Archive for 2020

Mandel Group in talks with Valentine Coffee Roasters to anchor food cluster project near West Allis Farmers Market

Posted on December 1st, 2020

Mandel Group Inc. is negotiating a deal with Valentine Coffee Co. to make the coffee company the anchor tenant of its Makers Row project in West Allis.

Makers Row is the name of the commercial component of Mandel’s plans to develop 6.5 acres southwest of National Avenue and Six Points Crossing and across the street from the West Allis Farmers Market. It is to be built in two phases, altogether totaling roughly 35,000 square feet.

Read more of Alex Zank’s article from the December 1st BizTimes here.

Mandel Group moving forward with more apartments, commercial buildings next to West Allis Farmers Market

Posted on November 25th, 2020

Milwaukee-based Mandel Group Inc. is putting forward plans to develop a series of commercial retail buildings and a 110-unit apartment building on land southwest of West National Avenue and Six Points Crossing in West Allis, across the street from the West Allis Farmers Market.

The city’s Plan Commission will consider next week a series of approvals related to Mandel’s plans for the roughly 6.5-acre project site. The project has an estimated cost between $25 million and $35 million.

Mandel is proposing at the hard corner the first phase of Makers Row, in reference to the proposed commercial building. The first phase would consist of 17,000 square feet. Part of that will be occupied by an unidentified coffee vendor, which will operate a cafe and production space. The remaining retail/production space will also go to food vendors…

To read Alex Zank’s full article from the November 25th BizTimes, click here.

BizTimes Viewpoints: A call to focus on neighborhood development in Milwaukee

Posted on November 19th, 2020

Editor’s note: Mandel Group chairman and CEO Barry Mandel decided to write this piece after participating in a panel discussion on attracting development to Milwaukee’s lower income neighborhoods for the 18th annual BizTimes Milwaukee Commercial Real Estate and Development Conference, held virtually on Nov. 19.

[Written by Barry Mandel. Published by BizTimes on November 19, 2020. To see the article online, click here.]

BizTimes Milwaukee editor Andrew Weiland was kind enough to ask me to be on the Neighborhood Development panel with Kevin Newell, James Phelps and Ryan Pattee. I accepted knowing that Mandel Group has not actually participated in a neighborhood development in a “highly distressed” part of the city.

While Mandel Group has taken on difficult, technically complicated and catalytic developments, none have faced the headwinds of developing in a neighborhood riddled with crime, having safety and security concerns, unemployment, poverty, insufficient disposable income to support businesses, educational challenges for parents and children, and limited physical and mental health providers. Moreover, these conditions many times create an overhanging cloud of trauma that adversely affects these neighborhoods, eating away at the urban fabric, deteriorating the built environment and, most consequentially, dampening the spirit and connectivity of the neighborhood.

Yet, neighborhoods that have some or all of these characteristics are undervalued, as all these neighborhoods have many positive attributes to build upon, including their residents who have the will and determination to bring about positive change.

My heroes in the city and region are those who take these challenges head on, like my fellow panel members, the myriad of nonprofits, for-profits, foundations, developers, CDFIs, financial institutions, and social service organizations that painstakingly knit these neighborhoods back together. While in many cases working independently, and in the best of worlds working together, their common goal is to create a sense of place and, most importantly, replant a root system that nurtures the neighborhood, connects its residents and metabolizes an energy that mends and heals these neighborhoods in a transformative way.

While there are extraordinary challenges ahead, I am optimistic that “We,” working together, can restore our neighborhoods.

This, of course, cannot be done without addressing the elephants in the room: systemic racism, economic disparity, crime, and challenges regarding education, health, and family-sustaining jobs.

Who is “We”? It is all of us, as this is not just a Milwaukee problem, it is a national problem. It will require participation and cooperation from people with differing political leanings, as well as from federal, state, and local governments. “We” is the public sector, private sector, foundations, individual philanthropy, social service organizations, educational, and religious institutions.

At the same time, the “We” requires the same determination and extraordinary efforts of the individual neighborhoods and the residents within. Our neighborhoods are our biggest challenges and deserve the highest of priorities, while at the same time they are likely to be the source of our city’s greatest and most satisfying potential rewards.

At all levels of government, it will take bipartisanship and “political will” to augment our economic development tools and sources of funds. In my experience, timing plays a significant role in the success of any initiative. I may be completely wrong, but, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and national political divisiveness in this country, I sense that there could be a silver lining that emerges. The chaos and uncertainty that has been created has “stirred the pot” and heightened the realization for many that we must cooperate with one another to successfully address core issues that impact the health and welfare of our city, state and nation.

For Milwaukee and Wisconsin, it is imperative that we focus on neighborhood development, as it is key to repositioning Milwaukee for the future. We are at a tipping point with both challenges and opportunities. It is time to seize those opportunities and one by one diminish the challenges. We need the political will and leadership of us all. Let’s do it!!

Barry Mandel is the chairman and chief executive officer of Milwaukee-based Mandel Group, Inc. He can be reached at bmandel@mandelgroup.com.

‘Live, work and play’: Housing, hotel, offices, food and more proposed for University Research Park

Posted on November 9th, 2020

Dean Mosiman | Wisconsin State Journal, Nov 9, 2020

The bucolic, sprawling University Research Park on the West Side, home to some of the area’s most illustrious biotech companies, is poised to begin a new era.

The research park is teaming with the Mandel Group of Milwaukee on an ambitious, multi-phase project with 400,000 square feet of new construction, including housing, a hotel, lab/office space, food hall, climbing gym and parking. It marks a major evolution for the 250-acre park, now characterized by modern labs and office buildings surrounded by green spaces and parking lots.

The project, called “Element Collective,” came in response to a research park request for developer proposals and would introduce a more urban environment where office tenants could live, host visitors, eat and recreate, and also provide a new set of amenities for the surrounding area.

“It’s a place to have lunch with a colleague, coffee with an investor, or a drink with a prospective business partner,” park managing director Aaron Olver said. “It will give our employees an option to live, work and play within the URP community without reliance on an automobile. And it will open University Research Park to the community beyond the research park.”

To read the full article in Wisconsin State Journal, click here.

Historic St. Louis – Loft Building Continues Its Transformation

Posted on October 27th, 2020

Mandel Group is proud to announce that Merchandise Mart Apartments in St. Louis is now The Lofts at 1 Thousand!

St. Louis, MO (October 27, 2020) – The historic Merchandise Mart building at 1000 Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis, kicked off a long-planned transformation and rebranding today. Going forward, the property will be known as The Lofts at 1 Thousand, a new name rooted in history and signifying a bright future ahead.

Milwaukee, Wisc.-based real estate services firm, Mandel Group, Inc. has owned and managed the building since 2016. It occupies a full city block bounded by Washington Avenue, 10^th, 11^th, and St. Charles Streets in the heart of the Washington Avenue Loft District, near the Convention Center. The property includes 213 loft apartments and long-time retail tenants including Stanley’s Cigar Lounge, Dapper Gents Grooming Lounge and Sen Thai Asian Bistro. Together, these entities comprise a thriving urban destination for residents, retail, dining and commerce.

“When we acquired this historic property, we began planning for improvements that would add value for our residents and the surrounding neighborhood,” said Mandel Group COO, Phillip Aiello. “Today we are excited to be kicking off the project with our on-site management team, and making a significant investment that will translate into an elevated resident and guest experience for our community in St. Louis,” he added.

Construction activities are underway with improvements to the entry, lobby, office, and new amenity areas including co-working spaces, a clubroom, rooftop terrace, and dog run. The renovation is expected to be complete in early March of 2021. E.M. Harris Construction Company is the general contractor. Engberg Anderson is the design architect.

For more information, visit www.theloftsat1thousand.com or call (314) 436-6800.

See Mandel’s Crescent Apartments rise near historic building restoration: Slideshow (Video)

Posted on October 9th, 2020

Mandel Group’s Crescent Apartments project is aiming to make the Milwaukee County Research Park, already a good spot for a lunch break stroll, into a place with the kind of walkability associated with an urban neighborhood.

The 102 apartments will likely attract renters who work for companies located in the Wauwatosa park’s office buildings, said Angie Tabrizi, Mandel Group development project manager. Next door to the new apartment building, Mandel is restoring a 105-year-old former powerhouse building for a fitness center and the Ally’s Powerhouse Café.

Once it’s all complete in 2021, people living in the Crescent Apartments can walk to work, grab a morning coffee or happy hour beverage and meal without needing a car.

To read more and see construction photos, click here for Sean Ryan’s coverage in the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Our Response to COVID-19

Posted on September 11th, 2020

At Mandel Group, our mission is to provide unyielding customer service and contribute to the betterment of the community while demonstrating the highest degree of integrity and respect for our residents and those with whom we do business.

Beginning in March, 2020, the evolving coronavirus situation has impacted us all in ways we never expected. As circumstances continue to change, we remain steadfast in our commitment to following the lead of public health authorities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and local government authorities) and adapting our policies and practices to meet their most up-to-date recommendations.

To help slow the spread of coronavirus and to support those who have been directly impacted, the following protocols remain in place at Mandel communities:

All Mandel Associates wear face masks and expect that residents and guests do the same when inside our offices.
We require safe social distancing (minimum of 6 feet) when conversing.
We support mask mandates that are in place in our cities and states and request that masks be worn by residents when outside of their apartment homes.
We continue to perform enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols in common areas, including frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
We continue to limit the use of amenities such as our pools, fitness centers and clubrooms so we comply with mandated capacity limits and social distancing requirements.
We encourage interactions with our associates and the management office to be done electronically, as much as possible. Phone, email and our online resident portal are available for emergency needs and routine requests.
Our Maintenance Associates, when inside an apartment home, require social distancing of at least six feet and face coverings at all times.
We have limited and/or modified resident events to comply with social distancing guidelines.
We offer virtual, no contact and/or touchless tours with prospective residents to limit the number of people entering our communities and to lessen exposure.

Beyond these protocols, the basics have not changed. So much of our success in managing through the pandemic depends on personal habits. With that in mind, we continue to encourage our residents, guests, and associates to:

Wash hands often
Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Avoid close contact with individuals who aren’t feeling well
Practice safe social distancing
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away and wash your hands
Avoid touching our nose, eyes, and mouth
Disinfect and wipe down frequently touched objects

As always, the well-being and safety of our residents and associates is our number one priority. We are honored by the trust placed in us and we are committed to doing our part during this ongoing crisis.

ALLY’S POWERHOUSE CAFÉ TO OPEN NEXT SPRING AT MANDEL GROUP’S CRESCENT APARTMENTS DEVELOPMENT

Posted on August 17th, 2020

Conceptual Cafe Rendering – Credit: Mandel Group

Wauwatosa, Wisc. (August 17, 2020) – Ally’s Bistro of Menomonee Falls is planning to open a second location in Wauwatosa in the 105-year-old, historic powerhouse building located at 10460 Innovation Drive, Wauwatosa, in the Milwaukee County Research Park. The historic building is being restored by Mandel Group, Inc. as part of its Crescent Apartments development which is under construction. The new café will be known as “Ally’s Powerhouse Café.” The powerhouse building features stunning 27-foot ceilings, exposed brick, and expansive arched windows throughout that will make for a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

A full-service cafe, Ally’s Powerhouse Café will be open for breakfast, lunch, and happy hour with a light dinner menu. Ally’s current clientele includes extensive catering and boxed lunch service for nearby businesses as well as private business receptions. The café design accommodates 40-50 patrons on a new exterior terrace that will feature fire pits and decorative lighting, while indoor seating includes areas accommodating private parties of up to 50 guests. The outdoor terrace connects to the guest terrace at the adjoining Marriott Springhill Suites Hotel.

“We are incredibly excited to finally find the home we’ve been looking for in the Wauwatosa area,” said Rodney Zimmerman, who owns and operates Ally’s with his wife Michelle and three children. “Working from our Menomonee Falls cafe we’ve developed quite a business clientele in Tosa and look forward to serving them from our new Powerhouse Café. We are ecstatic that we have found such a unique home with Mandel Group in a restored historic building, to bring to Wauwatosa our love for food, coffee and all things delicious. The character of the building and the ability to have a large outdoor terrace are sure to be welcoming to patrons as a comfortable and relaxing place to visit and linger.”

Zimmerman added, “In 2011, our family opened Ally’s Bistro in Menomonee Falls and are blessed to have built a large, loyal following. We have made many friends who have been regular patrons for years. Ally’s Powerhouse Café will feature our favorites from our current menu at Ally’s Bistro along with some special new items developed just for Ally’s Powerhouse Cafe. We will be providing dine in, curbside, delivery, event/reception and catering services at the Powerhouse Café. We are honored to partner with the Mandel Group and can’t wait to be part of the Wauwatosa community!”

In addition to Ally’s Powerhouse Café, the building will house a fitness, training and physical therapy business that will be announced soon, and the residential management offices for the adjoining Crescent Apartments. The entire building is under renovation with a grand opening date targeted for Spring 2021 to coincide with the opening of Crescent Apartments.

Crescent Apartments began construction in March 2020 and will open for new residents in Spring 2021. “We’ve just begun outreach for future residents on social media and our website” explained Angie Tabrizi, Project Manager for Mandel Group. “In addition to the concentration of nearby employers, we’re reaching out to students, faculty and staff of the Medical College to remind them that they can identify and reserve housing for the 2021-22 academic year knowing that construction will be complete well before school resumes next year.” Mandel Group also developed the nearby 188-unit Echelon Apartments in Innovation Park.

Recent design updates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic focus on further enhancements to indoor environmental quality. “We’ve always had a great strategy for indoor air quality but have gone even further to provide the best possible environment for our residents” explained Tabrizi. Ventilation systems include HEPA filtration on individually controlled heating and air conditioning systems. Crescent will contain 102 apartment homes with a wide variety of studio, 1- and 2-bedroom floor plans to choose from.

About Mandel Group

Mandel Group, Inc. is a national, award-winning builder and developer headquartered in Milwaukee. Founded in 1991, the company has since developed or transacted over $1.5 billion of residential and commercial real estate. Among its recent developments are Echelon Apartments in Wauwatosa, The West Living in West Allis, and The North End in downtown Milwaukee. For more information, visit mandelgroup.com.

Historic Powerhouse + Crescent Apartments – Credit: Kahler Slater

MANDEL GROUP ANNOUNCES SUCCESSION PLAN, NEW PRESIDENT, COO

Posted on July 9th, 2020

Barry Mandel named Chairman and CEO; Ian Martin named President; Phillip Aiello named COO; Jason Babcock named Senior VP; Bob Monnat and Dave Pavela named Senior Partners

MILWAUKEE – Mandel Group, Inc. (MGI), a Milwaukee-based real estate services firm, announced today the implementation of its leadership succession plan, in which members of the emerging leadership group will take on key, new roles in the company.

“We have been carefully preparing for the long-term future of the company for many years,” said Chairman and CEO Barry Mandel. “The changes we’re announcing today reflect the continuation of a natural evolution in our leadership team to carry forward the larger, more diversified business we have become over the last 30 years.”

Effective immediately, founder and current President Barry Mandel will serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Ian Martin was elevated to President, and Phillip Aiello was named Chief Operating Officer. Bob Monnat and Dave Pavela will transition to Senior Partners with the firm, and Dave Pavela will continue as Chief Investment Officer. Jason Babcock was promoted to Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Dispositions to lead the firm’s activity in acquiring properties throughout the Midwest. Angie Achenbach was hired in December of 2018 as Chief Financial Officer when Dave Pavela was elevated to Chief Investment Officer. Don Lindeman, President of the Management Company, and Sherry Meyers Thompson, Controller, will add to the leadership group.

The new leadership team structure will enable the company to continue to draw upon the deep experience of its senior leadership group, while elevating members of its emerging leadership group. The plan builds on MGI’s existing strengths, retains institutional knowledge and positions the company for even greater success in the future.

“Our entire leadership team is committed to moving the company forward with the same core values that have made us successful for the last 30 years,” said President Ian Martin. “With those core values is a commitment to exceptional customer service, integrity and respect for all we do business with and a dedication to bettering the communities in which we invest.”

Founded in 1991, Mandel Group has grown into a multi-faceted real estate development and services firm with significant operations in development, acquisition, construction and property management. It is widely recognized as the premier residential multi-family developer in the greater Milwaukee area.

Since its inception, Mandel Group has completed over $1.5 billion in real estate transactions and currently owns assets in five Midwestern states exceeding $1 billion in value. The company’s active pipeline of near-term and future projects approximates $500 million in metro Milwaukee and throughout the company’s targeted Midwest region.

“The past three decades have been a remarkable journey and the resiliency of our business model has been proven by the unthinkable challenges faced during that time,” said Chairman and CEO Barry Mandel. “I am confident that with our emerging leadership team now in place we are positioned to eclipse our past success as a real estate company.”

About Mandel Group

Mandel Group, Inc. is a national award‐winning builder and developer headquartered in Milwaukee. Founded in 1991, Mandel Group has developed or transacted over $1.5 billion of residential and commercial real estate development and acquisition activity in the metropolitan Milwaukee area as well as select Midwestern markets. Among its developments are East Pointe, a 9‐block redevelopment of a vacant freeway corridor north of Milwaukee’s CBD; University Club Tower, a 36 story, $100+ million high rise luxury condominium tower on Milwaukee’s lakefront; and The North End, a $175 million, multi‐phased mixed‐use neighborhood on the site of the former US Leather Tannery. Further information is available at www.mandelgroup.com.

Archive for 2020

Mandel Group in talks with Valentine Coffee Roasters to anchor food cluster project near West Allis Farmers Market

Mandel Group moving forward with more apartments, commercial buildings next to West Allis Farmers Market

BizTimes Viewpoints: A call to focus on neighborhood development in Milwaukee

‘Live, work and play’: Housing, hotel, offices, food and more proposed for University Research Park

Historic St. Louis – Loft Building Continues Its Transformation

See Mandel’s Crescent Apartments rise near historic building restoration: Slideshow (Video)

Our Response to COVID-19

ALLY’S POWERHOUSE CAFÉ TO OPEN NEXT SPRING AT MANDEL GROUP’S CRESCENT APARTMENTS DEVELOPMENT

MANDEL GROUP ANNOUNCES SUCCESSION PLAN, NEW PRESIDENT, COO

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Archive for 2020

Mandel Group in talks with Valentine Coffee Roasters to anchor food cluster project near West Allis Farmers Market

Mandel Group moving forward with more apartments, commercial buildings next to West Allis Farmers Market

BizTimes Viewpoints: A call to focus on neighborhood development in Milwaukee

‘Live, work and play’: Housing, hotel, offices, food and more proposed for University Research Park

Historic St. Louis – Loft Building Continues Its Transformation

See Mandel’s Crescent Apartments rise near historic building restoration: Slideshow (Video)

Our Response to COVID-19

ALLY’S POWERHOUSE CAFÉ TO OPEN NEXT SPRING AT MANDEL GROUP’S CRESCENT APARTMENTS DEVELOPMENT

MANDEL GROUP ANNOUNCES SUCCESSION PLAN, NEW PRESIDENT, COO