Opus breaks ground on Phase II of spec industrial development

The Opus Group (Opus) has started construction on two speculative industrial buildings in Denver’s North submarket of Thornton, Colo.

The buildings, 118,422 SF and 163,686 SF, are the second phase of North Washington Commerce Center, a multi-tenant park that offers a variety of sizes, clear height and loading options.

“Opus is thrilled to deliver additional space within the business park, following the tremendous success of the adjacent phase I building that was 100% pre-leased to an e-commerce tenant,” said Sean Cummings, vice president of real estate development. “We look forward to continuing to develop this dynamic industrial park that will cater to a variety of tenants.”

The 118,422-square-foot building will offer 28 dock positions, 4 drive-in doors and 196 parking stalls. The 163,686-square-foot building will offer 35 dock positions, 4 drive-in doors, 270 parking stalls and 15 trailer parking spots. The project’s location allows for convenient access to Interstate 25, Interstate 76, Interstate 270, E-470 and US Route 36. Both buildings are slated for completion in January 2022.

“North Washington Commerce Center is conveniently located adjacent to the new Eastlake Station light rail stop and provides much needed product to the trade market,” said Eric Chamberlin, senior manager of real estate development. “We look forward to creating more job opportunities within the community.”

Opus is the developer, design-builder, and architect and engineer of record. First National Bank Omaha is the lender for the project.

About The Opus Group:

The Opus Group® is a family of commercial real estate development, construction and design companies headquartered in Minneapolis with offices and projects across the country. Opus operates as an integrated, multidisciplinary team with expertise in development, capital markets and finance; project management and construction; architecture, engineering and interior design. The Opus Group includes Opus Holding, L.L.C. and its operating subsidiaries: Opus Development Company, L.L.C., Opus Design Build, L.L.C. and Opus AE Group, L.L.C. Specializing in industrial, office, residential, student living, senior living, institutional and retail projects, The Opus Group has broad capabilities, deep experience and a proven design-build model that delivers solutions for customers on time and on budget. For more information, visit www.opus-group.com and follow @TheOpusGroup on Twitter and @theopusgroup on Instagram.

Olsson's Megan Walter to lead Colorado civil engineering teams

Olsson, a nationally recognized engineering and design firm, has named Megan Walter leader of the firm’s General Civil Engineering teams in their Denver and Loveland, Colo. offices.

With a wide range of project management and redevelopment experience, Walter will supervise staff who manage civil engineering projects throughout the state of Colorado.

“Megan’s knowledge of the Colorado market and her expertise in providing innovative, effective civil engineering services makes her the ideal person to lead our team in the state,” said Sarah Foster, regional leader for Olsson.

Walter has worked on a variety of developments in Colorado, including projects for Colorado State University, Aims Community College and a host of other clients in the private development sector.

“She has a deep understanding of development projects and knows how to assemble the right teams to get the job done on time and on budget,” Foster added.

Walter joined Olsson in 2012 and worked in its Kansas City offices until 2018, when she moved to Colorado. Walter has spent the last year and a half as a senior engineer focusing on retail, higher education, healthcare, residential, industrial and commercial projects.

Walter graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

High Line Pointe Apartments earn LEED Silver

The High Line Pointe Apartments in Denver, Colo. have been awarded LEED Silver for its sustainability initiatives - including air tests, efficient windows, low-energy appliances and energy and waste saving measures.

The 345,000-SF multifamily complex features two, seven-story multifamily buildings and a clubhouse, which holds the leasing office, fitness rooms and a meeting space.

During construction, Crossland Construction took over the HUD apartment project following the exit of the original general contractor and quickly rose to the challenge of assembling a budget, fast-tracking the schedule and conducting a full-contract scope review. 

Each apartment building includes 95 units with two underground parking levels and surface visitor parking. Amenities include massage, fitness and yoga rooms; jogging and bike trails and outdoor tables and grills.

“This complex spans a county line, so we had the unique challenge of working with two fire departments, different inspection departments and various subcontractors. We were able to self-perform finish carpentry and onsite concrete, which allowed our project team to deliver one tenant building and the clubhouse ahead of schedule and the second building on time,” said Austin Blevins, senior project manager for Crossland.

Despite inclement Colorado weather and working with two county entities, Crossland delivered one tenant building and the clubhouse ahead of schedule and the second building on time.

“Multifamily buildings have unique considerations, and we learned a lot from this project in particular – from sound and noise compliance guidelines, fire ratings, air and cleanliness tests. We can now apply this knowledge to future projects,” Blevins said.

The project team includes Mikey Crossland, division manager; Austin Blevins, senior project manager; David Stevens, project engineer; Andrew Trudeau, superintendent: Ean Thomas, assistant superintendent and Daniel Martinez, field engineer