Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Cuningham Group Announces Completion of 26-story Luxury Multifamily Development in Northeast Minneapolis, MN

  
Rafter is a 283-unit luxury apartment community 
located at 333 Hennepin Avenue East  
in the Northeast submarket of Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis, MN – Cuningham Group, a global architectural design firm, has announced the completion of Rafter, a 283-unit luxury apartment community in the Northeast submarket of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Rafter is located at 333 Hennepin Avenue East in Minneapolis, Minnesota and features luxury, pet-friendly, studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment floorplans, including penthouse options. A seven-story, 279-space attached parking structure serves both retail and Rafter residents.

Cuningham,which is headquartered in Minneapolis and has deep roots in the city, was retained by Mortenson Development in cooperation with US Bank to undertake the architecture, concept design, and interior design of the 26-story, 407,530 square-foot project, which also includes 6,000 square feet of retail space.

Stephanie Thompson

“The strategy behind this design was to deliver an aesthetic and amenities that today’s luxury apartment residents crave, while creating a feel and lifestyle that is distinctly Northeast Minneapolis,” says Cuningham Group Live Studio Leader Jeff SchoeneckAIA, NCARB, LEED® AP.

“Those who live in and frequent the area know its historic buildings, exceptional dining, and flourishing art scene – as well as the ‘rafters’ of wild turkeys that call it home.

Jeff Schoeneck
 "Every choice, from each element of the façade design, to the interiors, to the property name – everything reflects the eclectic and unique attributes of this neighborhood.”  

According to Schoeneck, Cuningham’s concept centered on delivering a true ‘love letter’ to Northeast Minneapolis – a fresh, modern design that emulates and seamlessly integrates into the surrounding community, preserving significant elements of its industrial, working-class history.

Jeremiah Johnson, AIA, NCARB, Cuningham’s Lead Designer on the project, adds: “The Mortenson Development team was visionary in its approach to this project.

"Rather than developing an oasis that would differentiate the property from the more raw and artistic aspects of the neighborhood, Mortenson and the entire design team recognized an opportunity to craft Rafter as a place that echoes the existing Northeast Minneapolis community.”


Jeremiah Johnson
Inspired by numerous historical and industrial spaces, including the nearby General Mills elevators, Johnson explains that the Cuningham team created a simple, honest material palette to blend into the area’s unmistakable historical context and fit comfortably, even at its large scale.

“One significant strategy was the use of paneling to create a distinct look that fulfilled the developer’s request for a varied and active facade while keeping costs to a minimum,” says Johnson.

He explains that the property is integrated into the surrounding streetscape via brick base, and the tower’s exterior is a blend of white and textured charcoal concrete that creates a look reminiscent of modern ceramic arts.

“By using 15 different molds then rotating and shifting them across the building’s facade, our designers created a diverse, dynamic look that maximized variation while minimizing the number of forms required,” Johnson notes.

Ultimately, 442 precast cement panels totaling 540 tons were used to cover the building.

Keith Wyman
The property’s lobby boasts a metal screen wall designed by local artists and a striking reception desk crafted by Keith Wyman of Concrete Pig – comprised of welded steel, slabs of walnut, and black pigmented concrete – that is equal parts function and sculpture.


According to Cuningham’s Lead Interior Designer on the project Stephanie Thompson, NCIDQ, CID, LEED® Green Associate, Rafter’s interior spaces are also defined by a rich variety of materials – including rough, board-form textures on the ceiling; smooth, exposed concrete columns; and polished concrete floors.

A strategic use of warm wood tones helps balance the concrete, creating an environment that is simultaneously striking and welcoming.

“The restrained palette of high-contrast light and dark finishes is reminiscent of a gallery, which is intended to create moments that showcase local artists and craftspeople,” says Thompson.

 “It was important to our team and to all project stakeholders that Rafter reflect the neighborhood’s status as a vibrant artists’ community.

”We achieved this by designing and bringing to life an intimate, interconnected space that now highlights the local art showcased within it.”

Photographs, paintings, and sculptures by local artists are placed throughout Rafter’s shared spaces and on every floor.

Thompson notes that the Cuningham team also saw an opportunity to utilize the space as an ongoing, evolving celebration of the Northeast community’s thriving Arts District.

The project team hired two artists-in-residence, offering each a year lease in exchange for their art, while a shared makerspace allows all residents access to the neighborhood’s artistic spirit.

Contacts:

Elisabeth Manville / Jenn Quader
Brower Group
(949) 438-6262

Ware Malcomb Announces Promotions in its Three National Offices


Mary Grbic Cheval

IRVINE, CA  (April 1, 2020) – Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, today announced Mary Grbic Cheval has been promoted to Principal, Interior Architecture & Design in the firm’s Irvine, Calif.-based headquarters office.

Ware Malcomb also announced the promotion of Edward Mayer to Principal, Architecture in the firm’s Newark, New Jersey office and Jason Dooley to Principal in the Atlanta, Georgia office. 

 Edward Mayer ll
In her new role, Cheval is responsible for leading the growth and management of the Interior Architecture and Design Studio and overseeing all interiors projects for the Irvine office. 

Cheval joined Ware Malcomb in 2015 as Director, Interior Architecture & Design in Irvine. Since then she has successfully led the development and expansion of the interiors studio while establishing a strong leadership team. 

In addition, Cheval’s expertise and leadership in the area of Workplace Strategy helped to facilitate Ware Malcomb’s formal launch of this service as a core firm offering in 2018.

Kenneth Wink
“Mary’s top-notch design ability, combined with her excellent management and client relationship skills, have resulted in the continuous growth of the Interior Architecture and Design team and its portfolio of projects,” said Kenneth Wink, Chief Executive Officer of Ware Malcomb.

“We thank Mary for her numerous contributions to Ware Malcomb and look forward to her continued impact as Principal.”

Cheval brings over 30 years of industry experience and a wealth of interior architectural knowledge and management expertise to the Ware Malcomb team.

Jason Dooley 
She is well-versed in all facets of interior design, including workplace strategy, project management, space planning, consultant coordination, schematic design, design development, agency processing, contract documents and contract administration.

Her project leadership spans the commercial and corporate office, healthcare, science & technology, institutional, education, hospitality, retail and science & technology sectors. 

Cheval earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Architecture and Design at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a professional member of the International Interior Design Association and is a Certified Interior Designer. 

For more information, please visit waremalcomb.com/news and view Ware Malcomb’s Brand Video at youtube.com/waremalcomb.


CONTACTS:

Rachel Devany
VP Public Relations
 KCOMM for Ware Malcomb

Maureen Bissonnette
 Associate Principal, Marketing, 
949.660.9128
Ware Malcomb Irvine
10 Edelman
Irvine, CA 92618
p. 949.660.9128


JLL closes $13.75 million sale of Rancho Cucamonga, CA retail center



Shops to Victoria Gardens is a 31,405-SF retail strip center
 adjacent to the Victoria Gardens lifestyle center 
in the Inland Empire community of Rancho Cucamonga, CA

 Daniel Tyner 
NEWPORT BEACH, CA – JLL Capital Markets announced it has closed the $13.75 million sale of Shops to Victoria Gardens, a 31,405-square-foot retail strip center adjacent to the Victoria Gardens lifestyle center in the Inland Empire community of Rancho Cucamonga, California.

JLL marketed the property on behalf of the seller, Fit Development.

Constructed in 2007, Shops to Victoria Gardens is leased to a diverse mix of service-oriented, daily needs and soft-goods tenants, including DXL Men’s Apparel, Pacific Dental, Shakey’s Pizza, among others.

Situated on 2.65 acres at 12455 Victoria Gardens Lane, the center is at the signalized entrance to the 175-acre Victoria Gardens, which is one of the most dominant lifestyle centers in Southern California and welcomes more than 16 million visitors a year.

Gleb Lvovich
The JLL Retail Capital Markets team representing the seller was led by Director Daniel Tyner and Managing Director Gleb Lvovich.

“During our marketing process, we were able to successfully navigate through market turmoil in addition to overcoming an in-place tenant’s bankruptcy,” Tyner said.

 “The irreplaceable location outside of Victoria Gardens, along with the immediate value-add opportunity, proved to be highly attractive to the investor market.”

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit the firm’s U.S. media center Web page: U.S. newsroom.
  
Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. ("JLL") is a real estate broker licensed with the California Department of Real Estate, license #01223413.                                         
  
CONTACTS:

Daniel TynerJLL Director
California License #:  01959818
Phone: +1 949 798 4125

Gleb LvovichJLL Managing Director
California License #:  01496699
Phone: +1 949 798 4115

Kimberly Steele, JLL Senior Associate, Public Relations
Phone: +1 713 852 3420



Two More National Companies Opening at Airport Commerce Center in Orlando, FL

Matt Cichocki 

   
ORLANDO, FL -- A flooring distribution company and a medical / occupational and physical therapy clinic recently inked long term lease agreements at Airport Commerce Center located on S. Orange Ave. off SR 528 and Sandlake Rd.  

 The retail/warehouse/ flex center opened last year, leased and managed by NAI Realvest is now 80 percent occupied.

Principals Matt Cichocki and Kevin O’Connor negotiated the two new transactions representing Landlord Orange Avenue Properties, LLC an affiliate of Ohio-based MAS Investment Group.
                                
Criterion Supply, Inc. based in Milwaukie , OR leased Suite 150 at 8123 S. Orange with 8,534 square feet. The new facility with 10 by 14 dock high overhead doors is one of multiple locations the flooring supplier operates throughout the country. 

Kevin O’Connor
 Criterion has already started operating at the commerce center with an initial staff of five.  Paul Kelly of Coughin Commercial LLC represented the tenant. 

Concentra Health Services, Inc., based in Mechanicsburg , PA with 500 clinics nationwide, leased Suites 128 - 140 with 7,446 square feet at 8119 S. Orange Ave.  

Concentra serves the occupational health needs of employees of Orlando International Airport . Opening is estimated for August once the entire space is built out as a medical clinic.  Jordan Buis of CBRE represented the tenant.

Criterion Supply and Concentra Health join several other national firms including Berg Electric, Detail Garage-Orlando and NEFCO Construction Supply who moved into the 71,675 square foot Airport Commerce Center last year.


 Paul Kelly 


CONTACTS:

Matt Cichocki or Kevin O’Connor, Principals, NAI Realvest,
407-875 9989

Patrick Mahoney, President / CEO, NAI Realvest,
407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com

Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications
407-644-4142 or 407-461-3781 beth@larryvershel.com