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Grand Avenue Combines All The Best of Related Company's Bold LA Move....

I was perplexed when I picked up the Los Angeles Times the other day and noticed a front-page story that Related was delaying The Grand, its Grand Avenue project. What? That's not what I have heard and seen, so I called R. Webber Hudson, Executive Vice President -- Marketing and Leasing for Related Urban, responsible for the launching and the on-going leasing of this nearly $4 billion project for the Related companies out of New York.

Gehry's Grand Avenue Project -- Los Angeles

The Grand is earmarked as the centerpiece of Los Angeles' renaissance downtown redevelopment -- it features two new towers of luxury residential condominiums and rental residences that will be part of a city block comprising a diverse mix of high-end retail, notable restaurants and a world-class hotel. The project's master plan is being done by noted LA-based architect Frank Gehry.

"Webber, what's up?" I asked. "Despite the negative spin the article delivers, Bill, the project is on track and we are committed to this development that will deliver an icon for downtown Los Angeles. We break ground in 2009" Webber stated. Grand Avenue is a testament to the integrated strength of Related companies -- Related Development, Related California, and Related Urban." Webber pointed to Related's commitment to moving this project forward. "Leases are out for Phase I, and we have already seen a strong interest in The Grand. It will mirror the hand crafted assortment of retailers and restaurants that Related brought to the highly successful Time Warner Center in New York – but with a specific slant towards a Los Angeles sensibility."

So, what is it like to work with Frank Gehry on a mixed-use project? " It's been a great experience because he and his team continually challenge the notion of how retail should be presented in a contemporary mixed-use environment. We bring the practical side of implementation and 30 years of experience -- yet," Webber addeed, "he challenges us in a constructive way that is elevating the solution. We expect The Grand to take mixed-use project design to the next level. We're all very excited about it."

City North -- A Jewel in the Arizona Desert

One of the other exciting Related projects is City North, a 5.5 million sq. ft. mixed-use development located in the northeast part of the Valley of the Sun. The first 1 million sq. ft. will open in October of this year according to Webber. And when the next phase opens in 2010, it will feature the first Nordstrom in Phoenix....and the first Bloomingdales in Arizona. CityNorth is a regional draw -- a magnet for upscale shoppers’ right in their own backyard. It is perfectly positioned according to Webber, "....providing a world-class, luxury urban core in the heart of the Northeast Valley. It is somewhat analogous to Los Angeles' Century City in the early 1960s."

When the lifestyle targeted High Street phase opens at City North in October, it will feature several first-to market merchants including: 25 degrees, Alessi, and Ocean Prime as well as a mixture of some of the great lifestyle brands such as Talbots, White House / Black Market and Gymboree. The second phase opens in 2010. How would one describe City North? "Charismatic," Webber smiled. "It will have its own buzz."

So, what is a nice kid doing in Vermont?

"I'm no kid, but I do love to ski." Webber has a unique commute -- he lives in Vermont, and works in Manhattan at Related's headquarters on Columbus Circle. A graduate of Wayne State University, Webber began his career on the retail side, as a buyer with Macy's in San Francisco in the early 1980’s. “Then I met Ed Plant, one of the legends in retail leasing. He convinced me that this was a great career opportunity, and well, I ended up here at Related some 20 years later after a stint with JMB and Urban Retail Properties. Ed was right. It is a great career."

"My history, my career, and the company I work for (Related) -- all fit for the right reasons," Webber mused. "Related combines all the best of the best -- our company culture and values are about providing the best experience for our customers.

The Eddy Company is one of America's leading specialty retail leasing consultancies. For information, contact Bill Eddy at our Newport Beach office - 949-640-7475. Please e-mail us: bill@theeddycompany.com or visit our web site -- www.theeddycompany.com.