“Groundbreaking for a Cause” Event Celebrates $30K Donation to Six Local Non-Profits

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, (May 15, 2019) – MARCEL, a privately owned, fully integrated commercial real estate firm based in The Woodlands, Texas, held its second “Groundbreaking for a Cause” event on May 14 to mark the official groundbreaking of Marcel District, a new mixed-use development with 68,785 sq. ft. of combined office and retail space located adjacent to Johnson Development’s Riverstone master-planned community in Sugar Land, Texas. The expected completion date of the development is Spring 2020.

MARCEL District is the second mixed-use development by MARCEL to break ground in Fort Bend County over the past quarter. Cross Creek Town Center, located within Johnson Development’s Cross Creek master-planned community in Fulshear, Texas, celebrated its official groundbreaking ceremony on March 20.

“Groundbreaking for a Cause,” at the site of the new Marcel District development, was a celebration of the economic growth of Sugar Land and Fort Bend County, as well as a fundraiser to support the important work of six local non-profit organizations serving the Sugar Land area. The centerpiece of the event was a VIP shovel ceremony to reveal the names of the local non-profits, each receiving a $5,000 donation from MARCEL, for a total donation of $30,000.

In attendance at the event were the participants of the VIP shovel ceremony, including City of Sugar Land City Council Member Carol McCutcheon; City of Sugar Land Economic Development Director Elizabeth Huff; Fort Bend County Director of Constituent Services Patricia Garner; Riverstone General Manager Trey Reichert; Regency Centers Vice President of Investments Abe Pacetti, and Nitya Capital CEO and Managing Partner Swapnil Agarwal.

The ceremonial first turning of dirt on the property was followed by a check presentation to the organizations, which included:

• The Fort Bend Education Foundation, which provides opportunities to enrich and enhance the quality of education for all Fort Bend ISD students through its grant programs.
• Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity, which operates as a Christian housing ministry aimed at eliminating substandard and poverty housing in Fort Bend County.
• Fort Bend Family YMCA, which is an organization committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
• Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, which is committed to helping seniors remain independent by enhancing their quality of life through services and resources.
• Fort Bend Women’s Center, which brings healing and hope to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Karya Kares Foundation, which is dedicated to helping those less fortunate get back on their feet with a promise of hope.

“Neighborhood outreach and giving back to the communities where we build has always been a core value of our business,” said MARCEL Founder Vernon Veldekens. “Celebrating the groundbreaking of our newest mixed-use development, Marcel District, while also shining a light on the important work of six local nonprofit organizations serving Sugar Land is a win-win for us, and we are proud to do our part for this community.”

Marcel District represents a new kind of suburban development, one that integrates creative lifestyle amenities and offers a fresh take on the community retail experience, with lush foliage, purposeful signage, and a special event and entertainment space designed for outdoor activities and community gatherings.

“The response to the Marcel District development has been exceptional, proving that a mixed-use, neighborhood-focused town center with fresh retail, restaurant and office tenants’ steps away from the Riverstone master-planned community is in high demand,” said CEO and Managing Partner of Nitya Capital and Karya Property Management Swapnil Agarwal. “We are equally excited to partner with a commercial developer like MARCEL who is making a real difference in the local community with these generous donations.”

MARCEL’s partners in the Marcel District project include principal investor Nitya Capital; Gensler, which is overseeing property design and architecture; CBRE, which is assisting with leasing opportunities, and Bancorp, which is providing the lending.

MARCEL District, located at 18702 University Blvd., Sugar Land, TX, 77479, is situated on 7.3 acres of land, with approximately 41,785 sq. ft dedicated to retail, restaurant and service-oriented space and approximately 27,000 sq. ft. dedicated to Class A office space. Marcel District will accommodate approximately 442 parking spaces.

For more information about MARCEL District, or to inquire about leasing opportunities, call 281-363-1336 or email leasing@stu.hzw.mybluehost.me. For more information about MARCEL, visit www.marcelgroup.com.