Valley Construction: Antelope Valley

Most of the non-residential construction in the Antelope Valley is taking place in Palmdale. A number of major projects have been planned and approved but construction has not yet begun. Following is a round-up of buildings underway and planned for the region. Palmdale Palmdale Regional Medical Center This three-story structure will be completed in 2009. Workers are currently completing the interior. The medical center is 300,000 square feet and is the first new healthcare facility in Palmdale in many years. Its presence in the city has resulted in medical office projects and senior housing to sprout up nearby. Challenger Business Park Six buildings make up this retail and medical complex built by Martin Properties in Westlake Village. Construction is expected to wrap up in early 2009. Palmdale Shopping Center Anchor tenants Super Target, Pet Smart and Home Depot began opening this summer at this new shopping center that will encompass 523,080 square feet upon completion. Of the nine restaurant pads all but two are under construction. Food outlets include Panera Bread and Panda Express. Another 53-acre shopping center has been proposed for a nearby vacant property. The Village on Rancho Vista This 103,039-square-foot senior care center built by Colson & Colson on Fairview Avenue is expected to be open in the next month.. Staybridge Suites This new 71,851-square-foot hotel was completed this year and began occupancy in August. Built and operated by the Barney Hospitality Group, the owner of the adjacent Holiday Inn. Hilton Garden Hotel This four-story, 70,139-square-foot hotel has been open for about a month. Park Plaza East This 66,185-square-foot commercial center was completed this year by builder Astani Development. Tenants include Chili’s and Starbucks but two large buildings and several small buildings remain empty. Embassy Suites The 150-suite Embassy Suites Palmdale broke ground April 18 and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2009. The 7-story hotel, when completed, will be the tallest in Palmdale. It is owned by Palmdale Lodging Associates, LLC and managed by Sun Development & Management Corporation. Sun Real Estate is also the contractor for the project. Lancaster Promenade at Amargosa Creek This retail and office center has been approved by the city but no work has started yet on its 1,326,000 square feet. The 115-acre sire includes an expansion of the Lancaster Auto Mall; restaurants; retail; 165,000 square feet of hotel space; and 471,000 square feet of office space. Lancaster Spectrum Construction has not yet started on this project that includes a La Quinta Inn as an anchor tenant. When finished the Spectrum will be have 177,000 square feet of shopping, lodging and dining right off the Antelope Valley Freeway. The developer is Martin Properties of Westlake Village, who also built the Challenger Business Park in Palmdale. 20th and J This retail center is currently on hold as Home Depot, anticipated to be one of the anchor tenants, has stopped building new stores in the Antelope Valley for the time being. Food chain Fresh and Easy was also expected to locate to this 176,000-square-foot project. Sierra Toyota Expansion The Lancaster Auto Mall location of Sierra Toyota is expanding and being renovated by developer Jim Hawse. The new construction will ass 26,000 square feet. Industrial Park Teitelbaum Construction is developer and builder of eight industrial buildings at Ave. K near Gingham Ave, totaling 90,560 square feet. Eliopulos Plaza A 3-story Class A office building going up at 10th Street West near Avenue M is being developed by J.P. Eliopulos. Total square feet: 77,891. Valley Central Way This 125,000-square-foot retail center is a development of Developers Diversified Realty. Fischer Center Construction is underway for a 45,525-square-foot retail center at 20th Street West & Highway 14. The developer is 20th Street Properties. Arbor Court Insite Development is building a 120,000-square-foot mixed-use senior, residential and commercial project at 44916 10th Street West. YMCA Building The YMCA is adding an office and multi-use space at 10th Street West & Avenue K-8. The project will be 30,000 square feet when completed. Solar power generating facility Pasadena-based eSolar is installing an array of solar collectors near Avenue G & Sierra Highway.