Mariposa recently broke ground on a new facility to serve as an office, retail and sales center for Mariposa's staff and for High Desert Investment Corporation.

The 14,500-sq.-ft. facility will be the first building constructed in Mariposa's East Commons, which will serve as a town center. Enterprise Builders, the general contractor for this project, is scheduled to complete the office complex in February 2007.

High Desert Development commissioned Dekker/Perich/Sabatini to design the energy-efficient office complex as a landmark to establish design guidelines for the town center of the new Mariposa community taking shape on nearly 6,500 acres in northern Rio Rancho, located off Unser Boulevard and U.S. 550.

The community is projected to encompass as many as 6,800 residences and become home to 20,000 or more New Mexicans over the next 25 years.

The design goals were to provide a fresh interpretation of New Mexico style and a strong sense of place through simple forms, optimal solar orientation, solar shading, natural day lighting and a contrast of materials.

"This building is very much about capturing the area's panoramic views, but is environmentally responsible to sun and wind elements at the same time," said Bill Sabatini of Dekker/Perrich/Sabatini. "The use of high performance glass and Low-E windows make the office environmentally friendly and open for natural lighting. There are also balconies with trellises to keep the sun's impact minimal."

The building design incorporates contrasting colors and textures with concrete panels and metal skin.

Construction is ongoing on Phase I of Mariposa East, which will include single-family homes, small parks and 10 miles of trails. Mariposa East will be connected to Mariposa West by the Mariposa Preserve. Other planned projects for the community include pools, parks, a clubhouse, employment centers, shops, schools and public gathering places.

Equity Inns to Purchase Hilton Garden Inn

Equity Inns, Inc., the third largest hotel real estate investment trust, has signed a contract to purchase a seven year-old 129-room Hilton Garden Inn in the Albuquerque suburb of Rio Rancho, New Mexico from a partnership controlled by LinGate Hospitality for $11.5 million. The purchase price represents a capitalization rate of approximately 10 percent based upon trailing twelve-month net operating income. The company also expects to invest about $1 million for renovations to the hotel. LinGate Hospitality will retain management under a three year, performance based management contract.

The company expects to close the transaction by the end of the fourth quarter of this year.

To submit New Mexico news announcements, please send information and color photographs to: Scott Blair, editor, at scott_blair@mcgraw-hill.com.

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