Multi-family construction projects require open communication, frequent engagement, and the finished product is the absolute best, when all the partners – property developers, contractors, and trade partners – have excellent skills and operate under a shared set of core values. 

Each stakeholder might articulate their values differently, but these companies’ operating principles reflect an underlying commitment to collaboration, respect, transparency, and professionalism. When those priorities are in sync, great projects come together time and time again! 

Ultimately, the property owner/developer sets the tone, and we are fortunate to work with some of the best in Colorado and Texas. 

Here’s to our Development Partners!

According to Steve Clouten, MPC’s Vice President of Operations, the alignment of core values between contractors and development partners is more important than ever. “Because of COVID-19, our projects in 2020 and into 2021 have had an added element of complexity – from new jurisdictional requirements to worksite access and supply chain uncertainty. Fortunately, our clients were willing to work collaboratively with us to find creative solutions to push past those unprecedented challenges with minimal impacts. Thanks to their ‘we’re in this together’ mindset, we have been able to meet project objectives. That teamwork approach and being solution providers has always been key to a successful development project and will continue to be of paramount importance on future projects.” 

Establishing a foundation which promotes trust among all project team members, fosters a high level of collaboration to guide the project team. At its core, it is based on daily interaction that is respectful, productive, and informed. Everyone who is engaged in the project is keeping their eyes on the Project Success Criteria goals and, therefore, are eager to solve problems, contribute resources, and share best ideas. 

The three developers highlighted below exemplify this collaborative approach and the values it is based on. It is our privilege to feature them and our current shared projects in this blog. 

AvalonBay Communities – AVA RiNo 

AVA RiNo is one of the first Denver-area projects for AvalonBay Communities, which is based in Arlington, Virginia. Our work on the 4 story, 240-unit building in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood will be completed in late 2021.  

AvalonBay is a major U.S. developer with a national reputation for top quality work. Even with their experience and remarkable track record, their team was open to learning about unique conditions in Denver (including the labor force) and discussing the nuances of “how things are done” in Denver construction. Throughout the process, they learned from us and we learned from them – a real demonstration of their collaborative nature.  

We were also impressed with AvalonBay’s principled approach to quality. The company generally maintains ownership of their developments for many years, and no doubt that drives their uncompromising standards – everything is done correctly using the best materials and taking no shortcuts.  

Kevan Balcerak, our senior project manager, describes how the relationship between MPC and AvalonBay grew quickly throughout 2020. “Not only was it a new region for AvalonBay, but it was a new COVID environment for both of us. Along with our contractor partners, we all worked together to address each challenge that came up. No one used COVID as an excuse – it was simply a reality that we all added to the mix. AvalonBay maintained their emphasis on achieving milestones within the project timeline, and even with the pandemic, the project is ahead of schedule. To me, this demonstrates their commitment to the spirit of continuous improvement.”

Crescent Real Estate LLC – DTC Union Apartments

Crescent Real Estate LLC is a premier, fully integrated real estate investment and development company with offices in Dallas and Centennial, Colorado. They are well-known and highly regarded in U.S. commercial real estate circles for acquiring, developing, and operating first-class properties in all asset classes. 

While we were very familiar with Crescent’s work and presence in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, we were pleased to partner with them beginning in late 2019 on their latest development in the area – the 2.85 acre, 310-unit, 6 story, podium-style DTC Union Apartments project in the Denver Tech Center. 

We quickly discovered we shared a passion for quality in key areas – including planning, workmanship, materials, and maintaining long-term relationships. Crescent also proved to be a very transparent project partner. They encouraged open dialog and were amenable to suggestions to improve constructability when plans changed early in the process and as the project progressed. At key times, Crescent also proactively weighed in on our behalf with other project team members in order to ensure the highest levels of coordination. 

Work at DTC Union will be completed in September. Our project manager, Lexi Powell summed up her experience working with Crescent’s team. “It was clear throughout the last year and half that Crescent’s values align with ours. They are principled, allegiant, and considerate. They are team players. Their people are very approachable and always provide straight answers and clear guidance. Crescent is quality – not only in their portfolio but in their collaboration with partners, from architects to contractors.” 

RangeWater Real Estate – Boulder Armory

For more than 15 years, RangeWater Real Estate has been a leading multi-family property owner across the southeast and southwest U.S. Based in Atlanta, the firm maintains a 50,000-unit portfolio of properties across 75 cities in nine states. Their latest development project in the Colorado Front Range is the redevelopment of the Boulder Armory, an eight-acre site in the North Boulder Arts District with common buildings, retail space, and units ranging from studio apartments to townhouses.  

RangeWater brought an exceptional design to this project, which demonstrates their passion for excellence and creativity. No two buildings are alike, and they incorporated much of the existing historic armory structure into the building that houses the leasing offices and the residents’ fitness and common meeting rooms. 

RangeWater’s approach to collaboration has been apparent throughout the project and they take feedback to heart, often utilizing project team suggestions for scheduling, economies, and design features. Their onsite people are experienced; we had worked previously with their Managing Director, Kim Sperry, when she was with another developer. Their regional manager visited the site regularly and was able to engage effectively with our team regarding construction matters since he had come from that industry. Both were eager to roll up their sleeves to contribute their expertise. 

MPCs Senior Superintendent Desmond Price credits the project’s success (despite the challenging environment) to the RangeWater team’s professionalism and experience. “Anything we ask of RangeWater, they will do, whether it is weighing in with one of their consultants or responding to the City of Boulder. They not only talk about teamwork, but they understand how it plays out day-to-day in the course of an active, complex project.”   

In Closing

Once again, we want to express our thanks and admiration for all the tremendous developers we work with in Colorado and Texas. The three we highlighted in this blog epitomize a collaborative approach which is a major reason for their success. We wish them all the best in their upcoming development projects.