July 29, 2024

When Empire Homes purchased 150 acres in 2019 that would become the Harvest Creek development, co-owner Brady Hyde predicted that it would take seven years to develop.

While no one anticipated the pandemic and ensuing real estate market disruption, “we’re trending toward that,” he said.

Overall, the mixed-use development near 57th Street and Veterans Parkway has gone “very well,” Hyde said.

Harvest Creek blends commercial development with multiple multifamily communities, owner-occupied twin homes and townhomes, and traditional single-family homes.

The commercial land, which is closest to 57th Street, likely will be the next to take off in the coming year.

DQ Grill & Chill is the latest retailer to sign on for a site, with plans to start construction in the spring.

“I feel like there’s a huge void in that area for quick-serve and ice cream in general,” said Kristen Zueger, a commercial broker with Lloyd Cos. who represented DQ.

The next-closest locations for DQ are on East 10th Street and West 57th Street, so “it has been on their radar for several years, and we looked at several sites,” Zueger said. “We were focusing on the south side of East 57th Street given the neighborhood growth and access and traffic patterns.”

The area also appealed to Nyberg’s Ace Hardware, which has owned land for a store not far from the existing Dollar Tree since 2022.

Owner Kevin Nyberg also plans to start construction next spring.

He compares the planned 25,000-square-foot store to similar ones on Sycamore and Sertoma avenues.

“It’s exciting, and it’s going to be a fun project,” he said. “The excitement for us coming out there has been tremendous. People tell me, ‘I can’t wait until you get your store out here,’ which is nice.”

The regional and national retailer interest also is leading to leasing conversations for small-shop retailers in two new strip centers that are anticipated to break ground in the spring.

“We’ll have retail spaces ranging from 1,500 to 1,800 square feet, including a drive-thru endcap,” said Ryan Tysdal of Van Buskirk Cos., who has the commercial space listed.

“Harvest Creek has a half-mile of prime frontage along East 57th Street. Tenants like high profile locations like Harvest Creek.”

“Another national retailer is under contract on the southwest corner of 57th and Rateliff,” he said, adding the deal is expected to close later this year.

“We also have a few commercial parcels left for sale along 57th Street that would be ideal for a quick-serve restaurant and a full-service bar and grill,” Tysdal continued.

Retailers are attracted to the area by the high traffic counts on 57th Street and Veterans Parkway, which will connect to the south perimeter of the city, as well as nearby Harmodon Park, he said.

“Restaurants and retailers want to be in areas with great connectivity. Being near Veterans Parkway offers that at Harvest Creek,” Tysdal said. “Harmodon sees over 350,000 visitors each ball season.”

Harvest Creek also has several small office buildings for sale. Construction just started on 10 buildings along 57th Street. Each is 3,000 square feet.

“The office buildings are a great opportunity for a business owner who has interest in owning their own building rather than leasing,” Tysdal said. “Office tenants like being near retail. Having restaurant and retail options nearby is ideal.”

More residents in the area support that commercial activity.

The Wondery is the latest apartment complex to open in the area, joining The Croft and The Slate.

“We have two multifamily projects left out there, one of which we’ll start in the spring,” Hyde said. “Those will be … on the southernmost boundary overlooking the detention pond — the southeast corner of the site adjacent to The Wondery and west of The Wonders.”

Hyde estimates that Empire Homes has fewer than a dozen single-family home lots left, plus three or four twin home lots.

After starting with about 80 acres of residential development, “I would say we’re probably through 75 to 80 percent of all residential lots,” Hyde said.

“There’s some starter and mid-tier (homes). It’s a very good location, and there are only so many of those that come around, and we’re happy we were able to put it together.”