Friday, March 20, 2015

Essex Realty Group Brokers the Sale of 7925 Lincoln in Skokie, IL


7925 Lincoln, Skokie, IL
Jim Darrow
CHICAGO, IL -- Essex Realty Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the sale of 7925 Lincoln in Skokie, IL.

7925 Lincoln Avenue is a 6,000 SF vacant mixed-use, retail/office building, located at the epicenter of downtown Skokie on Lincoln Avenue near the signalized intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street.

The building is conveniently located approximately five minutes from the Edens Expressway and five blocks from the Oaktown-Skokie CTA station.

The building encompasses 50’ of frontage along Lincoln Avenue and benefits from the visibility afforded by the 7,800 cars of daily traffic.

Neighborhood tenants such as Bank of America, Walgreens, ALDI, ACE Hardware, and Illinois Science and Technology Park are a testament to the appeal of this strengthening trade area.

Jordan Gottlieb
The sale price was approximately $460,000.

Jim Darrow and Jordan Gottlieb were the brokers on the transaction.

Essex Realty Group, Inc. specializes in the sale of investment real estate throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

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

Douglas Fisher
Essex Realty Group, Inc.
773.305.4910

WNC provides $4.4 million in LIHTC equity to aid in renovating Sonoma Court Apartments in San Diego, CA area


Michael Gaber
SAN DIEGO, CA -- WNC, a national investor in real estate and community development initiatives, announced today the completion of an extensive renovation to Sonoma Court Apartments, which provides 61 units of affordable housing to Escondido families.

WNC provided $4.4 million in low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) equity to fund the project. 

Located at 508 E. Mission Ave., Sonoma Apartments is comprised of a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

“We are very pleased to have worked with Affirmed Housing and NEXUS for Affordable Housing Inc. to improve and maintain a vital component of Southern California’s affordable housing supply,” said WNC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Gaber.

“Sonoma Court Apartments was originally constructed in 1978 and last renovated in 1999. This renovation modernizes and improves the community for current and future residents, while providing valuable energy efficiency upgrades and enhancements.”

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

Julie Leber
Spotlight Marketing Communications
949.427.5172, ext. 703
509-338-5676 - cell


Thursday, March 19, 2015

JLL Named Aflac Partner of the Year


Tiffany Jenkins
ATLANTA, GA, March 19, 2015  – JLL today announced the firm has received a prestigious 2014 Partner of the Year Award from Aflac.

 Each year, the Fortune 500 insurance firm chooses a winner in each of four categories — Quality, Service, Technology and Value — and JLL won the Service category for its crucial role in support of the restructuring of U.S. sales operations and Aflac Group Insurance Headquarters operations.




Joanna Roche
Aflac invited nearly 130 of its vendors to apply for the awards and then chose three finalists in each category. Over the years, winners have included such notable firms as Federal Express and Xerox.

“JLL has enjoyed a tremendous working relationship with Aflac over the past decade, and our work with the firm has given us a chance to put our wide range of expertise and skills to highly effective use,” said JLL Senior Managing Director Brad Armstrong.

“We are extremely honored by this award and look forward to continuing this very successful partnership.”



Dwana Killian
Last year, Aflac restructured its sales operations, creating a new level of leadership in the organization. 

As a result, Aflac assumed the office leases and transitioned various IT systems into an Aflac-managed system, two processes that JLL efficiently managed.

Overall, JLL oversaw Aflac’s assumption of 92 office leases across the U.S.; the leases total 515,439 square feet and nearly $6 million in lease liabilities.

In Columbia, JLL managed the consolidation of a rapidly growing group sales unit that had been spread out across four geographically diverse locations into adjoining buildings, providing considerable cost savings and dramatically improving the operational efficiencies of the division.



Karen Avery
 JLL team members involved in the award-winning projects include Projects Manager Kristy Williams, Associate Project Manager Tiffany Jenkins, Lease Administration Transition Team Manager Joanna Roche, Senior Lease Analyst John Muschar, Armstrong, Senior Managing Director Tim McCarthy, Managing Director Dom Wyant, Senior Vice President Chris Wagner, Vice President Jim DiDia, Vice President Dwana Killian, Senior Associate Shannon Newell, Analyst Mary Katherine McRae, Analyst Tamme Scott and Transaction Manager Karen Avery.

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit JLL’s U.S. Media Center web page.

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

Stephen Ursery
+1 (404) 549-7150


29th Street Capital Acquires Denver, CO Multifamily Community; Deal is Firm’s Eighth in Eight Months


Asbury Plaza Apartments, Denver, CO
DENVER, CO -- 29th Street Capital (29SC) has acquired Asbury Plaza Apartments, a 110-unit rental community located in the southeast submarket of Denver, Colorado.

 The multifamily property resides in an infill location central to many of Denver's employment, retail and entertainment hubs.

 It is located immediately east of I-25, within walking or bicycling distance of a pedestrian bridge – scheduled for completion this year – that leads to the RTD Colorado light rail station.

29SC plans to invest approximately $850,000 ($7,700 per unit) to improve the property.

The firm will upgrade the roof, windows, landscaping, corridors and resident amenities, including the BBQ area and rooftop deck.

New appliances, countertops, fixtures, lighting and flooring are planned for the interiors. Exterior work will be finished within six months and the interior work will be completed as tenants vacate.

“Our goal is to position Asbury Plaza as a convenient and updated rental option for residents seeking moderately-priced apartments in the booming Denver market,” said Todd Jaycox, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions for 29SC.

“We intend to invest in the asset, manage it more proactively, and take full advantage of its central location within the Denver MSA. Asbury Plaza is well-maintained, and will benefit greatly from strategic value-add improvements designed to modernize it and increase its appeal.”

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

Terri Thornton

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates New Lease with National Homebuilder relocating division offices to Winter Park, FL


Darby Hold
WINTER PARK, FL  --- Hold-Thyssen, Inc., a real estate services firm, recently negotiated a three-year lease agreement for 907 rentable square feet in Suite 201 at 243 W. Park Ave. in downtown Winter Park.  

Darby Hold, lease consultant for Hold-Thyssen, Inc., negotiated the transaction with the new tenant Weekley Homes, LLC representing the local landlord, New England Partners, LLC.   

Weekley, who was represented in the deal by Karen Jacobs of Orchid Lake Realty, relocated its Orlando division offices to the building because of the central location to its communities.   Weekley is based in Houston with 18 division office across the U.S.

Other major tenants at the New England Building include Harbor Community Bank, Kelly Price and Company and Faiella & Gulden Law Firm.

Hold-Thyssen, Inc. provides commercial property and leasing and management services to institutional and private investor clients nationwide.  The 40-year old firm’s current portfolio includes more that 100 commercial properties throughout the United States.

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

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications Inc.

407-644-4142  Lvershelco@aol.com.

HFF secures $33.25 million financing for newly-built Class AA multi-housing community in Orlando, FL


Gallery at Mills Park Apartments, 1650 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL

Eric Tupler
DENVER, CO – HFF announced today that it has secured $33.25 million in acquisition financing for Gallery at Mills Park, a newly-built, 310-unit, Class AA, luxury midrise residential community within a mixed-use development in the heart of Orlando, Florida.

                HFF secured a 10-year, fixed-rate loan on behalf of the borrower, a client advised by Heitman.  HFF is servicing the loan.

                Completed in 2014, Gallery at Mills Park is composed of one five-story building that contains 133 one-, 125 two- and 10 three-bedroom units and 42 studios averaging 828 square feet. 

The property has 12 different floor plans and features two resort-style pools, an outdoor yoga platform, poolside suites with televisions, poolside fire pit lounges, Wi-Fi surf lounge with Mac computers, conference room, bicycle lockers, outdoor Zen area, game and sports lounge with a 70” television, 24-hour fitness center, spa treatment room, relaxation lounge and storage units. 

Leon McBroom
Situated on 4.23 acres at 1650 North Mills Avenue, the property is located within the Mills Park mixed-use development in central Orlando, approximately 3.2 miles from downtown. 

Gallery at Mills Park is within walking distance to restaurants and one of only three Fresh Markets in Orlando. 

 The Orlando Urban Trail, a recreational trail that eventually will extend to the Central Business District, is adjacent to the community.

                The HFF debt placement team representing the borrower was led by director Michael Weinberg, senior managing director Eric Tupler and real estate analyst Leon McBroom.

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

Olivia Hennessey
Public Relations Coordinator
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3403 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com

Crossman & Company Brings 78,241-SF Publix-Anchored Shopping Center in Orlando, FL to 100 Percent Occupancy

    

Tyler Wilkins
ORLANDO, FL – Minutes from the Lake Nona Medical City, Cornerstone at Lake Hart welcomes Supercuts to the shopping center. 

Located at the corner of Narcoossee Road and Moss Park Road, the 1,300 SF lease brings the center to 100% occupancy.  

Supercuts joins a great mix of local and national tenants such as UPS, GNC, 7-Eleven, Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria and Orlando Cleaners.

Crossman & Company Associate, Tyler Wilkins, co-brokered the new lease with Joanna Robinson of The Shopping Center Group. 

            Wilkins adds, “With thousands of high paying jobs created in and around Medical City and more on the way, the Lake Nona area will continue to attract the attention of the best retailers in the region.”

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

Sydnie Cobb
Crossman & Company

407.581.6261

Venture Sells The Chicagoan Apartment Building in Chicago’s River North Neighborhood for $104 Million


The Chicagoan Apartment Tower,
North Rush Street and East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL

CHICAGO, IL – A venture consisting of Chicago-based Draper and
Kramer, Incorporated, National Real Estate Advisors and the Wolbach family announced today the sale of The Chicagoan apartment tower to Planned Property Management.

Forrest Bailey
The Chicagoan, a newly renovated, luxury Class A, 221-unit building is located at the southwest corner of North Rush Street and East Chicago Avenue.

 The property features views of Lake Michigan and downtown, as well as access to all major expressways, train lines and other public transportation routes.

The 37-story tower offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans averaging 925 square feet with amenities including, stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, in-unit washers and dryers and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Community amenities include a swimming pool with sundeck, fitness center, business center, 24-hour door service and electric car charging stations.

“The Chicagoan attracted a lot of interested buyers,” said Forrest Bailey, president and CEO of Draper and Kramer. “Breaking the $100 million mark wasn’t surprising, given the quality of the property and its terrific location. We are delighted with the result.”

Jeffrey Kanne
Jeffrey Kanne, president and CEO, of National Real Estate Advisors, said: “The transaction offered National the opportunity to sell a mature asset when demand is peaking for prime infill apartment buildings.

At the same time, National is developing state-of-the-art, sustainable and highly amenitized apartment projects in Denver, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Houston and Jersey City to meet the needs of the modern renter and our build-to-core strategy.”

HFF marketed the property on behalf of the venture. The HFF investment sales team was led by managing directors Marty O’Connell and Sean Fogarty, associate director Wick Kirby and executive managing director Matthew Lawton.

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

David H. Hooks, CRE
Managing Principal
MarketHooks Consulting, Inc.
500 West Madison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60661
Direct: +312.258.8780

Twitter@HFF.




MBA Releases 2014 Rankings of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Firms’ Origination Volumes


WASHINGTON D.C. (March 19, 2015)- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its annual ranking of commercial/multifamily mortgage firms by origination volume.

 The MBA study is the only one of its kind to present a comprehensive set of listings of 127 different commercial/multifamily mortgage originators, their 2014 volumes and the different roles they play.

The report, Commercial Real Estate/Multifamily Finance Firms - Annual Origination Volumes, presents origination volumes in more than 140 categories, including by role, by investor group, by property type, by financing structure type, and by the location of the originating office.


The top ten commercial/multifamily mortgage originators in 2014 were: Wells Fargo; J.P. Morgan Chase & Company; Eastdil Secured; HFF, L.P.; Meridian Capital Group, LLC; KeyBank; CBRE Capital Markets, Inc.; Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.; PNC Real Estate; and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

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

Ali Ahmad

(202) 557-2727 

Berger Commercial Realty Adds New Senior Property Manager; Joseph Ragonese joins firm's Palm Beach County, FL team


Joseph Ragonese
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL– Berger Commercial Realty has announced that Jupiter resident Joseph Ragonese has joined the firm as a senior property manager.

He will be responsible for overseeing the firm's property management assignments in Palm Beach County, including a 280,000-square-foot portfolio awarded in September.

"An experienced property manager with strong knowledge of building operations, we look forward to having Joe lead our Palm Beach County management team as we grow our presence in the area," said Lloyd Berger, founder and president of Berger Commercial Realty, a regional commercial real estate firm with offices across South Florida, including a new office in Palm Beach County that opened last fall.

Lloyd C. Berger
Having started his career in Fairfield, Conn., Ragonese has more than 20 years of experience in the real estate industry across multiple sectors including property management, portfolio management, real estate consulting, and building maintenance engineering.

Prior to joining the firm, he held the position of director of building maintenance engineering for Rendina Healthcare Real Estate in Jupiter.

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

Marielle Sologuren
Pierson Grant Public Relations
(954) 776-1999, ext. 226

Major Portion of Rancherias Plaza in Apple Valley, CA Acquired by Pacwest Management for $3.1 Million


Orlando Acevedo
APPLE VALLEY, CA - The Town of Apple Valley, located in the High Desert region of the Inland Empire in Southern California, announced that a major portion of Rancherias Plaza has sold to Pacwest Management for $3.1 million. The sold portion includes four retail buildings totaling 40,079 square feet.

David Wick of Marcus & Millichap represented Pacwest Management. The seller, Huntington Beach Partnership, was represented by Brad Freeman of Freeman & Associates.
  
“Apple Valley has continued demand for more retail and dining amenities,” noted Orlando Acevedo, economic development manager, Apple Valley. “Retailers and investors are recognizing that demand, especially as Apple Valley presents an emerging market that is on the upswing in this growth cycle.”

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

Darcie Giacchetto
Spaulding Thompson & Associates

949.278.6224

Pangea Properties Picks Taylor Johnson to Handle Marketing


Al Goldstein
CHICAGO, IL -- Taylor Johnson announces it now represents Pangea Properties, a Chicago-based private real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in the acquisition and renovation of distressed multifamily properties in lower-middle-income communities where quality, affordable housing options are virtually nonexistent.

Pangea focuses on value-add, urban, scatter-site rental properties and, in just over six years, has amassed a portfolio that includes nearly 11,000 apartments in Illinois, Indiana and Maryland.

Pangea was founded in 2008 by Al Goldstein and Steve Joung, a pair of longtime friends turned business partners who successfully sold a dot-com financial services business in 2006

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

Abe Tekippe at Taylor Johnson (312) 267-4528 or 

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Meridian Capital Group Arranges $13.7 Million in Acquisition Financing for Holcomb Woods Business Park in Roswell, GA


Holcomb Woods Business Park, Roswell, GA

Boca Raton, FL – Meridian Capital Group, America’s most active debt broker, negotiated a $13.7 million loan for the purchase of Holcomb Woods Business Park, an office property located in Roswell, GA on behalf of RexHall Realty and Rugby Realty.

The three-year, non-recourse loan, provided by a bridge lender, features a floating-rate of 475 basis points over 30-day LIBOR, two one-year extension options and begins to amortize only upon the completion of renovations of the property.

Michael Brown
This transaction was negotiated by Meridian Capital Group Managing Director, Michael Brown, who is based in the Company’s Boca Raton, FL office.

Holcomb Woods Business Park, located at 1000 Holcomb Woods Parkway, is an office property in Roswell, GA composed of four buildings totaling 244,700 square feet which house numerous tenants including Lennar of Georgia, Docufree, Arclin, Enveniam, Inc., and Farmers Insurance.

The property was 75% occupied at the time of financing and proceeds will be used for property improvements and leasing commissions for new and current tenants in order to increase occupancy at the property.

“Meridian has closed financing on more than 1 million square feet of office properties in the Atlanta area within the past year,” said Mr. Brown. “This is a terrific asset with leasing upside and sits in a prime location with strong local growth dynamics,” he added.

Founded in 1991, Meridian Capital Group is one of the nation’s largest commercial real estate finance and advisory firms. 

Meridian is headquartered in New York with offices in New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Florida and California. 

Working with a broad array of capital providers, Meridian arranges financing for transactions ranging from $1 million to more than $500 million for multifamily, co-op, office, retail, hotel, mixed-use, industrial, healthcare, student housing, self-storage and construction properties. 

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

Jonathan Stern
Meridian Capital Group
212/972-3600

Hotel Equity & Lender Perspectives (HELP) Conference Announces Full 2015 Schedule; Special Guest Speaker John Fish, Boston Olympic Bid Champion


John Fish
           BOSTON, MA, March 18, 2015—Officials of the Hotel Equity & Lender Perspectives (HELP) Conference today released the full agenda for its fourth annual gathering to be held April 13-14, 2015, at the Seaport Hotel in Boston.

  In addition to previously announced special guest speaker, John Fish, leader of the effort to bring the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics back to Boston, the conference will feature such industry experts as Rachel Roginsky, principal, Pinnacle Advisory Group and ISHC President; Ting Ting Yan, account planner, Google Travel; and Rob Palleschi, global head, full service brands, Hilton Worldwide.

                “We have another full slate of industry experts discussing all facets of debt, equity and the issues surrounding the value of hotel investments,” said Ken Wilson, HELP Conference co-chairman and founding partner of CHMWarnick. 
“There is no better event to take the financial temperature of the industry, and in light of the on-going uptick in both hotel valuations and property level performance, there may be no more important time than now for hoteliers to gauge where their properties stand today.”

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

Chris Daly, media
 (703) 435-6293


Arbor Funds $180.7M in Multifamily Deals Across Texas and Other Markets


Brian Scharf
UNIONDALE, NY (March 18, 2015) - Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC (“Arbor”), a national, direct commercial real estate lender, announced the recent funding of 13 loans totaling $180,653,600 across Texas, Missouri, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington under the Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting & Servicing (DUS®) Loan, FHA Multifamily, CMBS and Arbor Realty Trust Mezzanine and Bridge product lines.

All of the loans were originated by Brian Scharf, Vice President in Arbor’s Uniondale, NY, office.

“As a national direct lender, Arbor has the nationwide expertise required to meet borrower demands no matter where they do business, including in such thriving markets as Texas, South Carolina and Missouri,” Scharf said.





Lakepointe at Las Colinas, Irving, TX
“As demonstrated by this collection of loans, Arbor is providing the personal service needed for investors to take advantage of today’s strong multifamily market conditions.”

·         Lakepointe at Las Colinas, Irving, TX – This 256-unit multifamily property received $33,637,500 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. Property amenities include a swimming pool, a clubhouse with a billiards table, a fitness center, a business center, a leasable clubroom, a conference room and valet trash service.

·         Gateway at Plano, Plano, TX – This 254-unit multifamily property received $31,290,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. Amenities include a swimming pool with a cabana, a grilling area and an outdoor fireplace as well as a clubhouse with a fitness center, a business center and a media room.
  
Gateway at Plano, Plano, TX
·         Multifamily Property, Richardson, TX – This 88-unit multifamily property received $6,150,000 funded under the Arbor Realty Trust Bridge Loan product line. It is a three-year acquisition loan. 

·         Wyndham on the Creek Apartments, Dallas, TX – This 151-unit multifamily property received $5,120,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year acquisition loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. The property offers a swimming pool and clubhouse. 

·         Las Palmas I Apartments, Houston, TX – This 182-unit multifamily property received $4,800,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. Amenities include a clubhouse, laundry rooms and a swimming pool.

Wyndham on the Creek Apartments,
 Dallas, TX
·         The Oaks, Balch Springs, TX – This 147-unit multifamily property received $4,642,200 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year acquisition loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. The property offers a swimming pool, a laundry facility, a playground and a picnic area.

·         Multifamily Property, Carrollton, TX – This 304-unit multifamily property received $4,200,000 funded under the Arbor Realty Trust Mezzanine Loan product line. It is a three-year acquisition loan. 

·         Westwind Apartments, Fort Worth, TX – This 140-unit multifamily property received $4,100,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. The property amenities include a business center, an in-ground swimming pool and a central laundry facility.

Las Palmas I Apartments, Houston, TX
·         Woodvine Apartments, Houston, TX – This 102-unit multifamily property received $3,531,900 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year acquisition loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. The property offers a playground, a picnic area, a laundry room and barbeque grills. 

·         Spring Hollow Apartments, Dallas, TX – This 82-unit multifamily property received $2,000,000 funded under the Fannie Mae Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. Amenities include a leasing office, a central laundry facility, a park with picnic tables and a charcoal grill.

·         Park Plaza Apartments, Austin, TX – This 62-unit multifamily property received $1,900,000 funded under the FHA 221(d)(4) product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. Project amenities include a centralized laundry facility, a playground and a pool.

The Oaks at Balch Springs, TX
·         Calloway Place Apartments, Fort Worth, TX - This 62-unit multifamily property received $1,320,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule. The property includes a swimming pool and central laundry.

·         The Apartments at Shade Tree, Johns Island, SC - This multifamily property received $21,182,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The construction loan amortizes on a 40-year schedule.

·         Multifamily Property, Raleigh, NC - This 178-unit multifamily property received $10,000,000 funded under the Arbor Realty Trust Bridge Loan product line. It is a three-year acquisition loan.

Westwind Apartments, Fort Worth, TX
·         Multifamily Property, Raleigh, NC – This 67-unit multifamily property received $2,480,000 funded under the Arbor Realty Trust Bridge Loan product line. The two-year loan refinances the property. 

  
·         Industrial/Office Property, Newport News, VA - This 379,706-unit industrial/office property received $21,000,000 funded under the CMBS Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule.

·         West End Terrace Apartments, St. Louis, MO - This 195-unit multifamily property received $20,000,000 funded under the Fannie Mae DUS Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule.

Woodvine Apartments, Houston, TX
·         Multifamily Property, Seattle, WA - This 24-unit multifamily and four-unit mixed-use property received $3,300,000 funded under the CMBS Loan product line. The 10-year refinance loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule.

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

Christopher Ostrowski