Case Study: 161 S 1st Street

Embark on a journey to 161 S 1st – the renowned Vetter. Architects building. Nestled at the crossroads of Walker's Point and the Historic Third Ward, 161 fuses creativity and functionality.​

Building Challenges

161 was not always the trophy of today. When Proper. bought it back in July 2023, the building faced multiple challenges

  • We discovered many unnecessary expenses throughout the building. The prior landlord spent almost $250/mo on a single phone line

  • Moody’s Analytics (Catylist) rated 161 a “Class B” building

  • We found a lot of deferred maintenance:

    • Burned out light fixtures

    • Basement pest problem

    • Improper stucco install leading to water penetration

    • Archaic building access system

    • No common area WiFi

    • No security cameras

Revitilization

Proper. swiftly initiated a comprehensive revitalization plan

  • Under prior ownership, in 2022, 161 spent $17,718.43 on its fire safety contract. Proper. hired a new vendor for $1,903.50 annually.

    • Proper. obtained financial incentives from Focus on Energy and also took advantage of Qualified Improvement Property (QIP) tax savings to install new LED lighting

    • Installed motion sensors

    • Tenants praised the new, modern light fixtures

    • Upgraded building access system to ButterflyMX

    • Upgraded common area internet to fiber optic, increasing speeds from 18 Mbps to 300 Mbps

    • Installed security cameras

    • Immediately resolved issues such as basement pests

    • Implemented policy to address all repair tickets <48 business hours

    • Installed completely new stucco to prevent water intrusion

Under Proper.’s stewardship, the Vetter. Architects building not only rebounded but also thrived.

The tenants relish the upgraded amenities and show their appreciation through above-market rental rates. The 0% vacancy rate highlights the desirability of renting at 161.

Going forward, 161 investors enjoy steady cash flow from the high-credit tenants. They also benefit from the strong building appreciation of a Class A downtown property. Investors’ portfolios also meet sustainability goals due to 161’s ENERGY STAR certification, positioning the asset as a trophy in Proper.’s holdings.

Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point. If you sell something, use this space to describe it in detail and tell us why we should make a purchase. Tap into your creativity. You’ve got this.