RocaPoint Partners today announces the office, retail and multifamily leads for the $1B redevelopment along downtown’s University Ridge. Elkus Manfredi Architects, an internationally recognized full-service design firm, has completed land planning for the 37-acre project with a focus on enhancing the walkability and interconnectivity to nearby Greenville destinations and continuing to find opportunities to bring people together. Additionally, CBRE has been tapped to lead office leasing efforts, KDS Commercial Properties will oversee the multifamily component and Steve Yenser with Yenser Co. will direct retail leasing.

“Greenville is experiencing a surge in popularity due to recent investments from major employers, a growing array of unique dining and retail concepts, and an abundance of walking trails and open-air spaces,” said Phil Mays, principal of RocaPoint Partners. “The University Ridge Development serves as a catalyst for this growth, and we’re excited to continue progress with residents, the county and our growing team. Together with our partners, we are focused on creating a distinct gathering destination for the Greenville community.”

Elkus Manfredi Architects, highly regarded for its work on notable commercial real estate projects like The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards in New York City and The St. Regis Residences in Boston, has completed the land planning process for the office and residential buildings, ground-level retail spaces and the hotel. The full-service firm’s design keeps the human experience at the forefront – creating an active public realm for people to come together and enjoy new experiences. University Ridge Development will boast open-air spaces, street-level retail that spills onto the streets, walkability and an active, lively atmosphere.

“We love Greenville as a city – its thoughtful integration of built and natural environments inspired the conceptual design for this project,” said David Manfredi, CEO and founding principal of Elkus Manfredi Architects. “Our goal is to build upon what the city has done over the last two decades and bring a destination where you make community – a place for people to walk and talk, sit in the fresh air and enjoy a nice meal or come together for a unique experience. The vibe and feel of the project are coming to life and it’s even better than what we imagined.”

CBRE, the global leader in commercial real estate services and investments, will oversee office leasing for the project. The office leasing team consists of Charles Gouch, Blaine Hart and Shelby Dodson, who have consistently been the top office team in the state of South Carolina. Over the last six years, they have collectively leased over 5.5 million square feet of office space in Greenville, representing over 600 transactions.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with RocaPoint on such an iconic project for Greenville,” says Charles Gouch, senior vice president at CBRE.  “With its adjacency to downtown, I believe the transformation of the former County Square site will further elevate Greenville’s downtown as one of the best live/work/play communities in the country.”

KDS Commercial Properties specializes in brokerage, development and investment services in Upstate South Carolina. The Greenville-based firm will direct multifamily land sales for the residential component. Steve Yenser, founder of Yenser Co., has over three decades of experience with project development, leasing and transaction execution. He has worked on many notable projects across the country, including mixed-use developments Halcyon and Campus 244 in the Atlanta area, Manhattan Village in California and Rosedale Center in Minneapolis.

RocaPoint’s vision for University Ridge Development includes employing teams of both local and internationally recognized experts to deliver new Class-A office, retail, hotels, residential and public spaces, expected to bring up to 5,500 jobs. The project embraces the spirit of Greenville and enhances connectivity within and to surrounding destinations and points of interest, such as Swamp Rabbit Trail, downtown Greenville and Falls Park on the Reedy. University Ridge Development will also incorporate several greenspaces designed to bring the community together, including a new park and a large open plaza and central gathering space at the new County administrative office facility.

About RocaPoint Partners

RocaPoint Partners, an affiliate of New York-based The Georgetown Company, is a privately held development firm based in Atlanta. The firm invests in value-add commercial real estate investment and development opportunities. With a primary focus on complex projects, RocaPoint’s sophisticated approach, highly experienced team and relationships with financial partners add value to developments across the Southeast. Currently RocaPoint is developing such projects as HALCYON in Forsyth County, Georgia and the PGA TOUR HQ campus in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Learn more about RocaPoint at RocaPoint.com and on LinkedIn.