November 1, 2017
In
Announcements & News
Womble Carlyle Becomes Womble Bond Dixon
To read the full press release, please click here.
To read the full press release, please click here.
ai Design Group Finalizes Merger with Progressive AE;
Officially Adopts Name
— Addition of Full-Service Engineering to Charlotte Office
Delivers Immediate Impact —
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (November 1, 2017) — Architecture and interiors firm ai Design Group has finalized its merger with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Progressive AE and will officially adopt their name, effective today. Their office on the top floor of the Chamber Building and local leadership team of Principals Wes Jones, Kim Marks and Ryan Doherty will remain the same. Jones now serves as managing principal of the Charlotte office and Marks is the firm-wide workplace practice leader.
“This merger comes at a time when both firms are in a position of strength, allowing us to accelerate our momentum together,” said Brad Thomas, president and CEO of Progressive AE. “By joining forces with a firm that shares our vision, both culturally and strategically, we‘re able to accelerate our 10-year growth plan by adding services, market sectors and staff.”
The combined organization has active work in all 48 contiguous states, a team of more than 200 professionals (50 in Charlotte) and over 65 years combined history as leaders in architecture and design. The firm now offers expertise in 10 market sectors: community, healthcare, housing, industrial, learning, retail, senior living, sports, workplace and worship. One of the most significant outcomes of the merger, with immediate impact to the Charlotte office, is the addition of full-service engineering capabilities that includes civil, landscape architecture, mechanical, electrical, transportation and structural competencies.
Locally, ai Design Group is best known for its work on the headquarters for MetLife’s U.S. retail division, Sonic Automotive and Barings; landmark mixed-use retail developments Ballantyne Village and RedStone; and motorsports facilities across the country including Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Z-Max Dragway.
High-profile Progressive AE clients include: Steelcase, Advance Publications, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Michigan State University, Kawasaki Motors, Arby’s and Smithfield Foods.
“While the ai Design Group brand is now part of our company history, we are a stronger, more diverse, full-service-firm and we look forward to working with clients under our new name, Progressive AE,” said Wes Jones, managing principal of the Progressive AE Charlotte office.
About Progressive AE
Progressive AE has provided innovative and sustainable architectural and engineering services for more than 55 years. Our work is guided by a fundamental and forward-thinking philosophy that spaces and environments should serve as strategic contributors that drive organizational change. The firm’s success has been achieved through a workforce that is a unique blend of creative people who think strategically, and strategic people who work creatively. Progressive AE has offices in Grand Rapids, MI, and Charlotte, NC. For more information, visit progressiveae.com.
Houston, Texas, USA (Oct. 27, 2017) – CREW Network honored excellence and outstanding
achievement in commercial real estate with the 2017 Impact and Circle of Excellence awards, presented
October 26 and 27 at the annual CREW Network Convention and Marketplace.
2017 Career Advancement for Women Impact Award - Marie McLucas
The Career Advancement for Women Impact Award honors a CREW Network member who consistently
exemplifies the organization’s commitment to elevating the status of women in commercial real estate by
working to advance the careers of other women. This award is presented to a member whose actions had
a significant impact on one or more women, giving them the skills or confidence to pursue and succeed in
new opportunities.
Marie McLucas has made it her mission to transform careers by mentoring and investing in women of
CREW Network and beyond. McLucas’ involvement with UCREW and support of the CREW Network
Foundation embodies her dedication to seeing the next generation succeed. She was instrumental in
CREW Charlotte meeting the CREW Network Foundation Chapter Challenge for the first time. During her
tenure as CREW Charlotte Chapter President, she spearheaded the chapter’s Leadership Program,
partnering with area companies to support the program and ensure its continued success, and initiated
the Emerging Leader program for young professionals as well.
To read the full press release, please click here.
On October 10, 2017, pioneers Matt Browder, Principal of Browder Group Real Estate and Jay Levell, co-founder of White Point Partners, held a lively discussion on their recent purchases of the 2205 N. Tryon building and Tompkins Hall. They shared with us their initial vision, the challenges they faced, and the success they have had in activating the properties, both of which had long been vacant.
Specifically, Browder saw 2205 N. Tryon as an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up. The 85,000 square feet of vacant buildings sits in the center of the proposed North Tryon Street one-way corridor plan. With all of the growth in Charlotte, Browder really saw this area of North Charlotte as the last frontier. As surrounding rents continue to increase, 2205 N. Tryon has been able to accommodate tenants at lower rates.
White Point Partners had a unique vision for Tompkins Hall. The project started with an idea to turn an old textile mill, built in the 1890’s, into a food hall with additional space for restaurants, retail, and office. The project, when complete, will include all of the original pine and hardwoods. The food hall will be approximately 20,000 square feet with 19 separate stalls for food vendors and a 10,000 square foot seating area and terrace. In addition to the original food hall, the project also includes another 83,000 square feet of creative office that has already been leased to Duke Energy. The access to the light rail and the major highways made this an ideal location. Duke Energy's "forward-thinking vision" matched the firms' intention of creating a center of collaboration and innovation at Tompkins Hall.
Both projects have taken existing buildings and created a new sense of place. Pure Intentions Coffee, located in the 2205 N. Tryon building, will be the host for our December Before Hours event. Come join us in supporting this new business venture and concept on December 7th.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 5, 2017
CREW Charlotte Turns the Queen City Pink
Everywhere you look, commercial real estate is the color of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
CHARLOTTE — Women helping women – in business, in the community and in matters of health
and wellness – is at the heart of CREW Charlotte. The local chapter of the national networking
organization dedicated to advancing women in commercial real estate partners with the business
community every October to turn the city pink. Queen City in Pink is CREW’s contribution to Breast
Cancer Awareness Month.
To read the full press release, please click here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 29, 2017
CREW Charlotte Raises Funds, Builds Community
Providing scholarships to women in commercial real estate is one of the group’s top priorities
CHARLOTTE — CREW Charlotte, the local chapter of the national networking organization dedicated
to advancing women in commercial real estate (CRE), is a community of women supporting women. Its
300 members (about 30 of whom are men) share advice, contacts and support – and all are committed
to seeing more women make careers in their male-dominated industry. Offering scholarship dollars is
one of the most important ways CREW impacts the community and their industry.
This year, CREW members have raised $20,000 for scholarships – $12,000 from the seventh annual
ABC Networking on Sept. 6 and another $8,000 from Casino Night held earlier in the year. Since 2004,
CREW Charlotte has donated more than $140,000 to CREW Network Foundation, UNC Charlotte and
Queens University.
To read the full press release, please click here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 16, 2017
CREW Charlotte Knows The ABCs Of Networking
Seventh annual ABC networking event, the biggest of the year, set for Sept. 6
CHARLOTTE — It’s not what you know, the saying goes, it’s who you know.
And one local non-profit has organized an event aimed at making sure attendees know more
people in commercial real estate. CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Charlotte’s annual
networking bash, The ABC Networking Event, features 12 partner organizations in one place for a
night of philanthropy and fun.
To read the full press release, please click here.
For more information, please click here.
At our August Luncheon we toured 615 South College – an 18-story, 371,000 square-foot Class-A office building in downtown Charlotte. The building is a tribute to the world-renowned John Portman & Associates and developed by Portman Holdings. The two-story corner balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows provide amazing views of Charlotte’s uptown skyline as well as nearby South End. Amenities include an outdoor green space that connects the building to Stonewall Station – downtown’s first light rail stop and also home to uptown’s first Whole Foods opening later this year.
John Ball, the leasing agent with Trinity Partners, spoke to the group about the building’s first tenants including Regions Bank, co-working giant WeWork, Eric Mower and Associates, Sitehands, and global accounting firm BDO. 615 South College is just steps away from the city’s professional sports arenas, parks, and the Charlotte Convention Center, and built atop the parking deck of the Portman-developed and owned Westin Charlotte.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 13, 2017
CREW Charlotte Relaunches Mentor Program
For Women In Commercial Real Estate
12-Month Program Focuses On Shared Benefits, Career Gains, Network Building
CHARLOTTE — Madeleine Albright, the first female U.S. Secretary of State, famously said “There is
a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."
She wasn’t talking about CREW Charlotte, but she could have been. Women helping women — in
commercial real estate — is the reason the chapter exists.
The local chapter, founded in 1990, is taking that sentiment to heart with extra vigor by reframing
and relaunching its successful mentor program. The new 12-month program will debut in 2018; applications
for mentors and mentees will be accepted starting Aug. 1.
To read the full press release, please click here.