Wausau is named nation’s best small city for biking, Federico Uribe’s colorful collection of sculptures coming soon to Leigh Yawkey, CitySquare designer wins national award and a focus on Central Wisconsin’s favorite pizza are in this month’s issue of Heard on Third.
Heard On Third -- Check out our new blog dedicated to news about downtown Wausau events, activities and community happenings. In this edition: read about our new space at CitySquare Office Center, new website for Third Street Lifestyle Center, the downtown Wausau Open House, Chasin Chocolate and our downtown Wausau spotlight business. More...
Wausau business leaders and downtown neighbors gathered at CitySquare Office Center for a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of a major interior renovation. The newly created space within CitySquare includes a training facility, multimedia conference room, lunch area with modernized kitchen facilities, fitness center and indoor bike storage. “Thanks to Mark Craig and the Compass Properties team in Wausau, we’ve brought CitySquare Office Center to 21st Century standards,” said Tyler Noel, President of Compass Properties. “Our tenants now have access to a variety of spaces where their employees can meet and collaborate, as well as amenities that contribute to their employees’ wellness and balanced lifestyles.” Noel said that CitySquare’s downtown location is an asset for its tenants. “Businesses across the country are relocating to urban centers,” he said. “Much of this is driven by the need to attract and retain talent; especially young talent, who increasingly want to [...]
Attracting and retaining employees in an increasingly tight labor market is a key challenge for employers today. In 2018, 44% of employers will be looking to hire full-time, permanent employees and 51% plan to hire contingent workers, according to CareerBuilder’s employment forecast. But 45% of employers say they can’t find qualified people to fill their job openings, and for 58% of them, job vacancies last for three months or more. Office building owners and managers know that helping their tenants attract the talent they need with targeted, cost-effective amenities has become a vital component of their business model. Increasingly, real estate decisions are based on how well the office space and surrounding area provide the type of authentic work and living experiences that today’s workers, especially younger ones, expect. “When I’m working with a client today, it’s critical to know their business and the type of employees they have, so [...]
Thousands of residents and visitors enjoyed another memorable weekend in downtown Wausau, as they embraced the celebration of all things cold at the annual Winterfest. Snow sculptures, horse drawn carriage rides, ice skating, cookie decorating and of course, the legendary taste mac-n-cheese competition. City Square is proud to be a sponsor of this day filled with free activities for the whole family. For those who attended, we hope you enjoyed your Wausau Downtown experience.
Why is Compass Properties focused on Wisconsin? We have deep roots in the Wisconsin area, and we’ve acquired decades of experience and local knowledge. We’re vested not only in the clients we serve, but in the communities in which we operate. By focusing on the markets we know best, we can optimize our resources to deliver a consistent, high quality customer experience through our highly skilled/locally based maintenance team and our award winning real estate development staff. Here in Wisconsin, we are very well positioned – lean enough to be nimble, but large enough and well capitalized to be a sizable force in our target markets. Has the “back-to-the-city” movement for businesses changed the way you look at commercial development? We’ve invested and developed downtown properties since our inception. So it’s been exciting to see the influx of businesses across the country coming back to urban centers in [...]
One of the more controversial forms of architecture, Brutalism has made its way back and could be on the verge of a “breakout moment” in the United States, according to Michael Kubo, an architect and architectural historian. In Britain, the style “has become very, very faddish,” Kudo notes, and “I feel like Britain is 15 years ahead of what might happen in the U.S.” Brutalism first became popular through the work of British architects, Alison and Peter Smithson. According to a New York Times article, “Brutalism is Back,” the purity of its composition of concrete, steel and/or brick is what creates its honest feel. This simplicity was revitalizing after the political turmoil of World War II, as leaders and civilians in many countries found it a symbol of strength, unity, and positive outlook on the future. Wausau is fortunate to have its own building featuring Brutalist Architecture [...]
A growing number of companies are embracing wellness as numerous scientific studies show a positive return-on-investment for these programs. Many property management companies have started to embrace wellness as well in their design and day-to-day activities. Many office centers now offer on-site work-out facilities, walking trails, bike parking, and use design to encourage physical activity. Employees are finding healthier food choices in common areas, more greenery in their work area, outdoor gathering spaces and special events geared toward wellness. In a recent blog article, Compass Properties’ Sheldon Oppermann went so far as to say that “employee wellness is the next big thing in commercial real estate.” He cited a recent AFLAC Workforces Report that found effective wellness programs result in an average of 28% fewer sick days taken, 26% reduction in health care costs and a 30% reduction in workers’ compensation and disability management claims. Focusing on wellness has become [...]
