There is no question that “business as usual” has changed in the real estate market and the business world. Today’s workforce desires workplaces that provide better work-life balance through modern conveniences, technology, and lifestyle experiences.
While the Midwest may not be the first place that comes to mind when it comes to state-of-the-art workspaces, it very well could be the smartest business move a company can make.
Businesses and their employees are thriving in the Midwest. We are seeing a “boomerang” trend where people who formerly left the Midwest are returning after finding that the grass isn’t necessarily greener in bigger markets.
• Affordable cost of living
• Prime global location
• Business-friendly legislative environment
• Strong logistics infrastructure
• Community connections
• Bold initiatives for growth
• Innovative startup accelerators and incubators
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
EVERYONE
Whether you are a startup in need of a turn-key space, a regional company looking to expand, or a national company exploring relocation options, the Midwest and Occidental Management welcome you!
At Occidental, we pride ourselves on being able to offer something for everyone, and if we don’t already have the perfect, modern-day workspace for you, we’ll help you create it. See page 12 about our Construction Services team and how they can guide you through the entire process.
Entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive on the traits already inherent in the Midwest. Our magical mix has transformed the Midwest into an innovation leader and will continue to drive progress for years to come, so join us on the journey!
Chad Stafford President, Occidental Management
CONTINUED GROWTH IN WICHITA
BOOTS ON THE GROUND & EYES ON THE SITE
IN-HOUSE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES TEAM
WICHITA FAVORITES
PAIR UP & TAP
INTO NEW POTENTIAL
AMENITIES ATTRACT
TALENT & CREATE
WORK-LIFE BALANCE
ASPIRIA: DECARBONIZATION &
SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FUTURE
WE DON’T DO
ORDINARY
(WHEN IT COMES TO LEASING)
CONTINUED GROWTH IN WICHITA
Wichita has seen significant growth in the commercial real estate market for two years in a row. There have been sizable investments in downtown, new industrial campuses, medical offices, and higher education institutions. These projects are spurring strong momentum in Downtown Wichita. Wichita is a thriving hub of social, professional, and cultural experiences with 350 new residential units under development with over 120 unique retailers, and 4.1 million SF of occupied office space. Add in the solid job growth, and Wichita continues to show significant signs of a solid and expanding economy.
Since 2010, more than $1.6 billion has been invested in Downtown Wichita with 107 projects completed. Greater Wichita Partnership President Jeff Fluhr stated, “Investment in our downtown is an investment in our city’s future. We are creating a competitive advantage in terms of talent retention and attraction as well as industry expansion and diversification.”
Projects recently completed include the WSU Tech National Institute for Culinary & Hospitality Education (NICHE), The Hudson St. Francis (event space), The Arcade, and the Chester I. Lewis Reflection Square Park. Projects
under construction include Hi-Tone Lofts, Sutton Place student housing, and the Broadway Plaza AC Marriott Hotel. Projects in the planning stage are street improvements at Commerce and St. Francis streets, the Wichita Biomedical Campus, Wichita Transit Multimodal Facility, Ballpark/Riverfront Stadium Development, Exploration Place Amphitheater & Destination Playscape, Delano Riverfront Stadium Project, and the Kingdom Building.
“ The pipeline of projects the Wichita region is a finalist or awaiting announcement for is the most robust to date with $5.3 billion in investment.
Wichita’s economic development generated more than $418 million in capital investment in 2023 alone. At the Greater Wichita Partnership annual meeting it was stated that, “The pipeline of projects the Wichita region is a finalist or awaiting announcement for is the most robust to date with $5.3 billion in investment.” Wichita is witnessing incredible growth and years of strategic planning is coming to fruition throughout the city.
EXPLORATION PLACE’S $22 million EP2 Initiative includes a fully funded riverfront amphitheater, an age-progressive Destination Playscape, and a new education center. The project will elevate Wichita’s status as a regional tourism destination and serve as a catalyst for further economic development through the downtown river corridor.
THE BALLPARK DISTRICT will see construction of a new upscale hotel, residential units, and a supporting parking garage in the lots adjacent to and near Riverfront Stadium. The $110 million project will serve as a southern anchor to Wichita’s riverfront and complement Exploration Place’s EP2 Initiative, enhancing walkability and connectivity to the area.
THE KANSAS AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM launched a $6 million campaign to fund its new location in downtown Wichita. The renovated building will provide twice the space for programming exhibitions and research, further developing the storytelling opportunities of the cultural assets in the Wichita community.
THE WICHITA BIOMEDICAL CAMPUS, a planned partnership between Wichita State University and the University of Kansas, is one of the largest single investments in downtown Wichita’s history. The estimated $302 million campus will create a healthcare corridor in downtown, leading to advanced medical care, educational innovation, and new academic and business partnerships.
INTEGRA TECHNOLOGIES, the largest outsourced semiconductor assembly and test operation in the U.S., expects to bring 1 million SF of industrial space and 2,000 jobs to Bel Aire, KS, with up to 3,000 additional potential jobs to potential jobs to businesses that would support the company. The announcement was the second largest economic package in Kansas history, totaling $1.8 billion dollars, and is the largest expansion in the semiconductor industry in the U.S.
Bel Aire (a Wichita suburb) hosts numerous planned and underdevelopment industrial projects in the SUNFLOWER COMMERCE PARK, including an industrial campus owned by Occidental Management, Inc., capable of hosting 1 million SF of space. Chad Stafford, President of Occidental Management, added, “Integra’s announcement along with the highway 254 access improvements will solidify the industrial development of this area of Wichita for future growth in the 1-35 mega-corridor.”
Along with all the significant development, Occidental Management is bringing two new businesses to its historic Union Station and Ice House buildings downtown. The Koch-funded non-profit LEARNING LAB OF WICHITA is under construction and will occupy
16,000 SF of space at Union Station, and SIMMONS BANK is relocating its regional office to Union Station and will occupy 15,000 SF of space. At the Ice House building, BHC + SAVOY COMPANY opened its new satellite office in January.
Wichita will remain more competitive over the last decade, becoming more competitive for new and growing companies to locate here. According to Forbes, Wichita was voted #4 of the best places to move to in 2024. Forbes was impressed with our high unemployment rate, low median housing costs, decent median family income, and favorable climate.
This stability in the labor market and the expected growth in various sectors underscores Wichita’s resilience and adaptability. Wichita is well-poised to navigate the challenges of the global economy and leverage its inherent strengths.
Learn more about Occidental Management at occmgmt.com.
YOUR BOOTS ON THE GROUND & EYES ON THE SITE
In-House Construction Services Team
by Steve Lebeda, VP of Construction Services, Occidental Management
Launching a new business, relocating, or remodeling an existing business might seem overwhelming. You’re already wearing multiple hats but may not know where to begin when it comes to the construction side of things. That’s where our in-house construction services department comes in.
At Occidental Management, we take pride in helping our clients find the best solution for their individual business needs. Whether the client already has a clear vision and just needs a construction team or requires assistance in bringing their vision to life, we offer full project execution from concept to occupancy.
Together with Brady Sullivan, Regional Director of Construction Services, and Tiffany Stokes, Project Manager/ Coordinator – Construction Services, our department has a combined 50+ years of experience in our field. We can provide a turn-key service, harnessing our extensive network and industry relationships while ensuring the timely and budget-conscious delivery of top-tier projects.
Let’s face it, everything is easier when you have a partner. We also have a shared interest in our clients to be successful. So, having an in-house services team is a win-win for all.
BRIDGING COMMUNICATION & ADVOCATING FOR CLIENTS
The discussion as to our involvement starts before a lease is signed. We are a part of the conversation regarding the client’s construction needs upfront. If a client simply needs new paint, carpet, or an A/C unit, our property management handles those logistics. Anytime a permit is involved, then that’s where we come in.
I essentially act as a consultant throughout each client’s project, and the level of involvement from our department depends on the individual project and the client’s needs. Many of our national clients have their own construction manager, so I serve as the property owner rep throughout those projects.
Whereas, if we have a client that doesn’t have the manpower to deal with the construction or simply doesn’t want to, and all they want to do is order furniture and move in their computers, then we can serve as the construction manager for their build-out or remodel. In that scenario, we’ll hold the design and construction contracts, track all the costs, and coordinate owner-provided furniture and equipment into the project for a seamless move-in.
We know the nuances of working with all the various teams throughout a construction process, including architects, and electrical, mechanical, and structural engineers. We work with the municipalities and governing authorities for all necessary plan approvals, permitting and pricing.
No matter what level of involvement we have, I am here to help bridge communication and help clients navigate throughout the entire process. We want clients to be confident in what we present and in what they are spending, and at the end of the day, we are all rowing in the same direction. We want to help them get off the ground on the right foot and concentrate on what they need to do to transition and grow their businesses.
FINDING DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
Our construction team is also involved in assessing properties before Occidental Management invests in any new properties or land development.
If we are looking at building it’s because there’s a need, a niche to fill, and/or a customer inquiry. So, our team will review and inspect the building from the standpoint of what is this building today, what do we need it to be, and how do we get it there. Then, I’ll get to working on preliminary design concepts, budgeting, and potential rent scenarios.
We don’t shy away from challenging projects and love seeing the rewards of those challenges. Two of my personal favorite projects have been Union Station in Wichita and Overland Park Xchange (OPx) in Overland Park.
Union Station presented a unique opportunity to work on a historic building, overcoming structural issues and restoring it to its former glory. It was very gratifying to be involved with a building that was neglected and decaying, and we were able to bring it back as a well-known landmark in Wichita.
Similarly, OPx was a complex project that required careful planning and execution. Occidental purchased the property out of foreclosure, and we had to keep it operational for tenants throughout the remodeling process. With a massive spread of approximately 750,000 SF on two levels, the building underwent a remarkable transformation, including the replacement of the dilapidated brick facade with modern glass and metal panels.
Occidental Management’s commitment to finding and revitalizing neglected properties is a testament to their dedication to the community and their vision for creating vibrant spaces. By turning “diamonds in the rough” into thriving landmarks, we are contributing to the resurgence of these buildings and the overall growth of the region.
Vice President of Construction Services
Brady Sullivan Regional Director of Construction Services
Join us for the 3rd Annual Merry & Bright Union Station Lighting Event & Toy Drive to Benefit the Wichita Children’s Home
Thursday November 21st
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Union Station Plaza at 701 E. Douglas Ave.
Merry & Bright is a free event open to the public. It’s a great way to bring the community together for an evening of family-friendly festivities while support ing a wonderful cause! Everyone is encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Wichita Children’s Home
You to
Event Activities
Photos with Santa Carriage Rides
Holiday Performers
Hot Cocoa & Cookies
Interactive Kids Station
Lighting of Union Station
Lighting of Douglas Bridge Train
Wichita Police Depart ment Mounted Unit
Click here to see highlights from last year’s event and get full details for this year’s Merry & Bright!
WICHITA FAVORITES PAIR UP & TAP INTO NEW POTENTIAL
A new collaboration between two Wichita favorites, Ziggy’s Pizza and Walnut River Brewing Company, has arrived at Union Station. The Depot Pizza and Taps is in the former Pourhouse location, at 711 E.
The name for the new venture originates from the name of the building back in the late 1800s – the Rock Island Depot. The restaurant now offers classic Ziggy’s pizza and food as well as Walnut River Brewing’s locally produced beers.
BJ Hunt is in charge of Business Operations for Walnut River Brewing and he said, “Initially our main objective was to find a good partner that could help take over the food side of the business. We’ve always been ‘beer guys’. Early on we realized that Ziggy’s carries our beers at all their locations. Since we had a great relationship with them, it was just a natural fit to partner with them.” Hunt continued, “This allows us to focus on the beer and they can focus on the food. Since our collaboration, they’ve even added brunch items back into the menu, which has been great.”
To elevate both the interior look of the space as well as the customer experience, the Depot team made several upgrades. The main floor bar was expanded and TVs were added to accommodate more seating and make for some great sports game-watching. They also added a pool table, dart machines, and a Golden Tee to the upstairs to appeal to families. All of these updates have contributed to a better overall customer experience and people coming to enjoy dinner before concerts and sporting events at the nearby Intrust Bank Arena.
Jamie Verbeckmoes, co-owner and founder of Ziggy’s Pizza, said, “We made numerous improvements to every space in the restaurant, from the kitchen and back of house, to the main dining room and bar, upstairs bar,
“
patio, restrooms. We think customers who haven’t been in since the remodel will really appreciate the changes that we’ve made. Our team worked hard to create a space that we felt would be a place that people would want to keep coming back to again and again.”
As with all our restaurants, we’re constantly looking for ways to make the customer experience better and better. We are a family-owned and operated company, and we all live here in Wichita, Kansas. So, you can bet on us always finding new ways to make our restaurants the best that they can be in every facet of the business.”
Jamie Verbeckmoes, co-owner and founder of Ziggy’s Pizza
The updated menu and physical updates have greatly increased traffic throughout the week. If you come at night or on the weekends you will see the renewed vibrancy in Wichita’s downtown nightlife. In addition to the updated physical amenities, they also added entertainment and music for their patrons to enjoy.“Business has been good,” said Verbeckmoes. “Our weekends are very busy and getting busier since we’ve added
live music and Sunday brunch.
Our customers have been very pleased with the new restaurant. We are very thankful to everyone who has come in so far and look forward to meeting and talking with those who haven’t tried it out yet. We encourage everyone to come check us out and let us take care of you and your family or friends.”
A few of the more popular Ziggy’s food items you’ll find at The Depot include their pizzas, wings, and their famous mac and cheese. They also serve soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, chicken tenders, fish and chips, and desserts. If you’ve been to any of the other Ziggy locations, you can expect the same high-quality food and service at the Depot.
Walnut River Brewing has been brewing finely crafted beers since 2013, including the fan-favorite Irish red ale, Warbeard. Walnut River Brewing is a local brewing company out of El Dorado, Kansas.
The Depot has been an amazing new addition to the Union Station plaza, and brings a fresh new vibe to downtown. Charlie King, Sales and Leasing Manager for Occidental Management, said, “We’re incredibly excited to see the continued growth and success of local businesses at Union Station.”
Verbeckmoes said The Depot has become exactly what they envisioned; a vibrant, bustling restaurant and bar in the historic Rock Island Depot. “We take a lot of pride in making this piece of Wichita history a place where everyone can come enjoy a bite to eat, a delicious Walnut River pint, amazing cocktails or glass of wine, and relax.”
To learn more about The Depot Pizza and Taps, visit their website wichitadepot.com or call 316.260.4897. To learn more about Walnut River Brewing visit their website at walnutriverbrewing.com or call 316.351.8086.
AMENITIES ATTRACT TOP TALENT & CREATE WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Creating an attractive office design was once about the workspace itself. That has evolved to include social aspects, community components, modern conveniences, and spaces that reinvigorate and enhance overall well-being.
Companies large and small are attracted to the services and amenities available on the expansive Aspiria campus in Overland Park, Kansas, all of which are designed to enhance the workplace experience and bring people together.
“Aspiria is a great fit for us,” said Ben Wilson, Adams Brown managing partner/CEO”. It’s convenient for clients and teammates and has modern, unique amenities and ample parking. Having the amenities our team wants and needs all on campus is a welcomed addition, especially during deadline-driven times of the year. The Aspiria campus will allow us to maintain our close-knit office culture with a larger firm and location feel, all with
CONVENIENT & CONTEMPORARY EATERIES
Coffee stops, grab-and-go options, sit-down dining, happy hour … Aspiria has them all. On-site catering is also available for company meetings and events. The dining areas offer open seating as well as meeting rooms. The Town Square Café, Aspiria EXPRESS, Aspiria
MICRO MARKET, and The Roasterie all provide fresh meal choices as well as grab-and-go options for those on a time crunch.
NATURE & RELAXATION
Spanning over 200 acres, Aspiria provides open green space where employees can refresh, unwind and re-energize. Employees and visitors can also use one of the outdoor plazas scattered throughout campus to grab a quick bite, catch a meeting over coffee, or just enjoy the outdoors. Aspiria is a fully walkable campus and features athletic fields, and bike and walking paths.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Aspiria promotes an active lifestyle with free, unlimited access for tenant employees to the three-story Aspiria Fitness Center. Conveniently located in the middle of campus, the fitness center includes cardio and weight training equipment, a variety of group classes, a sauna, and a locker room. The fitness center is also open to the public through a paid membership.
LEADING TECHNOLOGY
With one of the most secure and expansive fiber networks in the country, Aspiria features the ODN system with powerful network connections, including global Wi-Fi across campus. A variety of connectivity options are available to tenants, saving time and money through seamless implementation.
24/7 SECURITY
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Campus-wide events are held throughout the year to provide social opportunities. Events include Red Wednesday tailgate parties, Royals Home Opener celebrations, Take Your Dog to Work Day, and more. Many festivals and walks/runs are also held on campus to invite the community at large to experience the Aspiria campus.
High-performing LED lighting in all 14 of the campus parking garages and walkways, 24/7 campus-wide security, and badge access provide peace of mind. Parking is free to all tenant employees and campus guests.
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships with local service providers offer on-site conveniences, including Martinizing Cleaners dry cleaning drop-off and pick-up, Amazon Lockers for package deliveries, and Minnow Pickup Pods for no-contact food deliveries.
MEETING SPACES
The campus offers a space for everyone. Our auditorium, conference centers, meeting venues, and event spaces are perfectly equipped for collaborating, meeting, and training. From 4-person meeting spaces to our 340-person auditorium and use of our entire 1.5-mile street loop, Aspiria is ready to host events and conferences of all needs and sizes.
IN-HOUSE MANAGEMENT
Dedicated on-site management ensures Aspiria is running securely and efficiently.
State-of-the-art building automation systems keep spaces at ideal conditions. Back-up generators and independent power sources keep everything running 24/7. The campus is also 100% powered by wind energy.
A BOLD VISION
There’s inspiration in every square inch around Aspiria, and the future of the campus is driven forward with community as the focal point. A new look and expansion with a new development are all part of creating the ultimate live-work-play community in the Heartland.
DISCOVER WORK-LIFE BALANCE AT ASPIRIA
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ASPIRIA: DECARBONIZATION &
An Interview with Gary Schlotzhauer
The following is a conversation with Danny Davies, President and CEO of C&C Group and master-level EcoXpert™, and Gary Schlotzhauer, Campus Director of Engineering at Aspiria. They discuss the challenges and lessons learned from the EcoStruxure solutions implemented at Aspiria, a 20-building, four-million-square-foot, mixed-use corporate campus spanning 200 acres; how its success will influence future projects; the impacts on campus occupants; and what it means for decarbonization and sustainability in the future.
Q. What was the impact of deploying a Building Management System? Were there any surprising findings?
GARY:
There was an immediate impact. In the first year, we cut our energy usage from an annual average of 100 million kilowatt-hours to 74 million. We achieved this by implementing the technologies from Schneider Electric and by making other operational adjustments and equipment upgrades.
Around the same time, we started a collaboration with our local utility company, where we functioned as both a producer and consumer of electricity. Our wind farm in Southern Kansas generates approximately 94 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. Since our consumption is now about 74 million kilowatt-hours, we effectively achieved a net-zero energy status in year one.
Gary Schlotzhauer, Aspiria Campus Director of Engineering, Occidental Management
Q. What specific impact and outcomes have resulted from the energy-saving measures and operational efficiencies you implemented at Aspiria?
GARY:
The numbers are seriously impressive. Cutting energy use by 16%, slashing our carbon footprint by 36%, and saving $1.5 million in energy costs, plus another $700,000 in labor? It’s an amazing achievement. My team gets along great with Danny and his team at C&C Group, and I always want to keep that conversation going. Our campus is huge, and staying on top of everything is crucial. The EcoStruxure platform and operational strategies we’ve taken from its data allow us to stay one step ahead.
DANNY
:
It’s amazing. Aspiria is not only one of the largest office complexes in North America, but I’d bet it’s also among the most efficient — not just in energy savings but in how it’s run.
Danny Davies, President and CEO, C&C Group
Q. Gary, what are your sustainability targets for the campus?
GARY:
When we purchased the campus, it was a clean slate; there wasn’t much done about sustainability, so the window was wide open for us to do anything and everything we could.
And even though net zero is always the target, we didn’t have any pre-set goals for meeting specific dates or benchmarks. We took a very different approach: “to do the right thing right now.” Fortunately, we work for an owner who is in lockstep with everything that we think needs to be done.
It doesn’t get talked about much, but there is an element of courage in saying, “We’re going out and doing this.”
Q. How has the building management system impacted Aspiria’s various stakeholders – staff, management, or visitors?
GARY:
Our tenants have reported higher satisfaction and increased comfort, which is something, considering the common misconception that net-zero buildings require compromises, like wearing heavy sweaters in winter or just T-shirts in summer. The reality is we’ve maintained excellent indoor air quality.
Another interesting result is that our commitment to sustainability has helped attract new tenants and retain existing ones; it’s now an attractive feature of our properties. So, it builds tenant loyalty, contributes to energy savings, and reduces energy expenses.
For example, we had only six temperature complaints for the entire month of March last year. For a campus of our size — millions of square feet and acres of commercial real estate — that’s impressive, and mostly thanks to EcoStruxure Building Advisor data analytics. We can flag potential issues early on, like a damper not fully closing or a valve not shutting off properly. We can catch these things before our tenants even notice something’s up. Our second shift team is great — they know exactly where to go and what to fix when they arrive at the problem spot. They tackle these issues promptly, which keeps our tenants happy.
Also, when it comes to leasing, we’ve been incredibly fortunate. Our properties are all Class A office spaces, and over the past year, we’ve leased out over 500,000 square feet. Now, that might sound small in bigger markets like on the coasts, but here in Kansas City? It’s about four times what our competitors manage. It’s clear our actions are making a big difference.
Q. What advice do you have for other organizations considering implementing EcoStruxure solutions on a similar scale?
DANNY:
A few ideas come to mind. First, get all stakeholders in the room together at one time. Continue to touch that group with results and approvals through every project stage. For us, one of those stakeholders is Schneider Electric, so we engage their system architect experts to ensure our builds and processes make sense at scale.
The second piece of advice is to remember to measure your power. It’s so important to measure throughout your network. The EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert piece was an absolute asset continuing to grow for us. We recognized the significance of this right away, which is why we’re now working to become EcoXpert-certified in the Digital Power Partner Channel badge.
GARY:
I remind people to “do the right thing right now.” It’s important to have a proactive, forward-thinking approach when taking on projects of this size. Prioritize action over delay, but make sure every decision is a step towards sustainability goals. It also creates a culture of accountability among all your stakeholders.
C&C Group Works to Help Resolve Customers’ Most Critical Needs
The path to net zero is about delivering solutions for sustainable, resilient, efficient, and people-centric buildings. For C&C Group’s EcoXpert partners, this unveils immense growth opportunities through the transition to end-to-end portfolio sales that will resolve customers’ most critical needs. For their shared customers, this means that together with the EcoXpert partners, C&C Group will drive the building industry transformation and help customers survive and thrive today – and tomorrow.
Discover more about Master EcoXpert partner C&C Group and how they helped shape Aspiria’s Campus Of The Future.
Q. Danny, what role did tenants play when setting sustainability goals?
DANNY:
I don’t remember who said it – it certainly wasn’t me –but if you want to manage something, first you must measure it. That is one of the initial conversations we have with our customers after discovering their sustainability goals: are you measuring? If so, are you measuring power? Are you measuring energy consumption outside of your utility bills? If not, that’s one of our first big opportunities to reduce consumption.
That is why we signed up to be a partner in the EcoXpert Digital Power Partner Channel certification because it’s an opportunity to grow and diversify our business. There are so many new power monitoring and control opportunities as our customers focused more on digitizing their operations.
Q: Any final thoughts?
GARY:
Another important point to make is the human element. EcoStruxure technology is empowering with its data analytics and real-time energy access. Still, it’s also about how Danny’s team at C&C Group gets the big picture of what Aspiria wants to achieve and then tailors the tech to fit into our day-to-day operations. That’s a big part of pushing us towards our net-zero goal. We’ve got the right combination of tech and a team that’s all in. This partnership — melding the tech with the people and the right mindset — is crucial.
DANNY:
VIDEO HERE Learn More About Our Partnership
I really want to emphasize the transformative impact of forwardthinking partnerships like the one we have with Aspiria. Together we were able to optimize operational efficiencies of this large campus and set a path to ongoing sustainability achievements as well. It shows the importance of being strategically aligned when you have ambitious goals and the power that integrated power and building management systems can have in driving real change. For C&C Group, our focus will be on continuing to innovate and leverage this technology to meet the needs of Aspiria.
CREATING POSSIBILITY IN KANSAS CITY AND WICHITA
WE DON’T DO
(WHEN IT COMES TO LEASING)
ORDINARY
The outlook for the Commercial Real Estate market is still improving and many market participants remain optimistic. But what has been Occidental Management’s secret to success over the last couple of years? Whatever it is, it’s working. We think it’s a combination of factors; the amenities at our properties, our relationships, and our willingness to provide value-added services to our customers such as in-house construction services, maintenance, legal, sales, and marketing.
Our innovative leadership team delivers on what they say and work diligently to achieve our customers goals.
Hunter Johnson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Leasing, Occidental Management
Commercial real estate is experiencing a transition period, with the possibility of increased interest rates, inflationary pressures, and a recessionary cycle that could make it difficult for purchasers and sellers to agree on terms. Lenders’ pipelines may be slow, and landlords and tenants continue to grapple with post-pandemic hybrid working and return-to-office policies. The main challenges in 2024, however, have been the lack of available credit and increased pricing, which limits deal flow.
The amenities at our Aspiria and Overland Park Xchange (OPx) properties in Overland Park have and continue to make an impact on businesses selecting those
properties over our competitors. In Kansas City there is quite a list of top-tier businesses that have chosen to call Aspiria and OPx home –Adams Brown, Airshare, Apria, Black & Veatch, Cogent, Empower Retirement LLC, Hill’s Pets Nutrition, HNTB, OptumRX, Spectrum/Charter Communications, T-Mobile, TreviPay, and TruHome Solutions, LLC.
DISCOVER ASPIRIA
We’ve been promoting the messaging that our customers should “Discover Aspiria” because of the multitude of amenities. Employees of the companies on campus get a free Aspiria Fitness Center membership. They can utilize free covered parking, campuswide Wi-Fi, multiple dining options,
conference room facilities, car charging stations, Minnow Pickup Pods, Amazon Lockers, KC Bike Share, Martinizing Cleaners dry cleaning, and are invited to campus-wide events throughout the year. Aspiria’s sustainability initiatives also make the campus attractive to businesses searching for new headquarters. The campus features a dedicated power grid provided by wind energy, a central power plant, and a water reclamation system that provides chilled water throughout the grounds. Nowhere else in the country can companies enjoy the green benefits along with the technological features all on one campus.
EXPECT MORE AT OPX
At OPx you can “Expect More” amenities with a fitness center, an on-campus café, abundant covered parking, a Wi-Fi lounge, and a lighted courtyard and walkways throughout campus.
DISCOVERING LEASING SUCCESS
Other factors affecting leasing success are recent geopolitical uncertainties, financial market instability, and companies requiring their employees to come back to the “in-office” model.
In a fall Resume Builder survey of 1,000 company leaders, 90% indicated they planned to return workers to the office by the end of 2024.
Interestingly, they report that one of the benefits of going to the office is “leaving the office”. The upside is the simple separation. When you leave the
office at the end of the day, you get a break from work, giving employees a better work-life balance. Companies going back to the in-office model have seen there is an increased level of socialization and employee engagement which helps them to build connections and fit into the social fabric of the workplace.
In addition, employees feel more engaged and that there is better communication of company culture when they are in the office. There are more collaborative opportunities for the more experienced employees to mentor and train recent graduates and new hires.
In Wichita, we continue to realize leasing success because of brand recognition, the support of entrepreneurs, our relationships, and the amenities that we offer at our properties. The value-added benefits that our team offers is our point of difference. Our employees and leadership serve on boards and support organizations in the community. We live in the communities we work in and want to see them flourish. All these factors have contributed to the magic potion that has led to our leasing success over the last few years.
Chad Stafford, President of Occidental Management, said, “Our approach is to partner with our tenants to promote their businesses. We’re always looking for opportunities to grow the markets we serve. At the end of the day, it’s all about relationships.”
We have seen leasing gains at Union Station with Koch’s Learning Lab, Insomnia Cookies, and Simmons Bank. Occidental Management and Alloy Architecture made the Ice House their corporate headquarters in the previous couple of years, with Sunflower Bank also having a branch office at the Ice House.
The BHC + Savoy Company added a satellite office in Wichita in early 2024.
This spring, The Depot Pizza and Taps moved into Union Station’s Depot building. Additional leasing success was seen with the addition of Utopia Modern Salon Suites, Vitality Health Center, the International Pizza Hut Franchisees Holders Association, Sono Bello, and Spine and Joint Centers of America at the Offices at Cranbrook.
Tyler Pointe Shopping Center added Ninza Sushi Bar, Mochinut, Wichita Wagyu, and a west side location for Utopia. The Northrock 6 Retail added the Indian restaurant Biryani House Astoria Indian Grill, and Northwest Center added Just a Sip and Grace Place Church. In late 2023, The Alzheimer’s Association moved their local offices next to Milkfloat in the Delano District.
Occidental Management has been making big wins. We believe the power of Occidental’s innovative brand and the relationships that we have with our customers, brokers, and vendors have a great deal to do with why we are adding value and having success in our leasing efforts.
Don’t Do Ordinary” at Occidental Management Learn more at occmgmt.com.
