From TheRockwallNews.com
After years of study by the Rockwall City Council to develop a plan for the hillside above The Harbor entertainment district known as PD-32, construction on a seven-story Class A corporate office tower will begin this summer just southeast of Culpepper’s Steak House, as the first phase of a multi-million-dollar project called “Harbor Heights.” Developed by Heath-based Sterling One Properties, the corporate tower will provide 110,000 sq. ft. of office space, a bank, a five-star roof-top restaurant and other retail opportunities. According to Heath resident and Sterling One Properties partner Russell Phillips, infrastructure work on streets, water and electricity will begin in mid to late April. Construction of the tower is expected to be completed by July, 2012.
Sterling One Properties is a diversified real estate development and investment company which over the past seven years has been the primary managing partner for over $200 million in commercial and residential projects, plus lead financial partner for over $50 million in hotel projects.
The company has developed such local master-planned residential communities as Kingsbridge, Terrabella, Wyndemere and Hillcrest Shores.
The office tower is expected to add over $16 million to the City of Rockall’s tax roles, said Phillips.
To pull the project together, he explained that Sterling One had to purchase the land from 14 different landowners to ensure the total development standard for the hillside.
He said that Sterling One’s concept for Harbor Heights is to “accentuate the land with masterful architecture that blends beauty with function. The tower will also set the standard for future development in Rockwall.”
“This concept fits nicely with the overlay planning that the City has put in place for The Harbor.”
“We believe the Rockwall area will have tremendous growth over the next decade and we share the City’s vision for this development. The superb location is not only a focal point for the entire Harbor complex but unlike any development on the east side of the Dallas Metroplex. The tower will provide an anchor for the commercial complex and set the standard for future development in Rockwall.”
Rockwall City Manager Julie Couch said she believes the City Council has developed a tremendous vision and high development standards were adopted for the project.
“The Mayor and City Council have developed a tremendous vision of what this area will mean to the City and this tower is the first step in seeing that vision accomplished. To achieve City’s vision for the district, high development standards were adopted as part of the project’s plan.”
Rockwall Economic Development Council President Sheri Franza says the development will provide the REDC with an advantage for attracting more corporations to Rockwall.
“From an economic standpoint, it gives us the ability to compete with other cities for corporate headquarters relocation and expansion. Lake Ray Hubbard gives us a unique opportunity for Rockwall’s Corporate Coast.’ In Rockwall we feel that we already have the best place to live and play. Now we will have the best place to work, as well.”
Philips said Rockwall-based human resource outsourcing company Trend HR will be the anchor of the tower, which is expected to be just the first of several office towers to be built on PD-32.
By J.J. Smith, Publisher
4\12\2011