AUSTIN, TEXAS (June 22, 2022) — The local office of United Properties, a Minneapolis-based real estate developer and investor, today announced Phase 1 at Buda Midway is 100% leased and will soon break ground on the second phase of its 70-acre Buda Midway industrial development, ultimately bringing over 850,000 sq. ft. of space to the market.

Phase 1 consists of three buildings totaling nearly 480,000 sq. ft. Building 1 is 115,090 sq. ft. and leased by CED Greentech and Sherri Hill. Building 2 is 115,090 sq. ft. and Building 3 is 244,240 sq. ft.; both are leased by Four Hands Furniture. Buildings 1 and 2 will be fully delivered this month and Building 3 will be completed in July.

“We have seen strong leasing demand for our first phase at Buda Midway from the modern tenant looking for premium amenities, energy-efficient spaces and a sophisticated aesthetic,” said Leigh Ellis, principal, AQUILA Commercial. “Beyond Buda Midway’s design attributes, its sought-after location being only one exit south of Austin has played a major role in pre-leasing efforts. We are grateful to the City of Buda who worked with us from the start to recruit top-notch tenants to the area.”

Phase 2 of Buda Midway will include four rear-load buildings totaling nearly 390,000 sq. ft. and Building 1 is set for completion in spring 2023. The development is located at 1795 Fire Cracker Dr., east of IH-35 in Buda, Texas.

Buda Midway is situated just five minutes south of the intersection of IH-35 with SH-45, providing tenants immediate proximity to Austin. The site allows for quick access to the northern suburbs of Round Rock and Temple, as well as south to San Marcos and San Antonio.

Companies who choose to locate in Buda may have access to Triple Freeport exemptions, as well as incentive opportunities and other resources through the City of Buda and the Buda Economic Development Corporation.

“Buda Midway has been a great project for United Properties and for the City of Buda and surrounding areas,” said Brenda Studt, senior development manager, United Properties. “We’re excited for the tenants who will call it home and proud to deliver one of Austin’s most desirable business parks to meet the ever-growing need for class A industrial space.”

This is the first Austin-area project from United Properties and the firm is working on several fronts in the region, from industrial development to mixed-use and residential. With a proven track record of creating value, United Properties is recognized in the industry for its operational excellence, innovative approach and steadfast commitment to the communities it serves.

Leigh Ellis, Omar Nasser and Blake Patterson with AQUILA Commercial handle the leasing for Buda Midway.

For more information about the property, visit the Buda Midway website: www.budamidway.com.

About AQUILA Commercial

Founded in 2007, AQUILA Commercial is a recognized leader in Austin commercial real estate. Today AQUILA manages and leases over 16.5 million square feet of office, industrial and retail properties and has over 600 corporate tenant representation clients. AQUILA offers clients full-service real estate solutions, providing tenant representation, project leasing and asset, property and project management services for office, industrial and retail properties. For more information, visit: www.aquilacommercial.com.

AUSTIN, TEXAS (June 8, 2022) — United Properties announced today the groundbreaking of Bishop Momo, a new mixed-use development project with apartments and retail located just 3.5 miles south of downtown Austin in the St. Elmo district. The former industrial area is now a vibrant and growing creative district with dozens of restaurants, breweries, cafés and stores.

The multi-use project will combine 274 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences across five stories with 5,840 square feet of retail space at street level. Ten percent of the residential units will be priced for low-income families and individuals.

“Bishop Momo’s residences will incorporate upscale finishes and luxury amenities in ways that don’t feel generic or corporate,” said Brenda Studt, senior development manager, United Properties. “This is a project with industrial-inspired architecture that was creatively designed to fit into the thriving St. Elmo district in a thoughtful and authentic way.”

Residents of the stylish and modern community will have access to an outdoor pool and two shared greenspaces, solar-powered common areas, a fitness center, parking, a co-working lounge and reservable private offices, universal high-speed wi-fi, state-of-the-art air filtration systems and a smart home system that allows residents to use their phones to easily control their thermostats, and unlock the gate for friends and family to come in.

Designed with sustainability in mind and sensitivity to the area’s history and natural surroundings, Bishop Momo will include rooftop solar panels to offset common electricity use/expenses, energy-efficient appliances and HVAC systems, rain gardens and native plant landscaping, and the preservation of large, shade-creating heritage trees along South Congress Avenue.

Construction on Bishop Momo is anticipated to be complete by mid-2024.

Located at 4341 S. Congress Ave., Bishop Momo has easy access to I-35 and MoPac Expressway for commuters heading north or south into Austin or Hays County.

Project Connect, Austin’s $10 billion transit package, includes plans for a light rail station in the St. Elmo neighborhood near Bishop Momo, which will provide residents with access into downtown and up to The Domain in North Austin.

Bishop Momo was designed by Belshaw Mulholland Architects and is being constructed by OHT Partners, with interior design by Keaton Interiors. The community will be managed by Lincoln Property Company.

For more information, visit bishopmomo.com.

MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 24, 2022) — United Properties announced today the appointment of Karla Carlson to vice president of capital markets. In this role, Carlson will be responsible for raising equity for speculative and build-to-suit developments, structuring joint ventures and coordinating the due diligence process for equity partners to ensure timely closings.

Based in United Properties’ Minneapolis office, she will work closely with Eric Skalland, chief financial officer and executive vice president of capital markets. Additionally, she will coordinate with both Skalland and Brian Schmidt, director of capital markets, to monitor capital markets as it relates to equity capital, maintain strong investor contact and manage capital relationships.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Karla to our Capital Markets team,” said Skalland. “Her extensive market knowledge, history of building trusted relationships, and strong business acumen and financial skills will be an asset to us moving forward.”

Carlson joins United Properties with over 13 years of experience as a partner and lead developer in the commercial real estate industry. Most recently, she was the partner/vice president of a team at Capital Real Estate, Inc. where she assisted partners with deal procurement and managed the entire development process of projects. While there, she successfully completed more than 25 development projects that yielded $140 million in project value.

MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 13, 2021) — United Properties announced today that it will triple the number of senior living communities that it owns and develops over the next three years — averaging about six groundbreakings per year — and unite its three types of senior living developments under the umbrella of one brand: Amira.

“The name Amira represents what we offer: flourishing communities for a new generation of seniors where we promise continued life enrichment with a sense of community and meaningful experiences,” said Matt Van Slooten, co-president and chief investment officer for United Properties Investment, who is leading the rebranding initiative. “Amira delivers a lifestyle that seniors — especially baby boomers — are looking for; namely, caring relationships and activities with people at similar stages of life, sharing similar interests and experiencing life together.”

The following three types of senior living communities will fall under Amira:

• Amira – 55-plus independent living rental communities (formerly known as ThePOINTE)
• Amira Choice – 62-plus integrated independent living, assisted living and memory care communities (formerly known as Cherrywood Pointe)
• Applewood Pointe – For-purchase cooperative communities owned by seniors

The company currently has 13 for-rent senior living developments in its Amira offerings. Seven of these properties are already open and 96% occupied. Three others were recently completed and are available to lease, and three more are currently under construction. In addition to these locations, the company has an active pipeline of sites that will break ground in 2022. This expansion will increase the number of housing units from 1,100 open today to 3,800 over the next few years — and not just in Minnesota, but in Colorado, Texas and Florida as well.

United Properties’ growth is in response to demographic trends that project that the number of people in the U.S. over 75 is expected to nearly double over the next two decades — from 23 million in 2020 to 45 million in 2040.

Amira senior living developments are well-positioned to meet demographic demands, building on United Properties’ 17 years of experience with senior living developments in 30 locations, including 20 Applewood Pointe co-op communities, Van Slooten noted.

Amira residents will notice a new name, logo, website designs, signs, and employee uniforms, but the company’s commitment to best-in-class levels of service, care and quality of life for communities will remain the same.

In Minnesota, construction recently began on Amira Minnetonka, its newest 55-plus active adult rental community, located on five acres at 801 Carlson Parkway in Minnetonka. Amira Minnetonka will have six floors and 186 units. 19 units will be designated as affordable to meet the needs of the community. The active adult community will also feature a variety of lifestyle amenities, such as a state-of-the-art golf simulator, an outdoor pool and hot tub, pickleball court, community gardens, art and fitness studios, an expansive community room and a sky lounge. Occupancy is planned for 2023.

Van Slooten summed it up this way: “The name ‘Amira’ reflects the growth and evolution of our senior living developments — communities that prioritize a sense of place, a commitment to community, personalized services and meaningful experiences — as well as our vision for the future.”

AUSTIN (Nov. 10, 2021) – United Properties and AQUILA Commercial today announced CED Greentech has signed a prelease for 38,840 sq. ft.at Buda Midway at 1795 Fire Cracker Drive in Buda, Texas. CED Greentech is the nation’s leading solar equipment distributor.

Buda Midway is the first Austin-area project from Minnesota-based developer United Properties. The groundbreaking for the Class A industrial development took place in June, with completion expected in 2022. Buda Midway is planned in two phases and will ultimately encompass 800,000 sq. ft. when completed.

Mitchell Becker and Ralph Coppola of Stream Realty represented CED Greentech, and Leigh Ellis, Blake Patterson, Omar Nasser with AQUILA Commercial represented the landlord.

About AQUILA Commercial

Founded in 2007, AQUILA Commercial is a recognized leader in Austin commercial real estate. Today AQUILA manages and leases over 11 million square feet of office, industrial and retail properties and has over 600 corporate tenant representation clients. AQUILA offers clients full-service real estate solutions, providing tenant representation, project leasing and asset, property and project management services for office, industrial and retail properties. For more information, visit: www.aquilacommercial.com.

MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 3, 2021) — United Properties announced today that construction has begun on Amira Minnetonka (previously known as ThePOINTE Minnetonka), its newest 55-plus active adult rental community, located on five acres at 801 Carlson Parkway in Minnetonka.

“We are especially excited to break ground on Amira Minnetonka since it marks United Properties’ first location under our new Amira brand,” said Rick McKelvey, senior vice president, United Properties. McKelvey said that the Amira name reflects the company’s intention to create a next-generation approach to senior living communities, one that is “grounded in joyful living and innovative services and approaches to community life for our residents as they age.”

“We believe that Amira Minnetonka opens up new possibilities for living an abundant life. Residents can focus their time and energy on what matters most — community, family, friends and interests — while enjoying beautiful homes with a wide array of high-quality service levels and offerings,” McKelvey said.

Both inside and out, Amira Minnetonka offers a gracious host of amenities for every season, including beautifully landscaped grounds and spacious apartment homes featuring comfortable, light-filled layouts — from alcove studio to three-bedroom floor plans — with premium finishes and fixtures. An experienced team will manage the day-to-day maintenance, freeing up time for residents to enjoy community activities and events with their neighbors.

The active adult community will have six floors and 186 units. A total of 19 units will be designated as affordable to meet the needs of the community. Many homes include a flex room that can be used as an office or hobby space and most units feature private outdoor areas.

“We chose this location because it allows us to create an oasis for our residents in the existing lush, serene environment while still offering immediate proximity and easy access to the greater Twin Cities metro,” said McKelvey. “The location fulfills our goal to provide beautiful homes in a community that frees residents of many duties of home ownership so that they can spend more time doing what they love.”

Amira Minnetonka will feature quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, underground heated parking and more. The rental fee is all-inclusive, with the exception of electricity — making it an ideal option for seniors looking to budget monthly costs.

The active adult community will also feature a variety of lifestyle amenities, such as a state-of-the-art golf simulator, an outdoor pool and hot tub, community gardens, art and fitness studios, an expansive community room and a sky lounge. The location offers easy walking access to Carlson Towers’ restaurants and businesses, in addition to convenient access to Interstates 394 and 494.

Occupancy is expected in 2023. Project partners include Weis Builders, ESG Architecture & Design, Bremer Bank and Great Lakes Management.

MINNEAPOLIS (July 19, 2021) — The Upper Harbor Terminal Collaborative Planning Committee (UHT CPC), comprised of volunteer representatives from the community, has voted to approve the UHT Coordinated Plan. This represents the culmination of over four years of planning and community engagement work by the city, community and development team. The vote had two abstentions.

The UHT Coordinated Plan includes a mix of housing, community spaces and job-focused development that will also create a new 19.5-acre riverfront park, a 10,000-seat riverfront community performing arts center (CPAC), and new bike and pedestrian improvements that aim to reconnect the Northside neighborhoods to the Mississippi River. The UHT CPC also voted to recommend public ownership of the CPAC property, which was previously planned as a private development project with majority ownership by a First Avenue-controlled entity. Instead, the city will enter into a long-term management agreement with First Avenue. The plan now awaits approval by the Minneapolis City Council in late September. If approved, city infrastructure work, park improvements and phase 1 development construction is anticipated to start in spring 2023, with completion of phase 1 in summer 2024.

UHT CPC was formed in conjunction with the approval of the UHT Concept Plan on March 1, 2019, in response to community concerns that the concept plan did not fully address the needs of the Northside Community. The Minneapolis City Council recommended the creation of a dedicated group of community representatives that would collaborate with the development team to advance the plan and ensure that community perspective remained central to the process. UHT CPC’s volunteer work began June 30, 2019.

“The CPC was committed to seeing this through and making sure that the Draft Coordinated Plan was one that the community would be proud of,” said Markella Smith, a UHT CPC member. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with other individuals who had the best interest of the Northside at the forefront during this entire process. This development could spearhead changes in how the city and private developers conduct business in the future with other communities, but especially communities of color. I am immensely proud of the work we have done.”

“Since 2019, the UHT CPC, city and development team have tackled challenging and emotionally charged topics, including city policies and impacts on racial equity, economic disparities and equitable economic development, housing affordability, environmental justice, gentrification and displacement, and community wealth and ownership,” said Dayna Frank, First Avenue CEO and owner. She noted that UHT CPC volunteers have been meeting on average twice per month, with many meetings lasting three hours or longer.

During this process, a separate but collaborative community-led engagement process — the Community Learning Tables — was introduced by Pillsbury United and the Public Policy Project. The Community Learning Tables dove deeper into the topics the UHT CPC was addressing by bringing community voices and subject matter experts into the discussion. The monthly events attempted to bridge the divide between community, city and developer, and offered a chance for all parties to talk freely and directly about the challenges of finding common ground.

“The work of this group will never be fully appreciated, and anyone who has witnessed the amount of work knows the true impact this will have on the future of the city,” said Brandon Champeau, United Properties senior vice president & commercial development market leader. “The changes they demanded and the improvements they recommended have truly made this a community-driven plan. While this was never easy, I’m appreciative of the process and the way it gave us the time to present alternatives, discuss opportunity costs and ultimately to bring conviction to our decisions, and to know that we were advancing the best possible plan, given the constraints and requirements of each stakeholder. They sparked true change and progress toward more equitable development.

“I am personally humbled by the experience, depth of knowledge and perspective they brought to this process,” Champeau continued. “It is changing how we approach development, how we measure value creation — and I know it has laid seeds for systemic change to city policies and practices that will reverberate beyond the boundaries of this project, and for years to come.”

“The UHT CPC refused to accept status quo and found creative ways to continually make this development smarter, stronger and better than ever,” said Frank. “Because of their work, the Community Performing Arts Center will not only be a world-class place to enjoy entertainment on the Mississippi River, but a catalyst for community programming, local entrepreneurship, employment and youth development. I am amazed at their work and honored to have been a part of the process as they turned their passion to action.”

Called “the most consequential project in Minneapolis’ history” by Channon Lemon, a UHT CPC member, UHT is hailed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a large-scale, community-building asset in North Minneapolis, grounded in a restorative approach toward racial justice that meets the needs, aspirations and priorities of the nearby residents.

The UHT Development team is currently seeking community partners to continue guiding redevelopment efforts to ensure they reflect the values of the Northside Community. Expressions of Interest (EOI) can be submitted through Aug. 15, 2021. For more information about the EOI, including a UHT project overview, partner role descriptions and role-specific qualifications, visit the UHT Redevelopment section at upperharbormpls.com.

About the Upper Harbor Terminal project

Upper Harbor Terminal is a 48-acre site located on the Mississippi River. It formerly housed a barge shipping terminal that ceased operations in 2014. In 2016, United Properties responded to an RFP for the City of Minneapolis to imagine the possibilities of this site. Since then, the company has worked in partnership with the city and community to create an equitable development plan that meets the community’s needs and sets a precedent for how private development can align more intentionally with community values. For more information, visit www.upperharbormpls.com.

MINNEAPOLIS (July 14, 2021) — To ensure that all Upper Harbor Terminal (UHT) redevelopment efforts reflect the values of the Northside Community, the Upper Harbor Development team of United Properties, First Avenue and George Group North is inviting community-based organizations to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) by Aug. 15, 2021.

“This represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a large-scale, community-building asset in North Minneapolis — one that’s grounded in a restorative approach toward racial justice that meets the needs, aspirations and priorities of the Northside Community,” said Brandon Champeau, United Properties senior vice president & commercial development market leader. “It’s very important that we get this right, and we cannot be successful without the direction and insights that community partners will provide.”

The Expression of Interest has been open since early June, and interest from community organizations looking for opportunities to partner with the development team is robust. “We have heard from large corporations, smaller nonprofits and individual community members with varying degrees of interest and potential roles in the future redevelopment plans for the site,” Champeau added. “This visionary development aims to transform the North Minneapolis riverfront into a vibrant, lively community that offers opportunity for all. We hope to find partners for key critical roles that can make this a national model for community representation and ownership.”

The Upper Harbor Development team is seeking to fill three critically important community partner roles. The first is a community fund manager who will be responsible for the management and handling of community performing arts center (CPAC) funds, generated by a ticket fee for all First Avenue events. Additionally, the fund manager will make annual recommendations to the city on how to deploy ground-lease funds from private development into anti-displacement and anti-gentrification initiatives. The second is a CPAC community program manager/advisor who will work with First Avenue to oversee community programming, operations, marketing and event management. This includes prioritizing existing and new community entrepreneurs to expand into this space, creating events and programming that serve to build on existing community events with a focus on showcasing work from local artists, and using zip code priority hiring for event staffing. The third is a private development real estate partner who could partner with the development team on the leasing, ownership or management of the proposed ground floor commercial space in the project.

“As an African-American developer that focuses on revitalizing underserved communities, I am excited about this innovative project that addresses a multitude of needs that can transform North Minneapolis to a place I don’t believe it’s ever seen,” said Devean George, president and CEO of George Group North, which is part of the Upper Harbor Development team. “I look forward to working with talents and resources within the community to create a sense of ownership in the project that can ensure its success for years to come.”

For more information about the EOI, including a UHT project overview, partner role descriptions and role-specific qualifications, visit the UHT Redevelopment section at upperharbormpls.com.

Interested community organizations should send their EOIs to uhtinfo@uproperties.com by Aug. 15. Questions can be directed to the same address.

About the Upper Harbor Terminal project

Upper Harbor Terminal is a 48-acre site located on the Mississippi River. It formerly housed a barge shipping terminal that ceased operations in 2014. In 2016, United Properties responded to an RFP for the City of Minneapolis to imagine the possibilities of this site. Since then, the company has worked in partnership with the city and community to create an equitable development plan that meets the community’s needs and sets a precedent for how private development can align more intentionally with community values. For more information, visit www.upperharbormpls.com.

MINNEAPOLIS (June 28, 2021) — United Properties is moving forward on Phase 1 of the expansion of 4Front Technology & Office Campus located in Oakdale, Minn. The project — which is a joint venture with the Larson family, Slumberland’s founders — recently received a PUD Amendment to develop one of the last large parcels with direct freeway access and visibility within the major city freeway loop.

Phase 1 of the project will consist of 24 acres for industrial use. The full site sits at 122 acres and will be redeveloped in phases. The proposed master development plan will provide amenities to the existing office campus, with future phases of development — including commercial, industrial, retail, hotel, medical and office use — that will bolster local economies and create jobs.

“We are excited about the future of our partnership with the Larson family and working together to create and deliver a comprehensive master plan elevating the overall campus to the premier office and mixed-use location within Oakdale and the East Metro,” said Scott Peterson, vice president of hospitality & office development, United Properties. “The partnership merges two local families with deep roots in real estate and three generations of family-owned businesses. These facts have resulted in like-minded investment strategies, capital structures and anticipated investment vehicles.”

“The Larson family is very proud of the work that has been done to revitalize the existing 4Front campus,” said Michael Larson, vice president of development for Slumberland and Larson Enterprises. “Today, 4Front is 85% occupied and home to a wide range of companies from biotech to medical devices to digital marketing, as well as start-ups. The partnership with United Properties is the next step to fully develop this property into a world-class facility.”

About Slumberland Furniture

Slumberland Furniture is one of the Midwest’s top retailers of home furnishings. With more than 120 stores across twelve states, Slumberland sells high-quality mattresses and a full line of furniture and home décor, all at an incredible value to the customer. A family-owned company with strong roots in the community, Slumberland has a long history of giving back. Its 40 Winks foundation has given away over 45,000 new beds to kids in need since 1991.