What began as the initial investment in an enterprising strategy hatched during the last recession, came to fruition this week. Becker Capital Management and Melvin Mark Companies managed the sale of their investment property at 1631 NW Thurman Street.
A Goldman Sachs-affiliated entity bought the two-acre parcel for $25.7 million. The parcel includes a four-story, 67,306-square-foot creative office building and a 155-space parking lot. Nick Ehlen and Bryn Hokkanen, Melvin Mark Brokerage Company, represented 1631 NW Thurman Street LLC, and MaryKay West and Chris Johnson, Colliers International, represented Goldman Sachs in the transaction.
The property, built in 1903, was the first opportunity for the Becker and Melvin Mark partnership. The two companies provided investors with the income-producing opportunity using their respective areas of expertise. These are investment management and commercial real estate.
Partnership Advantages
Since the original investment in 2013, Becker/Mark has participated in an additional $40 million of real estate transactions: the HCA Building in 2017, a 34,000-square-foot Class A office building located in the Tigard Triangle, and recently Five Centerpointe, a 114,000-square-foot Class A building in the Kruse Way Corridor.
In 2013, redevelopment of the North Pearl neighborhood surrounding 1631 NW Thurman was beginning to take shape. “Our investment was a leap of faith at the time, since the property was outside the traditional Pearl District boundary,” said Nick Ehlen, who led negotiations for the investor group. “We knew the area had terrific potential and momentum was building for the creative office market segment. Our predictions were on target as new development has flourished around the property over the past five years,” he continued.
For Becker Capital Management, the partnership has opened new strategic opportunities as well. “We’re able to diversify what we have to offer to our investors beyond traditional equities and fixed income,” said Pat Becker, Jr., President of Becker Capital Management.
“Investors continue to see the growth potential in the Portland area and so do we,” said Jim Mark, Melvin Mark Companies CEO. “We’re actively looking for other success stories like this. Within all sectors—office, industrial and multifamily—we’re interested in desirable properties in emerging areas just waiting to be discovered. We firmly remain in acquisition mode.”