Leasing activity brings Bloomington office complex to 87 percent

MINNEAPOLIS (May 24, 2010) – United Properties announces that it has signed a lease with Avtex at Northland Center, formerly Northland Executive Office Center, in Bloomington, Minn. The technology company Avtex will move into its 15,000-sq.-ft. space in fall 2010 from its current location at SouthTech Plaza in Bloomington. With the new lease and other lease extensions, the latest transaction adds a new tenant to the United Properties-owned 465,000-sq.-ft. office complex and brings the occupancy to 87 percent.

Other recent leasing activity for Northland Center includes: current tenant Forward Hindsight extending its lease and expanding into 2,500 sq. ft.; and current tenant Inetium extending its lease for its 16,300-sq.-ft. space.

The NorthMarq Brokerage team of Bill Rothstein and Dan Wicker represented United Properties in the transactions.

A 465,000-square-foot office complex built in phases in 1981 and 1983, Northland Center was renamed as part of the significant interior renovations and exterior improvements in 2010. Northland Center recently was awarded the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver Level certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance.

Media Contacts
Martha Nevanen
Vice President, Marketing Communications
952-893-7539
martha.nevanen@marquettere.com

Jessie Folkens
Sr. Communications Consultant
952-837-8516
jessie.folkens@marquettere.com

First office building in Twin Cities southwest market to earn designation

MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 8, 2010) – United Properties announced that the U.S. Green Building Council awarded Northland Executive Office Center its LEED Silver Level certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance. The United Properties’ owned two-building office complex in Bloomington, Minn. is undergoing renovations and a name change to Northland Center in addition to its recent LEED Silver certification.

The certification recognizes energy-saving efforts related to building exteriors, including base building elements like structure and building-level systems like central HVAC. Key factors contributing to the LEED Silver certification include: conversion to high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, use of green cleaning products and materials, as well as implementation of a building wide employee wellness and education program.

Other United Properties-related buildings that are recognized for energy efficiency include:

Four United Properties-owned buildings and one jointly-owned office park totaling nearly two million square feet have earned the ENERGY STAR label.
The United Properties’ developed 8200 Tower at Normandale Lake Office Park recently received LEED Gold Level certification for Core & Shell.
United Properties’ developed and owned Southpoint Office Center is expected to receive LEED certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance.

A 460,000-square-foot office complex built in 1983, the Northland Executive Office Center is being renamed Northland Center as part of the significant internal renovations and external improvements taking place in 2010.

Media Contacts

Martha Nevanen
Vice President, Marketing Communications
952-893-7539
martha.nevanen@marquettere.com

Jessie Folkens
Sr. Communications Consultant
952-837-8516
jessie.folkens@marquettere.com

New space combines three Lifetouch locations into the office warehouse building in Burnsville

MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 1, 2010) – United Properties announces that work is underway in its second building at 35/13 Crossing for its new 100,480-sq.-ft. lease with Lifetouch. A joint venture between United Properties and Multi-Employer Property Trust/Kennedy Associates, the 13-acre development includes two 24’ clear height office warehouse buildings totaling 180,480 sq. ft. Lifetouch will occupy 100,480 sq. ft., the entire second building, starting in July 2010.

Combining three of its operations into this Burnsville location, Lifetouch will use the space for camera-support and studio-technical services, its distribution warehouse and picture-taking kit assembly.

Bill Katter of United Properties’ office/industrial team is responsible for the development of the project. “We are pleased that this location and our new office warehouse building will meet the needs of Lifetouch,” said Katter, senior vice president, United Properties. “With this second building in shell condition, it provides Lifetouch with benefits similar to a build-to-suit where they can design the space to fully meet their needs while obtaining brand new mechanical systems, build out materials, and avoiding the complications of remodeling existing facilities.”

The long-term lease brings the two-building complex to 97 percent occupancy. The first building at 35/13 Crossing was completed in late 2007 and has approximately five tenants ranging from 10,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet.

The NorthMarq Brokerage team of Kris Smeltzer and Lonnie Provencher represented United Properties/Kennedy Associates in the lease. Mike Perkins and Bill Ritter of Welsh Companies represented Lifetouch.

About Lifetouch
For more than seven decades, the importance of preserving memories has linked the men and women of Lifetouch to the lives of millions of people in all walks of life. The trust customers place with Lifetouch to capture and preserve special moments in their lives is a responsibility that everyone takes very seriously.

With operations in all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico, Lifetouch is the largest employee-owned photography company in the world and the market leader. “Lifetouch is photography for a lifetime. Keeping children and families and friends in focus serves to reassure each of us that life is a gift worth sharing and preserving,” says Paul Harmel, Lifetouch chairman and CEO.

Media Contacts
Martha Nevanen
Vice President, Marketing Communications
952-893-7539
martha.nevanen@marquettere.com

Jessie Folkens
Sr. Communications Consultant
952-837-8516
jessie.folkens@marquettere.com