Updating
The Waterfront at Lake Harbor
:
Half-Million Dollar Makeover
since
last Spring
Neighborhood reinvestment seeks to make
Waterfront complex Boise 's next
“downtown outside of downtown”
Contact: Martin Johncox, 658-9100 March 14, 2006
The Waterfront at Lake Harbor is set for a major renovation project
to begin in April, after a Nevada investment company purchased
the office/retail complex in January.
In an unusual move for the normally conservative office market,
tenants, leasing agents and neighbors will be able to help decide
some aspects of the makeover on March 23 and 24.
“The Waterfront at Lake Harbor has assets typically found only
in upper-end office buildings along ParkCenter Boulevard,” said
Jeffrey Lowden, managing director of Emerald Assets in Minden,
Nev. “Lake Harbor has been underperforming for some time and we
have the vision, dedication and resources to become a premier
office address for this section of the city, as well as an exciting
place to hold family and business events.”
The Waterfront at Lake Harbor was among the first Boise developments
to recycle a gravel dredge pond and convert it to an attractive
waterfront setting. However, the complex struggled under absentee
ownership and uninvolved management, according to Lowden. Retail
tenants include At the Waterfont Catering, Alterations Plus, Silver
Lake Salon, Family Documentaries and Bikram Yoga. Office tenants
include Ochoco West, DMJM Harris, Parson Brinkerhoff, Banker's
Life, Genther Masonry, Vincent Kituku & Associates, Professional
Employee Services, Janzen & Associates, Trey Hoff Architecture,
Chateau Design, Federal Highway Safety, and Federal Highway Administration.
The $500,000 to $600,000 remodel will include adding another
two entrance cupolas to the complex's signature roofline. Emerald
also plans to add an eight-foot-tall fountain, circular concrete
circular drive court and a series of flags along the entrance
promenade to better highlight the building, circulation and understanding
of the property.
“The building is in great shape and just needs some updating,”
said Steve Trout of Trout Architects, whose firm is designing
the remodel and recently won an award from the American Institute
of Architects for its design work. “Because this building is set
back from the street, we are adding stronger visual elements to
make it more visible and understood.”
The building has approximately 77,500 square feet of space and
no additional square footage is planned. Currently, about 30 percent
of the space is retail and 70 percent for office. Emerald is hoping
to boost the office presence and add some accompanying services
and Emerald and Selequity have been working on adding both office
and retail tenants.
“We'd like to add an espresso shop, a deli and a full-service
restaurant overlooking the beautiful water for lunches and dinner,”
Lowden said. “There are not a lot of full-service restaurants
in this area of town. We think it's a great addition for the property
and the neighborhood.”
Emerald is mulling over several different paint and trim design
concepts and they'll be holding open houses on Thursday, March
23 (for prospective tenants and neighbors) and Friday, March 24
(for leasing agents) to roll out the designs and collect feedback.
Emerald has hired BlueLine marketing of Nampa , specialists in
“grassroots marketing,” and the open house concept came out of
a strategy session with Blueline. Alexander and Associates is
assisting with news media and traditional promotional efforts.
The open house for tenants and neighbors will be held from 5
p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 23. The open house for leasing
agents will be on Friday, March 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Both open houses will be held in At The Waterfront Catering at
Lake Harbor.
Sprucing up the complex is only the first step in its renaissance.
Managers are considering introducing, over the next few months,
events such as farmer's markets, charity galas, wine festivals,
art shows and small jazz concerts.
“Our vision for Lake Harbor is to have the kind of excitement
and interest normally found in the downtown setting, The waterfront
setting, the amphitheater, the Greenbelt , the small plazas, the
landscaping and the restaurants all call for that kind of use.
This part of town should enjoy that kind of amenity.”
The new owners are aware of past concerns about noise and they
pledge to respect existing covenants. Any concerts planned would
occur during afternoons, for example, with lower-volume music
such as jazz.
“Every neighborhood deserves a small, upscale commercial center
that brings some of the finer things,” Lowden said. “We want to
be good neighbors and we're making a considerable investment not
only in Lake Harbor , but in the neighborhood itself.”
Smith and Anderson spent the next two days showing Lowden properties
throughout the Treasure Valley . The last showing was Lake Harbor
. As Lowden toured the site and appreciated the waterfront and
central location, he began to see the potential.
“The Waterfront at Lake Harbor has it all – excellent location,
a beautiful lakeside setting and a building in excellent shape,”
Lowden said. “Th bones are there for a top-notch office/retail
location in a ‘downtown outside of downtown.' It just needs some
TLC.”
Before
and After Pictures of Renovations
|
