Garland Strategic Plan

Halcyon created a Strategic Plan for Garland Texas, a first tier Dallas suburb facing significant demographic changes, retail vacancy and manufacturing obsolescence.

Tasks included an Economic Business Plan for identifying Strategic Industries, supporting existing Industry Clusters, and drafting Vision Plans for selected Investment Zones to transforming vacant sites with up-zoning to new higher-density Live-Work-Learn Districts.

Sizeable Tax Increments produced would facilitate the distribution of Civic amenities with a deliberate focus on magnet schools for Science & Math, Environmental Sciences and Digital Media Arts. We also drafted enhanced Public Relations and Industry Outreach Strategies.

With JHP Architects

Trinity River Corridor Vision Plan

As Development Advisors to the visioning study of the Trinity River Corridor, Halcyon identified zones for High Density Mixed-Use developments, and created revitalization scenarios for West Dallas fronting the new Trinity River Lake and the Dallas skyline.

Halcyon’s plan illustrated a new La Bajada Hispanic neighborhood and Plaza del Sol event venue in conjunction with the extension of Woodall Rogers freeway, a new Hotel and Residential District facing Trinity River Lake with dramatic views of the Dallas skyline, along with a new location for Texas Stadium, connected via suspension Transit Bridge and Cable Car to the Dallas Convention Center.

with HNTB + Good Farrell Fulton

Transbay Terminal San Francisco

Transbay Joint Powers Authority asked Halcyon to create Retail /Cultural concepts for a new Terminal to serve Regional Bus service, Caltrans, and the Fast Train from LA. Concepts included establishing a Merchandise Mix for Concourse, Ground, and Second Levels featuring the Natoma Street of Cafes, Shaw Alley FoodHall , Park level Restaurant and Overlook Bar Pavilions, with Stage and Media Board, Activation Strategy for performances / festivals, and a prototype exposition “Digital Loft” for Media Arts.

We drafted an Interim Use Strategy for lower levels during the six-year phase-in of Train Service, analyzed Park / Retail customers, projected Park Level Event Schedules and Revenues, and Foodservice / Retail/ Media revenue model to project ten-year NOI / NPV Cash Flows and potential excess allocation to reduce CAM expenses, Implementation advice included Base Building HVAC and System improvements and Master Operator / Lessee options.

with Pelli Clarke Pelli + Karin Bacon Events

East Side Access Project NYC
New LIRR Concourse at Grand Central Terminal

For the MTA /LIRR-sponsored Consortium building the deep tunnel for long Island Railway access deep under Park Ave to Grand Central Station, Halcyon served as Advisors for the new Concourse Retail and Foodservice Layout and Merchandise Mix.

We assisted the Consortium in redesigning the Concourse to feature Foodservice Clusters at the dramatic Escalator entrys and identified a mix of Mini-Anchors and complementary Specialty Retail as amenities to both LIRR / MTA Ridership and Midtown Manhattan workforce and visitors.

We also identified a site adjacent the concourse where a Zoning Bonus for providing a new Transit Portal could be the driver for Development

with ESA Consortium

Hudayriat Island, Abu Dhabi

As Advisors to Koetter-Kim Planners, in an invited competition, Halcyon conceived Specialty Retail and Café clusters, Cultural and Educational amenities and unique themed Neighborhood Districts for the development of Hudayriat Island. Envisioned as a Sustainable, Ecologically-sensitive new residential expansion to the old town portion of Abu Dhabi, the Master Plan shapes are derived from estuarial water flows and ahs a necklace of Higher Density Residential / Mixed Use buildings adjacent Access Roadway nodes and Harbor / Canal linkages migrating to lower density residential compounds and estate housing at the peripherals. Marked by signature sculptural bridges to the four Islands, Community services are clustered at key Transportation and Harbor intersections.

with Koetter-Kim. Planners

Salud Hotel + Casino
San Juan Puerto Rico

For the Puerto Rico Land Administration, Halcyon analyzed Highest and Best Use of a historic Spanish Colonial Hospital in Santurce, San Juan. We created concepts including a Destination Entertainment complex featuring Nightclubs, new Café Venues, and a new Hotel with rooftop plunge pool, two-story Salud Casino, and a Courtyard Salsa Theater. Feasibility included Occupancy Rates, Construction costs and Revenue / Expense Pro Formas for IRR metrics. Alternate plans ranged from the Destination Entertainment with intensive redevelopment, to minimum use of the Historic Salud Courtyard rooms augmented by an attached Hotel Rooms blade with Casino and Café.

with Hector Arce Architects

Columbia University
Center for High Density Development

Halcyon’s principal served as Columbia CHDD Director and Research Journal Editor for six years. Specific research products included the launch of a three-year Summer Terrace Series at Steelcase to discuss Critical Growth Factors for NYC, and the dimensions of the Incubator concept to focus on strategic growth industries and augment slow office absorption. Publication of the CHDD Journal included the impact of Corporations in shaping urban cityscapes abstracted from an invited presentation to the Berlage Institute in Brussels, and excerpts from Gale International sponsored Global Incentives Study ---as well as a Symposium on the Credit Crisis and an innovative Process Chart of the Real Estate Financing Mess featuring Default Trigger Events and Decision Filters.

 

IMC Octave Organizational Strategy

For International Marine Carriers of Shanghai and Singapore, Halcyon was engaged to create a Strategic Business Plan to expand their new subsidiary, IMC Octave in Asia. We illustrated advantages and limitations for alternative organizational structures, including Vertical, Studio, Centralized and Matrix, along with a combined Recommended approach.

We described integration of a new Public Space Management component into IMC Octave’s Mixed-Use projects as a Distinctive Competency.

A Recruiting “virtuous circle” Staffing approach and innovative mechanisms for both domestic and international Project Funding was described.

with Columbia University Students

WUXI Shopping Centre, China

Halcyon participated in a Design Charette for the layout of a new Mixed-Use Residential + Hotel + Shopping Mall project in Wuxi China.

The Wuxi project features an innovative pedestrian circulation system which presents opportunities at Shopping Mall mid-levels while climbing up to access a renowned City Public Park, connecting a large new high density residential population on one side along the Shopping Mall ramp to a pedestrian bridge.

Location of key entry/exit points to accommodate the continuous ramp were of concern to the designers, and required both assurances and Merchandising / Layout advice.

for Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

Southeast Federal Center
Waterfront Plan,Washington DC

As Advisor to Ernst&Young and GSA, created Open Space / Infrastructure parameters, Parcelization strategy, and preferred Land Uses to privatize this key 50+ acre waterfront parcel.
Decision support for GSA included RFP / RFQ approach and Residual Land Value pro forma modeling with assumed operating costs and rental revenues, with resulting discounted cash flows and residual sale values capitalized.

Scenarios displayed various uses and densities, including over 2.5 million sf of commercial Office / Retail and 2200 new units of Residential Site Concepts / Phasing alternatives led to issuance of RFQ and selection of finalists. Continuing role in Financial Offer Evaluations and Site Plan / Technical and Design Reviews.

(Shalom Baranes, Architect)

 

The Knowledge Corridor
And New Science City
San Juan, Puerto Rico

For Toro Ferrer and the Puerto Rican Science and Technology Trust, we served as Advisors for the ambitious repositioning of former Oso Blanco Prison site located strategically between the San Juan Medical Campus and the University of Puerto Rico
Our repositioning strategy focused on the introduction of a new Mixed-Use Science City concept for the site – with Hotel and Conferencing Center, Office, and High-Density Residential accompanied by “Lifestyle Village” retailing as amenities for Bio-Medical Research Labs .

We proposed an innovative financial plan with participation by the Science and Technology Trust – for a sequence of landscaped public plazas and passages to interlink the developed properties, and to use the branded development private investments to support the new Science Labs. We assisted the K Corridor design team to conceive the concept plan, prepared Financing scenarios, and obtained designation of the STT as Master Developer.

(with Toro Ferrer and Field Operations)

Pitney Bowes
Stamford, Connecticut

With E&Y engaged to provide high-level strategic advisory services regarding the current and future state for Stamford’s South End Peninsula. Evaluated the larger Fairfield County office market, the substantial growth plans of the close-by Stamford Central Business District, and other proposed development projects.

Briefing presentations to Pitney Bowes senior management set real world viewpoints for their corporate property portfolio
Analyzed probable new development site opportunities and constraints and likely market-responsive developments, and facilitated the acceleration of adjoining property developments---as asset enhancing actions.. Facility criteria such as financing, land costs, probable destination generators and parking ratios were created to evaluate findings presented as ranges from “Best Outcome” Scenarios to “Most Appropriate” corporate portfolio enhancement strategies for PB fixed assets in Stamford’s South End.

(For Ernst & Young)(FXFowle, Planners)

 

Fulton Street Corridor Revitalization
Lower Manhattan, New York

For Lower Manhattan Devel Corp, assembled team and created Revitalization Strategy to unify pedestrian /transit experience River to River.

Concepts included 250,000 sf of Lifestyle Street Retail, a Market Hall and Night Market for Nassau St, Retail Pavilions at South St Seaport, Mini-Anchors at key corners, and Neighborhood Community Retail, along with zones for Street Cafes and Entertainment.

The Strategy focused on Mini-Parks to create address value for Residential Towers and Street Retail, with façade and tenant upgrades linked to substantial Subway and Ferry transit improvements. Tenant Retention / Recruitment, Financing Incentives and Market Support by segments were key factors.

(Gensler, Streetworks, Halcyon)

 

Riverfront Redevelopment
Budapest Hungary

Tsao McKown Architects of New York retained Halcyon to create a series of repositioning scenarios for an underperforming Danube River site in Budapest. We also served as surrogate Developer recognizing that any repositioning would require the phasing of development as market absorption would require.

We devised a series of Re-Use alternatives for existing facilities and for some initial Interim Entertainment Operations that focused on market supportable uses. A focus on the adjoining University and the growing Bio-Tech sector led to a redevelopment program of new Flex Offices and Conference Hotel, High Density Residential and Specialty Retail, with the former Harbor are now serving as a spectacular forecourt.

We tested the proposed Site and Use Concept, Market Support for the proposed uses, and Financial Feasibility of the development risk / return for each scenario.

(For Tsao & McKown, Architects)

Coney Island
Revitalization Strategy

For the NYC Economic Development Corporation, Halcyon assembled a multi-professional Team and created Alternative Scenarios for revitalizing Coney Island. Fundamental concerns were to preserve and enhance the Amusement Theme—while recognizing that large scale Theme Parks with multiple attractions and performance venues have now eroded the original purpose of Coney Island as New York City’s Playground in the early 1900’s.

Development scenarios concentrated on waterfront value created by the Coney Boardwalk and the re-branding of Surf Ave to the north with high density residential and retail. Concepts included 255,000sf of Extreme Sports as a new form of amusement and associated 350,000 sf complex of Sports +Urban lifestyle focused Fashion / Food and Crafts areas. A large concentration of 4500 Residential units was also proposed with an underlying rationale to stabilize the onsite year-around population for enhanced security while providing customer density for 350,00 sf of Community / Street Retail of Food/Home Decor.

(Halcyon + Streetworks )

 

Crystal City Repositioning
Alexandria, Virginia

Adjacent Washington’s Reagan Airport, this intensively developed site combines 9 Million sf Office, Retail, Hotel, and 4000 unit Residential components---and is now threatened with Office Tenancy loss of 4 million sf. For CES / Vornado, we conceived a retail makeover of Crystal Drive-- long regarded as an “Empty Quarter” due to the anonymous quality of the high density Office and Service retail. Halcyon’s Re-Merchandising Concept creates a series of pedestrian experiences with transformed Streetscape of Cafes and Specialty Retail . Street-facing Pavilions will offer two-story loft frontages at major intersections—with 150,000 sf of new Specialty Retail, ethnic Cafes, and Lifestyle Mini-Anchors. Renovation of existing Office space follows the retail re-branding.

( For Halcyon)(Cooper-Carry Master Planners)

Louisville Galleria
Louisville, Kentucky

The City of Louisville and Oxford Properties of Canada hired E&Y create a series of repositioning scenarios for the Louisville Galleria. We also served as a neutral development advisor to both the developer and the City of Louisville ---recognizing that any repositioning would require the cooperation of both. Considering the existing 255,000 square foot multi-level retail and office structure and the operating complexities and prior commitments, we devised a series of Re-Use alternatives that focused on several market supportable uses: new urban "Big Box" retailers; multi-screen Cinema / Entertainment center; and Convention Hotel, with the Galleria’s atrium serving as a spectacular multi-story glass lobby.Each scenarios was assessed with a sequenced "Triad Test" of the proposed Site and Use Concept, Market Support for the proposed uses, and Financial Feasibility for development risk / return analyses of each scenario.

(For Ernst &Young)(Beyer Blinder Belle, Architects)

Catfish Town
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Argosy, as Casino riverboat operator, was required by the City of Baton Rouge to redevelop a blighted waterfront facing Downtown Baton Rouge.To create an extended stay for casino patrons and capture Baton Rouges workforce, we created a Hotel pad site,retail concepts and food-service choices fronting a one-acre, five-story tall, glass-enclosed Galleria. We assisted Argosy by planning 100,000 square feet of retail / entertainment and exhibition space.

We also negotiated development / construction contracts, prepared operating budgets and project schedules, and provided a significant Value Engineering overview.We also proposed a new Business/Convention Hotel, connected to the Baton Rouge Convention center, utilizing a portion of the spectacular one-acre grass-roofed Atrium as the new Hotel lobby, which has been recently completed.

Our development services included the selection and direction of a local and national design team to complete construction of the base building, the securing and directing of retail leasing services and the control of base building construction budgets.

(Halcyon and Ernst & Young)(Coleman Architects)

 

MEDIA TOWER Atrium on Bay
Toronto, Canada

For an American-Canadian investor consortium, we served as redevelopment advisors for an over 1 million sf mixed-use office and retail complex in the heart of Toronto on Young Street—downtown's most concentrated commercial retail area.
We assisted the developer by profiling and selecting a design team and directing this team to prepare alternative reuse analysis for the two-level retail areas and generated a special concept for a new "Media Tower" which would positively influence the perception of this property as a progressive office / mixed-use retail environment in the Toronto marketplace.

We filed a special redevelopment request – an innovative format and zoning package for improvements that granted additional floor area, corrected original design flaws, reconditioned and repositioned major elevator access to the office towers, provided large-scale "super store" retail opportunities, and created the Media Tower, which became an instant success and an evocative landmark.

(for Ernst &Young)(B+H Architects)

Union Station Revitalization
Hartford CT

For the Greater Hartford Transit District, we served as Advisors for the ambitious repositioning of a multi-block Historic Train Station in Downtown Hartford. An existing dated configuration was corrected by the selective addition of additional Pavilion spaces—all within a deft negotiation to preserve Historic Tax Credits.

Our repositioning strategy focused on the introduction of a new Mixed-Use concept for the site – with Office, accompanied retailing and a range of imaginative Foodservice concepts. An outdoor Cafe Plaza featured a safe and secure environment fronting the CT State Capitol Park.

Halcyon assumed Development and Operating responsibilities as General partner, and proposed an innovative financial plan with participation by five Hartford area Life companies. We selected and directed a design team to conceive the concept plan, prepared development pro-formas, Obtained Debt + Equity Financing, directed renovations, Leased and Operated the two block property for eight years—whereupon title was transferred back to the public.

(For Halcyon)(Tai Soo Kim, Architects)

Cameron Village
Raleigh, North Carolina

For York Properties, and on behalf of a Dutch Pension Fund, we serve as redevelopment advisors for the successful transformation of Cameron Village, a six block 350,000 sf multi-use project. To date, our plans have transformed this under-performing, conventional shopping center into a new interpretation of the traditional Village Center. Retail rents increased dramatically through strengthening visual appearance, improving access, re-balancing the tenant mix, and reducing parking allotments with a special city ordinance.
We assisted the developer in selecting a design concept team, organizing interactive work-sessions, and preparing a Master Development Plan and pro-forma. In addition, we compared the newly repositioned property against existing base-case performance, lost rent and fully-loaded construction/ development costs.

Our latest Strategic Plan, now underway, will focus on the deliberate use of Mixed-Use High-Density Residential, the addition of larger Specialty Anchor stores, and a strategic change in the retail mix to encourage longer and more frequent visitations to capitalize upon the region's demographic potentials.

(Angshuman De Architect)

Louisville Boutique Hotel
Louisville Kentucky

For a private Kentucky family , served as Development Advisors to create Concept and Layout as welll as Development Feasibility analyses for the first Louisville CBD Boutique Hotel. Located in a series of Historic Tobacco Showrooms and Row warehouses, the site and its historic property designation presented formidable challenges to an efficient layout—the solution for which was an interior Courtyard to increase room count, and the creation of a Lobby entry sequence with new premiere Restaurant and Bar.

Estimated Development costs included maintaining an existing Retail Tenant and providing for an innovative Land Lease with accruing purchase option for a portion of the site. Feasibility called for a Matrix of return rates possible under various room and occupancy rates—as the Boutique concept was new to Louisville. Property is now open and in operation as 21C Museum Hotel.

(For Ernst & Young)

 

Los Arcos Redevelopment
Scottsdale, Arizona

For theEllmanGroup, we served as Advisors for the ambitious repositioning of a multi-block area of South Scottsdale. An existing enclosed shopping center with a dated configuration suffered the loss of anchor department stores and eroding retail sales due to migration and proliferation of retail environments in the expanding Phoenix/Scottsdale market.Our repositioning strategy focused on the introduction of a new Mixed-Use concept for the site –with Hotel, Office, and High-Density Residential accompanied by "Big Box" retailing and a multi-screen Cinema / Entertainment complex.

We proposed an innovative financial plan with participation by the City of Scottsdale –for public features such as "The Paseo“, a sequence of landscaped public plazas and passages to interlink the developed properties.An outdoor event Plaza featured twin Media Walls and a collection of Cafes fronting the new Park.We selected and directed a design team to conceive the concept plan, prepared development pro-formas, and obtained designation of our client as Master Developer.

(For Halcyon and Ernst & Young Phoenix + New York) (Altoon+Porter, Architects)

Qindao IMC Centre
Qindao China

Retained by IMC Hong Kong and bt Tsao McKown Architects to prepare Retail + Foodservice + Office Tenant Amenity package for a new multi-building high density complex on Qindao on the east coast of China.

Described Tenant Mix and advised on configuration and operational issues in support of Design team. Special concepts included a Five-Story Retail Atrium with unique Media Wall and premier locations for Department Store and Lifestyle Retailers.

Identified comprehensive Foodservice program from Cafes to destination Theme Restaurants and a dedicated Business Club, Created concept for an Office SkyLounge overlooking the Atrium, featuring an International Conference Center and Health Club. Retail offerings and Merchandise Mix designed to facilitate multiple interest groups, including expanded on-site residential tower and accelerate the Office Leasing process.

(Tsao & McKown, Architects)

Prudential Center
Boston, Massachusetts

Facing increasing challenges due to aging high rise structures, poorly perceived retail amenities, and the lack of all-weather connections, Prudential asked us to conceptualize alternative mixed-use retail and food-service schemes for the repositioning of Prudential Center.

Created merchandising plans for 650,000sf new Specialty Retail with clearly-defined clusters of community-based services in response to market demand from convention/ hotel visitors, on-site employees, and surrounding residents of Back Bay and Boston’s South End.

New Foodservice and specialty retail concepts addressed the adjacent residential and visitor shopping destinations. Interior spaces reflected the Back Bay aesthetic with Bow-Front windows and sky-lit Gallerias. New themed retail, fashion, and business-related merchandising provided new amenities to Office Workforce, Visitors and Residents.

We also prepared a Leasing/Operations RFP, identified candidates, and provided contract review, operational recommendations for security, truck dock/food service maintenance, and programming of public events.

(For Halcyon RE Advisors / Ernst & Young)

Hong Kong Land Project
Singapore

For Hong Kong Land's new state-of-the-art office building adjacent to Singapore’s famed Cricket Club, we were asked to work alongside New York architects, Kohn Pederson Fox, to conceive a customized amenity package and advise on design of the project’s retail mixed-use components.

We created an illustrated Concept Book and a series of alternative layouts for "The Esplanade" – a high-tech concourse connection to public transportation and Singapore’s Convention Center. Innovative retail / food-service concepts will provide unique amenities in support of office leasing. Concepts involved utilizing interactive media and display technologies and the reinterpretation of a traditional Singaporean "Street of Cafés," along with other International-themed retail presentations.

(For Ernst &Young and KPF Architects)

Valley Fair Mall
Salt Lake City, Utah

For Excel Realty Trust, we served as advisors for a repositioning analysis of the 600,000 sf three-anchor Valley Fair Mall which offered significant uplift potential in sales and merchandise presentation by adding a fourth anchor, a specialty retail / fashion cluster, and an upper level Cinema / Entertainment complex oriented to exploit extensive freeway frontage. We selected a design firm, and conducted concept workshops identifying redevelopment options, pricing development costs and returns for each scenario, and assisting Excel in strategic decision making to choose a viable Master Redevelopment plan.

These activities included: presentations to key anchor tenants and the City of Valley View to explore connecting this site via transit with Salt Lake City's Olympic venues and eventually to the downtown rail system; analyzing extensive pro-formas to track renovation costs over the base building; comparing alternative configurations for returns on investment.

(For Halcyon) (RTKL Los Angeles)

El Triangulo Dorado --Harbor Plan
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Retained by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company to prepare tourism development concepts for San Juan’s Waterfront; Acted as overall Project Manager to create a "Vision Plan" concept, Development Schedule, and a matrix of Financing alternatives. Identified, selected and directed an international Concept Team of USA and Puerto Rican planners and consultants to propose a new waterfront-oriented scenario, creating new real estate values around San Juan Harbor.

Described the economic impact on tourism of expanded residential and mixed-use developments, defined and designed cohesive Harbor Districts, and identified major implementation issues. The El Triangulo Dorado plan also mandated a new Waterfront Convention Center , now underway. Findings were presented to the Governor of Puerto Rico and implementation recommendations included a new Business Improvement District to facilitate multiple interest groups and accelerate the development process.

(For Halcyon and Ernst & Young San Juan )
(Stan Ekstut, Hector Arce, Sierra Cardona)

Manezhnaya Square
City of Moscow, Russia

With EY Moscow, we prepared alternative development strategies, merchandise layouts, and financial analyses for an ambitious 25,000 square meter shopping mall to be located in the heart of Moscow.This four-level underground mixed-use development is located at the intersection of three of Moscow’s main Metro lines, immediately adjacent to Red Square and the Kremlin.

We created Retail Merchandising layouts based on US/European shopping centers, offered Value Engineering solutions for more effective construction, and identified likely Financial performance arrayed against projected funding sources.
Considerable efforts were made to inform and explain to Moscow City Government and to the Russian architectural and construction team, the mechanics of shopping center tenant mix, operational constraints, and financing comparables. Results were a cost reduction of over $400 Million, the adoption of a western-style shopping center plan layout, and the creation of a Joint-Stock Company supported by the City of Moscow.

(For Ernst & Young Moscow)

J Project Competition
Korea

For a Korean Consortium and Kotter Kim to gether with Field Operations, we assisted in preparing a development plan for a waterfront site in South Korea, one of Asia’s largest new panned developments.

Our team proposed a series of “Theme Hotels" linked around a significant water features, celebrating exotic architectural themes – and connected to Specialty Reatil and unique Extreme Sports Entertainment concepts.

A complete new series of Mixed-Use Villages would have waterfront and canal-fronting high density Residential components---along with Science & Research facilities.

Family-oriented attractions include a necklace of theme restaurants and lifestyle specialty retail, street cafés, and multi-screen Cinema ---focused on a Formula One Racetrack and vehicle testing center.
Lower density environments of Golf Courses Communities and Golf Academy would be the first such offering in this section of Korea. The development plan is now being pursued by the Korean sponsors with more detailed studies.

(For Halcyon)(Koetter/Kim, Planners)

Port Aventura
Tarragona/Reus, Spain

For Colonial, a subsidiary of LaCaixa, we assisted Ernst & Young offices in Madrid and Barcelona in preparing a development plan for site adjacent Port Aventura, one of Western Europe’s largest theme parks.

Previous development plans stalled due to civic objections on project scale and competitive impact. Our team proposed a series of "Adventure Hotels" linked around a significant water feature, celebrating exotic places and special architectural themes -- "Positano" Mediterranean Hotel, "Marrakech" Arabian Resort, and the "Mykonos" Greek Village.

These new "Adventure Hotels" face a new Lagoon which would be the focus for “The Lost City of Atlantis” family-oriented water attraction.A necklace of Lagoon side theme restaurants and a prototypical "Catalonian Town Square" with specialty retail, street cafés, and a multi-screen Cinema complex, completed the attractions.

This environment of “Adventure” Hotels and “Themed” public spaces would be the first such offering in Spain. The development plan is now being pursued by Universal Studios for more detailed studies.

(For Ernst & Young Madrid, Spain)

Frente Portuario Harbor Hotel
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Retained by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company to prepare tourism development concepts for San Juan’s Waterfront; Acted as overall Project Manager to create a "Vision Plan" concept, Development Schedule, and a matrix of Financing alternatives. Identified, selected and directed an international Concept Team of USA and Puerto Rican planners and consultants to propose a new waterfront-oriented scenario, creating new real estate values around San Juan Harbor.

Described the economic impact on tourism of expanded residential and mixed-use developments, defined and designed cohesive Harbor Districts, and identified major implementation issues. The El Triangulo Dorado plan also mandated a new Waterfront Convention Center , now underway. Findings were presented to the Governor of Puerto Rico and implementation recommendations included a new Business Improvement District to facilitate multiple interest groups and accelerate the development process.


(For Halcyon) (RED Architects)

City Hall Plaza Revitalization
Boston, Massachusetts

For GSA’s New England Division prepared a series of Development Scenarios for the agency’s use in responding to Civic/Private efforts underway for the Revitalization of Boston’s City Hall Plaza. Languishing for years, City Hall Plaza has become an enormous, wind-swept, under-utilized space. GSA, also considering the obsolescence and underutilization of their property, was considering alternative use and disposition strategies.

Development Scenarios ranged from minor alterations of existing GSA buildings (adding a “City Room” featuring corporate sponsored interactive kiosks, a Museum of Museums, historical celebrations, expanded live performance/event facilities, etc) to redevelopment of a GSA-sponsored or Joint Venture Hi-Rise Office and new Retail to re-energize one of Boston’s greatest public spaces.

(For Ernst & Young Boston)(Koetter/Kim Planners)

New Haven, Connecticut
CBD Revitalization Strategy

The Town Green Special Services District and the New Haven Foundation requested a CBD Retail Strategy to define a site-specific revitalizing plan for New Haven.The cornerstone effort is the turnaround of an existing troubled CBD center-city mall at the 100% location --turned inside out through dramatic architectural intervention and deft merchandising ---converted into two-level Urban Entertainment Center , street –facing Specialty Retail, and a Conference Center facility for adjacent Yale University and Hospital.

Concepts include catalytic re-use of historic buildings and several Ninth Square land parcels for a New England MarketHallas a part of the Food Network, a Crafts Bazaar and Regional Antiques Hall, and Retail along Crown and Chapel Streets oriented to Urban Lifestyle . Drawing on identified market support from the CBD Workforce, Yale, the Hospital and regional visitors, the Strategic Plan creates a unique “necklace” of compelling pedestrian experiences and sustainable uses in a street-friendly environment that will offer unique Cultural and Retail attractions to sustain New Haven.

(For Ernst & Young)

Yonkers Getty Square
New York, New York
CBD Revitalization Yonkers NY

For the City of Yonkers we prepared Retail + Mixed Use Development Scenarios for underutilized City-owned parcel; Scenarios included a range of Densities and Retail projects, with identified Market Support from selected areas and CBD Workforce to cover expenditures required at levels appropriate to private Developer criteria.Quick access to Manhattan and the proximity of Yonkers Waterfront development were key redevelopment factors.

Scenarios included low intervention Row House Residential to Grocery-Anchored Retail to Mixed –Use Entertainment Retail , Office and Apartments.The Commons at Getty Square was the final scenario---featuring high-density 800,000sf Back Office, 250 Live/Work Loft Units and 50,000sf of community based Specialty Retail, with an Ethnic Market Hall as a centerpiece, facing Main Street and Getty Square.

(With Ernst & Young)

 

Chattanooga CBD Revitalization
Chattanooga, Tennessee

RiverValleyPartners (RVP), Chattanooga’s Downtown Development Corporation, retained consultants create a Strategic Retail Plan to solidify and strengthen the Chattanooga CBD. Facing powerful suburban Retail competition and a rapidly changing corporate structure, this plan alters Downtown Chattanooga’s dependence solely on its Regional Cultural/Educational assets.With assistance from RVP and the Chattanooga Design Center, a Urban Concept Plan identified each CBD Parcel and intended re-use options to establish uniquely compelling program uses which further strengthen the Regional Tourist/Visitor market, and induce new levels of support from the partially untapped CBD workforce and selected regional/visitor populations. Principal focus was on the re-use of a significant, under-utilized building into an Urban Entertainment Center, along with alternative re-use for site-specific parcels/buildings as urban-oriented “Big Box” retailing. Live/Work Lofts and High Density Residential uses that support a vibrant, urban environment were located . We further assisted RVP by establishing a marketing and outreach program that including a developer solicitation process and a Plan Review session at theULI’sannual meeting.

(for Ernst & Young)

Biotech Campus Strategic Plan
Capitol Hill East, Washington DC

With E&Y worked for the DC Office of Planning to prepare a Development Concept, Business Plan and Cost Benefit analysis for a new Biotech Campus and Mixed-Use Neighborhood on the site of the former DC General Hospital.

Originally conceived as an Office development, our new concept defining a Strategic Option to focus on Biotech and reconfigure the Masterplan to provide Flex Office Lab space along with a Campus character to include ca new DC Forensics Lab and Conference Center. Substantial demolition and site infrastructure cost required corresponding real estate strategy to recover these expenditures.
Explorations on the re-use of an existing Power Plant for redundant /secure power generation and the addition of substantial new high density Residential proved to be marketing advantages.

Now positioned as a Strategic Development with a chance to capture Biotechnology within the District, Capitol Hill East will also benefit from the Anacostia Riverfront Recapture Initiative.

(EEK Planners)

King Abdullah City for Advanced Research and Energy ( KA CARE)

We identified Critical Success Factors to attract science and knowledge workers to a new Science City adjacent Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. This new community will have innovative ecological and energy systems, hosting Research Academies and Labs for improved power generation, transmission, utilization and nuclear applications.

Halcyon described Village Clusters with Residential, Retail. Cultural and Educational offerings, accompanied by scalable Science Academies, Prototyping Manufacturing Plants, and Research Labs for Wind, Solar, Filters, Clean Burning, Closed Loop Processes and Nuclear Imaging facilities

for Koetter-Kim Planners

GDIS--Global Development
Incentives Study

Columbia University Center for High Density Development led an MSRED student research team to analyze competitive incentives for twelve global regions. GDIS Research included GNP,GDP and Cost of Business comparisons along with Indices of Quality of Life and Enterprise-level incentives ---Accessibility + Logistic Support + Workforce skills + Intellectual Property.

GDIS Study overviewed Global Mega Projects and Science Cities for achieved density, development planning + construction cycles, critical land uses, amenities, and lessons-learned. Created hypothetical GlobalTech—a fictional high-tech company’s regional office with varying expatriate and local staff / skills and evaluated against GDIS Incentives Matrix to establish relative level of Incentive draw to the twelve regions.

The GDIS Study searched for Best Practices in Incentives to attract Foreign Direct Investments –with an emphasis on real estate and property levels—and for exportable implementation concepts and methodologies.

(For Columbia CHDD and Halcyon)

 

Education/Business Linkage Forum
Empire State Development Corporation

For E&Y, led team to convene NY State high technology industry leaders, and university / college faculty, around a series of Regional Forums. Identified High Tech Industry “Clusters” and methods for community colleges and universities to work more directly with business, providing linkages between the academic environment and the specific research and employment training needs of employers. The resulting series of roundtable discussions included both University and Industry research heads, including the Brookhaven National Laboratory, Rochester Institute of Technology, and SUNY Purchase.

The study identified High-Tech "Clusters", including Imaging Digital Printing in the Rochester area, Semi-Conductor Chip Fabrication in Albany, Software in Long Island, and Media / Information Technology in New York City. Results were intended to inform Empire State Development Corporation’s ongoing recruitment of high-tech businesses, and their initiatives for better Education/Business Linkages.

(For Ernst & Young)