464 Acre “Next-Generation Neighborhoods” Reflect Changing Homebuyer Needs

(PHOENIX) – Arizona-based real estate investment and development company Harvard Investments (www.harvardinvestments.com), parent company The Hill Companies, of western Canada, and GTIS Partners LP (“GTIS”), an international real estate private equity firm headquartered in New York City, announced today it will soon break ground on Cadence at Gateway (http://cadenceaz.com), a new master-planned residential community in Mesa’s expanding Gateway corridor. The owners assembled a best-in-class planning and engineering team to design Cadence, anchored by noted land planning and landscape architectural firm Greey|Pickett. Harvard expects to break ground in January 2016.

“Today’s homebuyer is looking for something different – indoor/outdoor living, a community they can connect with and the ability to increase efficiency in how they work, play and live,” said Craig Krumwiede, president of Harvard Investments. “As a next-generation community, Cadence at Gateway will be dramatically different than neighborhoods built the past decade, providing refreshing choices for East Valley homebuyers including a Community Center, fitness center, pools, parks filled with bocce, tennis, sport and play areas, intimate neighborhoods and so much more. It’s a long list but we’ve learned it’s what today’s homeowner wants and will use.”

He added, “And the great news is the amenities will be ready for use on the very first day the community opens.”

“We are excited to be part of a unique master-planned community that will bring housing, retail space and job growth to the city of Mesa,” said Robert Vahradian, Senior Managing Director of GTIS Partners. “Our partner and exceptional design team has integrated the homes, landscaping and amenities together in a way that fosters a true sense of community in the neighborhood.”

Development Timeline

Harvard Investments anticipates having homes available in 2017 as part of phase one of Cadence at Gateway. Phase one plans include approximately 600 homes built by nationally-respected builders, in intimate residential neighborhoods, with abundant parks and a trail system, and resident amenities that include a fitness center, pools, sport courts, community center, cafe and more.

In future phases, Cadence at Gateway’s master plan includes a centrally-located school site, additional community parks nestled among individualized homes, trails, and a main street commercial experience at the community’s main entrance.

Design and Land Plan

Built on New American Traditional Design principles, Cadence at Gateway will foster neighborhood connectivity with short residential blocks (average 10 homes on either side), separated sidewalks with abundant greenery, roundabouts and distinct parks and landmarks for each neighborhood within the community. A richly landscaped entrance will, over time, include a business district with shopping, services and recreation reflective of a traditional main street. 

Additionally, Cadence at Gateway homes will emphasize indoor/outdoor living, usability, durability, modern conveniences and distinct floor plans for every type of homeowner –

from those just starting out, to couples celebrating an empty nest and every type of family in between.

The Square

Inspired by classic American town squares that encourage community gatherings, a planned 12,000 square-foot community center will sit within a town square environment and be available to residents from day one. Cadence at Gateway homeowners can easily stroll, bike or drive to the nearly seven- acre park site that includes the community center.  The Square will contain a great room, café, visitor center, fitness, cardio and weight facilities, state-of-the-art meeting areas, pools, tennis and basketball courts, event lawns, a courtyard and more. Residents will also be able to participate in a rich array of planned indoor and outdoor community activities to enhance their lives and connect them to neighbors and nearby resources.

Amenities and Parks

Cadence at Gateway plans to build nearly 12 miles of on and off street paths and trails for walking and biking within the community.  This includes 1.5 miles that will continue the connectivity of Mesa’s Regional Trail System. In addition, the master-planned community will feature numerous parks reflective of the needs of the surrounding neighborhood. For example, one park may include playground equipment for families with younger children, another cater to teenager’s outdoor recreation needs and another offer a quiet area for adults to relax. 

Accessibility

Located near the Loop 202 Santan Freeway, at State Route 24 between Ray and Ellsworth roads, Cadence at Gateway is situated in the center of the East Valley’s growing Gateway corridor. The new community will provide residents access to high tech employers, a multitude of education options and the thriving Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport.

To learn more about Cadence at Gateway visit http://cadenceaz.com

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About Harvard Investments

Harvard Investments, Inc. is a real estate investment and development company with real estate holdings throughout the western United States. Harvard combines experience, integrity, and financial stability to create high quality, environmentally sensitive, profitable communities. Harvard’s Canadian parent, the Hill Companies, is a privately held diversified company involved in real estate development, oil and gas production and distribution, broadcasting, surety bonding, and life insurance. The Hill Companies celebrated its 100th year of continuous family ownership and operation in 2003. To learn more visit http://www.harvardinvestments.com/

About GTIS Partners

GTIS Partners is a global real estate investment firm headquartered in New York with offices in São Paulo, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Paris and Munich with 79 total employees and currently has approximately $3.1 billion of assets under management. To date, the firm has committed capital to residential, retail, industrial, office, hotel and mixed‐use projects in the U.S. and Brazil. In the U.S., GTIS has invested $1.3 billion of equity in over 80 projects across 20 states, including 65 projects in the residential sector. In Brazil, GTIS has invested in 90 projects comprised of approximately 13,000 residential units developed or planned, and six million square‐feet of office, industrial and hotel projects. For further information, please visit www.gtispartners.com.