Portland Architect William Fletcher

Barclay Grayson is a longtime Portland, Oregon, entrepreneur who holds executive responsibilities with BPM Real Estate Group. One of the landmark downtown Portland projects Barclay Grayson is spearheading is the 35-story, mixed-use tower Block 216, which promises to transform the iconic downtown skyline originally envisioned by midcentury modern designers such as William Fletcher.

As reported by Oregon Live, one of Fletcher’s first architectural creations, a virtually transparent family home near the Willamette River, went on sale in April 2022. Built in 1954 on a forested, 2-acre lot, 10803 S. Riverside Drive is located in Riverdale, between Portland and Lake Oswego. It is valued at $1.25 million.

The innovative (for its time) dwelling is described as an “architectural gem” that combines graceful geometric contours and an eminently livable design. Skylights and windows are positioned to draw in light, while a concrete fireplace hearth acts as a living room centerpiece.

The home was one of several that Fletcher designed with modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as an inspiration. The harmony of forms, with a sense of floating elements, has led the homes to be called “timeless.”

Commercial Properties Maintained by BPM

Barclay Grayson is an active presence in the Portland, Oregon, entrepreneurial community who serves as senior vice president of BPM Real Estate Group. Responsible for acquisitions and development, Barclay Grayson is part of a multifaceted team that manages a wide range of office buildings and commercial properties in Portland. The more than $250 million in properties developed since 2015 include Pearl West, Willamette Oaks, 2100 Building, and Broadway Tower.

Rising 19 stories, Broadway Tower is situated in the central downtown area, only 5 minutes on foot from landmarks such as Portland State University and South Park Blocks. It is also close to premier museums, shopping, and dining. A 180-unit Radisson Red Hotel inhabits the first eight floors of Broadway Tower, while 184,000 square feet of office space are housed in the rest of the building. Featuring upscale restaurants and bars, as well as a fitness center, the building is designed to be bike friendly and includes a secure bicycle storage area.

Occupied by an architectural firm, The Willamette Oaks is an office building that spans 36,524 square feet. Located next to Willamette Park in a leafy neighborhood, it offers exceptional views of the Willamette River.

Situated on SW River Parkway, the eight-story 2100 Building spans nearly 100,000 square feet and sits on a 1.21-acre site. Its offices are fully leased out to an urban planning and engineering firm and a logistics solutions provider.

Other BPM commercial properties are located in areas such as Deer Valley in the Phoenix metro area and California’s Silicon Valley.

Ritz-Carlton Consistently Expands 2021

Portland, Oregon, executive Barclay Grayson holds a leadership role with the BPM Real Estate Group, where he is responsible for development and acquisitions. Currently focused on Block 216, a downtown Portland tower that will include a five-star Ritz-Carlton, Barclay Grayson monitors trends in the hospitality industry closely.

While not yet at pre-pandemic levels, the luxury travel market is experiencing significant growth. One example is Marriott International, Inc., which in late 2021 announced plans to open 30 luxury hotels and resorts over the next year, including familiar names such as JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, W, and St. Regis. These will bolster an existing network of 460 landmark locations across 68 countries and be a vital first phase in a luxury development pipeline expected to expand its footprint by 190 properties.

As revealed in a luxury trends study undertaken with Team One, one major shift is that affluent travelers are no longer “box checking,” so much as thoughtfully and intentionally planning trips. They are looking toward deeper travel experiences that involve meaningful connections with places visited. This ties in closely with the Ritz-Carlton’s ethos of highlighting the unique attributes of locations where hotels are located.

The Ritz-Carlton brand consistently expanded in 2021, with locations opening in Mexico City, Turks & Caicos, and the Maldives. Upcoming debuts include the Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley in Arizona, New York’s vibrant NoMad district, and Melbourne, Australia. In addition, a sixth estate location in Jiuzhaigou, an historic Chinese valley, is being planned. In May 2022, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will also launch with its highly anticipated inaugural voyage.

Luxury Portland Condo and Hotel Project

Portland, Oregon, business executive Barclay Grayson of BPM Real Estate Group, seeks out development and acquisition opportunities that strengthen its diversified portfolio. One of Barclay Grayson’s high-profile projects currently under construction is Block 216, a 35-story structure in downtown Portland at Southwest Alder Street and Southwest 10th Avenue.

The development will house 138 condos, office space, and 11 floors dedicated to a Ritz-Carlton, the lattermost of which could mark the city’s first-ever five-star luxury hotel. Those involved with the project suggested that this might attract Portland visitors with an interest in more lavish hotel accommodations and Silicon Valley executives who take corporate jets to and out of Portland to avoid overnight stays. Additionally, the Ritz-Carlton brand’s popularity overseas presents an opportunity for enticing new visitors to the city.

Guests rooms at the Marriott-owned Ritz-Carlton will feature sweeping views of Downtown Portland. Planned amenities include spas, lounges, a yoga studio, a fitness center, and hot tub, as well as a lobby bar and two restaurants. With an opening set for 2023, the hotel will be positioned to benefit from renewed travel and hotel demand should expectations for that year as a post-pandemic period realize.

EB-5 Program & Real Estate Development

Based in Portland, Oregon, Barclay Grayson serves as senior vice president of BPM Real Estate Group. In this role, Barclay Grayson acquires and develops real estate in Portland while seeking out opportunities for funding, such as Opportunity Zone and EB-5 sources. The EB-5 program allows foreign investors to secure permanent residency by investing a certain amount of money in a commercial enterprise that results in the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs. Because construction jobs count, EB-5 has become a significant funding option for real estate developers.

Unfortunately, however, some developers feel that EB-5 is a quick way to get funding when compared to other lending sources, but the money can actually be quite slow in coming. Counting on using EB-5 funds at the beginning of a project often makes bridge financing necessary, as the EB-5 funding needs to be consolidated and processed before it is disbursed, and this can take time. In the past, this funding has been used with a five-year investment timeline, but this depends on the country providing the money. The Vietnamese timeline is more like seven years, and Chinese investments can take up to 15 years.

A more efficient way of using EB-5 money is by refinancing large construction loans. With this strategy, the developer’s equity gets replaced by cheaper EB-5 funding, and the overall cost of capital can drop by up to 7 percent.

Published: Eligibility Criteria for Opportunity Zones

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Published: What Is EB-5?

I published “What Is EB-5?” on @Medium https://ift.tt/3m9rIJS