First Martin Corporation Blog http://www.firstmartin.com/blog Commercial Real Estate Happenings in Ann Arbor Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:51:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Historic First National Building – Space Available http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=76 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=76#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:04:39 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=76 First Martin has space available at the historic First National Building located in the heart of Ann Arbor.  1,698 square feet is now available on the 3rd floor.  Please call 734-994-5050 or email firstmartin@firstmartin.com for more information.

]]> http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=76 0 First Martin In The News http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=69 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=69#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 13:09:28 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=69 May marks the start of the City of Ann Arbor’s budget approval process.  City council will vote to approve the proposed budget on May 18th.  Part of this process has been a series of opportunities for the public to weigh in on the process and comment on those budget items that are slated to be either cut or reduced in scope.  Local coverage via the Ann Arbor Chronicle has been fantastic.  In this article, Mayor Heiftje makes reference to First Martin’s Brown Block, which is currently leased to the DDA for public parking.  Thanks to the Chronicle for linking to our site.

]]> http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=69 0 Mill Creek Townhouses http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=44 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=44#comments Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:58:52 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=44 First Martin is pleased to announce the recent completion of www.millcreekannarbor.com. The new website will provide additional information about Mill Creek and features an online application process.

See www.millcreekannarbor.com for your next Ann Arbor apartment!

]]> http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=44 0 Ann Arbor Commercial Real Estate Update http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=18 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=18#comments Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:43:00 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=18 Here’s a weekly wrap up from the Ann Arbor News. Article neglected to mention that First Martin gained rezoning approval for 3965 S. State, the former Enzo’s which will now be general retail. Details can be found here.

]]> http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=18 0 415 W. Washington RFP – Update http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=17 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=17#comments Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:18:00 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=17

The meeting summary can be found here, promised sometime early this week. Following a short Q + A a site visit was conducted; Peter Allen has posted pictures of the existing structure. In general, the meeting, which was mandatory for anyone interested in developing the project, was attended by local players. Some of the site highlights: 
  • Underground storage tanks removed in 1990
  • Remediation of portion of the site done in 1997, still no final sign off
  • Small amounts of asbestos associated with the boiler are still present
  • FEMA flood maps are being redrawn however will not be final until next year; the existing structure will continue to be located in the floodway until that time
  • 415 is a contributing structure to the Old West Side historic district
A few new items but not unexpected. If Ann Arbor has a more complicated development site I’d like to see it.
]]> http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=17 0 415 W. Washington RFP http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=16 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=16#comments Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:44:00 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=16

415 W. Washington begins the RFP process this Thursday, March 13 at 3:00 PM on either the 2nd or 4th floor of city hall. The resulting responses should be very interesting as this particular site is dead center in what the city refers to as the “interface” zone (where downtown meets its surrounding neighborhoods). In this case, the site interfaces with several challenges: the Old West Side, a railroad track, floodway and floodplain, Allen Creek Greenway, possible environmental issues, and a desire for some of the structures to be reused as artist design and show space. I plan on attending this Thursday and hope to have an informative update shortly thereafter.
]]> http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=16 0 Ann Arbor Commercial Real Estate Update: Mixed Use Student Rentals, First Hospitality, Police and Courts http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=15 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=15#comments Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:27:00 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=15 Yet another addition to the endless string of proposed luxury student rentals, these however are part of a proposed mixed-use redevelopment, so their numbers will most likely be limited. First Hospitality has decided to close on 202 S. Division, the assumption being that they will return to an apartment project after the demise of their proposed hotel. In other news, the city presses forward with its plans for a new police and courts facility along with upgrades to the existing structure, with a very green theme and a price tag of $47 million. ]]> http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=15 0 Ann Arbor Commercial Real Estate Update: Ed Shaffran and S. University Student Towers http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=14 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=14#comments Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:34:00 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=14 A good article from the Ann Arbor News on the Washington Street Galleries move to 306 S. Main Street. Article also details the plans of local real estate magnate Ed Shaffran and his partner Don Van Curler to expand the old Pretzel Bell building. Should be a great infill project as Ed and his firm, The Shaffran Companies , specialize in this type of development and do great things downtown.

 

In another article, University Village, the proposed two tower (15-20 story down from an original 19 and 26) high-rise student housing on South University appears to be headed down the “hotly contested” path as the public process begins. Look for this to be an ongoing news item. Lastly, the Ann Arbor Business Review is out with its weekly slate of development news.
]]> http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=14 0 Building Update 2100 & 2200 Commonwealth Plymouth Park http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=13 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=13#comments Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:57:00 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=13

Constructed in 1986 as sister buildings, 2100 and 2200 anchor the east side of Commonwealth Boulevard in First Martin’s Plymouth Park. Continually looking to improve our properties and our guest’s surroundings, both buildings recently received lobby lighting upgrades. Additional improvements for 2100 and 2200 are planned throughout 2008.

Space is available in both buildings, please contact First Martin for more information.

]]> http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=13 0 Ann Arbor Commercial Real Estate News http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=12 http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=12#comments Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:22:00 +0000 admin http://www.firstmartin.com/blog/?p=12

Interesting development articles from both the Ann Arbor News and the Ann Arbor Business Review. The first is an update on Ypsilanti’s Water Street project featuring an upset local broker; the second involves the replacement of the Super 8 on Jackson Avenue with a Hampton Inn. The latter seems fairly straightforward and is market-driven based on what ownership feels is a better business model for a particular location; the former is a much different story. Clearly the project is something that the City of Ypsilanti and its residents will have to address in the near term. We wish them the best.

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