Leasing for commercial buildings picked up steam in Bend in 2013 and the new year bodes well for continued market activity with the recent leasing of 12,000 square feet at 2500 NE Twin Knolls in Bend by St. Charles Health System.
The large building has been nearly vacant for several years after being purchased in 2011. Walt Romage of Fratzke Commercial Real Estate, says, “The 25,000 square foot building had only one tenant in place till March of 2013.”
St. Charles has over sixty caregiver and health departments that over time have been spread apart to different locations. When contacted to find out how the space would be used, Karen Shepard, executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer for St. Charles Health System, explained, “Caregivers from multiple existing St. Charles departments will move to the new space.
The departments include Healthy Lives (a health and wellness service), health plan administration, care coordination, community benefit, finance, performance analytics and strategic Improvement. In all, more than 60 caregivers will be housed in the new space, consolidating several St. Charles departments that are currently located in office space in different parts of town into one location.”
St. Charles says no new departments moving into the space but only existing ones. St. Charles reports that it took some time to plan. Shepard adds, “The overall real estate analysis and project planning effort has taken just under one year’s time. Construction inside of the shell is expected to begin in March, with an anticipated move-in date in late May or early June of 2014.”
St Charles is pleased to have the new space says Shepard, “Leasing this space will allow us to move many departments that are currently spread out in various buildings, to one location. The location is relatively close to the main St. Charles Bend campus, which will be convenient for the caregivers who have meetings at the hospital on a regular basis.”
The building is nearly fully leased and St. Charles will share the building with the other tenants among them, Bend La Pine Schools and other quasi-medical business on the upper floor.
Commercial Broker Romage explains, “Since Fratzke took over leasing and property management in March 2013, we have signed a lease with Jules Accounting, 1,733 square feet (move in February 2014).”Broker Tom Tapia of Fratzke reports that Ideal You Weight Loss Centers has committed to 2,500 square feet, leaving only 2,000 square feet not leased.
