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50 years ago, you could launch a new website without everyone knowing. Times have changed. If you hadn't heard already, we tore down our old website and replaced it with one that is advanced, dare we say edgy, and integrates technology, content and commerce in the trillion dollar B2B media space. (A fancy way of saying it's now easier to search for your own name to see how often you're in Bisnow.) Consider this your welcome mat.  Our techies and those-who-stare-over-their-shoulder have worked really hard on our new website, and we encourage you to give it a look. You'll be able to check out news throughout the day on desktop or mobile, browsing by city or topic or most read stories. You'll find new types of content only appearing on the site that are a little more educational than our usual offerings, though we hope equally quick to read, like "Everything You Need to Know about EB-5 Financing," or provocative slideshows, quizzes, listicles and interactive maps.  Folio Magazine was kind enough to give the site a whirl and reports "Bisnow's New Site Is Like Buzzfeed and Vox and Thrillist. [Its] B2B site goes after new media models in a big way." We'd love if you read the whole article here. But if you're in a rush, here are a few choice quotes: The site will also feature personality pages, landing pages that collect all the stories about a particular person, company or brand. Just as Bisnow has historically used irreverence to punch up its B2B content, the site now offers bite-sized content that still tries to inform. |
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How Radia Block Lured This High-Tech Tenant Hungerford Properties' Radia Block, a two-storey, 47k SF building at 149 West Fourth Ave., in the burgeoning Mount Pleasant office hub, is getting a new lease on life—literally. Michael Hungerford tells us his firm will soon announce the signing of a new tenant for the building, “a significant company” in the high-tech media space. “Which is how Vancouver is positioning itself—as a market for high-tech talent.” Radia Block, built in the 1930s for heavy industrial use, was the HQ of Mountain Equipment Co-op until the end of October, when MEC moved into a new state-of-the-art space in False Creek Flats.  Radia Block (above)—which underwent green upgrades when MEC moved in back in the 1990s—will receive another facelift to accommodate its yet-to-be-revealed new tenant, Michael notes, a “total refresh” that will add the kinds of amenities and open-concept creative spaces tech firms desire, such as lounges, juice bars and ping pong tables (the building's mechanical and electrical systems also will be upgraded). Mount Pleasant is becoming an increasingly attractive place for tech firms, Michael says, given the high costs of locating in neighbourhoods like Gastown and Yaletown.  Vancouver-based Hungerford has been focusing its energies on Alberta in recent years, with a half-dozen commercial projects under development there, including Icon Business Park in Calgary, a 761k SF facility; and Nexus Business Park (shown above), also in Calgary, with 100k SF of office and warehouse space. "We're bullish on all Western Canada markets," Michael says. |
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Industrial Strata Deals Take a Tumble |
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 Surrey and Langley's industrial strata markets have seen a big dip in deals so far this year, which Frontline Real Estate Services' Joe Lehman tells us has much do with unrealistic vendor pricing expectations. “There are a lot of resale listings, and for a lot of them, the asking price is just too high.” Lack of quality product also contributed to the slowdown, he says. Surrey and Langley had 17 deals between April and June of this year, versus 27 transactions during the same period last year. That's a 37% drop. |
 Joe sees things picking up in the coming quarters, though, with new industrial strata developments launching and projects currently under construction getting completed. Beedie Group has three strata projects underway, including one in Langley's Gloucester Industrial Estates (shown above) that will add 86k SF to the market. In Campbell Heights Business Park there is more than 200k SF of strata space available for sale. And there are two smaller-scale developments in Cloverdale and one under construction in East Newton. Joe anticipates as many as six strata projects coming online in the next 18 months. |
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InnVest Acquires Hyatt Regency VancouverInnVest REIT announced last week it will acquire the Hyatt Regency Vancouver from an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corp. for $140M. The Hyatt Hotels affiliate will continue to manage the hotel under a new long-term management contract. The deal is expected to close in December. Built in 1973, the Hyatt has 644 rooms and 40k SF of meeting space, plus three food and beverage outlets. The property has “strong cash flows” that are poised to improve over time, InnVest CEO Anthony Messina said. Last month, InnVest and KingSett Real Estate Growth acquired an 80% stake in Toronto's iconic Fairmont Royal York Hotel from Ivanhoé Cambridge. |
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The Bisnow AgencyBisnow has the capacity to deliver your advertising message to over 500,000 subscribers in 36 e-newsletters and attendees at 250 events across North America. Now, we can also help you create and design the most effective advertising communication to reach our readers and attendees. Our in-house Bisnow Agency provides creative services for all of your marketing needs, with skilled, knowledgeable professionals who understand your message. Services include graphic ad and website design, video production, collateral material, event signage, social media and more. We know our readers and we know you, so it's win-win. Let us help you creatively connect with our loyal audience of decision-makers. For more info on The Bisnow Agency, contact Will Friend at will@bisnow.com. |
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