AUTHORED BY COLE STERR

In Broomfield, CO, the United Properties Denver team had a vision of transforming a city street corner into a 7-Eleven. Initially, that proposal didn’t quite catch the attention of the city. With a plan to make the space more meaningful with public art and innovative design elements, while working closely with the city’s council members, an imagined possibility became a reality for the Denver team.  

Let’s look at how the 7-Eleven in Broomfield, CO became the mid-century modern, artistic 7-Eleven it is today.  

Imagining the Possibilities with Broomfield  

The city of Broomfield originally didn’t envision a gas station occupying the space – it imagined a different purpose for 120th Ave. and Perry Street. However, the Denver team presented a mid-century modern 7-Eleven that would incorporate a public art element to reflect the city’s culture and history to win over the city. 

The city became responsive to the approach and appreciated UP’s work in listening to the needs of the community, as well as incorporating innovative design elements. By working closely to accomplish the same goal, United Properties and the city of Broomfield were able to transform this space from an imagined possibility into not just another 7-Eleven, but a gateway to an artistically inspired community. It became the first mural a 7-Eleven store in Colorado ever commissioned.  

The Mural  

The artwork is by Denver street artists and muralists Pat Milberry (a Minnesota native) and Pat McKinney, as part of the So–Gnar Creative Division, with the help of Josh Deitchman (who goes by @lowkey_creative on Instagram). The mural reflects aspects quintessential to Colorado.  Inspired by art deco, the mural complements the 7-Eleven palette and aims to imitate the golden hour of the day that we wish we could freeze in time.  

The Broomfield font choice is also important and aligns with what United Properties stands for – future growth. The interpretive and abstract visual of the corn on the left side of the painting gives roots to the area’s landscape and vegetation and is reflective of our “Creating Deep Roots” tagline.  

This mural serves as an outlet to not only an art-inspired area, but what United Properties strives to accomplish in real estate development: looking for innovative ways to imagine possibilities and work with others to execute meaningful and transformative real estate.  

To learn more about the artists behind the mural, visit sognarcreativedivision.com and rkymtnwalls.com.  

AUTHORED BY COLE STERR 

Ah, the most wonderful time of the corporate year – the community giving campaign is back, and United Properties is participating once again to support the Pohlad Companies’ charitable giving initiatives.

Our community giving campaign will officially kick off this Friday, Aug. 23 – the birthday of the Pohlad Companies founder Carl Pohlad, who passed away ten years ago. Each year, all offices under the Pohlad Companies honor the late founder by wearing his favorite pattern: polka dots! For every employee that decks themselves out in some polka dot gear, their respective company will donate $10 to the overall charitable giving fund.

The four main charities that the Pohlad Companies will sponsor span across a range of social issues. Let’s explore a little of each one.

Greater Twin Cities United Way:

The Greater Twin Cities United Way is a non-profit organization that works to push equity at the forefront of our communities. The organization works on a variety of prevalent issues such as combatting hunger, assisting individuals with life after incarceration, closing the education gap and welcoming new United States citizens to Minnesota for a smooth transition into our society. By galvanizing communities to build prosperity and equity for all, the United Way hopes to cultivate a united community where all people realize their full potential.

Community Shares Minnesota:

Comprised of nearly 50 local non-profits that tackle hard issues at the core, the Community Shares Minnesota is part of a national network of organizations that “connect, fund and raise awareness for community groups fighting for fairness and equality.” The network focuses primarily on improving access to education and healthcare, fighting for human rights, securing affordable housing and effectuating change through the arts. It is also committed to funding social justice by emphasizing equity, diversity, inclusion and the arts.

Community Health Charities:

Community Health Charities empowers people to improve their health and wellbeing by making health and wellness resources available to communities. By doing so, the non-profit organization funds education, treatment, prevention and financial assistance for people with health challenges.

Minnesota Environmental Fund:

Protecting, conserving and restoring Minnesota’s environment is the mission of the Minnesota Environmental Fund. This non-profit encourages workplaces and individuals to support renowned non-profit organizations that work to maintain our beautiful Minnesotan environment. Their efforts include maintaining clean water, lakes, rivers, air, prioritizing healthy food, biodiversity and wildlife, and combatting toxic pollution and laws that ignore environmental issues. Raising more than $13 million since its founding in 1991, the fund hopes to build a “sustainable and just future for Minnesota’s environment.”

United Properties’ Role

Throughout the next couple of weeks, United Properties will host awareness events and invite speakers from each of the organizations to discuss their work and how they enrich our Twin Cities community. Employees are also encouraged to donate money to a charity of their choice through an online donation program called iPledge, and if 45 employees do so by October 15, the company will be given a half-day on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again. Here at United Properties, we’re more than just bricks and mortar – we do more outside of our real estate realm. Through our charitable giving efforts, we invest in and enrich our communities to cultivate healthy and prosperous communities.

Let’s start with a big question: How do you create something original?

You bring together varied perspectives, life experiences, and insights, right? Creative solutions emerge when you address challenges differently. Without difference, the result is more of the same.

That’s why diversity in real estate today isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a business imperative, and Urban Land Institute (ULI) is at the forefront.

“More and more, we are hearing that people are joining ULI instead of other organizations because they see that it’s the place in this market to build relationships with people from across sectors, cultures, and backgrounds,” said Aubrey Albrecht, senior director at ULI Minnesota. “That’s powerful because it’s such a relationship-focused industry. Our members are recognizing that in order to best serve the community with any given project, the people at the table should reflect the diversity of that community.”

The ULI Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDi) Program helps United Properties both gain access to new talent pools and provide people with diverse backgrounds the in-roads they need to break into the industry. As one of the program’s cornerstone sponsors since 2017, the company donated $10,000 to Minnesota’s program and $5,000 to Colorado’s program this year.

“We’ve been very intentional about doing more than just giving them money and focus on helping the program grow,” said Lynn Camp, ULI REDi sponsor and senior business analyst at United Properties. “Just as important as us providing them access to our networks is us accessing their networks as we work to diversify and broaden our vendors, customers, and potential hires.”

The 15-session program works to provide women and people of color – all real estate professionals with full-time jobs – with an opportunity to create a development plan, proforma, and marketing plan for a real site that the owner is looking to redevelop. Many students from this year’s 28-student roster came from the public sector seeking to learn about what’s happening on the private-sector side and understand every aspect of development holistically.

In the same way that REDi Program teams are strategically grouped to include members from different sectors to work toward well-rounded solutions, we must ensure that people from diverse backgrounds have the in-roads they need to round out a historically exclusive industry.

Students also form networks with one another and engage in facilitated discussion about barriers to entering the industry. One participant highlighted that many real estate professionals got their start through a mentor and shared that it is more difficult for people of color to find this mentor because their networks often do not cross.

This sentiment is corroborated by Leanin.org, which points to a large body of research that suggests that people mentor people who remind them of themselves. Failure to recognize this unintentional bias can cause us to miss out on opportunities to mentor and learn from those with backgrounds that differ from our own.

“Employees with mentors are more likely to get raises and promotions. But because managers and senior leaders are more likely to be white men, and because people tend to gravitate toward mentoring others like themselves, women and people of color often miss out on that support. That also means your company could miss out on fostering talented employees.”

–    Leanin.org

Programs like ULI REDi aim to dissolve these barriers to success in the real estate industry by opening doors to mentors, facilitators, and other industry experts. Over the three years of its existence, the Minnesota REDi Program has benefited from the service of nearly 100 volunteers, including United Properties’ former Minnesota co-president Eva Stevens.

After a REDi speaking engagement, Stevens offered to sit down with anyone who reached out, and second-cohort REDi Program student Jimmy Loyd took her up on the offer. His interest in Stevens’ background led to a few meetings and open doors. He’s since connected with several United Properties real estate professionals at varying stages in their career and landed the real estate director position at the YMCA Greater Twin Cities. In an interview with United Properties, Loyd offered his perspective on the importance of diversity in real estate.

“The old way of thinking is that business networking is kind of a ‘club’ – it’s exclusive, and the only people allowed in are those they can relate to,” Loyd shared. “Introducing people into the mix who are not like you allows you to take advantage of that differing knowledge and potentially spur innovation. It takes getting out of your own way, and it’s important because it prevents one group from dictating norms while allowing others to share life experiences that can offer new perspective in your practice.”

Survey researcher and polling expert Tom Webster at Edison Research reinforces this position. Webster asserts that the most dangerous thing facing corporate America today is “creating an environment where everyone seems to be taking the same actions for the same reasons.”

United Properties development manager Carrie Eggleston in Minnesota is one of those people with a fire in her heart fueled by different reasons. And she walks the talk. This year, she served on ULI REDi Minnesota’s steering committee, which is responsible for recruiting speakers, organizing networking events, and shaping the overall curriculum.

“I knew upfront that the program would take me away from work and require flexibility, and I’ve been supported at United Properties from the top down every step of the way,” Eggleston shared. “There’s so much untapped talent out there, and our leaders realize that. It’s moved us to donate money, space, and time.”

Eggleston’s passion for the initiative is spreading, too. When one of the program’s speakers dropped out during flu season with hours to spare, she asked United Properties’ Bill Jundt, VP of construction management, to step in.

“He knocked it out of the park without a PowerPoint or anything. He rearranged his calendar, wrote a quick notecard, and they loved him!” Eggleston said. “That’s how I know my colleagues care about this. Now we’ve just got to keep the momentum going and help people see what we see.”

So what do we see? We see the progress, but we also dare to imagine the possibilities of a real estate environment that looks different than it does today. One where differences aren’t just accepted – they’re celebrated and put to use to address the challenges of today with creativity and originality.

MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 5, 2019) – United Properties announced today that the Cynthia Froid Group of Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes of Minneapolis will exclusively market the Four Seasons Private Residences Minneapolis, affiliated with Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, in its new RBC Gateway development. The appointment is effective immediately.

The private residential portion of RBC Gateway will consist of 31 Four Seasons Private Residences on the uppermost floors of the building, boasting impressive city and Mississippi River views. Residents will enjoy Four Seasons services and amenities, as well as access to the facilities offered at the attached five-star Four Seasons Hotel, which will feature a restaurant and bar, a spa complex and one of the largest pool decks in the city overlooking downtown.

“The Cynthia Froid Group has established itself as a premier name in Minneapolis’s luxury residential sales community. It has done so while maintaining a reputation as fair and trustworthy, which gave us confidence in their handling the listings for this dynamic new address,” said Chris Pohlad, vice president, United Properties, who is overseeing the development of Four Seasons Private Residences Minneapolis.

“Our partnership with Four Seasons allows us to offer residences that deliver not only beautiful and comfortable homes, but also the signature hospitality and luxury lifestyle experience that Four Seasons is known for around the world,” he said.

“We are thrilled to represent United Properties on this unique offering for discerning downtown residents,” said Cynthia Froid, president of Cynthia Froid Group. “The service offerings, lifestyle and perfect location downtown simply can’t be beat. We are confident these 31 residences will sell out fast, given their connection to the Four Seasons brand, the first five-star hotel in Minneapolis.”

For more information, visit CynthiaFroidGroup.com or call 612.279.8215.

About Cynthia Froid Group, Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes of Minneapolis
The Cynthia Froid Group is an award-winning boutique real estate agency located in downtown Minneapolis. The organization is keenly focused on the vibrant real estate in downtown Minneapolis. Our areas of expertise are condos, historic warehouse lofts, luxury high rise towers, townhomes and brownstones located in some of the most dynamic and historic neighborhoods of Minneapolis. We serve all price points and can help buyers and sellers in many areas. We are proud to be consistently ranked the Top Team in the Minneapolis Keller Williams Integrity Lakes office and honored to be consistently ranked among the top 5 agents in the city of Minneapolis. Our boutique studio office is headquartered in the heart of the Mill District, down the street from the world-famous Guthrie Theater and just blocks from US Bank Stadium.

MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 1, 2019) – United Properties announced today that JLL, a global commercial real estate services firm, will relocate its Minneapolis office to RBC Gateway in early 2022. JLL will occupy approximately 15,000 sq. ft. at United Properties’ 34-story, 1.2 million sq. ft. mixed-use RBC Gateway development.

“As our Minneapolis office continues to grow, we are always looking for ways to provide the best office setting for our team,” said Chris Rohrer, JLL Managing Director. “RBC Gateway will provide wonderful amenities in a terrific location for our clients, employees and partners.”

Employees from JLL’s Minneapolis office will move to RBC Gateway, located at the landmark intersection of Hennepin, Washington and Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Other RBC Gateway office tenants include RBC Wealth Management and several entities within the Pohlad Companies, including United Properties. In addition to Class A office space, the building will include the Twin Cities’ first five-star hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Minneapolis, a public plaza and greenspace, and street-level retail.

JLL is a key partner in the RBC Gateway development, providing project and development services on all aspects of the project. United Properties recently broke ground on RBC Gateway, with an expected completion in 2021.

“United Properties and JLL have a long history of working together on both new construction and comprehensive renovation projects,” said Rick McKelvey, senior vice president, United Properties. “We’re very pleased that JLL’s team will call RBC Gateway home, and we look forward to having them as our neighbors in the new building.”

About JLL
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our vision is to reimagine the world of real estate, creating rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we will build a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.3 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of over 90,000 as of December 31, 2018. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com

AUTHORED BY COLE STERR

On Thursday, July 18, United Properties employees spent time with residents at Loren on Park, an Ebenezer senior living community located on the south side of Minneapolis. After partnering with them for the past few holidays to prepare gifts for the residents, we wanted to expand our partnership to be a bit more personal.

During our time there, we had a barbeque with the residents and played some good ‘ole bingo. According to the residents and the workers, an event like this had never really been done before at the community. In fact, it was the first of its kind.

Loren on Park takes in seniors who are low-income, have severe mental health issues, drug addictions, and/or have been previously homeless. As part of our charitable giving and inclusion and diversity initiatives, United Properties approved to fund a monthly donation to Loren on Park that would supply the community with basic household items such as toiletries, cleaning and hygiene products, and other necessities – things that are somewhat sparse at the community. We also packaged mattress encasements, bed sheets, and pillow covers for each resident.

At United Properties, we try not to merely focus on effective and innovative real estate development but also how we can use our privilege to enrich the community we share with others. What affects a part of our community affects our entire community, and we look forward to how we can further enrich not only Loren on Park, but Minneapolis as a whole, too.

DENVER (Tuesday July 9, 2019) – United Properties is pleased to announce that Summit Utilities, Inc. has signed a lease for 17,822 sq. ft. on the fourth floor of INOVA Office II at 10825 E. Geddes Ave., in Centennial, Colorado. Headquartered in Colorado, Summit Utilities owns natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries that operate in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri and Oklahoma.

The relocation, which is planned for Nov. 1, 2019, represents a consolidation of several offices. “We are excited to relocate our corporate headquarters to Centennial, which is central to our operations here in Colorado,” said Steve Birchfield, Summit Utilities’ Chief Financial Officer. “We selected the INOVA II property based on its open floorplan layout, proximity to I-25 and commuter rail, and floor-to-ceiling windows providing abundant natural light and views of the Front Range.”

The new space will include architectural details that tie in with Summit Utilities’ work installing piping for their distribution network. Powers Brown Architecture created elements that resemble utility piping to run from the reception area and wind through the ceiling, creating a playful design feature and way-finding tool. The design element is also practical as it will be used to bring power to the open office workstations. Additionally, open space on the west side of the office will allow employees to enjoy the mountain views.

With the lease signing, just 40,100 sq. ft. of space remains available within INOVA II, according to Matt Oermann, senior development manager, United Properties. “We’re thrilled to welcome Summit Utilities to our highly successful INOVA project and are very pleased to have such strong continuing interest in INOVA, which now consists of three phases,” Oermann said. INOVA I and II tenants have responded positively to the proximity and easy access to I-25, higher parking ratios and highly efficient floor plate designs, he added. United Properties recently announced plans for a third phase of the project, INOVA Aero, with the purchase of a 43-acre adjacent site.

Ryan Link with CBRE represented Summit Utilities in the transaction. Dave Lee and Jason Addlesperger of Newmark Knight Frank represented United Properties.

About Summit Utilities, Inc.
Summit Utilities, Inc. owns natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries that operate in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri and Oklahoma, serving approximately 100,000 customers and operating more than 5,400 miles of pipeline. The business began in 1997, when two entrepreneurially-minded executives recognized a need to deliver a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable fuel option to residences and businesses in rural areas where other utilities could not or would not serve with natural gas. While the company started in Colorado with the founding of Colorado Natural Gas, Inc., it has since grown to provide safe, clean and affordable natural gas to businesses and residents in five states through Summit Natural Gas of Missouri, Inc., Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Inc. and Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation. Each of Summit’s subsidiaries constructs and installs natural gas distribution systems with the goal of supporting economic development by providing clean-burning, safe and reliable natural gas to residential and commercial customers through exceptional customer service and commitment to community. To learn more, visit www.summitutilitiesinc.com

AUTHORED BY COLE STERR

On June 18th, 2019, United Properties celebrated the start of construction on RBC Gateway, a 34-story mixed-use tower that will be completed in late 2021.

As part of this event, key partners shared objects to be included in a time capsule to be buried under the building.  The United Properties team included a letter that encapsulates what is currently happening in downtown Minneapolis and how we strive to create deep roots in all of our developments. It reads:

Dear Minneapolis,

From where we sit today, the future of Minneapolis looks very, very bright. Today, we broke ground on Gateway, the tallest mixed-use tower to be built in the city in nearly 20 years. When completed in 2021, it will be home to a Four Seasons Hotel, the headquarters of RBC Wealth Management, and 31 private residences. All this on a block that sat fallow for decades.

Sizable as it is, Gateway is just one of many positive developments in our downtown. The nearby North Loop is buzzing once again, shedding its industrial past to become a tech hub for the 21st Century. We are proud to have played a major role in this transformation, with loving restorations of the Ford Center, Loose-Wiles and Kickernick Buildings, as well as with new buildings like The Nordic.

We recently relocated our headquarters to downtown Minneapolis. Across Nicollet Mall from our office, the Dayton’s Project promises to bring back to life a treasured  Twin Cities destination. We are privileged to be part of this effort.

The list goes on: thousands of people now call downtown home, the Nicollet Mall has been given a needed makeover, a comprehensive public transit system is in full swing, green space and our famous river are enjoyed daily. To cap it all off, our Minnesota Twins have the best record in major league baseball!

Our roots in the Twin Cities run deep. We’ve been here for over 100 years. With Gateway, as with every project we are part of, we sincerely hope to create deep roots for the future, so this great city can continue to grow and prosper.

Sincerely,

The people of United Properties

Below are scans of the actual letter that will be put in the time capsule.

With RBC Gateway, we will leave a lasting legacy in our community. And hopefully, a hundred years from now that legacy will still be deeply rooted in our community.

Together with United Properties, new high-end mixed-use development to open on Nicollet Mall

TORONTO, ON, Canada – Wednesday June 12, 2019 – Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, in partnership with United Properties, a leading commercial property development and investment company in Minnesota and Colorado, today announced plans for Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Minneapolis, expected to open in early 2022 at RBC Gateway.

The new 34-storey building will be situated at the convergence of business and leisure in Minneapolis, at the top of Nicollet Mall, the city’s pedestrian thoroughfare. A few short blocks from the Mississippi River, the mixed use complex will also serve as RBC Wealth Management’s US headquarters.

Those looking for more leisure activities will enjoy the vicinity to Minneapolis’ North Loop neighbourhood, filled with history, arts, culture, dining, entertainment and more. Formerly an industrial warehouse area, and located within the Minneapolis Historic District and National Register of Historic Places, the North Loop now boasts a local farmers market; Target Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team; art galleries, music and entertainment venues; and so much more.

“Minneapolis is a booming corporate hub in the Midwest, and has a vibrant leisure, cultural, and arts scene, and we look forward to creating a place for locals and visitors alike to come together while raising the standard of luxury and service in the city,” says Bart Carnahan, Executive Vice President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Our partners at United Properties have envisioned a new luxury focal point in Minneapolis, and we look forward to helping them bring that vision to life.”

The 222 room Four Seasons Hotel will also feature a restaurant and bar, and one of the largest pool decks in the city, overlooking the city’s downtown. A spa complex, open to both Hotel guests and day visitors, is also planned, along with extensive event spaces. On the uppermost floors of the building, 31 fully serviced Four Seasons Private Residences will boast impressive city and Mississippi River views.

“This new property sits on the best location in the city, with historic roots on the site of the former Nicollet Hotel, and in the centre of the excitement and bustle of downtown Minneapolis,” says Bill Katter, President and Chief Investment Officer of United Properties Development. “Our partnership with Four Seasons allows us to elevate this exceptional project to new heights, delivering the signature hospitality and luxury lifestyle experience that Four Seasons is known for around the world.”

The project is being designed by Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart and Associates, who have global projects and operations ranging from architecture, landscape and interior design, in hospitality, public spaces, education, government, and beyond.

About Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Founded in 1960, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. Currently operating 115 hotels and resorts, and 42 residential properties in major city centres and resort destinations in 48 countries, and with more than 50 projects under planning or development, Four Seasons consistently ranks among the world’s best hotels and most prestigious brands in reader polls, traveller reviews and industry awards. For more information and reservations, visit fourseasons.com. For the latest news, visit press.fourseasons.com and follow @FourSeasonsPR on Twitter.

Press Contacts
For Four Seasons:
Laura Schlecht
Email: lschlecht@hlgrp.com
Phone: 646-460-8922

For United Properties:
Mary Lilja or Kate Lohnes
Email: kate@lilja.com
Phone: 952-893-7140

On-site work begins this week; June 18 groundbreaking event planned with all partners; expected completion in 2021

MINNEAPOLIS, (June 12, 2019) – United Properties announced today that it has closed on the purchase of the land from the City of Minneapolis to commence RBC Gateway development at Third Street and Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. On-site work begins this week with a groundbreaking event planned for June 18, 2019.

“We are very excited as we put the finishing touches on all aspects of the RBC Gateway project,” said Bill Katter, president and chief investment officer, United Properties Development. “RBC Gateway represents the most complicated and compelling project United Properties has undertaken in our 100-plus year history, and one that we are very proud to begin moving forward. We are grateful to our partners for their support of this project including the City of Minneapolis, RBC Wealth Management and Four Seasons.”

RBC Gateway is a 34-story mixed-use development that features approximately 531,000 sq. ft. of office space anchored by the U.S. headquarters of RBC Wealth Management, plus the Twin Cities’ first five-star hotel and luxury residences. The Four Seasons Hotel will feature 222 rooms and 31 fully serviced Four Seasons Private Residences, complete with all of the world-class amenities Four Seasons offers.

“RBC Gateway will be a stunning addition to downtown Minneapolis, setting a new standard for Class A office space, as well as luxury accommodations and residences benefitting the city and state,” Katter said.

The project is on track for an expected completion in late 2021. More details about the project will be provided at a groundbreaking event June 18, 2019, at 1 p.m., at Cancer Survivors Park in downtown Minneapolis, across the street from the RBC Gateway site.