Mixed-use
Redevelopment of Baltimore Suburb to Be a Model in Green
May 12, 2008
By: Barbra Murray, Contributing Correspondent

General Growth Properties' vision for Downtown Columbia, Md.'s renaissance will leave the master-planned community awash in green, the developer recently revealed to a crowd of area residents.

Established 40 years ago, Columbia sits about 20 minutes outside of Baltimore. Chicago-headquartered GGP's details on the extensive environmentally friendly elements that will be incorporated into the Town Center redevelopment endeavor were presented last week at GGP's headquarters, according to the Baltimore Sun. The sustainable aspects of the project will include green roofs, solar arrays and storm-water management concealed as civic art, as well as preserved wetland areas. Landscape architect Keith Bowers of Biohabitats is on board as one of the designers overseeing the goal of creating the green enclave. While the project is not currently deemed a transit-oriented-development, experts predict that new commercial and residential product will prompt the addition of new transit options to the area.

 

Public presentation of these newest details came just days after the company unveiled its overall plan for the project. The initial phase will encompass 300,000 square feet of retail offerings, 200,000 square feet of office space, a hotel and a skating rink with the capacity to be transformed into an open-air market. Specifics about residential components are presently being hashed out and will be publicized in June. GGP intends to present its master plan to Howard County officials this summer.

 

One of the largest REITs in the country, GGP owns, develops and manages shopping malls in 45 states, and master planned communities in Nevada, Texas and Maryland. As of January, the company's portfolio of owned and/or managed properties encompasses over 200 regional shopping malls accounting for an aggregate 200 million square feet of space. GGP stock opened today at $41.23.





 
Recent Mixed-Use Headlines
Colonial Properties Sells M-F Asset for $58M
Colonial Properties Trust has announced that it has completed the sale of Colonial Grand at Hunter’s Creek, a 496-unit apartment community located in Orlando, Fla. The asset went for $57.7 million in net proceeds, which represents a capitalization rate of 6.3 percent.
Bozzuto Finds $75M for Baltimore Mixed-Use Project
The Bozzuto Group has secured a $75 million construction-financing package and begun work on The Fitzgerald at UB Midtown, a mixed-use community going up on 4.6 acres owned by the University of Baltimore in the heart of Baltimore’s cultural district.
Shanghai Mixed-Use Tower Breaks Ground
Skidmore, Owings & Merill L.L.P. have announced the groundbreaking for the White Magnolia Plaza in Shanghai. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and their partner in the project, Shanghai Jinjang North Bund Realty Co. began construction on Sept. 26, having just recently received authorization for the plans from the Shanghai City Planning Administrative Bureau.
Newly Created Hill Entity Buys 2.2 MSF Philly Mixed-Use Project
Marlton, N.J.-based construction manager Hill International has created Hill International Real Estate Partners L.P., a real estate development services firm that will serve the commercial and hospitality industries across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The newly formed entity has already made a grand move--the firm just acquired developer Walnut Street Capital's interests in the 2.2 million-square-foot American Commerce Center project in Philadelphia.
transbay Hines Proposes $235M for Transbay Tower Parcel in San Francisco
Real estate firm Hines and equity partner MetLife Real Estate Investments have settled on terms with the Transbay Joint Powers Authority for an Exclusive Negotiations Agreement for Transbay Tower, a 1.6 million-square-foot office high-rise Hines plans to develop in San Francisco.