Asset Central to break ground in May

Real estate-related businesses to be based in building

SPECIAL TO VIEWConstruction on Asset Central is scheduled to begin in May on Water Street in downtown Henderson. The 40,000-square-foot building will be home to Asset Realty, as well as a title and escrow company, a mortgage broker and lender, and other related businesses. Advertisement

People looking for residential or commercial real estate in Henderson will have a one-stop shop once Asset Central is completed in spring 2008.

Construction is slated to break ground in May on the 40,000-square-foot office building in the Water Street District in downtown Henderson. The project is part of the city's downtown redevelopment efforts.

Asset Central will bring together Asset Realty with other tenants, such as a title and escrow company, mortgage broker and lender, real estate attorney, engineers, architects and a homeowners association management company.

"The whole concept of the building itself is to have housed in one space services, such as a title company, financing mortgages, et cetera," said Ned Madonia, Henderson senior redevelopment project manager.

The Class A office center will be located at 323 Water St., just off Basic Road. Its location across from City Hall will make it convenient for those who need to do business with the city, Madonia said.

Asset Central replaces a shopping center that stood on Water Street for almost 30 years and was demolished in December. The building was home to companies such as Dr. Kent Marshall Chiropractic, The Stomp, Potters House and the Beauty Saloon.

Judy Henkens, the owner and developer of Asset Realty, said the location is ideal for people involved with commercial realty.

"If we have a developer, he's right there by City Hall and the judicial building," Henkens said. "It's just going to make it so convenient for the individual for whatever they are trying to accomplish."

Currently, Henkens said, the intent is to have one company for each service housed in the building.

"That is the intention right now, but I am open to whatever the market is going to," she said.

Henkens is working with the Henderson Redevelopment Agency to keep the design in line with the city's vision. The agency has committed $600,000 to the $12 million project as an equity investment.

"We're so excited that Judy (Henkens), who is a long-term Henderson business owner ... is expanding greatly her operations," said Michelle Romero, the acting redevelopment manager.

According to Romero, Asset Central will comply with the city's mission to create a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

"It will have the park benches and the shade trees and all the same things that are found along the rest of the street," Romero said.

In addition to open windows, Romero said, the office building will have a balcony overlooking the street.

Henkens said the windows will have the half-moon design of her current office, a converted town-side home located at 14 Water St. In the lobby of the new office, there will be a 5-foot-wide, 15-foot-tall salt water aquarium that will consume one level of the first floor, she said.

"It's going to be a wonderful building," Henkens said.

In addition, Henkens said, she plans to employ retired police officers to act as ambassadors who will greet customers and guard the building.

"That's going to help our retirees have jobs," she said.

For more information, visit www.asset-central.com.