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A few short years ago, describing the structure located at the northwest corner of NW 23rd and Walker Avenue as ‘dilapidated’ would have been generous. It was far worse than any euphemism could politely portray. In a word, it was gross. And believe it or not, it’s still there. The building—or, more accurately, the series of interconnected buildings—recently emerged from what can only be considered an extreme makeover: commercial real estate edition.
Once home to upscale clothiers and a full-service gas station, the property had lapsed into late stage commercial activity. Or perhaps inactivity is a better descriptor. For the last few decades, the furniture liquidation company that most recently occupied this busy, urban street corner touted a “going out of business” sale. When the business was finally shuttered, it was a dream come true for local neighbors and passing motorists. But what would come next? Certainly any business was better than vacant buildings offering an open invitation to vagrants and vermin.
Local resident Johnathan Russell, CCIM, President and Chief Executive Officer of Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors, had an idea. “It was a self-preservation move,” Russell says with a laugh when explaining how his company became involved in rehabilitating the space. As a local resident—he lives a few blocks away—Russell had more than a professional interest in what would eventually occupy the space. This was personal. The structures on the property could easily have been razed and replaced by a national retailer. Anything would have been an improvement.
But Russell had a better idea. Why not preserve the character of the corner and enlist local businesses to populate the new space? Land Run specializes in rehabbing existing structures and brokering leases with new tenants, so this project was right in their wheelhouse. Sort of.
The rapidly aging and decrepit structures posed more than the usual set of challenges for Russell and company. “It was a Pandora’s Box,” Russell shared. “We would do one thing and it would affect something else.” In addition to the expected intricacies encountered in retrofitting an old building to accommodate modern electrical needs, there were plenty of surprises beneath the floorboards as well. For example, workers discovered sewer lines that didn’t exist anywhere in the city’s records. While not surprising, given the building’s location in an area of aging infrastructure, the process of redrawing plans and getting the city’s approval slowed down the project. Some of the discoveries along the way were positive, too. “We uncovered a couple of intact old facades that we were able to preserve,” Russell says.
Despite the hardships, Russell would not have done it any other way. “At the end of the day,” he opines, “it would not have been the same development if we tore it down.” A few structures among the menagerie of buildings appeared to be in jeopardy from the start, but they were all preserved in the end. “We felt it was important to maintain the existing buildings,” says Russell.
The Rise is about 90 percent occupied already, with plans in the works to populate the remaining spaces. With a mix of restaurant and retail, there are plenty of reasons to visit. “It’s a retail space overall but mixed use,” says Russell. With restaurants, bars, retail and tanning, the corner should be busy from morning to midnight. Old School Bagels is an enticing breakfast and lunch spot, and A Good Egg restaurant group’s new oyster bar will offer a unique treat for seafood fans.
The Pump Bar promises gourmet-caliber pub grub and pints, and Pizzeria Gusto brings traditional Neapolitan style pies to the metro. At The Beach tanning and an interior design studio give passersby more reasons to stop. Ample on-site parking makes visiting convenient and, in an area that has known its share of hard times, safe.
The Rise is not the easiest project Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors has undertaken. Not by a long shot. But it is hard to argue with the end result. Now entering their 13th year in business, Russell and company are looking forward to a busy calendar full of new developments and endless possibilities. Would Russell take on a task like The Rise again? Absolutely—no question about it. As for right now, however, Russell admits, “I’m ready for an easier project.” We can hardly wait to see what’s next!
Photography by Emily Brashier
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