Rockmann Development Group of Lakewood announced the groundbreaking and construction of the first phase of a 52,800-square-foot neighborhood retail, restaurant, and office center.

The new center will be located in the prestigious community of Fircrest, on the corner of Orchard Street West and Emerson St (40th St.).

Phase I is scheduled for occupancy January 2005. The development , design, construction, and finance team includes; Rockmann Development Group, Helix Design Group, Pacific Engineering Design, Mountain Construction, and Venture Bank.

“We have worked closely with the Town of Fircrest to create space for local and regional retailers and professional office spaces. The design and development of Emerson Courtyard has been a real team effort,” said Allen Olson, CEO of Rockmann Development Group. “The mayor and Town Council members required open spaces to be incorporated into the design. That resulted in 3,000 square feet of public courtyard spaces.”

Emerson Courtyard will consist of two buildings. The shopping center will have multiple levels with access from Orchard Street and Emerson Street.
Building ‘A’, the first to be built, is designed with two levels. The Orchard Street level will offer retail, restaurant, and office spaces while the Emerson Street Level will offer lower intensity retail/office incubator spaces. Several of the spaces on the Emerson Street level are designed to accommodate a roll-up door if needed by the tenant.

The second building ‘B’ is scheduled to be a design duplicate of Building ‘A’ but with three levels. This will allow for 13,200 square feet of premium office and professional space on the top level with retail, office, and restaurant space on the Orchard Street level. Underground parking is planned for the Emerson Street level.

“An espresso coffee shop is planned to be adjacent to the north courtyard. Axiom Commercial Real Estate, the center’s leasing agent, is currently talking with several sit down restaurants for the space adjacent to the center courtyard for indoor/outdoor dining,” Olson noted. “Other tenants include neighborhood services of a Chiropractic Center, Cleaners, Beauty Salon, and a Chinese Restaurant. We want the residents of Fircrest to view Emerson Courtyard as a fun and enjoyable place to shop and gather with friends and family.”

For leasing information, please call Axiom Commercial Real Estate LLC at 253/473-5351.