Catholic Health Initiatives Donates $6M to Mercy Housing for Work in Affordable Housing Sector
By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorOmaha, Lincoln, Neb., and Council Bluffs, Iowa–Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) is donating $6 million to Mercy Housing for its work in the affordable housing sector. The company builds affordable homes for low-income families, seniors and people with special needs in Omaha and Lincoln, Neb., and Council Bluffs, Iowa. CHI is one of the largest health care providers in Nebraska with four hospitals and other related facilities across the state. “Part of our mission at CHI is to reach beyond the walls of our hospitals and health facilities and work with other providers of health and…
Final Phase of D.C. Mixed-Use Development Now Leasing
By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorWashington, D.C.—Lowe Enterprises, based in Los Angeles, recently began leasing units at The V Apartments at CityVista. The 244-unit apartment building is the final phase of an 843,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use development in Washington D.C.’s Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood. Along with Lowe Enterprises, the development team is a partnership between CIM Group, Bundy Development Corp., The Neighborhood Development Company, and the District of Columbia. Torti Gallas and Partners is the CityVista master planner.The $240 million, 3.2-acre CityVista development broke ground in 2005 on the former site of the D.C. Wax Museum. It was developed in response to the…
HUD Hosts Symposium to Address Regulations Restricting Affordable Housing Production
By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorWashington, D.C.–The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently hosted a national affordable housing symposium in Washington, D.C. to confront excessive and unnecessary regulations that are restricting the production of affordable housing for working families. HUD recognized several communities for reducing or eliminating regulatory barriers to affordable housing, including Austin, Texas; Bartlesville, Okla.; Bowling Green, Ky.; Montgomery County, Md.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Traverse City, Mich.; Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and Savannah, Ga. “When it comes to encouraging the production of affordable homes, these communities are getting the job done,” says HUD Secretary Steve Preston….
NanaWall Launches Energy-Efficient Folding Glass Wall System
NanaWall Systems recently launched its energy-efficient glass wall, NanaWall WD66, a wood system with Heat Mirror glazing, a high-performance insulating glass that reportedly provides as much insulation as a solid wall. The WD66 is Energy Star-rated, has a U-factor of .23 and a .31 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. Designed to provide high weather resistance, it is available as a top-hung or floor-mounted system.NanaWall Systems glass walls can be installed in place of a traditional wall and can be fitted into openings from eight to 40 ft. The WD66 system can be provided with various folding door and window combinations. Available…
Cubellis, 5 Capitals Form Association to Provide Green Building Advice, LEED Services to UAE Developers
By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorBoston–Cubellis, an international architecture, interior design and engineering firm, has entered into an agreement with 5 Capitals Environmental and Management Consulting to form an association that will provide sustainability and green building advice along with LEED (Leadership in Energy Environmental Design) accreditation services to developers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The firm will operate from its headquarters in Dubai with the help of an expert team of six to eight people that has extensive experience helping businesses find solutions to their environmental and sustainability challenges.The new association, created by Cubellis and 5 Capitals, will…
Collegiate Development Services, Harrison Street Real Estate Capital Mark Grand Opening of Central Missouri Student Housing
By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorWarrensburg, Mo.–Collegiate Development Services LP (CDS), based in Irving, Texas, and Chicago-based Harrison Street Real Estate Capital recently celebrated the grand opening of Collegiate Station at Warrensburg, the newest student apartment housing project for the University of Central Missouri.The 360-bed development comprises eight acres and five three-story garden apartment buildings. It offers 60 two-bedroom/one-bathroom units and 60 four-bedroom/two-bathroom units. Unit amenities include a full kitchen, furnished living room and bedrooms, cable television, high-speed Internet access and intrusion alarms. Additionally, the project offers a 4,257-sq.-ft. clubhouse that features a computer lab, media room, fitness center, kitchen, pool…
Swan Introduces Decorative Inlay Kit
The Swan Corp. has launched a new decorative inlay kit (DS-1260GO) for use with Swanstone Shower Walls. The decorative wall strips enhance and extend shower panels.The kit, available in a geometric pattern, consists of accent strips that inlay into Swanstone wall panels, creating both an extension of the wall and an added aesthetic touch.The new decorative inlay kit is made of reinforced solid surface material with color and texture that will not wear away. The easy-to-install kit creates a watertight seal. Each decorative inlay kit includes three decorative strip panels, six T strips, an installation kit and instructions. The kit…
Mixed-Use Project, Built to EarthCraft House Standards, Tops Off
By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorAtlanta–Coro Realty Advisors LLC, an Atlanta-based real estate development firm, has topped off its latest project, Tremont, a $30 million mixed-use urban living community. It is located at 15 Habersham Rd. in Atlanta’s desirable Buckhead neighborhood. Currently under construction and built to EarthCraft House standards, Tremont will feature 78 residential units, including condo units and townhomes, starting from the mid-$200s. The project will also feature 15,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. It is anticipated that the four-story development will open for sale in early January of 2009.EarthCraft House is a green building program adopted by…
Apartment Vacancies Slip to 6.2% in 2Q, Trend Expected to Continue in 3Q
By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorBoston–National apartment fundamentals failed to display any demonstrable signs of improvement in the second quarter of 2008 as vacancies slipped by another 10 basis points to 6.2 percent, according to Property & Portfolio Research’s latest Apartment Trends report.“A soft job market, an increasing pace of apartment completions and persistent shadow supply were the three main reasons for this trend,” Michael Cohen, research strategist at PPR tells MHN. Cohen follows and analyzes the state of the U.S. multifamily market including both rental and for-sale product. “In the absence of job growth, people find it difficult to…
Multi-Housing Executives Update: Keystone Pacific Property Management Promotes Three Employees, and Other Moves
By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorIrvine, Calif.–Keystone Pacific Property Management Inc. has recently promoted Ron Lyen, Jeremy Niswonger and Jennifer Stocks (pictured). Lyen moves from network administrator to director of network operations, Niswonger has been promoted from general ledger associate to lead general ledger associate and Stocks, who was community association manager is now senior community association manager. All three are based in the firm’s Irvine headquarters.As director of network operations, Lyen will oversee the management information systems department, which includes managing projects, budgets, hiring and supervision of the department staff. Lyen will also help to ensure the stability of…