OKC Real Estate Briefs April 9, 2004

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Apr 9, 2004 by Darren Currin

Edmond-based home builders Ben and Tim Turner will mark their company's 40th year in the home building business this month with a new corporate name, Turner & Son Homes, and plans for growth in 2004. The builders have been operating as First Star Homes Inc.

Our new name reflects the evolution of our company, said Tim Turner, president and second-generation home builder. When my dad started building homes 40 years ago, he focused on quality craftsmanship in every detail. It's a legacy we carry forward today. We stand behind the quality of every home we build, and are proud to put the Turner & Son Homes name on each one.

Ben Turner is also looking forward to the company's expected growth as a result of their new change in name and continued commitment to quality.

I come from the old school of doing things the right way - not the cheap way or the fast way, Ben said. Using quality materials and skilled craftsmen is essential for the kind of homes we build. We're also very detail oriented and are on job sites daily to be sure our standards are being met. Our customers tell us they can see and 'feel' the difference in our homes. You won't see that changing.

Turner & Son Homes plans to expand their inventory to include larger homes with custom amenities, all constructed in areas with Edmond and Deer Creek schools.

Historically, we've focused on homes 1,800 to 2,200 square feet, Tim said. In 2004 we're expanding into new neighborhoods such as Lake Shadows and Cumberland Crossing where some of our homes will approach 3,500 square feet.

Construction has begun on the first homes in Lake Shadows, a new addition located within Settlers' Crossing at Covell Road and N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Cumberland Crossing, located near Coffee Creek and N. Pennsylvania, is expected to see construction begin on new homes in early summer.

Turner & Son Homes is also currently building in Woodvine, located at NW 170th Street and N. May Avenue, and in Westwind at Settlers' Crossing, Covell and N. Pennsylvania. Plans are also in place to build in The Landings at Stonebridge at 33rd and Boulevard, and Ash Grove at Coffee Creek at Covell and Kelly in Edmond.

In all of our homes, regardless of size, we offer amenities that allow the buyer to add the custom touches that make a house into a home, Tim said. When customers purchase one of our homes under construction, we have an interior design consultant who works with them at no additional charge to customize their interior palette, select fixtures and pull the whole look together.

In addition, the Turner's added that their homes include a ProHome Warranty on every home sold.

Trammell Crow to handle Union Plaza leasing

Trammell Crow Co. is continuing to expand their presence in the Oklahoma City office market. It was announced this week that the company was selected by GBR Properties to handle leasing for the Union Plaza building, 3030 Northwest Expressway.

Constructed in 1982, the building consists of 246,001 rentable square feet on 5.56 acres. P. Scott Wieczorek and Amy Dunn will represent Trammell Crow in handling leasing for Union Plaza.

We have wanted to work with GBR Properties and their portfolio in Oklahoma City for several years, said Wieczorek. Union Plaza is GBR's landmark building and the recent lobby renovation and exterior upgrades make it one of the most attractive locations in the city.

Wieczorek said that GBR has assembled a management team that Trammell Crow has previously worked with both in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Scott and I leased over 40,000 square feet at The Tower in 2003, which is a competitive property to Union Plaza, added Dunn. We have the same goals for Union Plaza in 2004.

Founded in 1948, Trammell Crow serves such clients as William E. Simon & Sons, Kerr-McGee Corp., CalPERS, Equitable, CFH Investment Trust, Koll Bren Schreiber Realty Advisors and Oklahoma Christian University.

GBR owns 16 properties in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Its Oklahoma City holdings include Union Plaza, Enterprise Plaza, The Registry, One Grand Park, Harvey Parkway, Nichols Hills Executive Center, Brixton Square and Heritage Plaza.

Trump deal maker to speak

Stephen L. Good, one of Donald Trump's deal makers as well as a real estate authority and author, will deliver the keynote address at the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors' annual International Conference on April 16 in Oklahoma City.

The conference will be at the Marriott Waterford Hotel, 6300 Waterford Blvd. Good's presentation is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.

Good is the CEO and chairman of Chicago-based Sheldon Good & Co. Auctions, which is the nation's largest real estate auction firm. He also is chair of the 970,000-member, National Association of Realtors Real Estate Auction Forum and president of the 11,500-member Chicago Association of Realtors.

Licensed to practice law in Illinois and Florida, Good wrote a new book, Churches, Jails, and Gold Mines-Mega-Deals from a Real Estate Maverick. Good's book takes a behind-the-scenes look at some of Sheldon Good & Co.'s high-stakes real estate transactions and features an afterward by Donald Trump as well as a chapter on the successful Sheldon Good auction for Trump of his Trump Plaza of the Palm Beaches.