These projects include Cypress Waters (a 1000 acre mixed-use development on a lake in Coppell), Gramercy Center (two Class A office buildings we’re renovating off the Dallas North Tollway), Bush & Tollway (4 future buildings located on each corner of the Tollway & George Bush), Two Arts Plaza (a future high-rise building in the Dallas Arts District), the raw land at International Business Park and Austin Ranch available for build-to-suit projects, and the sixth phase of Austin Ranch Apartments which should open next year.

Read more at http://realpoints.dmagazine.com/2011/08/conversation-with-lucy-billingsley-and-lucy-burns-billingsley-co/

Gramercy Center South

Texas real estate and master-planned developments leader Billingsley Company today announced the closing of their recent acquisition of the Landmark I and II office buildings in northwest Dallas which were acquired via a new partnership between Billingsley and Stockbridge Real Estate and renamed Gramercy Center North and South. The seller, Dallas-based Behringer Harvard, retained an economic interest.

“We negotiated a discounted pay-off arrangement with our lender, an essential process which enabled us to offer this asset for sale at an attractive price,” said Sam Gillespie, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Behringer Harvard’s opportunity platform. “We then identified Billingsley and Stockbridge as high-caliber, well-respected companies to sell the asset to.”

The closing marks Billingsley’s most recent new office building acquisition. Purchasing efforts were led by Billingsley’s Senior Vice President of investment Marijke Lantz. “This investment represents well located, quality assets in one of the strongest submarkets in Dallas. It was an opportunity to purchase high grade property at a significant discount to replacement costs.”

Prime Location off Dallas North Tollway

The purchase adds another 250,000 square feet of rentable office space to Billingsley’s holdings, which now total 1.3 million square feet within the submarket. Billingsley is actively pursuing other acquisition opportunities as well.

The two buildings of class A office space sit at the intersection of Haverwood Lane and Frankford Road on the west side of the Dallas North Tollway. They were built with ample parking, lab and data center space, prime security, and a design that conserves energy. Each building is two stories; Gramercy Center North sits on 8.6 acres of land and Gramercy Center South is surrounded by 11.3 acres of land.

“Texas is leading the country in job growth,” said Scott Arnoldy of Stockbridge, “The opportunity provided Stockbridge the ability to buy an asset off market at an attractive basis with a well-regarded local operating partner.”

The location of Gramercy Center North and South is close to Highway 190 in the path of surging Dallas growth. “There is so much growth momentum and demand in this exclusive area, and the acquisition represents a great fit with Stockbridge as well as the market Billingsley knows so well,” said Lucy Burns, Partner at Billingsley.

Fellow partner Lucy Billingsley concurs. “We are delighted to work with Stockbridge,” said Billingsley. “They have an outstanding reputation and we are confident this partnership will be successful.”

The Landmark acquisition includes plans for new lobby designs and other revitalizing renovations. Ample tenant space combined with the key location and upcoming improvements make the new Gramercy Center North and South extremely attractive buildings for professional office tenants.

Billingsley has consistently proven its ability to manage office properties successfully over the last 20 years. The company’s development and management of northwest Dallas’s International Business Park, a 300-acre master-planned office park, has resulted in lease occupancy of 96 percent.

It’s official!  Last week the Dallas City Council approved Billingsley Company to develop The Four Corners of 190 (George Bush) & the Dallas North Tollway.  These four corners will become the iconic gateway to future development northward.

• 32 acre, four corner master-planned development
• Each building is designed for 10 levels of office space above six levels of parking, totaling 16 stories
• Average floor plate is 33,000 SF*
• Average building totals 373,490 RSF*
• Master plan includes four independent buildings designed to create an architectural gateway into North Dallas and Plano
• Build to suit
• Will develope to LEED status
• Unobstructed, breathtaking views

For more information, contact Lucy Burns at 214-270-0998 or lburns@billingsleyco.com.  Or visit our website at http://www.billingsleyco.com/properties/display.asp?section=office&location=bush-tollway

*subject to change per tenant’s plans

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Over the weekend, one of our donkey’s gave birth to an adorable baby that we named Badd. He is located in the fields near International Business Park if you want to stop by and see him!

It officially opens today for dinner with lunch following next week.

These chef-inspired burgers (made with organic, grass-fed beef) are priced at $5 – $8+. There’s another unique twist to it as well: the bar is offering wine on tap! It’s the only restaurant in the area offering this new trendy experience.

Guests can dine in the revamped Dali space, enjoy the expansive patio and outdoor lounge, or take food to-go in eco-friendly packaging. Tesar also plans to offer delivery services to One Arts Plaza residents and area businesses.

But wait, there’s more…a cheese cart offering 30+ gourmet cheeses and salumi AND a Chef’s Table.

For more info click here.

VRM selected International Business Park (IBP) to accommodate the growth of the company and for its convenient location. “With 85,000 square feet of space and a centrally located campus with access to major thoroughfares connecting all of the DFW metroplex, IBP was an ideal selection for VRM,” replied Irv Baker, Director of Facilities for VRM.

VRM decided to expand its operation after receiving a $750,000 Texas Enterprise Fund Grant. VRM exceeded the grant’s expectation of producing 275 jobs in North Texas and an estimated $.4.6 million dollars in investment capital in the area. VRM moves into its new corporate headquarters in Carrollton housing 339 employees.

Carrollton Mayor Ronald Branson was among the dignitaries taking part in the ribbon cutting celebration of the new VRM corporate headquarters. “It is with great pleasure that I get the opportunity to welcome Mr. Keith Murray, Vendor Resource Management founder and CEO and his prestigious company to the City of Carrollton family of outstanding companies and businesses. Mr. Murray’s vision and record of success represent what is obtainable through hard work and intelligent management, even in challenging economic times. We are honored that he has chosen Carrollton to relocate his business and I wish him well in his growth plans and hope that he will call upon the City if we might ever be of assistance,” stated Mayor Branson.

VRM’s new home in the International Business Park is a Billingsley Company property. “We are proud to have a Texas Enterprise Grant recipient as one of our tenants. VRM will be a vibrant part of our community at International Business Park,” says Lucy Burns, partner, Billingsley Company.

For more information about Billingsley and their portfolio of properties, please visit www.billingsleyco.com.

“Billingsley’s ability to understand Hyundai Capital’s business needs and their willingness to provide flexibility and protection for Hyundai Capital’s future expansion needs were important factors in finalizing this deal,” explained Franke.

Hyundai Capital America, which will be expanding its operations to the new offices and adding employees, said the Gold LEED certification, accessible location and sophisticated building design played a role in the company’s decision to move to International Business Park.

“Billingsley has a can-do negotiating style,” says Sukjoon Won, CEO, Hyundai Capital. “They were able to creatively solve and fulfill many of our business needs including an above market parking ratio which is important for our employees.”

“We continue to strengthen International Business Park as we secure landmark deals such as Hyundai,” says Lucy Burns, partner, Billingsley Company. “We look forward to helping the company and its employees easily transition into their new offices.”

183 one- and two-bedroom units are open and available for lease. Stop by and take a tour today!

For more information, visit www.gramercyonthepark.com

“It’s an exciting time to join Billingsley,” says O’Hanlon. “The company has always thrived because of smart and well-purposed initiatives, and is ideally positioned for a prosperous future,” O’Hanlon adds.

Mr. O’Hanlon has more than 30 years of real estate industry experience in asset and property management, capital markets, joint ventures, loan restructuring, and real estate brokerage and development.

Before joining Billingsley, Mr. O’Hanlon served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Inland Western Retail Real Estate Trust, Inc. There he coordinated the strategic direction of the corporation to ensure the maximization of shareholder value and the long-term success of the corporation. He was also instrumental in the creation of a significant development joint venture platform and an institutional joint venture platform.

Mr. O’Hanlon also served as Executive Vice President and Regional Managing Director at Grubbs & Ellis in Chicago, where he supervised all lines of business in the Midwest region, including the operation of five company offices and 15 affiliate offices. He has also held senior positions with Cushman & Wakefield, Balcor, and was formerly a Vice President and Senior Credit Officer in the real estate corporate lending group at Citibank.

Mr. O’Hanlon holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fordham University. He is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and was previously a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and The Real Estate Round Table.

Here you can see photos of The Spencer House, The Ranch House, The Lodge and the Moose Club as well as information and photos of past events held at these venues.

If your event calls for anything from rustic Texas scenery to modern amenities, you’ll want to check out everything we have to offer at Austin Ranch!