Archive for September, 2008

Uptown Set to Unveil Newest Office Building, Saint Ann Court

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Located in the heart of Uptown’s dynamic business district, Saint Ann Court, when completed in the fall of 2009, will be the tallest, commercial office building in the area. It will feature 26 stories of first-class office space, including four, exclusive, penthouse office floors (located on floors 23 through 26), ten, typical office floors, 11 parking levels and a lobby level. Total square feet of office space is expected to encompass approximately 315,000 square feet. The building will be LEED certified and the penthouse offices may feature ceilings of up to 20 feet tall.

Saint Ann Court will offer VIP and valet parking, ample visitor parking and a motor court. The VIP parking allows certain tenants to bypass the lobby and take elevators straight to their floor, to the roof garden and bar and to the fitness center.

Saint Ann Court will also have 24-hour security, private catering, conference and party rooms, on-site management, concierge services and take-out taxi and reservations.

Just a few of the businesses that have already signed on as tenants of Saint Ann Court include Amegy Bank, Erasmus Advisors, McGuire, Craddock & Strother, Aldus Equity and Harwood International.

First-class dining is available in Saint Ann Court, which includes On-A-Good-Day garden lounge and bar, Saint Ann Caf

Irving Continues to Surge Ahead with Convention Center Development

Friday, September 26th, 2008

The Irving Convention Center, which will become the centerpiece of Las Colinas‘ Urban Center, is slated to open in November 2010.

Considered Phase 1 of the multi-phased project, the development of the convention center and mixed-use entertainment district will encompass over 40 acres within Las Colinas’ Urban Center.

  • Las Colinas is a 12,000-acre, master-planned community which has over 75 hotels and 11,000 rooms to accommodate convention center guests.
  • Las Colinas has a taxable base of more than $7 million and is home to more than 2,000 corporations and four, Fortune 500 companies.
  • Las Colinas is located in Irving, which is conveniently located next to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and between Dallas and Fort Worth.

The flexible design of the convention center allows it to secure high-end exhibitions, conventions, meetings and other venues.

Currently, Irving’s largest hotel ballroom is approximately 10,000 square feet. The exhibit hall of the new convention center will be more than five times that size, thus attracting far more groups to meet in Irving.

Right now the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau has begun filling the facility and is focusing on groups of 800 to 1,200 people, although the facility can hold up to 4,000 attendees for a single event.

The Irving Convention Center project is under the direction of the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau and is managed by SMG Worldwide, which is a leader in facility management, marketing and development. SMG will serve as a project consultant until the convention center opens.

Irving Convention Center, Las Colinas by the numbers:

  • Gross square footage = 275,000
  • Total leasable space = 90,000 square feet
  • Estimated budget = $137 million
  • Estimated opening = November 2010
  • Total amount of column-free exhibit space = 50,000 square feet
  • Total ballroom space = 20,000 square feet
  • Total breakaway room space = 20 breakout rooms, each at 1,000 square feet

Buzz Condos

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

Buzz Condos are not what you expect when you think of Dallas condos. Forget glass and steel, high-rise

buildings with valet service, concierge service and infinity-edge swimming pools. Instead, Buzz Condos are all about providing its residents with modern, contemporary, downtown living at affordable prices. This project, which is valued at $8 million, includes just four stories and 49 units.

Located just south of downtown, in The Cedar area, Buzz Condos boast energy-saving features as to reduce their dependence on current energy sources. Buzz Condos are the first residential construction project that The Cedars neighborhood has seen in many years. It is also the first residential project for Dallas-based Change Chamber Development.

Some of the “green” features of Buzz Condos include:

  • Rainwater irrigation systems
  • Wind-powered electric service
  • Extended overhangs which provide shade
  • Terrazzo tile made from recycled glass
  • Drought-tolerant landscaping
  • Energy-Star stainless steel appliances

Change Chamber Development partnered with Green Mountain Energy for its wind-powered electricity and has also provided all of its residents with new, electric-powered mopeds from eGo Mopeds.

Residents of Buzz Condos also receive a “culture club” package, which includes DART passes and free memberships to KERA, The Nasher Sculpture Center, Old City Park and the Dallas Museum of Art. The condos range in size from 900 to 1,250 square feet and are priced from $132,000 to $246,000.

The downtown views, the easy access to downtown and all of the cool amenities make Buzz Condos extremely popular among young, urban professionals.

Some of the features of the homes include bamboo flooring, lofts, garden tubs, balconies, 11-foot, vaulted ceilings, large windows which let in plenty of natural light and spacious and flexible floorplans.

The Buzz Condos were completed in 2007.

The House: Victory Park

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

Dramatic residences, state-of-the-art amenities and a modern, chic construction are just some of the features of The House, a new, 28-story high-rise condominium in the heart of Victory Park.

Prices for The House are as follows: One-bedroom units from $399,000; two-bedroom units from $794,000 and three-bedroom units from $1,576,900.

A fifth-floor terrace is truly the spectacular centerpiece of this amazing Dallas condominium building. It features a 130-foot lap and wading pool, landscaped grounds with loads of potted plants, a hot tub, private cabanas, an outdoor fireplace and dining and entertainment areas. There is even a huge banquet table that extends through the wall and into the pool.

A fully equipped, private fitness center with a cardio theater and a full-service business center with conference room are also featured in The House. The guest apartment boasts its own, private terrace which overlooks the pool.

The residences of The House may have views of either downtown, The Arts District, Uptown, Victory Park or the planned Calatrava Bridge.

Standard appliances in the residences include a Sub Zero 36-inch, bottom-mounted freezer and refrigerator, a Wolf, 30-inch single wall oven, a Wolf, 30-inch electric range, a dishwasher and a microwave.

Designed by Phillippe Stark and yoo, the interiors of The House are available in three, distinct finishes.

  • Nature – Nature combines elements of nature and urbane flair. The features include wood flooring in a natural finish, sand-colored carpeting and white with grey veining marble floors in the kitchen and the bathrooms.
  • Classic – Classic materials evoke traditional taste. The features include wood flooring in a dark finish, grey carpeting and cream marble in the kitchen and the bathrooms.
  • Culture – Culture evokes a trendy, eclectic taste. Features include wood flooring in a medium finish, dark, sand-colored carpeting and grey limestone floors in the kitchen and the bathrooms.

The House also enjoys a prime, central location, as it is located in the middle of Victory Park, a shopping, dining and entertainment Mecca. Sites in this area include the American Airlines Center, The Arts District and Katy Trail.

Cosmopolitan Living at your Fingertips at The Renaissance on Turtle Creek

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

If your dream home wishes include luxurious, urban living in the heart of Dallas, then The Renaissance on Turtle Creek is just what you

The Bridges at Preston Crossings – North Dallas Homesites

Friday, September 19th, 2008

As the fastest-selling community in North Dallas, The Bridges at Preston Crossings features one-third to one-half-acre gated homesites which are nestled among fairway and cul-de-sac settings.

A serene, rural lifestyle awaits you at The Bridges at Preston Crossings in North Dallas. Although this community offers quiet, country living, the excitement and opportunities of the city are also located nearby. This community enjoys convenient access to Frisco, Plano, Allen and McKinney.

With an 18-hole, Fred Couple

Allen has the small town feel with big city offerings

Friday, September 19th, 2008
Allen, Texas Real Estate
Allen has the small town feel with big city offerings.

Why the Austin Real Estate Market Continues to Remain Strong

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

According the U.S. Census Bureau, the population in the Austin/Round Rock area has increased 43 percent since 1997. Almost 1,600,000 people now live in the area, and this growth trend is expected to continue as far ahead as 2020, according to a report issued on July 3 by the Texas A&M Real Estate Center.

Coupled with an expected increase in jobs and low unemployment rates over the next ten years, and you have a recipe for success. So the question to ask is, Why Austin?

A good retort would probably be, Why not Austin? Let

Gehan Homes Announces New Forth Worth Residential Communities

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

Gehan Homes is currently marketing and selling homes in its three, new home communities in Fort Worth.

They include:

  • Manor Hill – Premium and Classic

Manor Hill Premier and Classic are both master planned communities, located in Fort Worth, in Tarrant County.

Manor Hill offers new homes in 12 distinctive floor plans ranging from high $120’s to the $210’s with square footages of 1,675 to 3,475 Manor Hill is also part of the Keller ISD school and this beautiful neighborhood boasts a lovely swimming pool and scenic trails.

This community is located within 20 miles of Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of North Texas, Texas Women’s University, Tarrant County Junior College, and Texas Wesleyan University.

  • Chisolm Ridge – Premier

Chisholm Ridge Premier is situated in North Fort Worth, only 15 minutes from Downtown Fort Worth. It is also within minutes to I-35 & Hwy 287.

This beautiful community, in Tarrant County, offers new homes in 6 distinctive floor plans ranging from 1,675 to 2,575 square feet with prices from the high $120’s to $150’s. In addition, Chisholm Ridge is part of the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw School District and close to great shopping at Ridgmar Mall. This master-planned neighborhood also has two swimming pools and a children’s playground. The new homes in this community are surrounded by tree lined greenbelts.

  • Stone Creek Ranch – Premier

Stone Creek Ranch is located in Fort Worth, which is part of Tarrant County.

This master planned community of new homes offers breathtaking views, rolling hills and a large community park. Stone Creek Ranch offers new homes in 11 distinctive floor plans ranging from low $100’s to the $140’s with square footages of 1,334 to 2,731square feet. In addition, Stone Creek Ranch is minutes from Highway 820 and I-30 and part of the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw School District.

Gehan Homes is a privately owned company based in Texas. They have built, for the past 35 years, high-quality, single-family homes which are competitively priced. Gehan Homes has built homes in Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and the surrounding communities. They offer a limited, ten-year warranty on all their homes.

New Condo Communities in Austin Set the Stage for Excellence

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

The appeal of Austin condo living has increased in popularity over the last few years, with new condominium communities springing up at an impressive rate. Condo living offers buyers upscale Austin living with spectacular, community amenities and luxury surroundings. Below is just a sampling of some of Austin