FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3,000 multifamily units planned over next 10 years; Industry veteran Mark McHenry to lead effort
FORT WORTH, Texas (January 31, 2012) – Hillwood Properties, developer of AllianceTexas, announced today a long-term business strategy for the expansion of Hillwood Multifamily, a subsidiary that focuses on multifamily investment and development opportunities. Hillwood Multifamily will initially concentrate on delivering more than 3,000 units of multifamily product over the next 10 years within the company’s 17,000-acre AllianceTexas master-planned development. The additional units will meet the increasing housing demand driven by a sizeable and growing employment and population base at AllianceTexas and throughout the surrounding region.
For the effort, Hillwood has hired multifamily industry veteran Mark McHenry to lead the company’s multifamily division. Prior to joining Hillwood, McHenry led the southwest regional multifamily development operations for Atlanta-based Lane Company, as well as leading regional multifamily development operations for public and private firms including JPI and United Dominion Realty Trust.
Though the division’s 10-year business plan for the AllianceTexas region involves the construction of over 3,000 multifamily units, the company’s current land holdings at AllianceTexas include zoning for more than 5,000 multifamily units. In total, Hillwood controls over 50 percent of the multifamily entitlements in the competitive submarket. The pace of new development activity, as well as specific product types and amenities, will be market-driven and designed to appeal to a wide audience. Based on the rate of growth in the region and limited availability of competitive sites, the company anticipates the potential to deliver a new phase of multifamily development every 12-to-18 months.
The majority of the planned multifamily units will be concentrated in the 900-acre Alliance Town Center mixed-use development, which stretches along Interstate 35W from North Tarrant Parkway to Golden Triangle Boulevard. Best known for the retail center, a joint venture with Trademark Property Company, Alliance Town Center is home to some of the country’s leading brands, including JCPenney, Kroger Marketplace, Rooms to Go, BJ’s Brewhouse, Mi Cocina, Best Buy, Cinemark, Sam Moon and Belk, among others. In addition to more than 850,000 square feet of existing retail space, Alliance Town Center will integrate office, medical and commercial uses, including the now open ER at Alliance and Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance, scheduled to open in fall 2012. Incorporating the additional 3,000 multifamily units with this strong commercial base will create a true, mixed-use experience for the growing employee and resident population.
Hillwood Properties’ residential experience in the market includes Monterra Village, the first multifamily project that was completed within AllianceTexas in 2008. The luxury townhome and apartment home community was the first 100 percent smoke free property in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex. The high performing project has stabilized, maintaining 95 percent occupancy for the last year. In addition, nearly 8,000 single family homes have been delivered in the Alliance/north Fort Worth market through the company’s Hillwood Communities division.
“We are committed to the multifamily product sector as a key component of our business strategy going forward,” said Ross Perot, Jr., chairman of Hillwood Development Company. “The multifamily strategy complements our other core business lines at AllianceTexas. In addition, the ability to deliver quality multifamily housing as a residential option serves to enhance the appeal of the region for corporate employers, and retail and service companies evaluating the location or expansion of their business operations in the AllianceTexas region.”
“The AllianceTexas region has a significant and growing employment base, a rapidly increasing population and a wide range of existing and expanding services in and around Alliance Town Center,” said Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties. “This is why Hillwood has chosen AllianceTexas to expand its long-term multifamily investment strategy and create a diverse, branded portfolio of multifamily product in a unique, master-planned environment serving the AllianceTexas region.”
Longer term, Hillwood may expand its multifamily initiatives in other markets.
“Hillwood has a concentration of multifamily entitlements in the heart of a premier master-planned development that will continue to grow as the economy recovers,” McHenry said. “The development of quality multifamily housing at an appropriate pace of delivery is a natural extension of the AllianceTexas business strategy and enables us to develop a portfolio of over 3,000 units in the next 10-year cycle. We hope to replicate this strategy, expanding our portfolio with high-quality, Hillwood-branded multifamily developments in select target markets.”
Hillwood also has formalized its multifamily management platform and added key staff to its multifamily management team at AllianceTexas. Stephanie Isham has joined the team as property manager for Monterra Village. Isham previously served in senior property manager roles with Lincoln Property Company and Riverstone Residential Group, where she has been responsible for the lease up of multiple Class A apartment communities. Additionally, Christine Adeeb and Amy Perez, who have served as leasing consultants at Monterra Village for three years, have been hired as full-time Hillwood associates. McHenry and the team will lead the expansion of the Hillwood Multifamily management company as the portfolio grows.
“The internal management team is an integral component of our long-term multifamily investment strategy,” Berry said. “We believe keeping management in-house gives us the best opportunity to control the operating expenses at our properties, while maintaining a consistent level of product quality and resident services that will lead to higher resident retention rates.”
ABOUT ALLIANCETEXAS AllianceTexas (http://www.alliancetexas.com/) is a 17,000-acre, master-planned community anchored by the world’s first industrial airport. It includes the Alliance Global Logistics Hub, Circle T Ranch, Heritage, Alliance Town Center, Saratoga and Monterra Village projects. AllianceTexas is now home to 265 companies, which have built nearly 32 million square feet and created more than 30,000 jobs. The community also now includes more than 7,600 single-family homes and 288 luxury apartment homes. Since its inception, AllianceTexas has generated a $40.65 billion economic impact for the North Texas region.
ABOUT HILLWOOD Hillwood, a Perot company, is ranked as one of the top commercial real estate investors and developers in the country and as the top residential developer in Dallas-Fort Worth. The company's developments currently house facilities for 58 companies listed on the Fortune 500, Global 500 or Forbes List of Top Private firms. Hillwood is best known for its Alliance brand that includes the 17,000-acre AllianceTexas, 4,474-acre AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center and 2,000-acre AllianceCalifornia developments. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.hillwood.com/.
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To help meet housing demand driven by a growing population, Hillwood Properties is expanding its multifamily division. The group will initially focus on developing more than 3,000 apartment units within Hillwood’s massive AllianceTexas project in North Fort Worth and surrounding communities.
Mark McHenry has been hired to lead the charge. He previously oversaw Southwest regional operations for Atlanta-based multifamily developer Lane Co. Prior to that he worked for both JPI and United Dominion Realty Trust.
Zoning at AllianceTexas allows for more than 5,000 multifamily units. Hillwood says the majority of the planned apartments will be located within the 900-acre Alliance Town Center, which is situated along Interstate 35-W from North Tarrant Parkway to Golden Triangle Boulevard. The center already is home to 850,000 square feet of retail space, along with a Texas Health Resources hospital that’s slated to open this year.
Hillwood’s first multifamily project at AllianceTexas, Monterra Village, opened in 2008. The smoke-free development is 95 percent occupied. The company also has delivered more than 8,000 single family homes through its Hillwood Communities division.
To help round out McHenry’s team, Hillwood hired Stephanie Isham as property manager for Monterra Village. She previously served in senior property manager roles with Lincoln Property Co. and Riverstone Residential Group. Additionally, Christine Adeeb and Amy Perez, who have served as leasing consultants at Monterra Village, have been hired as full-time Hillwood associates.
As things progress, the company says it also will consider similar ventures in other U.S. markets.
Here are press statements on the multifamily initiative from Hillwood execs:
Ross Perot Jr., chairman of Hillwood Development Co.: “We are committed to the multifamily product sector as a key component of our business strategy going forward. The multifamily strategy complements our other core business lines at AllianceTexas. In addition, the ability to deliver quality multifamily housing as a residential option serves to enhance the appeal of the region for corporate employers, and retail and service companies evaluating the location or expansion of their business operations in the AllianceTexas region.”
Mike Berry, president, Hillwood Properties: “The AllianceTexas region has a significant and growing employment base, a rapidly increasing population and a wide range of existing and expanding services in and around Alliance Town Center. This is why Hillwood has chosen AllianceTexas to expand its long-term multifamily investment strategy and create a diverse, branded portfolio of multifamily product in a unique, master-planned environment serving the AllianceTexas region.”
Mark McHenry: “Hillwood has a concentration of multifamily entitlements in the heart of a premier master-planned development that will continue to grow as the economy recovers. The development of quality multifamily housing at an appropriate pace of delivery is a natural extension of the AllianceTexas business strategy and enables us to develop a portfolio of over 3,000 units in the next 10-year cycle. We hope to replicate this strategy, expanding our portfolio with high-quality, Hillwood-branded multifamily developments in select target markets.”
Developer Hillwood is expanding its operations with plans to build more than 3,000 apartments during the next decade.
The rental units will be constructed in Hillwood's flagship AllianceTexas community in North Fort Worth.
Hillwood said Tuesday that it has hired veteran apartment industry executive Mark McHenry to head up its multifamily development division. McHenry has previously worked with apartment developers Lane Co., JPI and United Dominion Realty Trust.
Hillwood said most of its new apartments will be located in the 900-acre Alliance Town Center project on Interstate 35W
The developer said it wants to open a new apartment development every 12 to 18 months.
Hillwood chairman Ross Perot Jr. said the development of apartments will add to the 17,000-acre AllianceTexas' appeal. The project is already one of the state's largest commercial and residential developments.
"In addition, the ability to deliver quality multifamily housing as a residential option serves to enhance the appeal of the region for corporate employers, and retail and service companies evaluating the location or expansion of their business operations in the AllianceTexas region," Perot said in a statement. “We are committed to the multifamily product sector as a key component of our business strategy going forward."
Hillwood has already built the Monterra Village apartments at AllianceTexas. The 288-unit development opened in 2008 and is 95 percent occupied.
Hillwood has been working on plans for a 262-unit rental home project adjacent to Monterra Village.
Hillwood said it also might expand its apartment development program to other markets in North Texas and elsewhere.
"We hope to replicate this strategy, expanding our portfolio with high-quality, Hillwood-branded multifamily developments in select target markets," McHenry said.
AllianceTexas developer Hillwood Properties announced today its plans to expand its Hillwood Multifamily subsidiary.
Hillwood Multifamily will initially concentrate on delivering more than 3,000 units of multifamily product over the next 10 years within the company’s 17,000-acre AllianceTexas master-planned development.
Leading the effort will be multifamily industry veteran Mark McHenry, who, prior to joining Hillwood, led the southwest regional multifamily development operations for Atlanta-based Lane Company, as well as leading regional multifamily development operations for public and private firms including JPI and United Dominion Realty Trust.
“We are committed to the multifamily product sector as a key component of our business strategy going forward,” said Ross Perot Jr., chairman of Hillwood Development Co. in a news release. “The multifamily strategy complements our other core business lines at AllianceTexas. In addition, the ability to deliver quality multifamily housing as a residential option serves to enhance the appeal of the region for corporate employers, and retail and service companies evaluating the location or expansion of their business operations in the AllianceTexas region.”
The division’s 10-year business plan for the AllianceTexas region involves the construction of over 3,000 multifamily units, the company’s current land holdings at AllianceTexas include zoning for more than 5,000 multifamily units. In total, Hillwood controls over 50 percent of the multifamily entitlements in the competitive submarket. The pace of new development activity, as well as specific product types and amenities, will be market-driven and designed to appeal to a wide audience. Based on the rate of growth in the region and limited availability of competitive sites, the company anticipates the potential to deliver a new phase of multifamily development every 12-to-18 months. Hillwood Properties’ residential experience in the market includes Monterra Village, the first multifamily project that was completed within AllianceTexas in 2008.
The majority of the planned multifamily units will be concentrated in the 900-acre Alliance Town Center mixed-use development, which stretches along Interstate 35W from North Tarrant Parkway to Golden Triangle Boulevard.
But Hillwood has set its sights beyond AllianceTexas, said McHenry.
Hillwood also has formalized its multifamily management platform and added key staff to its multifamily management team at AllianceTexas. Stephanie Isham has joined the team as property manager for Monterra Village. Isham previously served in senior property manager roles with Lincoln Property Co. and Riverstone Residential Group, where she has been responsible for the lease up of multiple Class A apartment communities. Additionally, Christine Adeeb and Amy Perez, who have served as leasing consultants at Monterra Village for three years, have been hired as full-time Hillwood associates. McHenry and the team will lead the expansion of the Hillwood Multifamily management company as the portfolio grows.
Hillwood is announcing its focus on multifamily at a key time in that market, as apartments rents in the area are at an all time high, according to a recent presentation at the Real Estate Forecast 2012 program by Ben Loughry, managing partner at Integra Realty Resources DFW.
According to Loughry, apartments rents averaged a little more than $800 in 2011, with most new units above $1,000.
Hillwood Properties leases 2.67 million square feet in 2011
FORT WORTH, Texas (January 25, 2012) – Despite ongoing challenges facing the commercial real estate industry, Hillwood Properties continues bucking national trends by leasing space within its 17,000-acre AllianceTexas development at a brisk pace. In 2011, Hillwood Properties, developer of the AllianceTexas master-planned community, secured new leases and tenant renewals totaling nearly 2.7 million square feet of industrial, office, mixed-use and retail space. The company also sold approximately 14 acres of land to retailers.
“While the economy has proven difficult during the past few years, Hillwood has enjoyed a solid performance at AllianceTexas due to our long-term, strategic plan for the project,” said Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties. “Location, multi-modal transportation options and access to a rapidly growing population of employees and consumers have created a great demand for our office, industrial, multifamily, retail and mixed-use product, and these factors will continue to fuel AllianceTexas’ expansion for years to come.”
In 2011, Hillwood Properties leased a significant amount of industrial and office space to companies who wanted to benefit from the development’s wide range of amenities and growing labor force. Among these are the Alliance Global Logistics Hub - one of the nation’s largest inland ports, easy access to major national interstates and close proximity to the development’s existing base of high-profile, global corporations. As a result, AllianceTexas secured tenants to occupy over 2.6 million square feet of space within Alliance Gateway, Westport at Alliance, Alliance Center and Alliance Crossing. Representative tenants included LG Electronics, DSC Logistics, Ryder, Exel, Bridgestone, Staffmark, Trican Well Service, Performance Team, IMDS, DynCorp International, RECARO Aircraft Seating and Equify Financial.
Growth was especially strong at Alliance Town Center in 2011 as retailers continue to be drawn to AllianceTexas’ location in the fastest-growing section of the fastest-growing major metropolitan area in the nation. Alliance Town Center is home to some of the nation’s leading retail brands and welcomed a plethora of new lifestyle-oriented tenants occupying more than 22,000 square feet. These new retail residents include Deluxe Nails, Great Clips, Cinch Cleaners, Baker Bros. American Deli, Pacific Dental, Green Tea House, Koko Fit Club, Palm Beach Tan, Pediatric Urgent Care and Starbucks Coffee. Alliance Crossing experienced similar success with leases or renewals totaling 20,840 square feet of space to Onsite Occupational Health & Safety, Texas Health Resources, Wendy’s, Snooty Pig, Logi-Trans, the Fort Worth Police Association, Dr. James Wharry, DDS, Fast Signs and Pro Cuts.
In addition to leasing retail space, Hillwood Properties sold over 9 acres of land at Alliance Town Center to Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), one of the world's largest motion picture exhibitors, to construct a 14-screen, all-digital movie theatre featuring the company's new Cinemark NextGen design concept. The theatre complex will contain an extremely popular Cinemark XD Extreme Digital Cinema auditorium. Hillwood also sold over 4 acres of land at Westlake Corners to Centennial Fine Wine & Spirits and to QuikTrip. The solid leasing activity at AllianceTexas in 2011 supports the results of a study released last year by Insight Research Corporation, which showed extraordinary growth in the retail and Class A office sectors in 2010. The study also estimated the development’s total regional economic impact over the past 20 years at $40 billion.
ABOUT ALLIANCETEXAS AllianceTexas (http://www.alliancetexas.com/) is a 17,000-acre, master-planned community anchored by the world’s first industrial airport. It includes the Alliance Global Logistics Hub, Circle T Ranch, Heritage, Alliance Town Center, Saratoga and Monterra Village projects. AllianceTexas is now home to 265 companies, which have built nearly 32 million square feet and created more than 30,000 jobs. The community also now includes more than 7,600 single-family homes and 288 luxury apartment homes.
Company joins growing list of Class A office tenants; will occupy space at Heritage Commons I
FORT WORTH, Texas (January 17, 2012) – Hillwood Properties, one of the leading real estate investors and developers in the U.S., announced today that it has signed a lease with Equify Financial, LLC for 4,490 square feet of Class A space at AllianceTexas, Hillwood’s 17,000-acre, master-planned community in North Texas. The financial services company will be located in Heritage Commons I, which also includes Hillwood Properties’ headquarters, IMDS and TCC Corporate Services. The Heritage Commons complex includes four office buildings also home to Mercedes Benz Financial Services, DynCorp International and the FAA.
Marketing Manager Reid Goetz with Hillwood Properties managed the transaction with Curtis Shore representing Equify Finanical.
“We’re excited to have Equify Financial join our expanding roster of first-class corporate residents,” said Goetz. “Equify Financial represents an increasing segment of office professionals, who are drawn to the significant benefits and amenities at AllianceTexas. The company is a great example of the growth of financial and professional services firms within the development.”
“With the completed lease to Equify Financial, our office product within AllianceTexas is now 100 percent leased,” said Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties. “We anticipate future office development in the coming year to meet the increased demand for office within the AllianceTexas corridor.”
Equify Financial, LLC is a new independent, middle market, equipment finance company with a unique perspective and culture. Equify provides financial services to customers and equipment providers at all levels of the construction, transportation, gas and oilfield services, and related industries.
“We have put together a strong team of people to be part of this incredible company,” said Pat Hoiby, president of Equify Financial. “We’re excited to join the AllianceTexas roster of tenants as we launch into 2012, and we are looking forward to building many great customer partnerships and growing our dynamic organization.”
Other major activity taking place at AllianceTexas includes the 262,000-square-foot Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance currently under construction; the recently opened 10,500-square-foot ER at Alliance emergency treatment facility; and the $312-million, 712,000-square-foot Deloitte University, which opened last fall in the Circle T Ranch. Alliance Town Center also continues to be a major retail draw in the development, with recent announcements by Mi Cocina and Cinemark.
An economic impact report recently released by Hillwood revealed that the AllianceTexas master-planned development continues to be one of the nation’s leading models for successful public-private partnerships, providing more than $2.1 billion in economic impact to the Fort Worth region in 2010, the most recent year for which data are available. Anchored by the world’s first industrial airport, and serving as a key economic driver for the North Texas region, AllianceTexas’ cumulative economic impact on the surrounding area has surpassed $40 billion and has created more than 30,000 jobs during the 20-plus years of the project. ABOUT ALLIANCETEXAS AllianceTexas (http://www.alliancetexas.com/) is a 17,000-acre, master-planned community anchored by the world’s first industrial airport. It includes Alliance, Circle T Ranch, Heritage, Alliance Town Center, Saratoga and Monterra Village projects. AllianceTexas is now home to 265 companies, which have built nearly 32 million square feet and created more than 30,000 jobs. The community also now includes more than 7,600 single-family homes and 288 luxury apartment homes. ABOUT HILLWOOD Hillwood, a Perot company, is ranked as one of the top commercial real estate investors and developers in the country and as the top residential developer in Dallas-Fort Worth. The company's developments currently house facilities for nearly 60 companies listed on the Fortune 500, Global 500 or Forbes List of Top Private firms. Hillwood is best known for its Alliance brand that includes the 17,000-acre AllianceTexas, 4,474-acre AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center and 2,000-acre AllianceCalifornia developments. http://www.hillwood.com/. ABOUT EQUIFY FINANCIAL Equify Financial, LLC is a new independent, middle market, equipment finance company with a unique perspective and culture. Their mission is to become the premier finance and lease provider in the industry. Their purpose is to provide financial services to customers and equipment providers at all levels of the construction, transportation, gas and oilfield services, and related industries. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Equify Financial has a seasoned, professional sales team in place that covers Texas and surrounding states. With time, their servicing area will expand to cover the entire U.S. The Equify team, which offers more than 125 years of combined lending experience, utilizes an innovative concept of offering creative solutions for customers while maintaining sound lending practice. This approach provides the ability to lend without restrictions that limit bank affiliated lenders.
The U.S. Green Building Council has recognized the Alliance Town Center with its LEED for Neighborhood Development certification. The Fort Worth development is one of only two such projects in Texas to earn the designation.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system for construction projects, such as buildings, equivalent to a gas mileage rating for cars. Under LEED, projects are rated on things such as energy efficiency, environmental impact and sustainability.
LEED ND recognizes larger development projects that successfully protect and enhance the overall health, natural environment and quality of life in communities.
“Alliance Town Center is one of the most carefully designed and developed master-planned projects in Texas,” said Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties – developer of AllianceTexas – in a news release. “We are proud to receive this certification and to be recognized for the strategic focus we bring to building high quality, sustainable programs in all of our developments.”
Alliance Town Center is located along Interstate 35W and stretches from North Tarrant Parkway to Golden Triangle Boulevard. The LEED ND certification area includes 155 acres located south of Heritage Trace Parkway and west of North Riverside Drive, master-planned for a mix of residential and commercial uses.
Hillwood Properties has incorporated environmentally friendly aspects throughout the 17,000-acre AllianceTexas project since its inception in the late 1980s. Features and processes have included the utilization of white roofs on industrial buildings to reflect heat, skylights and other daylighting options, extensive native landscaping, groundwater management systems, storm water detention ponds, updated irrigation systems and the use of recycled materials for construction.
Certification validates efforts to build sustainable community
FORT WORTH, Texas (January 10, 2012) -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recognized Hillwood’s Alliance Town Center with its LEED® for Neighborhood Development certification. The prestigious designation is one of the most difficult sustainable development certifications to obtain, with Alliance Town Center ranked as one of only two such projects in the State of Texas and as one of the largest in the nation, out of 80 total projects in the United States. The announcement of the certification represents the culmination of Hillwood’s ongoing efforts to build and develop a sustainable community in north Fort Worth. Alliance Town Center is located along Interstate 35W and stretches from North Tarrant Parkway to Golden Triangle Boulevard. The LEED certification area includes 155 acres located south of Heritage Trace Parkway and west of North Riverside Drive, master-planned for a mix of residential and commercial uses. LEED for Neighborhood Development recognizes exemplary development projects that successfully protect and enhance the overall health, natural environment and quality of life in communities. The rating system encourages smart growth practices by promoting the location and design of neighborhoods that reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and creating developments where jobs and services are well integrated with residential. It also promotes an array of green building and green infrastructure practices, particularly more efficient energy and water use – especially important in urban areas where infrastructure is often overtaxed. “In addition to being one of the leading retail destinations in North Texas, Alliance Town Center is one of the most carefully designed and developed master-planned projects in Texas,” said Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties – developer of AllianceTexas. “We are proud to receive this certification and to be recognized for the strategic focus we bring to building high quality, sustainable programs in all of our developments.” Hillwood Properties has incorporated environmentally friendly aspects throughout the 17,000-acre AllianceTexas project since its inception in the late 1980s. Features and processes have included the utilization of white roofs on industrial buildings to reflect heat, skylights and other daylighting options, extensive native landscaping, groundwater management systems, storm water detention ponds, updated irrigation systems, the use of recycled materials for construction, construction waste recycling, energy efficient HVAC systems, and the use of construction materials from local sources to reduce transportation costs. In addition, more than 36,000 trees have been planted within the development. One of the key features of the Alliance Town Center development is its proximity to Hillwood’s existing residential communities of Heritage, Park Glen and Monterra Village, which have connecting walking and bike trails interspersed throughout. Within the development and connecting trails, Hillwood has taken special consideration to enhance the natural landscape, which also provides numerous sustainable design advantages, as well as a key amenity for the community. Compared to other commercial and residential LEED rating systems, LEED for Neighborhood Development differs because it has three stages of certification that relate to the actual phases of the real estate development process:
• Stage 1 – Conditionally Approved Plan. This stage provides the conditional approval of a LEED for Neighborhood Development plan available for projects before they have completed the entitlements, or public review, process. This stage is designed to help projects obtain support from local government and the community.
• Stage 2 – Pre-Certified Plan. This stage pre-certifies a LEED for Neighborhood Development plan and is applicable for fully entitled projects or projects under construction. Completing this review can help projects secure financing, expedite permits or attract tenants.
• Stage 3 – Certified Neighborhood Development. At this stage, completed projects formally apply for LEED certification to recognize that the project has achieved all the prerequisites and credits attempted.
In addition, all projects are rated in the following five credit categories:
• Smart Location and Linkage encourages communities to consider location, transportation alternatives and preservation of sensitive lands while also discouraging sprawl.
• Neighborhood Pattern and Design emphasizes vibrant, equitable communities that are healthy, walkable and mixed-use.
• Green Infrastructure and Buildings promotes the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure that reduces energy and water use, while promoting more sustainable use of materials, reuse of existing and historic structures, and other sustainable best practices.
• Innovation and Design Process recognizes exemplary and innovative performance reaching beyond the existing credits in the rating system, as well as the value of including an accredited professional on the design team.
• Regional Priority Credit encourages projects to focus on earning credits of significance to the project’s local environment.
ABOUT ALLIANCE TOWN CENTER Alliance Town Center (http://www.alliancetowncenter.com/) is located in north Fort Worth and stretches from North Tarrant Parkway to Golden Triangle Boulevard. Best known for its retail center, a joint venture with Trademark Property Company, Alliance Town Center is home to some of the country’s leading brands, including JCPenney, Kroger Marketplace, Rooms to Go, BJ’s Brewhouse, Mi Cocina, Best Buy, Cinemark, Sam Moon and Belk, among others. Alliance Town Center is also home to growing medical services, including ER at Alliance and Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance, as well as a multi-family component with Monterra Village (http://www.monterrabyhillwood.com/).
ABOUT ALLIANCETEXAS AllianceTexas (http://www.alliancetexas.com/) is a 17,000-acre, master-planned community anchored by the world’s first industrial airport. It includes Alliance, Circle T Ranch, Heritage, Alliance Town Center, Lone Star Crossing, Saratoga and Monterra Village projects, among others. AllianceTexas is now home to 265 companies, which have built nearly 32 million square feet and created more than 30,000 jobs. The community also now includes more than 7,600 single-family homes and 288 luxury apartment homes.
ABOUT HILLWOOD Hillwood, a Perot company, is ranked as one of the top commercial real estate investors and developers in the country and as the top residential developer in Dallas-Fort Worth. The company's developments currently house facilities for nearly 60 companies listed on the Fortune 500, Global 500 or Forbes List of Top Private firms. Hillwood is best known for its Alliance brand that includes the 17,000-acre AllianceTexas, 4,474-acre AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center and 2,000-acre AllianceCalifornia developments. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.hillwood.com/.
ABOUT U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL The U.S. Green Building Council (JSGBC) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC administers the LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For additional information about the organization, please visit: http://www.usgbc.org/. # # #
Hillwood’s Alliance Town Center has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council with its LEED for Neighborhood Development certification, becoming one of only two projects in Texas, and among only 80 in the U.S., to receive the top designation.
The designation is one of the most difficult sustainable development certifications to obtain, Hillwood said. It is the third and final step in an extensive certification process.
"Alliance Town Center is one of the most carefully designed and developed master-planned projects in Texas," said Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties, developer of AllianceTexas. "We are proud to receive this certification and to be recognized for the strategic focus we bring to building high quality, sustainable programs in all of our developments."
Alliance Town Center is located on the east side of Interstate 35W and North Tarrant Parkway. The LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certification area includes a 155-acre area at Heritage Trace Parkway and North Riverside Drive, Hillwood said.
LEED for Neighborhood Development recognizes exemplary development projects that successfully protect and enhance the overall health, natural environment and quality of life in communities, Hillwood said. It also promotes green building and green infrastructure practices, particularly efficient energy and water use.
Alliance Town Center is a joint venture with Trademark Property Cos. in Fort Worth.
FORT WORTH, Texas (January 9, 2012) – Building upon a year that saw AllianceTexas complete some of its biggest projects to date and exceed $40 billion in economic impact over the project’s history, Hillwood Properties also made 2011 memorable by earning prominent recognition for its outstanding organizational and personnel achievements.
From honors at the 2011 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, to milestones in the organization’s sustainable design and human resources programs, the company received accolades that touched nearly every area of its business. “I couldn’t be more proud of the achievements that we made, both as a company and as individual professionals, during 2011,” said Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties. “The Hillwood team represents the finest group of professionals working in our community and in the commercial real estate industry, and it’s wonderful that our team is getting the recognition that they deserve.” During 2011, Hillwood Properties and its personnel received the following awards and honors: • 2011 Corporation of the Year – Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce • 2011 Greater Tarrant Business Ethics Award • Winner – 2011 Top Places for Women to Work – Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce • Ross Perot, Jr. – Industry Legend – Real Estate Forum’s 65th Anniversary Issue
• Texas Business Hall of Fame: Ross Perot, Jr. – Class of 2011
• Dallas Business Journal’s “2011 Heavy Hitters” – Tony Creme and Steve Aldrich
• International Council of Air Shows – 3rd Place “Best Overall Marketing Plan” for Fort Worth Alliance Air Show
• Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo: 1st Place – All Black Brahman Crosses; 3rd Place – All Black Brahman Crosses Bred Heffers; Champion – Brahman Crosses; Champion – Overall Brahman Crosses; 2nd Place – Herdsmen Award
ABOUT ALLIANCETEXAS AllianceTexas (www.alliancetexas.com) is a 17,000-acre, master-planned community anchored by the world’s first industrial airport. It includes the Alliance Global Logistics Hub, Circle T Ranch, Heritage, Alliance Town Center, Saratoga and Monterra Village projects. AllianceTexas is now home to 265 companies, which have built nearly 32 million square feet and created more than 30,000 jobs. The community also now includes more than 7,600 single-family homes and 288 luxury apartment homes.
FORT WORTH -- A downtown accounting firm, the development company behind the 17,000-acre Alliance development, and a large natural gas producer were recognized Thursday for being top-notch workplaces for women in Fort Worth.
Sanford, Baumeister & Frazier, Hillwood and Chesapeake Energy Corp. were winners in the inaugural Best Workplaces for Women awards, a part of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce's Women Influencing Business program. Click here to read the full article.
An accounting firm, a real estate development company and an oil and gas producer were named winners in the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Best Workplaces for Women Awards.
The awards, part of the chamber’s Women Influencing Business program, were announced during a luncheon Dec. 8 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
The award was developed this year to recognize best practices by local businesses in recruiting and retaining women employees.
Recipients of the award are: Small Business – Sanford, Baumeister & Frazier PLLC, a full-service accounting firm; Medium Business – Hillwood, a full-service industrial and office real estate development company; and Large Business – Chesapeake Energy Corp., an onshore, unconventional natural gas and oil producer.
Keynote speaker Barbara Pierce Bush, co-founder and president of Global Health Corps and daughter of former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush, told the audience how she became a social entrepreneur in global health.
Inspired from travels to Africa with her parents when she was younger, Bush, 30, worked for Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Capetown, South Africa, after graduating from Yale University with a humanities degree in 2004. She started her nonprofit three years ago. She said the organization works on providing health equity to the United States and Africa and is composed mainly of young professionals under the age of 30 all aiming to promote global health equity.
“Bright and motivated young people can make a profound impact working in the field of global health,” Bush said.
Bush said to date Global Health Corps has 68 fellows in 10 countries. The group recently opened applications for 90 new fellowships.
“We intend to keep doubling over the next few years because we realize how big of a difference young people can make,” she said. “The more talented people we have working on these issues the more lives we can save.”
Bush said her organization is working to change the perception that only doctors and nurses can work on global health challenges. She urged the audience to become change makers in the field of health, regardless of their age or skill sets they have.
“Increasingly, older Americans are deciding to spice up their retirement by volunteering in health issues in their own communities,” she said, citing an 85-year-old woman volunteering in her community.
“No matter what you’re doing or where you are in life, your talents can make a huge difference,” Bush said.
The Fort Worth Chamber developed the workplace award with help from Texas Woman’s University and in collaboration with the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber and Metropolitan Black Chamber.