In The News

April 28, 2007
By Bill Wilson
Published with Permission from The Wichita Eagle

ROOM FOR FISH, AND A FEW MORE

Paul Jackson specializes in quick turnarounds. Sometime this fall, about 20 months after the first spade of dirt was turned at Lakeside at the Waterfront in February 2006, the Stinson Morrison Hecker building at 1625 N. Waterfront Parkway should be full.

The interest is no surprise, said Jackson, whose Vantage Point Properties developed and leased the three-story, 41,160-square foot building.

The project's challenge, Jackson said, was the quick turnaround by contractor Dondlinger & Sons for the law firm that is its signature tenant, and the building's high-end bells and whistles.

None more high-end than the building's main attraction: an 8,000-gallon, 40-ton saltwater aquarium containing about 200 exotic fish.

"That was a little bit like its own construction project," Jackson said. "Whenever we build something, we'd like something to make it special and unique."

Building owner Barry Downing, Jackson's father-in-law, said the aquarium fits the building's waterfront location and his family's fondness for scuba diving.

The acrylic aquarium was built by International Concept Management in Grand Junction , Colo. , along with six other subcontractors, including David Manwarren, whose California company designs zoo and aquarium exhibits.

The signature tenant, Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP, moved into 15,000 square feet in January, 11 months after ground was broken.

"We explored a lot of opportunities and it came down to being a part of this new, dynamic development," said partner David Bengtson.

Add in convenience of location and visibility --"a chance to enhance our brand," Bengtson said -- and the move has been a good one for the law firm.

Stelbar Oil Corp. moved in earlier this month, taking 6,500 square feet on the second floor.

Two other tenants -- Jackson's Vantage Point Properties and Downing's Northrock Inc. --are preparing to move in this spring and summer.

"What we wanted was an office building similar to what you'd find in a Dallas, bigger cities," Downing said. "The Waterfront is a great venue, a high-quality development and a perfect spot."

About 6,100 square feet remain on the first floor and 3,800 square feet on the second floor. Jackson is confident enough in his target market to have the building fully leased by the fall.