Jackie Buhn Lends Her Expertise in CRE Consulting Corps Engagement at New Mexico State University

In July 2013, AthenianRazak’s Principal & CEO, Jackie Buhn, a longtime member of the Counselors of Real Estate and their Consulting Corps group, served as the group leader of a team of experts for an engagement in New Mexico. Together the team offered their expertise on effective management of New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) extensive land holdings. NMSU owns numerous parcels of land within the University boundaries, in or near the city of Las Cruces, and throughout the state. NMSU has sufficient land within the core of its Las Cruces campus to accommodate expansion requirements for many years.

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Green is the New Black at AthenianRazak – Why We Are Excited for Greenbuild 2013

Greenbuild is coming to Philadelphia from November 20^th to 22^nd and we couldn’t be more excited.  Not only is Greenbuild the world’s largest conference on green building, but it is here in our hometown. This will give Philadelphia the opportunity to show the world all we have done so far in sustainable building, and even better, what our vision is for the future.

Here at AthenianRazak, we are proud to say that our blood runs green (and not just for the Philadelphia Eagles), as stewardship of the environment is our true passion – both in terms of our business ethos – promoting viable and exciting urban density, reusing existing buildings, and providing attractive cityscapes – and our personal practices, like biking, walking, or taking public transportation to work.

A few members of our team will be attending Greenbuild, Michael Brookshier has been serving on the Community Engagement Committee, and some others will be volunteering.  And, Lenfest Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music, where we served as Development Manager, will be featured in the conference’s half-day tours in a session called Liberty and Justice for All: Innovative Multifamily Housing on Monday, November 18^th from 1 pm – 6 pm.

Welcome to Philadelphia Greenbuild Nation.  We hope to see you around town.

Smart Planning at Lenfest Hall Cited in Recent Inquirer Article

A recent article in The Philadelphia Inquirer questioned how to sustain Philadelphia’s vast array of arts and cultural institutions, many of which have undergone expansions or moved to brand new homes over the past two decades.  The article recognizes that while the expanded arts and culture sector has significantly contributed to the revival of Center City, it questions if Philadelphia is able to support this expanded sector with rising operating costs and shrinking contributions and ticket sales.

Many of our renowned institutions, critical to weaving together the fabric of Philadelphia’s arts and culture sector, are now struggling to pay for their expansions, or are seeking significant increases in charitable giving to cover their costs.  This illustrates the need for cultural groups to connect their physical assets with strategic plans and business goals.

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Celebrating the Last Leg of a Long Journey

When we serve as Development Manager for an institutional development project, often one of our main responsibilities is supporting fundraising and financing efforts, as well as managing cash flow with these factors in mind. This was the case when we were brought on to manage the development of Lenfest Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music. Our team prepared and administered a $15 million Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program (RACP) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These grants typically support the acquisition and construction of various types of regional projects. The grants don’t directly pay for project costs; they only reimburse bills already paid. So accurate, timely recordkeeping and organization is critical to smooth the flow of funds and to keep the cost of gap financing to a minimum. This requires diligent tracking, reporting, and piles of paperwork to ensure that all project funds that were originally promised can be secured.

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AthenianRazak Featured in Real Estate Bisnow

Read the article here:

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/philadelphia/rittenhouse-realty-pitches-its-tent/

Read about AthenianRazak’s Multifamily Projects here:

AthenianRazak Multifamily Management

Jackie Buhn Attends Counselors of Real Estate Conference in Miami

Jackie Buhn, Principal of AthenianRazak, recently attended the Counselors of Real Estate Conference from October 14 – 17, 2012 in Miami.  While at the conference, she attended a session on Evolving Land Use in Cities., moderated by Patrick O. Mayberry of CRE and included presentations by Genevieve Cadwalader of the Bristol Group and Kenneth Browne of Urban Development Partners.  The session described two largely private projects under construction that have broader implications for urban re-development.

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Lenfest Hall Featured in GRID Magazine for Its Green Practices

Lenfest Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music is featured in the October issue of GRID Magazine.  The article Cultural Shift – Philadelphia’s Institutions Embrace Green Building Practices focuses on how major arts and cultural institutions in the Philadelphia region, including Curtis, have embraced sustainable building and development.

AthenianRazak served as the Development Manager for this new student residence and education building, a major expansion for the Curtis Institute of Music. Lenfest Hall opened in September 2011 as a LEED Gold certified facility.

Click here (http://www.gridphilly.com/grid-magazine/2012/9/24/cultural-shift-philadelphias-major-institutions-embrace-gree.html) to view the article in GRID Magazine.

To read more about our involvement, click here: [http://www.athenianrazak.com/?portfolio=lenfest-hall-curtis-institute-music-philadelphia]

AthenianRazak named manager of 83 homes in PA State Park

AthenianRazak has been named manager of 83 single family homes located in Evansburg State Park, a part of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) park system.  Under this long-term contract with the DCNR, we will coordinate maintenance of homes and buildings, many of which are historic, preserving rental value, ensuring resident satisfaction, and marketing and leasing vacant homes when appropriate. Located in Montgomery County, PA, Evansburg State Park follows Skippack Creek and encompasses a quiltwork of cropland, meadows, old fields and mature woodlands, offering significant green space and relative solitude in an urbanized area.

Pembroke North Condominium Selected for 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania 2011 Commonwealth Awards

In September 2011, Pembroke North Condominium was selected for the 2011 Commonwealth Awards.  Pembroke North was developed by AthenianRazak in a joint venture with The Lenfest Group.  Continue reading “Pembroke North Condominium Selected for 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania 2011 Commonwealth Awards” »