LONGMONT — The freight train that is Oskar Blues Brewery continues to gather steam, metaphorically if not literally.

The founders of the growing Longmont-based brewery have purchased the property at 1555 S. Hover St. in Longmont for $1.525 million. The 4.86-acre property is the home of Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids and Solids restaurant and tap room, a 7,508-square-foot restaurant Oskar Blues opened in 2009.

Oskar Blues founder Dale Katechis joked that the purchase will enable Oskar Blues to establish direct rail service between Longmont and the Boulder brewpub Oskar Blues is planning to open in early 2014. That will be at the historic depot in Boulder Junction, and both properties are adjacent to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line. Katechis admits it's "a pipe-dream goal" likely to be frowned upon by the railroad.

More seriously, Katechis said the purchase guarantees Oskar Blues can remain and grow at the location, which gives it prominent exposure to drivers entering Longmont via the Diagonal Highway.

"It looks like we've created a good business there, and we want to make sure we control our property," Katechis said. "It took some risk out of it, and it made financial sense."

Liquids and Solids probably will have to expand in the future, and there is ample land at the site, he said.

"We need some more space, specifically more dining space and parking. It gives us the possibility to expand," Katechis said.

Red Clay LLC, created by Dale and Christi Katechis, acquired the property from Pratt Management Co. LLC in a deal that closed last week. Katechis said he wanted to purchase the property when the company moved in, but a deal couldn't be put together.

Katechis founded Oskar Blues Brewery LLC and owns the Longmont-based brewer, which also operates a tap room and brewery at 1800 Pike Road. The company also operates a blues club at 303 Main St. in Lyons. Red Clay LLC owns that property.

In addition to the real estate deal and the plans for the Boulder Junction restaurant, Oskar Blues is expanding to the East Coast with a brewery and restaurant/blues club in Brevard, North Carolina.

"It's good to be busy," Katechis said. "I bet we have a dozen different projects going on right now, to capitalize on the excitement around craft beer."



BREEZING IN: A growing chain of car washes based in Fort Collins has broken ground on a new car wash in Longmont.

Breeze Thru Car Wash intends to open in early November at 1213 Ken Pratt Blvd., co-owner John Agnew said.

The car wash will be Breeze Thru's fourth when it is finished, according to its website. The family-owned company also operates car washes in Fort Collins and in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and is under contract to purchase one in Greeley.

The facility will be built around an automated-tunnel car wash, through which vehicles will pass while drivers are inside, Agnew said. The building's dimensions are approximately 130 feet by 40 feet.

Prices will range from $3 to $19, and the facility will include 18 slots in which clients can use free vacuums, Agnew said.

Construction will cost about $4 million, he said.

Fort Collins-based Brinkman Construction Inc. is building the car wash.



BOULDER

3100 PEARL: MKS Residential LLC has started construction of its 319-unit apartment project at 3100 Pearl St. The project is expected to be completed by June 2014.

MKS Residential is a development company based in Solana Beach, Calif. ReyLenn Construction Co., an MKS affiliate, is building the project.

The units will be in two buildings on the 5.3-acre site across Pearl Street from Boulder Junction, the mixed-used development being developed by the Regional Transportation District and Pederson Development Co. The 3100 Pearl project includes 3,000 square feet of commercial and restaurant space.


LEASES SIGNED

• Aktiv-Dry LLC, a company developing an inhaler to provide measles vaccinations that can be used in developing countries, has signed a lease for 2,810 square feet at 2100 Central Ave. The landlord, Schneider 3 LLP, was represented by Becky Gamble and Dryden Dunsmore of Dean Callan & Co. Hunter Barto of Dean Callan & Co. represented Aktiv-Dry.

• Revolution Climbing has moved into a new 2,400-square-foot industrial space at 3265 Walnut St. Andrew Freeman of Freeman-Myre Inc. represented the landlord, the Kreizel/Perry Partnership. Michael Ruiz of Coldwell Banker commercial represented the tenant.

• Rocky Mountain Holistic Healing Center signed a long-term lease for 2,096 square feet at 5277 Manhattan Circle, Suite 250. Hunter Barto of Dean Callan & Co. represented the landlord, the Douglas E. Myers Revocable Trust. Barto said it is the first time in more than 10 years that Manhattan West has been 100 percent occupied.

Michael-Ryan McCarty of Gibbons-White Inc. represented the tenant.


BROOMFIELD

ANTHEM'S NEW BUILDERS: Richmond American Homes and Standard Pacific Homes have been selected as builders for the Anthem Highlands community in Broomfield, according to a press release by Wheelock Street Capital, developer of the community.

Construction of model homes and inventory homes by the builders will commence at Anthem Highlands this summer, the release said.

Anthem Highlands was started in the mid-2000s by Pulte Homes. Pulte sold the unfinished lots to Wheelock Street Capital in December. Pulte no longer is involved in Anthem Highlands, said Barbara Koenig, a spokeswoman representing Wheelock Street Capital.

The new teams plan to make changes to the new community.

"The new builders will expand the range of product and the price range," Koenig said.

Furnished models are expected to open this fall. Richmond American will offer homes ranging in size from approximately 1,900 to 3,100 square feet and priced from about $350,000 to $450,000. Standard Pacific will offer homes ranging from about 2,400 to 3,400 square feet, with prices starting from $450,000, according to the release.

Richmond American Homes is a unit of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC), which is based in Denver. Standard Pacific Corp. (NYSE: SPF) is based in Irvine, Calif.

Anthem Colorado, a 1,700-acre master planned community located at Lowell Boulevard and Colorado Highway 7, includes the communities of Anthem Highlands and Anthem Ranch. An age-restricted community, Anthem Ranch is being developed and built by Del Webb, a division of PulteGroup Inc. (NYSE: PHM), which is based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Nearly 1,400 homes have been built since opening in 2006; the community has been approved for up to 3,500. Amenities in place include two 32,000-square-foot recreation centers, 48 miles of trails and 735 acres of open space.


Michael Davidson can be reached at 303-630-1943 or via email at mdavidson@bcbr.com.