O | 404-688-1466
C | 678-588-1661
FOLLOW US @lizlapiduspr
FOLLOW ME @emmacarolinec
772 Edgewood Ave, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30307


Accesso Partners Expands Footprint in Colorado; Acquires Stanford Place 1 in Denver Technology Center


Ariel Bentata
DENVER, CO --Accesso Partners, LLC, Hallandale Beach, FL. has deepened its move into Colorado by acquiring Stanford Place 1, a Class A 14-story office tower in  the Denver Technology Center from Broadreach Capital Partners of Palo Alto, CA. Price was not disclosed.

     The 273,963 square-foot building, located on six acres at 8055 East Tufts Ave., is 88% leased to a diverse mix of national credit rated companies including software, insurance, financial services, engineering and health care. No one industry represents more than 25% of the building’s tenancy. 

      “We’ve been tracking additional opportunities in the Denver Technology Center submarket the last two years since purchasing 6455 South Yosemite, also a Class A office tower that has been a strong performer for us,” said Ariel Bentata, Accesso’s managing partner, investments.

 “Stanford Place is larger and has the same coveted northeast Tech Center location. It’s a quarter mile from the convergence of I-25 and I-225 with a nearby light-rail system and offers sweeping views of the mountains. This acquisition should provide Accesso additional economies of scale as the firm expands its holdings in Denver.”

Brian Rosen
      Bentata, who said Accesso is “actively looking to further deepen and broaden its presence in the Denver market, credited the seller, Broadreach Capital, with “investing in--and caring for--Stanford Place I during its ownership’s hold period. The asset has been maintained to the highest institutional quality standards, earning a Silver LEED rating.”

       Stanford Place I has efficient 20,000-square foot rectangular floor plates, a large tenant fitness center, conference center, a deli and covered parking. It is a 15 minute commute to downtown Denver and 20 minutes by RTD light rail.

       “DTC’s access and proximity to downtown and the region’s work hard, play hard and enjoy life mindset is a big reason tenants can attract top talent,” contends Brian Rosen, Accesso’s managing director of acquisition.

 Among the largest of the tenants are Moody Insurance Agency, Lincoln National Life, Smith Seckman Reid, Chicago Title, Nike, Sumitomo Corp. and Providigm.

       Rosen said Accesso is again focusing on the Denver Technology Center. “At our recent annual Brokers Conference in Miami, attendees generally agreed that suburban office properties offered the greatest value potential across markets. The growth of the DTC seems to underscore that consensus.”


Stanford Place 1, 8055 Tufts Avenue,
Denver Technology Center, Denver, CO
      Broadreach Capital Partners appointed CBRE’s Denver office to broker the sale. “We marketed the property nationwide and there were numerous competitive bidders,” said Chad Flynn, vice president of CBRE institutional properties team which includes Tim Richey, vice chairman, Mike Winn, vice chairman and Jenny Knowlton, senior associate. The team sold 6455 S. Yosemite to Accesso Partners in January, 2014.

         Flynn said the buyer “moved very quickly, did its due diligence in two weeks and put down a substantial non-refundable deposit. Accesso has a reputation for transacting expedited closings on schedule.”

        Susan Hill, senior managing director of HFF in Houston, arranged the acquisition financing.

        Cushman and Wakefield’s Denver office has been appointed leasing manager for Stanford Place I.


Susan Hill
         Accesso Partners LLC is a full-service, vertically integrated commercial real estate investment manager, owner and operator that aims to provide superior returns to its U.S. and international individual and institutional investors.

Accesso’s focus is on acquiring commercial office properties in Class A locations in the largest, fastest growing metropolitan cities and premier suburban submarkets throughout the U.S.

Accesso’s property portfolio includes 41 office properties covering 13 million SF. Its affiliate, Accesso Services LLC, provides proactive, cost-efficient property management services with an owner’s mindset.

Accesso Partners LLC is headquartered in Hallandale Beach, FL and has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Minneapolis.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Chris Barnett
Chris Barnett Communications
2001 Fillmore St. Suite 104
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 921-5092 office
(415) 336-5092 mobile


Elewana opens the new luxury Loisaba Tented Camp in the Loisaba Conservancy, heralding a conservation landmark to preserve one of Kenya’s most important elephant corridors


 
Karim Wissanji
 LAIKIPIA COUNTY IN NORTHERN KENYA, EAST AFRICA --  KENYA Luxury safari camp and lodge operator Elewana has opened a new luxury tented camp on the site of the former Loisaba Lodge.

 Located on a 600ft escarpment, every room in Loisaba Tented Camp enjoys spectacular views stretching across the Laikipia Plains to Mount Kenya.

The 56,000 acre Loisaba Conservancy spans three eco-systems offering a variety of beautiful landscapes and incredible game viewing, including the opportunity to see the rare Northern species including reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra and one of the best places in East Africa to see wild dog.

Elewana has been chosen by Loisaba Conservancy, with support from The Nature Conservancy (TNC), to partner with it in the development and management of its primary tourism assets in this critically important conservation area that has been recently secured by TNC for ongoing protection for the foreseeable future.

The new camp is part of the Elewana Collection – a portfolio of fifteen properties spanning the highlights of East Africa's safari and beach offerings.

Matthew Brown
Loisaba Tented Camp comprises six stylish and extremely spacious ensuite tents (three double/three convertible twin/double), three family combinations each consisting of two ensuite tents with adjoining walkway.

The Private Residence houses three ensuite tents (one family combination and one convertible tent) complemented with a private bar, dining area and infinity pool. Not least of all, the property will reflect Elewana and TNC’s commitment to the environment by limiting its ecological footprint wherever possible.

The bar and restaurant allow guests to absorb the incredible landscape whilst enjoying a sundowner or choosing from the small à la carte menu where the chef endeavours to source ingredients from a 50km radius including fresh produce from the camp’s well stocked gardens.

 Typical dishes might include a duo of carrot and beetroot soup with basil oil and sour cream, or deep fried brie with cucumber and mango pickle followed by pea and lemon risotto with grilled baby leeks and poached egg, or crispy pork belly with roasted beets, glazed baby onions and whole grain mustard sauce.

Aside from game viewing the Loisaba Tented Camp enjoys two infinity pools (one for guests in the Private Residence) and a plethora of activities including bush walks, mountain biking, camel riding, lion tracking, horse riding (for experienced riders), fishing, local village excursions and the opportunity to spend a morning with the resident sniffer dogs, Warrior and Machine.

 The new Loisaba Conservancy is the result of substantial support by The Nature Conservancy and the consequential transition in the ownership of the 56,000-acre wildlife conservancy and wilderness to the Loisaba Community Trust.

Daniel Lentipo

TNC’s move to help secure the land ensures that the conservancy delivers vital benefits and support for neighbouring communities, the wildlife, and all Kenyans for the foreseeable future.

 It also ensures Loisaba’s role as a critical sanctuary and corridor for elephants and other wildlife long into the future, as well as providing refuge for one of Kenya’s most stable lion populations and an abundance of other wildlife including Grevy’s zebra, wild dogs, leopard and cheetah.

Loisaba represents the single largest conservation investment in East Africa in 2014/15 and was born from a partnership between The Nature Conservancy, Space for Giants and The Northern Rangelands Trust. In recognition that responsible tourism is vital to long-term conservation, a third of the investment will contribute to tourism infrastructure.

Commenting on the partnership, Karim Wissanji, Elewana’s CEO, said, “The partnership with The Nature Conservancy highlights Elewana's passion and commitment to conservation, one that is reflected in its support (financial and otherwise) for this exciting new project; a project that sits at the very heart of TNC's community, wildlife and land conservation philosophies and their important collaboration with tourism."

Kenya Elephant
Matthew Brown, Africa Conservation Director, The Nature Conservancy remarks, “Tourism support helps make Loisaba a self-sustaining engine for peace, community development, and wildlife conservation. This is an innovative example of how Africa can both preserve its heritage and create economic opportunities for its people. We are excited to be working with Elewana.”

The Elewana Collection is also now managing the famous Loisaba Star Beds. June 2015 saw the completion of a US$150,000 refurbishment of the Star Beds.

The upgraded Star Beds now consist of four accommodation platforms (previously there were three), including one family skybed and a new dining area with a stunning stargazing platform. Guests at the Loisaba Starbeds and Tented Camp have the entire conservancy to themselves.

The Loisaba Conservancy provides a critical and secure sanctuary for over 700 elephants (resident and non-resident) that have been individually identified (and named) by Daniel Lentipo, the conservancy’s resident researcher provided by Space for Giants, work that is critically important to the survival of Africa’s elephant population.


Giraffes in Africa
GPS tracking data has proven that Loisaba is a key corridor, enabling elephants to migrate from Laikipia (dry season range) to Samburu (wet season range), helping to maintain one of the longest elephant migrations recorded in Africa.

Loisaba Tented Camp starts from US$490 (approx. £340) per person per night sharing a twin/double accommodation including full board, soft drinks, beer, house wines and selected spirits, safari activities including day and night game drives, guided bush walks and fishing (seasonal), mountain biking, airstrip transfers, laundry and all statutory taxes.

The Loisaba Star Beds start from US$300 (approx. £210) per person per night sharing a twin/double accommodation including full board, soft drinks, beer, house wines and selected spirits, safari activities including day and night game drives, guided bush walks and fishing (seasonal), mountain biking, airstrip transfers, laundry and all statutory taxes.

For information and reservations contact Elewana www.elewana.com

Wild Dogs in Africa
Laikipia County in northern Kenya is arguably one of the most breathtaking places on Earth. 

It is home to the country’s second largest population of elephants, one of its few stable lion populations and an abundance of other wildlife.

 Yet changing land use patterns, rapid population growth and a surge in poaching activity threaten the well-being of the area’s wildlife—and its people.

Laikipia County is also home to a 56,000-acre private property called Loisaba. For the past 18 years, Loisaba Ranch has been managed sustainably to conserve wildlife habitat and has created over 200 jobs, developed schools and healthcare clinics, and provided managed grazing access for local communities.

Elewana Afrika Ltd, operating as Elewana Collection, is a Tanzania-based company with offices in Arusha and Nairobi, Kenya.  Currently with 15 unique properties in some of the world’s most iconic locations in Tanzania, Zanzibar and Kenya, Elewana Collection is committed to providing the very best African safari and beach experiences on a continent that has long been regarded as the ultimate destination.

In 2008 Bangkok-based Minor Hotel Group (MHG) acquired a 50 percent stake in Elewana Afrika Ltd.  MHG is a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 146 properties in 22 countries under the Anantara, AVANI, PER AQUUM, Elewana, Oaks, Tivoli, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Radisson Blu and Minor International brands.

  
For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Hwee Peng Yeo
Vice President, Asia Markets
Glodow Nead Communications
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Asia: 65.9768.6087  US:415.394.6500 • E: hweepeng@glodownead.com

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