Hindsight is 2020

As 2020 comes to an end, it’s safe to say that this year was one we never saw coming. Looking back on arguably one of the most challenging and unique years since our founding, #TeamMilhaus still has SO much to be proud of and celebrate. We came together as more than just a business, but as a family, to continue to develop, build and manage existing and future properties. Team members lived out our values in more ways than we could ever imagine. Our company culture looked a little different, but was present, nonetheless. 

The extra collaboration + innovation among team members and partners, the integrity from leadership to do the right thing, the execution of big wins even among tough times- and so much more. As we head into a new year, let’s reflect on all of the wins, lessons and growth.

January:

• After months of planning, rethinking and reflecting on who we are, we proudly relaunched our Mission, Vision, Values and Culture statements. Along with tweaking a few words and clearly defining what we stand for, we also committed to:
  • Giving these statements more visibility in our offices throughout all of our markets with posters and wall displays.
  • More recognition with continuing our monthly Employee Spotlight and adding a new recognition Values VIP program.
  • Improving our communication and providing a  better work experience including reinstating monthly company meetings and of course… more Milton!
• Rachel Keller named January’s Employee Spotlight.

February:

• Our Midwest East team finally moved into their new space officially opening the doors to our Columbus office.
• Kelly Weems named February’s Employee Spotlight. 

March:

• Celebrated Women in Construction Week recognizing the incredible women among Milhaus’ construction teams whose ratio to men, nearly doubles the national average.
• Amidst the start of the pandemic, we launched our efforts to challenge our teams, partners and network to ‘Support Local’.
• The second Artistry to join the brand’s portfolio, Artistry St. Pete began preleasing.
• Jason Weldon named March’s Employee Spotlight.

April:

• Team Milhaus members across all of Milhaus’ markets continued to ban together to Support Local. Members sent in photos to allow Milhaus Corporate social to promote the businesses, continue to spread the word about our campaign and more.
• Celebrated two of Milhaus’ most valuable players, Lori Gahimer and Emily Swan, on National Administrative Professionals Day.
• Glen Ross named April’s Employee Spotlight.

May:

• Phase II of Arsenal 201 broke ground. Located in Pittsburgh’s historic and booming Lawrenceville neighborhood, the $75 million expansion will add 343 units and new amenities to the existing community.
• Our next Indy community and partnership project with Kite Realty Group, AYR, officially closed. The project quickly broke ground upon closing and once complete, the $40 million and 267-unit project plans to elevate and enhance the longstanding Glendale Town Center. As amenities and resident gatherings continued to be on hold, communities showcased extreme innovation to go above and beyond for residents.
• Ryan Lints was named the first ever Values VIP for Q1.
• Emily Moser named May’s Employee Spotlight.

June:

• Milhaus celebrates our 10 year anniversary as a company. 
• Our latest Indy community and first Opportunity Zone project, Grid, had its grand opening. Right next door to sister property Artistry Indy, this $30.4 million project made the perfect addition to another corner of Downtown Indy and is surrounded by everything residents need to live life ‘on the grid’.
• Andrejs Kancs was named June’s Employee Spotlight.

July:

• Big construction progress was made at our two latest Florida projects, Notch and Lector 85 gearing up to open by year's end.
• Two Kansas City properties, Gallerie and Marcato, were honorees among Kansas City Business Journal’s Capstone Real Estate Awards. Gallerie was recognized for best Mixed-Use and Marcato for Architectural Design.
• Natalie Sanchez was named the Values VIP for Q2.
• Austin Olvey was named July’s Employee Spotlight.

August:

• Artistry St. Pete, a $52 million, 246 unit and 10,000 square feet of commercial space project officially opened. Like its flagship property, Artistry Indy, the community features over $120,000 worth of local artist’s work installed throughout the community and an art gallery that rotates showcasing local artists quarterly.
• We officially closed the $37 million and 228 unit project, Arrello. Expanding our Kansas City footprint, Arrello is our first project in Olathe, an “urb-suburb” city just 30 minutes from downtown KC.
• Culture Club implemented ‘Fun First Fridays’ where teams at all properties and offices can participate in a fun theme the first Friday of the month.
• Milhaus debuted on the Inc. 5000 List of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies.
• In appreciation for our Industry’s frontline essential heroes, we celebrated the National Apartment Association’s first ever ‘Apartment Onsite Teams Day’ to say thank you.
• Taylor Bedwell was named August’s Employee Spotlight.

September:

• Milhaus’ first project in Charlotte, NC, and first partnership with development partner, ArchCo, Cambridge Commons, officially closed. When complete, will consist of 248 units in 10 buildings including a clubhouse, resort-style pool, variety of amenities and will be adjacent to Lake Norman.
• Culture Club hosted a ‘Wellness Week’ full of fun activities from water and step challenges to a wellness ‘bingo board’.
• Rachel Rowland was named September’s Employee Spotlight.

October:

• A big win for #TeamMilhaus was our first official acquisition as a company of our newest Columbus community, River House. With our sights set on more growth in Columbus and more acquisitions in the future, this was a great first step aligning with these goals. The $53 million community consists of 285 1 and 2-bedroom unit types and a fully stacked amenity package.
• Vim + Vigor was named the ‘Raise the Bar’ winner at the City of Milwaukee’s Annual Mayor Design Awards.
• Marcato received the Architecture XL: Merit award at the American Institute of Architecture: Kansas City’s 2020 Design Excellence Awards. Brad Hanson was named October’s Employee Spotlight.
• Shawn Billinger was named the Values VIP for Q3.

November:

• Greg Martin was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. As a co-founding partner and dedicated Milhaus leader for the past 10 years, Greg will continue to use his 30+ years of real estate experience to drive our company culture, values and vision throughout our entire organization. A very well deserved and exciting promotion for #TeamMilhaus.
• We closed and announced our portion of a new Kansas City development in partnership with Ryan Companies, The Glade. As part of a larger 320-acre development that will host single-family homes, townhomes, retail and commercial spaces, Milhaus broke ground on our $34.6 million apartment project that has since been named, Urbane.
• The third addition to the Artistry brand portfolio, Artistry KC, officially opened its doors. The $72 million project consists of 341 units, 11,700 square feet of commercial space and like its Indy and St. Pete predecessors, over $120,000 worth of local artist's work installed throughout the property.
• Gallerie was named an Interior Design winner at the Multi-Housing News 2020 Excellence Awards.
• Indy Property Manager, Katie Hudson, was named the Grace McFadden Manager of the Year at the Indiana Apartment Association’s Midwest Multi-Family Conference Awards of Excellence.
• Jennifer Marks was named November’s Employee Spotlight.

December:

• A public art mural from local artist, Jackie Head, was added to Indy property Grid’s exterior. Of her work, Jackie said, “Indianapolis was founded in 1820 and originally plotted on a grid structure, known as the ‘The Mile Square,’ by surveyors Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Foundham. I wanted to take this original grid and combine it with other sources of inspiration relating to my Hoosier background.” The mural joins five additional local pieces installed in the interior.
• Holiday Parties looked a little different this year, but our teams in each market still had fun celebrations to end out the year. From family friendly holiday lights to Top Golf, we made the best out of not being able to gather as one!
• Dustin Reyes was named December’s Employee Spotlight.

 

2020 was a big year, but 2021 is going to be even better! Interested in seeing what 2021 holds for Milhaus? Come join our team!