The Warehouse Hotline, Colorado’s leading industrial real estate brokerage, brokered the original land sale to Opus Development Company, setting the stage for what would become Project Waterfall Colorado—winner of the 2025 CoStar Sale/Acquisition of the Year. This landmark Aurora land sale laid the foundation for a $600 million manufacturing facility that’s now transforming the state’s industrial landscape.
This milestone deal highlights the explosive growth of logistics, distribution, and manufacturing hubs near Denver International Airport, proving that strategic brokerage can spark billion-dollar outcomes—and Project Waterfall Colorado stands as the perfect example.
From Land Deal to $600M Industrial Powerhouse
The Sun Empire – Project Waterfall Colorado transaction is one of the most transformative in Colorado commercial real estate history:
- 320-acre site in Aurora, CO
- Sold by Warehouse Hotline to Opus Development Company
- Later sold by Opus to PMI’s U.S. affiliate, Kairus, Inc.
- $49.8 million resale shattered regional land value records
- Enabled a $600 million advanced manufacturing campus now under construction
This new facility is expected to:
- Inject over $1 billion into the regional economy
- Create 5,000 construction jobs by 2026
- Generate 500 permanent jobs, reshaping Aurora’s workforce and economic future
A Legacy Rooted in Colorado’s Past
The name Sun Empire honors Aviva Sonenreich’s family legacy. Her father, Izzy Sonenreich—whose surname translates from German to “Sun Empire”—helped steward the land for decades. Project Waterfall Colorado brings new life to this heritage-rich property, meeting modern industrial demands while bridging legacy with innovation in industrial real estate.
The Original Deal That Sparked It All
The Warehouse Hotline team, led by Izzy and Aviva Sonenreich, brokered the original sale to Opus. The property, part of a historic 640-acre tract, has been held for generations by the Sonenreich and McVey families, whose ties to Aurora date back to the 1800s. Located just five minutes from DIA, the site offered a rare combination of location, scale, and legacy.
Complexity, Coordination, and Execution
Bringing PMI to the table required Opus to coordinate a highly complex transaction involving:
- Zoning and infrastructure logistics
- Health and safety certifications
- Regulatory approvals across agencies
- Strategic financing packages
Despite the challenges, the outcome of Project Waterfall Colorado represents one of Colorado’s most impactful industrial developments, delivering new jobs, tax revenue, and a bold future for Aurora.
“This brings major tax revenue and investment into the area, period, regardless of one’s opinion on smokeless tobacco.” — Nick Jurgens, Madison Commercial Properties
Key Players in Project Waterfall
- Initial Seller: Partnerships led by Izzy Sonenreich and the McVey family
- Buyer (Original Sale): Opus Development Co.
- Buyer (Second Sale): PMI via JLL (David Lee, Jason Addlesperger, Chuck Rosien)
- Broker for Second Sale: CBRE (Daniel Close, SIOR; Todd Witty, SIOR)
- Original Land Broker: Warehouse Hotline, Izzy Sonenreich Aviva Sonenreich
Recognized by Industry Leaders
This award-winning deal was judged by a panel of leading commercial real estate professionals, including:
- Aviva Sonenreich, The Warehouse Hotline
- Alex Shapiro, Transwestern
- Jeremy Ballenger, CBRE
- Nick Jurgens, Madison Commercial Properties
- Randy Danielson, Opus Development Co.
Their verdict: Project Waterfall is a regional game-changer.
What It Means for Industrial Real Estate
Project Waterfall Colorado exemplifies how innovative brokerage, strategic legacy assets, and sharp execution can create transformative outcomes in industrial and warehouse real estate. It demonstrates how large-scale projects can drive job creation, economic revitalization, and elevated industry benchmarks.
The Warehouse Hotline isn’t just closing deals, we’re creating impact with landmark transactions like Project Waterfall Colorado.
The Warehouse Hotline isn’t just closing deals—we’re creating impact:
- Job creation
- Economic revitalization
- Elevated industry benchmarks
Want More Success Stories Like This?
Check out the full list of 2025 CoStar Impact Award Winners and discover how The Warehouse Hotline continues to shape Colorado’s industrial real estate landscape.
Read the full article on CoStar: Multi-Pronged Land Deal Primes Tobacco Company’s $600 Million Colorado Development Plans
Connect with Aviva on LinkedIn or tune in to the Commercial Real Estate for industrial leasing insights, deal breakdowns, and real-time market trends.
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