Phoenix, Ariz. —Arizona-based commercial real estate company, ViaWest Group, announces the opening of its Southern California office. The company owns and manages over 5MM square feet in Metropolitan Phoenix and has been named NAIOP Arizona Owner/Developer of the Year two of the last four years.

ViaWest Group hired Chris Cowan to oversee the Southern California region as Market Leader and Executive Vice President. Chris, a native of Los Angeles, has extensive experience in real estate investment; most recently, he held senior leadership roles with CIM Group and as a Development Director with Avalon Bay Communities both in the Los Angeles region. Earlier in his career, Chris worked with JP Morgan in Los Angeles and San Francisco and Houlihan Lokey in New York.

“In the global market we live in, sophisticated capital will always have a need for the value-add capabilities and experience ViaWest brings to the table,” says ViaWest Founding Partner, Gary Linhart. “We have already expanded into Nevada, Colorado, Texas and Washington and we see a lot of opportunity in the Los Angeles market to promote growth in the segments in which we specialize.”  Primary focus will be the acquisition and development of office and industrial properties with periodic opportunistic endeavors into other property types.

“We are excited to have Chris on the team,” says Steven Schwarz, ViaWest Founding Partner. “In some markets, like Nevada and Colorado, we have been able to make inroads from the Phoenix office; however, we believe in an ultracompetitive market like Los Angeles, that strong, local-market knowledge and relationships will be critical to replicating the success we have had here in Phoenix.”

The new hire, Chris Cowan, states, “There are compelling opportunities in Southern California, fueled by robust growth drivers. I am excited to be able to lead the efforts here and build on the excellent platform and culture within ViaWest.”

PHOENIX, Arizona – ViaWest Group recently announced that it has closed on the purchase of a 10-story office building and semi-adjacent parking garage located at 200 E. Van Buren St. and 460 N. 3^rd St. respectively. The 240,0000 square-foot, Class A property was purchased from Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. for $37.65 million ($157 PSF). This acquisition is ViaWest’s sixth purchase in 2018 and its second purchase in downtown Phoenix.

Barry Gabel and Chris Marchildon, with CBRE’s Capital Markets Institutional Properties in Phoenix orchestrated the sale of this downtown asset through their representation of the seller, Phoenix Newspapers, Inc.

The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com will remain in the building as its primary tenants, occupying approximately 99,000 SF. KPNX-TV (Channel 12) and G/O Digital are two additional major tenants that will be staying on.

200 East Van Buren is surrounded by the Sheraton Grand Phoenix Hotel, Phoenix Convention Center and Arizona Center, a mixed-use office and retail development. With convenient access to Valley Metro light rail, the building is steps away from Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix campus, home to more than 17,000 students, five colleges and 84 degree programs. The site also includes an exclusive 8-level, 885-space parking garage located just north of the building.

“We are excited to add this building to our growing Downtown Phoenix portfolio,” said Steven Schwarz, Founding Partner at ViaWest Group. “We are believers in the transformation of Downtown and how this property will fit into it.  With four vacant full floors, an abundance of parking, and a premier location, we will be able to bring our vision for a new ecosystem and aesthetics to the property to position it as one of the most desired places to office in Downtown Phoenix.”

ViaWest Completes Leasing Since Acquisition in February

Phoenix, Arizona  – Deer Valley Financial Center has recently attracted five new tenants, bringing the Northwest Phoenix office complex to 100% occupancy.  The project, located at 22601 N. 19^th Ave., was acquired in February by ViaWest Group of Phoenix.

“ViaWest took a proactive approach, integrating a variety of tenant-friendly amenities and move in ready spec suites at Deer Valley Financial Center, which tenants found extremely appealing. Tenants jumped on the opportunity to be part of the new amenity rich renovations as they knew spaces would be in high demand,” says Ryan Timpani of Colliers International in Greater Phoenix.  “Employee-focused features such as community shuffleboard, television and lounge areas, as well as on-site dining have created one of the best multi-tenant office environments in the submarket.”  Timpani and Kyle Campbell serve as exclusive leasing agents for the Deer Valley Financial Center and represented the landlord in the following lease transactions.

Innovative Pain & Wellness, PLC of Scottsdale signed a long-term lease for 5,690-square- feet of space at the property.  The pain management firm was represented by Rich Andrus and Tanner Milne of Menlo Group Commercial Real Estate in the lease negotiations.

Phoenix Managed Networks, LLC, a telecom firm based in Reston, VA, has leased 5,374 square feet of space for more than five years.  The company was represented by Rick Mineweaser of Diamond Pacific Investments, Inc.

Qmes Holdings LLC has leased 3,122-square-feet of space for more than three years.  The durable medical equipment and supply company is based in Pennsylvania.  Dan Casey of DAUM Commercial Real Estate represented the company in its lease negotiations.

Quest Civil Contractors, LLC, a Phoenix-based construction company, has leased 2,207- square-feet for two years.  The firm was represented by Eric Bell of Kidder Matthews in the transaction.

DuBe Talent Consulting, LLC, a Minnesota company, has leased 1,942-square-feet for more than five years.  The human resources consulting firm is headquartered in Boston and was represented in the negotiations by Kyle Stickles of Cresa Phoenix.

“When we purchased Deer Valley Financial Center, we could see its untapped potential and we planned to execute on a spec suite and amenity program focused solely on the tenants and their employees,” said Steven Schwarz of ViaWest Group. “Prior to delivering any of the improvements, we were successful in bringing the property to 100% occupancy within the first five months of ownership. Although it was not an easy feat, it proves how strong the Deer Valley submarket has become. We foresaw the desire for an amenity rich environment. We created and delivered as promised and the success was clearly demonstrated by our lease up.”

Deer Valley Financial Center is a two-building, campus style office project located near the intersection of 19^th Avenue and Deer Valley Road.  The 126,578-square-foot development features Class A office space, common conference facilities, community shuffleboard, television and lounge space, as well as on-site dining.  The ViaWest Properties asset is adjacent to the Deer Valley Airport and just 20 minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport.  The property offers convenient access to Interstate 17 just one mile away and Loop 101 access just two miles from the project.