From Blue Ribbon News
ROCKWALL, TX (March 22, 2014) Opportunity has reached new heights in the thriving community of Rockwall. With 85% of the office/retail space already leased at Trend Tower, all eyes seem to be on the nearly completed high rise on The Harbor hillside.
The seven-story building is anchored by Trend HR, the human resource outsourcing company for which the tower is named. The 100,000 sq. ft. facility will be home to Harbor Heights Family Medicine; FC Cuny Corporation; KAG Holdings; Keller Williams Realty; and Allegiance Title Company. Sterling One Properties will also relocate there.
Trend Tower is Phase One of the $250 million commercial and residential project known as Harbor Heights. An unparalleled view of Lake Ray Hubbard and the Dallas skyline make the tower’s top floor prime for a five-star restaurant, but those plans have yet to be finalized.
“The time is now,” said developer Russell Phillips, Sterling One Properties CEO. “We looked around and saw there was no Class A office space here – not like what you’d see in downtown Dallas, and not at the level of what was envisioned for The Harbor.”
Phillips pointed out that having State Hwy 190 come into I-30 was “a huge shot in the arm for development in Rockwall County.”
“Between the projects we have under construction, and the ones we’re getting ready to start, we are investing $136 million into Rockwall County. That’s a strong commitment by us and our partners, and it’s because we truly believe in the growth of this community,” he said.
Sterling One’s residential projects include Terrabella, Wyndemere and Kingsbridge, as well as Sonoma Verde, a 550 acre, 1100-home master planned community under development on Hwy 205 in McLendon-Chisholm.
Partner Dan W. Bobst, Trend HR CEO, was instrumental in getting the Trend Tower project off the ground. “We had to have 70% of the building leased before we could start the project,” said Phillips. “Dan committed to taking 25% of that space for his growing company.”
Phillips and his partner Joey Howell considered developing the hillside before, but it was extremely difficult. “There were so many landowners; it was like a jigsaw puzzle. It just so happened that with the downturn in the economy, people were willing to sell, and at a fair price.”
Phillips, Howell and Bobst approached the City of Rockwall, which had its own vision for the hillside. “The City had hired an outside consulting firm to create a blueprint for further development of The Harbor area. We liked the design so much that we decided to bring the plan to life.”
Phillips added, “Coming across the bridge into Rockwall, you’ve got one shot. We knew we needed something amazing. The Harbor is already a beautiful landmark. So is Lakeside Village across the highway. That’s why you’ll see some of the same tile and roof design used in the development. When it’s all built out, everything will flow well together.”
As an added benefit, the city will be able to utilize the tower’s multilevel parking garage after 5 p.m. until the building re-opens at 7 a.m. for overflow parking during concerts or other Harbor events.
Sheri Franza, president and CEO of the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation, said Trend Tower is a tremendous asset, socially and economically.
“The entry into our city reflects who we are, and what we want our city to be. Trend Tower will help draw more big corporations to the area,” she said. “Many people spend as much time at work as they do at home, and they don’t want to spend more time commuting to and from downtown Dallas. They want to live and work in the same location; and Rockwall is a perfect place to do both. We’ve got an excellent school system, above average home prices, above average incomes. Business owners want to set up shop here; that means they’ll frequent our restaurants and buy our homes, driving up our sales tax revenue.”
Dana K Macalik, Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce president, said, “Rockwall now stands a hub for business innovation, medical growth, technology and creativity – making it an attractive destination for corporate location. Trend Tower brings to the forefront all the opportunities and advancements that have made Rockwall what it is today, and the Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce is excited about this investment in our community.”
Phillips credits the success of the project to input from many different people, and the commitment of the City of Rockwall. “From the Mayor and City Council, to Planning and Zoning and the Rockwall EDC, it’s truly been a team effort to bring this project to fruition,” he said.
By Dawn Redig
Blue Ribbon News
all rights reserved
Photos by Jack Palmer
3/22/2014