Sunday, July 16, 2017

Lifescapes International Brings Touch of Las Vegas to South Korea; Completes Landscape Design for $1.1 Billion Integrated Resort



Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs

INCHEON, South Korea -- Lifescapes International, the landscape architectural firm behind iconic destinations such as the Mirage, Bellagio Resort & Casino, and Wynn Las Vegas, has designed the landscape environment for Paradise City, a $1.1 billion, fully integrated entertainment and gaming resort complex totaling 83 acres in Incheon, South Korea.

“As Northeast Asia’s first ‘art-tainment’ integrated resort, Paradise City offers an unparalleled guest experience,” asserts Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, President of Lifescapes International. “This mega-resort combines a diverse range of hospitality, gaming, art, and retail amenities, allowing guests to experience luxury, beauty, and entertainment like no other in Northeast Asia.”

Paradise City encompasses 12 facilities, including a five-star luxury hotel totaling 711 rooms, a family wing and pool villas, a premium casino equipped with state-of-the-art systems, and a K-style-themed convention center decked with a full-service entertainment bar, among others. Additional amenities include an art gallery that features works from world-renowned and rising artists, retail shops, restaurants, and a luxury spa.

Alvaro Amador
Project Designer, Alvaro Amador shares, “The trend in resort development is an increased focus on creating a one-of-a-kind guest experience through programmable spaces, water entertainment shows, and landscaped environments to attract guests and encourage repeat visits. 

At Paradise City, we took this concept to the next level by incorporating innovative landscaping to achieve the artistic energy and excitement of a fully immersive resort experience.”

Lifescapes International infused vibrant landscaping throughout the main resort-style pool, complete with an outdoor bar and private cabanas for an exciting night-life setting, according to Amador. The firm also designed a large Las Vegas-style main entry, wedding gardens, private villas, and gardens that flow throughout the interior and exterior of the project.

“Based on our experience in designing 12 iconic resort casinos along the Las Vegas strip, we were selected to design the overall landscaped environment and deliver on the developers’ concept for this project, which was to create the ultimate destination that would attract tourists year-round,” explains Brinkerhoff-Jacobs.

 “Our vision was to bring the vibrant energy of Las Vegas to Korea by integrating water features and immersive gardens, thereby heightening the dramatic element of the setting and cultivating an exceptional entertainment-driven experience.”

Paradise City Resort, Incheon, South Korea

Italian villa elements and Mediterranean motifs, in addition to “hallyu” or Korean-pop culture, inspired the landscape design for this resort, which includes interior gardens and outdoor accent plantings with a spectrum of color and texture.

“Paradise City’s unique value proposition is its artful convergence of different cultures, including those of the East and West,” adds Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, who notes that Lifescapes harmonized these elements in the overall design of this project.

To achieve this balance, Lifescapes incorporated a variety of indigenous trees and plants native to South Korea, including Hornbeam Bonsai, Weeping Willow, Cherry Blossoms, Konara Oak Trees, Sawleaf Zelkova, and Loropetalum, among others.

Paradise City Resort, Incheon, South Korea

“We understood that the project needed to highlight South Korea’s rich cultural identity, while also attracting international business,” continues Brinkerhoff-Jacobs. “By integrating a diverse range of native plants, we were able to preserve the integrity of the cultural experience, while also bringing the excitement of Las Vegas in a way that would drive tourism and put South Korea on the map for future travel.”

Paradise City is situated in the International Business Center of Incheon International Airport, the gateway to Northeast Asia’s economic and cultural epicenter. Located 90 minutes from Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo and 40 minutes from Seoul, this mega-resort offers easy accessibility for both locals and international tourists.

The large resort complex was developed as a joint venture between Korean casino operator Paradise Group and Japanese entertainment group Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc., which boast a combined 45 years of experience in operating casinos and hotels.

Lifescapes International is an internationally recognized landscape architectural firm that has become an influential force in the industry through its design of innovative, creative, and trendsetting landscape environments.  For nearly 60 years, the company has remained true to its mantra:  “We Create Gardens People Love.” SM

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

Miki (Conant) Akil or Katie Kea
Brower, Miller & Cole
(949) 955-7940



HFF closes the sale of 2-property hotel portfolio near Los Angeles International Airport


Aloft El Segundo Hotel  -- Los Angeles Airport

Tony Malk
LOS ANGELES, CA –– Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) announced t has closed the sale of a two-property, 596-room hotel portfolio comprising an Aloft and Fairfield Inn & Suites proximate to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the Los Angeles-area community of El Segundo, California, for an undisclosed price.

HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, Rubicon Companies. 

The portfolio comprises the Aloft El Segundo – Los Angeles Airport and the Fairfield Inn & Suites Los Angeles LAX/El Segundo.  The Aloft hotel is located at 475 North Sepulveda Boulevard, and the Fairfield Inn property is located less than a block away at 525 North Sepulveda Boulevard.

Both hotels are less than one mile from LAX and proximate to both Interstate 105 and 405, which allows for easy access to a variety of Los Angeles area demand drivers, including shopping, restaurants, beaches and more.

The 246-room Aloft features the Re:fuel grab-and-go food option, Re-charge 24-hour fitness center, Splash pool, meeting space, Re:mix lounge, W XYZ® bar with cocktails and full food menu and room access via app.

Scott Hall
 The Marriott-branded Fairfield Inn contains 350 rooms and features a complimentary breakfast buffet, outdoor pool, fitness center and meeting space.

The HFF investment sales team representing the seller was led by managing directors Tony Malk and Scott Hall.


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

Kristen M. Murphy
Director, Public Relations
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com


HFF closes sale of Denver-area apartment community


Greenwood Plaza Apartments, 7610 Caley Avenue, Centennial, CO
                                                                                                                   (Photo by Ryan Dravitz)

Jordan Robbins

DENVER, CO –– Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) announced it has closed the sale of Greenwood Plaza, a 266-unit apartment community in Centennial, Colorado.

HFF marketed the asset exclusively on behalf of the seller, and procured the buyer, Waterton.

Greenwood Plaza has 14 garden-style buildings offering a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units averaging 947 square feet.  Apartment homes feature generous balconies, full-size washers and dryers and a mix of attached and detached garages.

 The 11.7-acre community is located at 7610 E. Caley Avenue in Denver’s booming Tech Center submarket positioning it near many major employers, including seven Fortune 500 headquarters. 

Additionally, Greenwood Plaza is convenient to the Arapahoe at Village Center Light Rail station and Interstates 25 and 225 providing access around the Denver metropolitan area. 

Common area amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, fitness center and lounge. The property was more than 96 percent occupied at closing.

The HFF investment sales team representing the seller was led by managing director Jordan Robbins and associate director Jeff Haag.

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

Kristen M. Murphy
Director, Public Relations
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com



HFF expands London team with managing director Edward Daubeney


Edward Daubeney
LONDON, ENGLAND –– Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) announced it has hired Edward Daubeney as a managing director focused on debt and equity placement for transactions in the UK and Western Europe.  

Mr. Daubeney has more than 21 years of experience in the property and banking market. He joins HFF from Cushman and Wakefield where he was the head of debt advisory in their debt and structured finance group.

 He also held this position at DTZ London, before the firm merged with Cushman.  During this time, he completed more than $600 million in high profile transactions in the UK and Europe.  Mr. Daubeney is MRICS qualified (Member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). 

“We are so pleased to have Edward as part of the HFF team,” said Michael Kavanau, senior managing director and co-head of HFF’s London office.  “He has extensive experience in arranging acquisition and development financing, including senior debt and mezzanine loans and will undoubtedly be an asset to our clients both present and future.”

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

Kristen M. Murphy
Director, Public Relations
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com

HFF closes sale of Publix-anchored retail center in suburban Atlanta, GA


Golden Park Village Retail Center, Buford, GA
                                                                           (Photo by Pat Kelly of Sky Shots Photography)

  
Daniel Finkle
ATLANTA, GA –– Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) announced it has closed the sale of Golden Park Village, a 68,738-square-foot, Publix-anchored neighborhood retail center in the northern Atlanta suburb of Buford, Georgia.

Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT II, Inc. purchased the asset free and clear of existing debt.

Located at 4840 Golden Parkway in Buford, Golden Park Village is situated at the “main and main” intersection of Interstate 985 and Lanier Islands Parkway approximately three miles east of Lake Lanier, which attracts roughly 7.5 million visitors each year. 

More than 24,000 residents earning an average annual income of more than $86,000 live within a three-mile radius of the center and nearly 81,000 vehicles pass the property each day. Golden Park Village is 92 percent leased to a variety of tenants, including Publix, The UPS Store and Great Clips. 

The HFF investment sales team representing the seller was led by senior managing directors Danny Finkle, Jim Hamilton and Richard Reid and managing director Luis Castillo.

“Golden Park Village represented a rare opportunity to acquire a high-performing, Publix-anchored shopping center with limited grocer competition and value-add potential,” Hamilton said.

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

Kristen M. Murphy
Director, Public Relations
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com



HFF arranges $16.199 million acquisition financing for garden-style multi-housing community in Loveland, CO



The Buttes Apartments, Loveland, CO


 DENVER, CO – Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) announced it has arranged a $16.199 million in acquisition financing for The Buttes, a 111-unit, garden-style multi-housing community in Loveland, Colorado.

HFF worked exclusively on behalf of Blueline Equity Partners to place the 10-year, fixed-rate loan with Freddie Mac’s CME Program.  The securitized loan will be serviced by HFF, a Freddie Mac Multifamily Approved Seller/Servicer for Conventional Loans.


Kristian LIchtenfels
The Buttes is located at 1391 N. Wilson Avenue just off U.S. Highway 34 and approximately six miles west of Interstate 25 in Loveland.  

The property provides access to nearby Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder and recreational activities in Rocky Mountain National Park, which is less than 30 miles west of the community.

 The Buttes comprises eight, three-story buildings with one- and two-bedroom units ranging from 808 to 1,101 square feet.  

The 98-percent-leased community features amenities, including a swimming pool with sundeck, grilling area, fire pit, 24-hour fitness center, clubhouse, resident lounge, entertaining kitchen and detached garages.

The HFF debt placement team representing the borrower was led by associate director Kristian Lichtenfels.

 Blueline Equity Partners (Blueline) is a Denver-based, full service private real estate investment firm specializing in acquisition, redevelopment, management and disposition of multifamily properties.  Founded in 2007, Blueline owns properties in Denver, Longmont, Loveland, Greeley, Evans, Colorado Springs, Fraser and Crested Butte.

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

Kristen M. Murphy
Director, Public Relations
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109

Main: 617-338-0990 | Direct: 617-848-1572 | Cell: 617-543-4873 | www.hfflp.com