United Properties to develop national nonprofit’s new headquarters in North Loop Neighborhood of Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS—Oct. 16, 2013—The Minneapolis-based nonprofit that operates Be The Match® – which connects patients with their donor match for a life-saving bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant – today announced plans for a new headquarters building, where it will bring together staff and continue to expand its life-saving mission.
The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), one of Minnesota’s largest healthcare nonprofit organizations, has chosen a site in the North Loop neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis for construction of the seven-story building. The new building, to be developed by United Properties, will be located at 524 N. Fifth St. in Minneapolis’ North Loop district, on the current site of Shapco Printing. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2014, and to be completed in time for a move-in-date in late 2015.
“The number of patients with diseases for which a bone marrow transplant can be a cure is increasing, along with the types of diseases that the procedure is used treat,” said Jeffrey Chell, M.D., chief executive officer of the NMDP/Be The Match. “But more than 70 percent of patients don’t have a matching donor in their family. That’s where we come in. Our goal is to find a matching donor for every patient in need.”
Currently, the NMDP/Be The Match has more than 900 employees. The organization currently leases approximately 196,000-square-feet of office space between two buildings in Northeast Minneapolis. The new North Loop headquarters, located on a site controlled by United Properties, will provide approximately 240,000 sq. ft. of space.
“We are thrilled to be selected by the NMDP/Be The Match for this unique opportunity,” said Bill Katter, executive vice president, United Properties. “The North Loop is an exciting, growing area and now NMDP/Be The Match will be a big part of its identity.”
The building will take advantage of its unique location near downtown Minneapolis, Target Field, the North Loop light rail stop, and future home of the Interchange Transit Hub. An elevated 11,000-sq.-ft. entry plaza will be created for outdoor public events, with additional event space in the main floor lobby. The rooftop level, with views of the ballpark and downtown, will feature a fitness center, event space and an outdoor terrace. The building also will include three levels of underground parking. The nonprofit’s data center will remain in Minnetonka, and its research repository will remain in New Brighton.
“This unified office space will allow our staff to work together more effectively and efficiently, in the service of patients seeking a second chance at life,” Chell said. “Building awareness about the need for volunteer donors is also critical to our mission. This location will allow us to be more visible within the Twin Cities community, and increase our opportunities to connect with the public, corporations and supporting organizations.”
About the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)
The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is the global leader in providing a cure to patients with life-threatening blood and marrow cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, as well as other diseases. The nonprofit organization manages the world’s largest registry of potential marrow donors and cord blood units, connects patients to their donor match for a life-saving marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant, educates health care professionals and conducts research so more lives can be saved.
The NMDP also operates Be The Match, which provides patient support and enlists the community to join the Be The Match Registry®, contribute financially and volunteer.
Media Contacts
Kirsten Lesak-Greenberg
612-455-1749 / 763-300-9254
klg@padillaCRT.com
Jessie Timmerman
952-837-8516
jessie.timmerman@marquettere.com
About United Properties
United Properties has been creating deep roots in the commercial real estate industry for more than 100 years. The company imagines new possibilities in real estate to help enrich communities and create lasting legacies. United Properties provides market expertise for ground-up development, redevelopment and acquisitions of value-add and stable investments. The company invests in and develops office, industrial, retail, mixed-use and senior housing properties. United Properties is owned by the Pohlad Companies and is headquartered in Minneapolis, with offices in Denver and Austin, Texas.
