Company News

FIRST COLUMBIA WELCOMES FIRST NEW TENANT TO RIVERHILL CENTER:

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Latham to Assume 15,000-Square-Feet at 1201 Troy-Schenectady Road

LATHAM (November 10, 2003) — Commercial real estate development company First Columbia today announced that Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Latham has become the first company to sign a multi-year lease agreement at the Riverhill Center, the recently redeveloped former local headquarters of Kaiser Permanente on Troy-Schenectady Road.

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Latham has signed a 10-year lease for 15,000-square-feet of space at the 26,376-square-foot facility. Presently located at 951 Albany Shaker Road, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Latham will move 40 financial representatives, 17 associates and 15 staffers to the site by Dec. 12.

"For more than 30 years our company has enjoyed being in the Colonie area," said Milton C. Hall III, CLU, managing partner Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Latham, whose network office serves the Capital Region, Southwestern Vermont and Western Massachusetts. "We decided to move to the Riverhill Center because we’re excited about First Columbia’s vision for the site and their professionalism."

Added First Columbia Partner Deborah Mikhitarian: "We’re delighted to welcome Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Latham as our first new tenant to this spacious building. In the coming months we look forward to announcing the arrival of other businesses that want to capitalize on the tremendous location overlooking the Mohawk River, and the economic incentives available at the site."

First Columbia is presently transforming Riverhill Center into a high-tech office complex. During phase one of the project, which is presently underway at 1201, the company is installing new state-of-the-art systems, including energy efficient HVAC, independent electric service and distribution, high-tech life safety systems and dual fiber optic services, all with pleasing new interior and exterior renovations.

In addition to 1201 Troy-Schenectady Road, other buildings slated for redevelopment on the 17-acre site are 1203 Troy-Schenectady Road (75,000-square-feet), 1205 Troy-Schenectady Road (20,912-square-feet), and a new, four-story office tower that will be built at 1207 Troy-Schenectady Road (60,000-square-feet).

For more information, call First Columbia at (518) 213-1000 or email: info@riverhillcenter.com

First Columbia is one of the region's largest real estate developers and part of the Bette Family of Companies, a diversified building organization headquartered in Albany. As a vertically integrated organization, First Columbia provides comprehensive services from site acquisition through permitting, design construction, leasing and financing — all focused on creating value in real estate for their customers.

For leasing information, call First Columbia at (518) 213-1000, or go to www.riverhillcenter.com.