NorthMarq

Prairieview Center Renovation Wins Minnesota Shopping Center Association Award

Penn Lowry Crossings honored for mixed-use project

MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 30, 2008) – Prairieview Center in Eden Prairie earned the top award for best exterior renovation/remodel greater than 50,000 square feet in the 2008 STARR awards granted in December by the Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA). The center, owned by United Properties, received the award for its innovative design, construction approach, repositioning strategies, tenant mix and integration into the community.

The project was a collaborative effort among United Properties; NorthMarq, the center’s property manager; and RJM Construction, the construction contractor.

“The exterior refresh has made Prairieview more competitive in the marketplace,” remarks Wendy Aaserud, NorthMarq senior property manager - retail. “Since the project was completed in June, existing tenants have been very happy and interest in leasing space has increased significantly.”

The Prairieview Center redesign focused on reducing the metal standing seam façade and raising areas of a low, flat parapet. Brick towers were added to create interest and provide more visible signage locations, and the former landscaping was replaced with perennial plants to add color throughout the year.

In another STARR award, Penn Lowry Crossings in north Minneapolis was honored as the top mixed-use project. The first floor of the 46,000-square-foot building is dedicated to retail, while the second floor consists of office space. The project was judged on site challenges, governmental issues, overall architectural image, landscaping, successful tenant mix, creative use of materials, signage, timing/delivery and integration into the community. Penn Lowry has been praised for helping to revitalize the Camden community in Minneapolis.

Project manager Bill Jundt and superintendent Tom Carlson of RJM Construction led construction of Penn Lowry Crossings. NorthMarq’s Ned Rukavina, senior vice president – brokerage services, oversaw the leasing of retail space.

MSCA presents its annual STARR Awards to distinguish the best retail developments in 10 categories.

About NorthMarq
NorthMarq offers a full range of commercial real estate solutions across the country from its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn. The NorthMarq Capital group offers commercial real estate investment services, debt and equity financing, and commercial loan servicing in 30 offices coast-to-coast, with more than $13 billion in annual production volume and services a loan portfolio of more than $36 billion. NorthMarq Corporate Solutions works nationally with mid-sized corporate users to manage their real estate needs. NorthMarq Real Estate Services provides brokerage and property management, to investors and space users primarily in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market. For more information, please visit www.northmarq.com.


Contact:
Martha Nevanen
952.893.7539
martha.nevanen@marquettere.com

Gwen Chynoweth
Maccabee Group

612.337.0087