News & Press Releases
GROUND BROKEN FOR THE ORCHARD TOWN CENTER
Children assist as link to future
Westminster, Colorado –September 14, 2005 –The Orchard Town Center took root today in Westminster as developers and local officials, assisted by area children, broke ground for the one-million-square-foot, open-air, lifestyle and entertainment center growing at the northwest corner of Interstate 25 and 144th Avenue. As symbolic links from past to future, children from The Children´s World Learning Center participated in breaking ground with mini-shovels.
Located in a city once abounding with apple trees, The Orchard, upon completion, will be lushly landscaped in the mode of the city’s past.
"Forest City is building modern lifestyle and entertainment centers today that are reminiscent of the past village environments of America – of pre-mall Main Street downtowns," said Colm Macken, president, Forest City California. "The Orchard will be that kind of unique, pedestrian-friendly lifestyle village that will offer residents and visitors alike exceptional options in shopping, dining and entertainment in an environment that invites lingering, relaxing and socializing. It is also an environment that will echo the history of the area. We already have retail commitments for 450,000 square feet of the property," Macken stated, "and anticipate future tenant announcements as soon as the commitments are finalized with signed leases."
Foley’s, a 12-screen AMC Theatre and JCPenney have already announced they are joining The Orchard, and SuperTarget has signed a letter of intent for the development, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2006.
A new interchange at I-25 and 144th Avenue, a joint effort between Westminster and Thornton, is being built to serve the growing north area development. It will open in 2006, in time to begin serving The Orchard.
"The Orchard signals a new era for Westminster, and for the north metro area," said Brent McFall, Westminster city manager. "This center will offer a unique opportunity to shoppers in the region and residents in the community. It is being designed from the ground up to provide an urban experience in a completely new setting."
The master plan for The Orchard development was created by Calthorpe and Associates, the company headed by Peter Calthorpe, renowned expert in New Urbanist projects. The Orchard’s mixture of retail and entertainment offerings, centered on a pedestrian-friendly, town center concept, is at the cutting edge of commercial development in the country.
"We’re excited that the City of Westminster is the location for what will be the premier lifestyle-center development in the north metro area," said Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally. "Our close partnership with Forest City is going to result in a true jewel for the region."
Over the next 10 years, city officials estimate the town center will produce an additional $85 million in revenue to fund infrastructure improvements and much-needed city services, and will create more than 3,000 new, permanent and part-time jobs. The city has sold more than $85 million in bonds and certificates of participation (COPs) to help fund public improvements to serve the project. Forest City has obtained funding for The Orchard Town Center from partners Bank of America and La Salle Bank.
"Working with the City of Westminster to develop the kind of center that will fulfill expectations and further its growth continues to be a gratifying experience," said Macken. "Our company takes great pride in these kinds of public/private partnerships, which are key to success of the final product."
About the center
The Orchard Town Center will include a mix of exclusive, outdoor, fashion-oriented retail, large destination and department stores, and smaller, upscale retailers, along with a variety of restaurants and eateries. Located on 215 acres on the northwest corner of I-25 and 144th Avenue, south of the E-470 and Northwest Parkway beltway, The Orchard Town Center will also include 500 housing units and office space.
The mixed-use master plan of residential, office and retail at The Orchard Town Center was created by Calthorpe Associates of Berkeley, California and The Mulhern Group of Denver, joining with design architects Elkus/Manfredi Ltd. of Boston and Field Paoli of San Francisco in the commercial and mixed-use design concepts and their execution. Each architectural firm is experienced and skilled in creating retail and mixed-use developments.
Forest City Enterprises, Inc. is a $7.4 billion NYSE-listed national real estate company with offices in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The Company is principally engaged in the ownership, development, acquisition and management of mixed-use projects, retail centers, apartment communities, office buildings and hotels in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
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Attachments
OrchardGroundbreaking release.pdf
Contact:
Nancy McCann
Forest City
216-416-3004
nancymccann@forestcity.net
