The COVID-19 crisis has been a test of adaptability for companies and individuals worldwide. During United Properties’ test work-from-home day mid-March, our IT team worked diligently to touch base with each employee to ensure we were ready. Our offices closed the next day in-line with schools, and the shelter-in-place order took effect the following week.

Couriering, printing, mail forwarding, copying, signing, video conferencing and all challenging business continuation efforts aside, our March food drive – benefitting The Sheridan Story in Minneapolis and Bienvenidos Food Bank in Denver – was among the first things to rethink. As the pandemic’s impact became clearer, it occurred to us that the need we were working to fulfill wouldn’t go away just because we’re out-of-office. In fact, the need all around the world would only grow.

We thought about the earth-shaking impact for so many and all the vulnerable people to protect in our own lives and communities. What about the kids no longer receiving their free or reduced lunch at school? What about people out of work, maybe navigating the unemployment system for the first time? And one that’s especially close to our heart: What about the seniors we serve? How will they feel the impact of coronavirus?

How can we be there without being there? We could not go on business-as-usual.

Lynn Camp, AVP & director of business development, shared her heartfelt thoughts on the state of the state in a message to a small group of coworkers:

“I have been struggling with how I can be helpful in a time of need for so many when it is recommended that I stay away from others as much as possible,” she shared, along with an MPR article mentioning The Sheridan Story and some ideas for community support. “I am wondering what you think about communicating some of these ideas [out to employees], as I know we have a lot of people with big hearts who may be feeling something similar.”

Lynn’s sense that many were feeling moved to do more was correct, and the following week, the UP Leadership team issued an internal communication to share how the company would respond to the office closures. In lieu of a month-long food drive, United Properties would provide financial support to both food shelves to help fight hunger during this critical time in the communities where we do business.

Beyond financial support, now is the time to get creative in the ways we support and connect. We don’t have to socially distance just because we must physically distance. We plan to innovate and come out stronger. Stay tuned for Business as Unusual Part II: COVID, Connection & Creativity. Until then, let’s quarantine, unite & conquer.

In solidarity,
The People of United Properties

THE SHERIDAN STORY

The Sheridan Story works to fight hunger in our community by filling the gaps to food access that Minnesotan children face during weekends, summers and extended breaks. Albeit unexpected, this is clearly one of those extended breaks.

On behalf of 20+ organizations partnering to fight hunger, The Sheridan Story issued an email communication late last month with a clear message: For those struggling with food scarcity, you are not alone, and we are here for you.

“We have food available, and more is on the way. We are united and working round the clock to serve our community. We are coordinating our efforts with one another and with Governor Walz’s office. Minnesota’s greatest asset is our ability to work together to solve our community’s problems. We will get through this pandemic together. We are here for you. We are #MNStrong.”

BIENVENIDOS FOOD BANK

Bienvenidos is an essential source of fresh, healthy food for those in need across the Denver metro. The community-based nonprofit has provided emergency food assistance for more than 40 years. Each year, approximately 300,000 meals relieve 10,000 people suffering from hunger.

The mission is simple: Do all things possible to ensure no one in the community goes hungry. Bienvenidos plans to continue doing all things possible to fulfill the mission while protecting volunteers and friends of Bienvenidos from the threat of COVID-19 by serving meals outdoors.

We find ourselves in an unprecedented situation, one that requires all of us to work together to limit the impact of COVID-19 in our community.

At United Properties, we are committed to doing all we can to protect the health of our employees and our community, and to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 while continuing to be an industry leader in commercial real estate.

Our team

In both Minneapolis and Denver, our team is working remotely. Both offices remain closed, and our team will continue to work from home in accordance with local shelter-in-place orders.

Our buildings

At buildings owned by United Properties, we’ve stepped up our cleaning protocols, including more frequent cleaning of public areas and high-touch surfaces. Our senior living communities have adopted even more stringent policies to protect those at higher risk of complications from this disease.

Our tenants

We also understand this is a time of uncertainty for many businesses that lease space in our buildings. We are listening to our tenants’ concerns and gaining an understanding of the impacts on individual businesses.

Our job sites

In Minnesota and Colorado, our construction sites continue to operate under the “critical sector” and “critical business” exemptions enumerated in Minnesota Emergency Executive Order 20-20 and Colorado Amended Public Health Order 20-24. We are working closely with our construction partners to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, while continuing to build the infrastructure that will support our community in the years ahead.

Monitoring the situation

Because this is a rapidly evolving situation, we are working closely with our property managers, employees and partners to ensure we are doing all we can. Together, we will continue to evaluate our response and update our protocols as needed based on guidance from the CDC and local health authorities, and on the needs of the community.

Questions

If you have any questions, you can reach out to your United Properties contact or call our general number at 952-835-5300.

AUTHORED BY COLE STERR

Due to these unprecedented times regarding COVID-19, FRGMNT Coffee has decided to suspend operations until further notice. The coffee shop feels that this is the safest option for staff, guests, and the community, and it looks forward to the day it can reopen to its normal hours. Consider giving the shop a visit when it’s open to support the business and the employees. 

Ben Banse took a spontaneous trip from Jacksonville to Nashville, entered a coffee shop and ordered a mocha. He was captivated by everything around him – the coffee, the setting, the interactions between the barista and the customers, literally everything about the experience. “It was an awesome feeling,” Ben remembers, “Seeing those really cool interactions made me want to be a part of the coffee scene.”

It was that small, yet pivotal moment in his life that compelled him to pursue a career in the specialty coffee industry.

As a Minnesota native, Ben decided to come back to the Twin Cities area and get started in the city’s coffee community.  He met life-long friends who would later become some of his business partners. After working alongside them and assisting with the opening of four coffee shops in the North Loop (including Northern Coffeeworks, Parallel, and Bachelor Farmer), he and some close co-workers were approached to start another coffee shop. The shop’s location would be in an office and mixed-use Nordic-style development, which would later become known as The Nordic. Less than a year later the vision became a reality when The Nordic fully opened this past fall with the group’s coffee shop idea: FRGMNT.

A Piece of the Whole

The FRGMNT team’s primary job with the development of the building was to influence the layout of the coffee shop and add their own flair while also ensuring that the space was practical for an easier work environment. Working with United Properties and interior design firm StudioBV made it easy for the team to imagine the possibilities of what the coffee shop could look like.

A strategic approach to the coffee sourcing was important to the identity of the shop, too, according to the team. “A big part of what we wanted to do was bring in roasters from all over the world,” Ben explains. “Bringing in roasters from the Nordic countries coincided well with the style of the building.”

In fact, what makes FRGMNT unique is its rotating roasting program. “We have five to six different roasters at a time, so five to six different coffee origins,” Ben explains. This way, the coffee shop always provides the customer with something new or something they haven’t tried previously. “It’s cool to see the story behind each bean.” To date, FRGMNT has offered coffee roasted in Denmark, Sweden, London, Germany and the United States.

The coffee shop’s name also alludes to its uniqueness. The term “FRGMNT” reflects how the team wanted to insinuate that they are part of a larger whole (like a “fragment”) – in this case, the North Loop neighborhood. The team then took away the vowels to emphasize the non-traditional nature of the shop.

Impact on the North Loop & Future Plans

FRGMNT does more for the North Loop than add another conventional coffee shop. “It’s a convenient location for businesses and neighborhood folk,” says Ben. “It’s like a little downtown getaway and can cater to any coffee shop-goer.”

What’s more is that the coffee shop will be a great place to work for employees. With competitive wages, the employees also receive parking passes, access to a gym, and the hours call for a good work-life balance that allows them to have some time to pursue interests outside of their traditional barista duties.

For the future, FRGMNT plans to expand its shop to more locations. The team’s ultimate goal is to have a couple strategically placed FRGMNT shops throughout the Twin Cities.

In the meantime, FRGMNT hopes to continue providing an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and where there’s an option for every customer.

“Our long-term goal is to cultivate a coffee shop environment where every customer can find a seat and get an experience they can enjoy.”

If you want to learn more about the shop and the team, feel free to check out FRGMNT’s website or follow the shop on Instagram and Facebook.

We are excited to introduce a new blog series called “United in Real Life” – an inclusion initiative that celebrates the people of United Properties, their varied experiences and how they individually create deep roots in their communities.

For our inaugural story, we spotlight Trudi Whitson, sales manager at Applewood Pointe and co-founder of a unique ministry in South Minneapolis that exists to welcome and connect with our refugee neighbors. Trudi is deeply interested in the art of hospitality as the whole experience of welcoming and entertaining guests, visitors or strangers. It is a passion that has followed her throughout her life and career.

*        *        *

The little blue house across from Stewart Park in the Phillips neighborhood – named Salem House – not only hosts a little piece of African culture here in Minneapolis: It serves as a place where peace and friendship thrive across cultures. It’s only happenstance that the word salem can be translated in many ways (shalom in Hebrew, salaam in Arabic) to mean peace.

For Trudi Whitson, co-founder of Salem Arts Exchange (SAE), the name Salem was only fitting. Established in 2013 and housed in Salem House, non-profit SAE exists to be a joyful, creative gathering place for refugee women where friendships are formed and beautiful handicrafts are produced.

At its core, this program of Arrive Ministries is a collaboration of people who wish to wrap their arms around our refugee neighbors. The free program takes place twice weekly and is organized around a 14-session curriculum where participants learn skills like sewing while practicing their English. At the end of each lesson, the women gather for tea and storytelling. Sometimes they pray together in trying times – Christians alongside Muslims.

THE SPARK & THE FLAME

The spark for SAE came from three Bible study friends (Trudi, Anna and Kris) eager to break out of their suburban bubble. In 2010, Kris brought up an inspiring ministry just outside of Chicago called RE:NEW that was teaching a group of Somali women how to sew. The group fell in love with the idea, but it wasn’t time.

A few years later, an invitation came to the group through Kris’s membership at a multi-ethnic church in St. Paul called New City of Nations. The church members wanted to establish a similar arts program in the Phillips neighborhood, a cultural hub south of downtown Minneapolis often regarded as the most diverse part of the metro.

“We had already birthed this idea, and it seemed to be the time,” Trudi recalled. “We got a few grants and bought a bunch of sewing machines. New City of Nations had a diverse membership with many women new to America who wanted to get involved. So we gathered and just started sewing.”

Since 2013, SAE has been using and improving upon the curriculum. The program inspired another sewing ministry in Wilmar, which birthed another in St. Cloud. These programs are sprouting up across the country as a means to meaningfully engage with refugee populations, yet the general format remains largely consistent: sewing, tea and stories.

FROM STRANGERS & STORIES TO SISTERS IN COMMUNITY

Some of Trudi’s favorite moments have taken place during the storytelling sessions, which she understands to be part of how African women create community. The tradition has offered her varied stories and has transformed her perspectives on what it means to be a refugee.

“You see these women, they don’t speak the language, and right now their job is likely menial work,” Trudi said. “But in their home countries they were teachers, businesswomen and human rights activists – I even met an actress. Many of them escaped torture and imprisonment in Africa. These are powerhouse women who make it here.”

And they love it here. Trudi shared that these women are so thankful just to be here, safe with their families, and that their children can go to school. She gets to hear the often-untold stories, which grant her the deeper understanding that the “single story” told in the popular media does not.

That’s exactly why safe spaces for cross-cultural conversations can be so powerful. They create the conditions for stories to be shared naturally and for trusting friendships to grow – for people to be seen for who they really are. What’s more, people who are often silent get to tell their own stories.

“We have a basket with prompts on paper for the whole group to think about,” Trudi shared. “Last week we talked about what the word ‘transition’ means. A lot of them are still working on their English, so it can be challenging but still so meaningful. I may be teaching the curriculum, but we have a lot to learn from each other.”

For Trudi, her non-profit isn’t as much about the sewing; she’s always loved creating. But before SAE, she’d never done so in a group context. The social component was missing – the brushing arms with other women, exchanging stories and becoming family in the process.

“Sometimes when they get to do their sharing, they say things like ‘You are my family’ or ‘You are my sisters.’ Those are the moments that encourage me and still take me by surprise.”

United Properties is expanding our social media presence to include Instagram — a growing platform with more than 1 billion monthly active users engaging in a highly visual, app-based format. The @updeeproots page seeks to connect with the communities we serve in a meaningful way through imagery that inspires.

With project partners, tenants, brokers, the local community, consumer audiences and other stakeholders in mind, the account will feature updates on our projects, people and events, as well as highlights from our 103-year history. Imagery will encompass renderings, project interior, exterior and drone shots, event photography, historical photos and more.

We’d like to extend a big “thank you!” to those of you who have already joined us on our journey in pictures. If you like what you see, please follow @updeeproots and “regram” via Instagram Stories to help contribute to a successful launch! We are excited to bring you along as we create deep digital roots in 2020.

This blog post is Part II of our retrospective look-back at a decade of transformative commercial real estate. Here’s Part I.

Growth in Mixed-Use: 2017–2019

United Properties saw tremendous growth in both the Minneapolis and Denver markets throughout this three-year period, particularly through the focus on innovative mixed-use developments.

The Nordic broke ground in 2017 and has become a stunning new addition to the North Loop neighborhood since opening in 2019. It is the first true mixed-use project developed in the North Loop, offering nearly 200,000 sq. ft. of office space, 57 condominiums, a vibrant public plaza with outdoor seating, a Galley Group food hall, Thr3 Jack – a restaurant and indoor golf venue – and local coffee shop FRGMNT. United Properties also acquired the Kickernick building in 2017, embarking on a renovation project to enhance its original brick and timber construction and restore its historic charm.

We also saw a variety of project types in development, spanning across retail, industrial, office and residential landscapes. In Denver, “next gen mixed-use” — a term describing sites that blend light industrial, office and retail in one development — changed Denver’s industrial real estate arena. These developments combined free-standing retail pad sites along the perimeter of larger industrial developments, maximizing the convenience that workers are looking for and the access to customers that retailers are seeking. Other projects that exemplify next gen mixed-use include Tower Business Center in Aurora and Interpark Broomfield.

In 2018, we broke ground on Target Field Station in the North Loop. Situated in an ideal location adjacent to a light rail transit station and Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, Target Field Station features 1,850-guest capacity The Fillmore Minneapolis music hall and an Element by Westin hotel.

Over the decade, we also expanded our focus on senior living communities with new Applewood Pointe cooperative communities in Shoreview, Minnetonka and Champlin. We introduced our senior living communities with services into the Florida market with two new projects — Watercrest Naples and Watercrest Sarasota. We also commenced our first senior living project in Colorado, Balfour Littleton, which recently opened and is experiencing success.

In June 2019, we broke ground on the most complicated project in United Properties’ 103-year history: RBC Gateway. The ninth-tallest skyscraper in Minneapolis — complete with retail, office space and the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences — will revitalize a former parking lot and pay homage to the location’s acclaimed history. It is the largest true mixed-use project ever undertaken in downtown Minneapolis.

“RBC Gateway represents the most compelling and complicated project United Properties has undertaken in our 100-plus year history, and we are proud to leave behind a lasting legacy on a very culturally significant site. We are grateful to our partners for their support, including our owner and the City of Minneapolis.”

–     Bill Katter, president and CIO, United Properties Development

These projects top off a booming decade of commercial real estate for United Properties. The growth and variety in our developments and portfolio reflect our continued commitment to creating deep roots in the communities we serve.

On to the Next Decade

In the 2020s, we will continue to shape the markets where we do business. In the downtown Minneapolis area, that includes building on our successes in the North Loop. Construction has begun on RBC Gateway and is planned for completion in 2022. We believe the project will enliven the intersection of three of the city’s most-storied thoroughfares, elevate the city’s reputation as a whole, and leave a lasting impression on those who live, work, play and visit Minneapolis.

None of this would have been possible without our partners or the extraordinary vision developed by United Properties and Pohlad Companies leadership. The asset management team has kept our portfolio sound and our properties in excellent condition, our developers have been nimble in embracing opportunities and following through on impactful projects, and our support teams have excelled in all that they do. Our company has more than doubled in number of employees and projects underway in the last four years, a testament to the heart and soul of United Properties: our culture and spirit of collaboration.

Thanks to our team’s success, United Properties was recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as the largest real estate developer in the Twin Cities market six years in a row, from 2014 to 2019. We’ve also been recognized recently by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and Denver Business Journal as one of the “Best Places to Work” in the Twin Cities and Denver, respectively.

At United Properties, we’ll continue creating inclusive spaces that transform and enrich our communities and reflect the changing needs and expectations of the next decade.

Onward to 2020!

The people of United Properties have spent the last decade working to create deep roots in both the Twin Cities and Denver metropolitan areas. From rejuvenating the historic North Loop and dreaming up Minneapolis’s latest skyscraper, to creating an innovative approach to retail, office and industrial mixed-use developments in Denver, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished – in collaboration with our partners – in the last decade.

With the second wave of the Roaring Twenties upon us, we’re taking a moment to commemorate the end of an era with a look-back at a decade of transformative commercial real estate.

A Strong Start: 2010–2012

Coming out of the Great Recession in the late 2000s, the 2010s saw a recovering commercial real estate market that was ready for new development. United Properties was poised to start the decade strong, largely thanks to the strategic management of our assets during the downturn. This allowed us to seize opportunities as the market improved and proved to be instrumental in positioning United Properties as an emerging developer in the region.

In 2011, United Properties kicked off a redevelopment of what would become one of our signature properties: the Ford Center. We worked with our partners to transform the former Model T plant into a 21st-century office building that maintains its historic charm. This LEED Gold-certified project helped to revitalize the North Loop neighborhood and sparked a series of developments in the area. The renovation and successful transformation of the building were driven by both the development and asset management sides of our organization.

Since the remodel, our asset management team has continued to focus on innovative ways to keep the building attractive for its tenants. This project was followed by the historic revitalization of the Loose-Wiles Building on Washington Avenue and the introduction of the very popular Freehouse restaurant, both of which we continue to own.

At this time, United Properties also embarked on a new wave of senior living developments. Two new cooperative communities, Applewood Pointe of Bloomington at Southtown and Applewood Pointe of Roseville at Langton Lake, were developed in the first two years of the decade. These properties helped solidify United Properties’ position as an industry leader in cooperative communities, which offer active residents 62 and better the freedom of a maintenance-free lifestyle in a community of like-minded peers.

Spurred by the success of our cooperative communities, our first assisted living community, Cherrywood Pointe of Roseville, opened its doors in 2012 with 80 apartments. Cherrywood Pointe’s continuum of care options create an opportunity for seniors to retain their independence with additional services offered as needed.

Mixed-use development was on the rise, too, as we saw one of our outstanding mixed-use projects, Penn & American in Bloomington, come to fruition. The project converted one of the Twin Cities’ prime intersections from a car lot into a vibrant community complete with residential, retail and restaurant developments. Penn & American quickly became a destination in the heart of Bloomington, and United Properties continues to be involved in additional development in the area.

Full Steam Ahead: 2013–2016

As the decade progressed, United Properties’ role as an increasingly active investor allowed us to pursue more development opportunities. Rather than using a long-term buy-and-hold approach, we began to move properties in and out of the portfolio, freeing up capital to do more on the development side.

We then saw an influx of retail development: In 2013, half of our projects were retail. This encompassed single-tenant net lease projects with Advance Auto Parts, Caribou Coffee and Gander Mountain, as well as renovations of retail strip malls in the Midwest and Colorado.

That same year, we also acquired the former Nieman Marcus building at 505 Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis and repurposed this landmark location for CenterPoint Energy’s regional headquarters.

In 2014, another North Loop development came to fruition: Be The Match Headquarters joined the Ford Center in the formerly industrial neighborhood. This build-to-suit project included many progressive amenities, a public restaurant, as well as custom touches, including an interactive sidewalk harp that plays music when pedestrians walk by.

In addition, we acquired the first two floors of the former Saks building within Gaviidae Common on Nicollet Mall and introduced multiple retailers, including a marquee Walgreens store, which serves the booming downtown population and workforce.

We also sparked a series of major industrial developments, both in and outside the Twin Cities. The Denver team brought Enterprise Business Center (EBC) in Stapleton to life, responding to market demand for state-of-the-art industrial space and accounting for nearly 2 million sq. ft. of development. United Properties’ innovative approach earned back-to-back Industrial Development of the Year awards from the Colorado Chapter of NAIOP in 2014 and 2015. In Minnesota, market-leading projects Northcross Business Park in Brooklyn Park and Red Rock Business Park in Maple Grove also grew our industrial portfolio.

The asset management side of the business also responded to this demand by making a strategic shift toward acquiring Class A industrial properties into the company’s stable portfolio. As a landlord, United Properties has consistently performed above the market occupancy rate, attracting and retaining tenants with our highly responsive, personalized approach.

In 2016, we saw a boom in senior living developments with exciting projects in Minnetonka, Plymouth and Roseville, responding to a shift in the demographic landscape. United Properties’ senior living teams developed and filled these communities swiftly, responding to and reflecting accelerated demand.

We also acquired the remaining empty portion of the former Saks building in downtown Minneapolis, referred to as 7^th & Nic. This modern office space located in the heart of the city became United Properties’ new headquarters and was profiled in the Mpls/St. Paul Business Journal’s “Cool Offices” feature.

Up next: Part II of our 2010s retrospective will cover the end of the decade and look ahead at what’s to come in the 2020s.

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 16, 2020) – United Properties announced today that Scott Peterson has been named vice president of hospitality and office development, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

Peterson joined United Properties in 2019 as vice president of hospitality and residential development. In this role, he quickly made a noticeable impact on the company’s RBC Gateway project and other hotel pursuits. In his revised role, Peterson will focus on hospitality and office development, including site acquisition, project underwriting, design, development and construction. His hospitality projects include the upcoming Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Minneapolis at RBC Gateway.

“Scott has brought considerable depth and experience to us from his work in the hospitality area before joining United Properties,” said Bill Katter, president and chief investment officer, United Properties Development. “He has also been assisting me with several new office pursuits, and I am confident that Scott’s new role will capitalize on his talents and continue his positive impact on the company’s hospitality and office development projects.”

Prior to joining United Properties, Peterson served as senior director of development and construction for CSM Corporation in Minneapolis, bringing more than 13 years of residential and hotel experience across various markets. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Montana State University and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. He is an active member of the NAIOP Minnesota chapter and also dedicates his time to mentorships at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and several other community organizations.

VERO BEACH, Fla (Jan. 21, 2020) – Watercrest Senior Living Group and United Properties are pleased to announce the grand opening of Watercrest Naples Assisted Living and Memory Care in Naples, Fla.  The 128-unit luxury senior living community is now welcoming its founding residents to their new home.

Watercrest Naples is a signature Watercrest product, offering 96 assisted living and 32 memory care apartments with premium accommodations, resort-style amenities, and world-class care. Residents enjoy pampering in elegant Spa W, savor private label Watercrest wines at the bistro, and relish the flavors of locally grown, seasonal ingredients and organic fare whether dining outdoors, bistro-style, or in the chef’s private dining room.

The exceptional architecture and design boast a stunning promenade, fireplace, signature water wall, multiple dining options, pool, salon and spa, grand balconies, and Florida-style outdoor living spaces in a peaceful setting.  Watercrest’s uniquely designed Market Street Plaza showcases an ‘outdoor’ streetscape with numerous LifeBUILT programming touches; a highlight and crucial element of their multi-sensory memory care programming.

“It is with much anticipation we celebrate the opening of this truly spectacular community,” said Marc Vorkapich, Principal and CEO of Watercrest Senior Living Group.  “We are grateful for outstanding partnerships with United Properties and Walker and Company in bringing this project to fruition and providing the seniors of Naples with an exceptional senior living community.”

Ideally located at 9015 Bellaire Bay Drive, Watercrest Naples is just minutes from sandy white beaches, and casually elegant shopping, dining and cultural venues.  The city offers nature lovers and sports enthusiasts unlimited opportunities to enjoy their favorite pastimes, while the grand architecture, friendly people, and pleasant year-round climate make Naples an extraordinary place to call home. For community information, contact Dawn Osterweil, Executive Director at 239-734-5639.

Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded by Marc Vorkapich, CEO, and Joan Williams, CFO, to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities and world-class care, and their innovative and artfully designed Market Street Memory Care Residences offer unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“Watercrest Naples is an incredible new community with resort-style amenities and activities that will help seniors experience the joy of living,” said Ray Oborn, President, Cherrywood Pointe Investment. “We’re proud to partner with Watercrest Senior Living to create a community that is unparalleled in the area.”

Watercrest Naples is one of two senior living development projects partnered between United Properties and Watercrest Senior Living Group.  Their second project, Watercrest Sarasota Senior Living, is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2020.

Founded in 1916 and based in Minneapolis, United Properties has developed nearly 200 projects totaling more than 20 million square feet and nearly $1 billion over the last 30 years. Since 2004, United Properties has developed 15 senior housing communities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul and Denver markets, with seven more under development. For information on United Properties, visit http://www.uproperties.com.

A certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest Senior Living Group specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com.

Kathryn Vorkapich
772-539-4553
kathryn@chandonnicholas.com

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 21, 2020) – West Monroe Partners, a national business and technology consultancy, today announced that its Minneapolis office will relocate to new space in the North Loop neighborhood to accommodate its expanded local team and future growth projections. The firm has agreed to lease more than 42,000 square feet at The Nordic, a unique mixed-use development at 729 Washington Avenue, and expects to move into the new space in April 2020.

“West Monroe joins other fast-growing companies on the leading edge of their industries that have selected The Nordic as their home because it offers an ideal location and a variety of amenities their employees can enjoy.”

West Monroe, which has nine offices across the United States, doubled its local team in October 2019 through the acquisition of Minneapolis-based digital product studio, GoKart Labs. The new office will have more than two times the space of West Monroe’s current local footprint, allowing the firm to bring more than 100 employees together in one location and still have room to grow. Based on increasing demand for consulting services from the region’s upper-mid-market and Fortune 1000 companies, West Monroe expects to double the size of its local workforce again between now and 2025.

“Already, we are seeing tremendous impact from integrating the respective consulting, creative, and technology talents of West Monroe and GoKart Labs, so it has been a priority for us to find space where we can bring everyone together. The Nordic not only enables us to do that; it also offers a modern, efficient, human-centered environment that is very much aligned with our people-first culture,” said Tom Ewers, managing director and Minneapolis office leader. “We are excited to find a space that enables us to collaborate and do ground-breaking work for category leaders committed to differentiating themselves and creating value in a digital marketplace.”

West Monroe opened its Minneapolis office in 2013. Today, the office provides technology-enabled consulting solutions for clients across the Upper Midwest in key industries, including healthcare and life sciences, financial services, consumer and industrial products, and private equity. The firm’s Minneapolis-based digital product studio serves clients nationally as West Monroe builds out additional studios in other offices.

West Monroe earned 35 awards for its unique, people-first company culture in 2019. Nationally, the firm has been recognized as a leading company at which to work by Great Place to Work and Fortune, as well as by Vault Inc. and Consulting magazine. Both West Monroe and GoKart Labs have been named a Star Tribune Top Workplace and a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Best Place to Work.

“Collaborating to create value through multi-disciplinary teams is at the heart of what we do, so it is important for us to have space that inspires that, while also being an attractive destination for our current and prospective employees. The Nordic offers a space and location that exemplifies our unique culture, while also proximity to both of our current offices so as not to disrupt people’s current commutes,” said Don Smithmier, co-founder of GoKart Labs and now a senior director with West Monroe. “Just as important, we are eager to have our entire Minneapolis team together in one space so that everyone has exposure to and can learn from each other’s skills and diverse perspectives. This creates career growth opportunities for all and helps us fulfill our mission to build the next generation of leaders.”

The Nordic, led by United Properties, is one of Minnesota’s first registered projects employing the WELL Building Standard^TM (WELL), a global movement focused exclusively on the health and wellness of building occupants. It features full-service restaurants, retail, micro-unit housing, parking and bike storage, and gathering areas, including a unique four-season plaza and a rooftop patio.

“We’re pleased to welcome West Monroe Partners to The Nordic, our unique mixed-use development in Minneapolis’ vibrant North Loop neighborhood,” said Gordy Stofer, vice president, capital markets for United Properties. “West Monroe joins other fast-growing companies on the leading edge of their industries that have selected The Nordic as their home because it offers an ideal location and a variety of amenities their employees can enjoy.”

West Monroe currently occupies space at 123 N. 3^rd Street and 110 N. 5^th Street. Peter Fitzgerald of Cushman Wakefield represented West Monroe in the deal.

West Monroe is currently hiring for an array of positions in Minneapolis. For career opportunities, visit https://www.acceptthechallenge.com.

About West Monroe Partners

West Monroe is a national business and technology consulting firm that partners with dynamic organizations to reimagine, build, and operate their businesses at peak performance. Our team of more than 1,400 professionals is comprised of an uncommon blend of business consultants and deep technologists. This unique combination of expertise enables us to design, develop, implement, and run strategic business and technology solutions that yield a dramatic commercial impact on our clients’ profitability and performance. For more information, visit www.wmp.com.

Media Contact
Christina Galoozis
Media Relations Manager
cgaloozis@wmp.com
312.447.6623