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Feature

Our New Brand: Two Names, One Company, And a Family You Can Trust

September 29, 2020
By Kevin Huber, President & CEO

Over the past few months, you’ve been introduced to the Grupe Huber Company, formerly known as Grupe Commercial Company. Neither of these two names are new to you — and that’s the point. Over the years, both the Grupe and Huber families have built strong relationships in the Central Valley and beyond. We’re native Californians, and our work with the land and the people who live here means something to us. We created Grupe Huber Company so we could continue to build upon that foundation and develop a legacy that will carry all of us into a bright future.

The projects Grupe Huber takes on are designed to strengthen our communities, enrich the lives of our employees, and return healthy profits to our shareholders and investors. We are continuing to develop commercial projects, expanding upon our existing 1.5 million square feet of office, retail and storage projects. In addition, with the experience of our leadership team, we are adding new residential opportunities to our portfolio — but we’re not going to build just for the sake of building. There’s a real meaning and purpose behind everything our company tackles.

A little more than a year ago, we sat down and really began to think through the core values of this new company. These reflect who we are as a business, but they’re much more than that. They reflect who we are as people, too.

Integrity. We will always strive to do what’s right, even when it’s not easy. That means no cutting corners, no sacrificing quality for quantity, and nothing built solely for profit.

Invested. We promise that we will use our financial strength and experience to create a better world. Our projects will benefit our loved ones, our employees, our tenants, and our communities.

Resourceful. Where other people see problems, we see opportunities. In an upcoming University Park newsletter, you’ll read about how the lake at University Park came to be. That was a logistical problem that became a source of pride and beauty. It’s a small example sampled from many years of work, but it speaks to how we approach and solve challenges.

Quality. If you know us, you know that we don’t do anything by half. We have a proven track record of execution and success, and we create projects that are built to last.

Service. We will leave this world better than we found it. That starts with treating our tenants and customers with respect and always overdelivering on their expectations.

These five core values may sound simple, but they give us a blueprint for our projects and for our future. Every single thing we do is designed to fit within these values, from the way we communicate with you in our newsletter to the way we work with municipalities on new design plans to the way we show appreciation to our tenants. What you see is what you get with Grupe Huber. We’ll always be genuine and transparent with you.

Our new company has a new home, too, and that home is a reflection of what we do. It’s in the Spruce Building at University Park, a 1929 structure that Sandy and our team of partners restored with a lot of care and attention. We could have put up a new building so we could start fresh — but that wouldn’t have been us. Spruce has great bones, great history, and a new mission and purpose. It will be solid for generations to come. You could say that it’s the perfect metaphor for Grupe Huber.

Our company name may be new, but we’re still the same people you’ve worked with for years. Grupe Huber is two names you know, one company, and a family you can trust.

Picture of a Grupe Huber with a house image

The Beauty Of

Restoration: How We Spruced Up Our Historic Office Space

September 28, 2020
By Sandy Grupe Huber, Principal

When we began searching for a home for Grupe Huber, we felt strongly that it should be to University Park. Our company has been managing this 102 acre redevelopment project for nearly 20 year and we have developed emotional and practical ties to the land and community. . The campus has a unique air of calm and peace that we wanted to instill in our own employees and visitors. We could have started from scratch with new construction, but a 1929 Tudor Revival called the Spruce Building called to us.

Spruce was one of the buildings used during University Park’s previous history as the Insane Asylum of California, which was established in 1851 in the midst of the turbulent Gold Rush era. When the asylum — later the Stockton Developmental Center — closed down in 1995, Spruce was designated a historic landmark.

But she was in poor shape by the time we reached her. Previous generations had used asbestos. Her stairways were crumbling and dangerous. But the bones of the building, with its solid lines of poured-in-place concrete that are cool to the touch, were beautiful. We decided Spruce was the perfect place to create a welcoming new home.

Spruce was more than a renovation project. Previously, our teams had been divided between two locations in Stockton. But once Spruce was complete, our employees would move into the building and work together for the first time as members of the newly-formed Grupe Huber Company. Spruce would be the backdrop for the creation of a new company culture, so it was especially important to me to create an inspiring workspace that drew upon University Park’s beauty and natural resources.

As with so many projects Kevin and I have tackled over the years, a great challenge led to an amazing opportunity. The original building had a very closed feeling and low ceilings. Two staircases bookended the structure, so it seemed as if one could enter the building and walk up the side staircase and never see anyone on the first floor. It was a bit claustrophobic, and we needed to somehow add air conditioning and duct work to the space.

Kevin asked, “Why not open the first floor to the second floor?” Not only did this modification allow us to add critical infrastructure, it added beauty, volume, and connectivity. When we added the chandelier that now crowns the entry space the entire building seemed to come together.

We wanted to draw on nature as much as possible for the interior of the building and bring University Park’s magical scenery inside. Spruce’s picture windows are the perfect frames for God’s creative genius. We used glass in every door in the building so employees and visitors can look from one side of Spruce all the way through to the lake. The horizontal lines in our concrete walls were poured in place, and when the concrete meshes with the wood in open doors it’s like a history puzzle.

I walked through the campus and took a series of pictures that served as the inspiration for the building’s palette. If a paint color or piece of furniture couldn’t be matched to the colors in the photos, it didn’t make it inside. We have a rustic wood-plank and tile entry and vintage tile in the restroom that reflects the Spanish influence of Spruce’s roof tiles. The white concrete walls mirror the clouds in the sky, while the dusty green workstations are patterned after the tule grass around the lake. The overall effect is a seamless transition from the welcoming inside of the building to the verdant landscaping and cool shade outside.

When I think about the majestic oak tree that stands watch over the building, a tree that has likely stood for over 300 years, I think about everything it has weathered and witnessed. It was here with the tule elk and wolves. It’s such a privilege to be able to gaze at this towering giant every day and create a space that honors it and our native landscape.

When the pandemic began, Grupe Huber was classified as essential, which meant we could work from home yet still come to the office when needed. Masks, hand sanitizer and tape on the floor are additions we never planned for, but we are glad to have them. Having our office feel safe and comfortable during this time has been critical. Our employees have taken to the space, even going so far as to name the visiting geese outside Debbie’s window (Milly and Billy are quite the pair). The fact that this is our first cohesive space, and that it has been so welcoming during this period of upheaval, has given me great peace of mind.

I’ve never appreciated our team’s can-do spirit more than I did on moving -week! It was difficult, but accomplished with grace, caution, and cheerfulness. Each person carried their load creatively.

Of course, Spruce was a true collaboration, and I would like to acknowledge the partners who made this tremendous effort possible. Our in-house team tackled the planning and conceptualizing. Longtime partner Oak Valley Community Bank provided construction financing. Tom Bowe Architects handled the main design work and secured the approval of the City of Stockton Cultural Heritage Board. The Haggerty Construction team cheerfully provided creative solutions to every obstacle they were up against. For the finishing touches, Grover Landscaping blended Spruce seamlessly into its park-like surroundings, while MTA Inspired Spaces brought the interior workspaces to life.

We were so lucky to bring our goddaughter’s husband, Paul Whoel, on board as a special consultant. An architect with design firm DGA, Paul was working on remodels of similar buildings in midtown Sacramento. He guided us through completed projects, providing plenty of inspiration.

Artist Erin Elizabeth’s Quality Of Peace paintings are bold, modern, and stunning, and their titles – Love and Respect – certainly give us something to aspire to. Jared Rusten created a custom oak conference table that sits on an antique planer rescued from a historic building in downtown Stockton. The planer is one of many features up-cycled from historic spaces; in some ways, the entire history of our region contributed to this building.

The chalkboard in the cafe space is bordered by a door from an old farmhouse in Ripon. This month, the chalkboard features an award-winning Inspirational Message of Peace written by a student at Hamilton Middle School. We think Gino’s message is both art and instruction as we reflect on Spruce, which began with the idea for a happy home for our new company.

BELIEVE IN SEED

We want peace!

We need peace!

World leaders hear us please!

People of all color, race, and creed

must come together like Martin Luther King Jr.

and Mahatma Gandhi preached.

Peace can be achieved!

By planting a seed

Just believe . . . .

– Gino B., 8th Grade, Hamilton

Grand Opening image of storquest self store

Grand Opening of Modesto Self-Storage (StorQuest)

September 27, 2020

Modesto’s Newest Storage Facility Is a Classic: Grupe Huber Revamps Mid-Century Building Into State-of-the-Art Storage Facility

Grupe Huber’s newest project might cause longtime Modesto residents to do a double take. The new StorQuest storage facility at 1324 Coldwell Avenue is a revamp of an existing 1954 building, allowing for a unique mix of solidly constructed mid-century architecture with state-of-the-art climate control, security, and energy efficiency.

“The historic building features poured-in-place concrete with brick shear, large concrete columns, and very solid trusses,” said Grupe Huber Vice President Fritz Huber. “It is very unique, well-built, and beautiful on the inside, and we wanted to leverage that.”

The $6 million rehab in a downtown location close to Modesto Junior College was welcomed by the City of Modesto, as well.

“Grupe Huber had a great team on board from the beginning of the project,” said Oscar Diaz, the City of Modesto’s chief building official for building safety and neighborhood preservation. “The City of Modesto strives to provide as much guidance as possible, but having an experienced designer is critical to the success of a development project. While the building was not officially a registered landmark, the City always appreciates the innovative reuse of old, classic buildings. It had been under-used for many years, so we are glad to see that the building will once again be occupied.”

Besides being well-built, the existing structure offered other benefits: The size of the building allowed for larger-than-usual individual storage units — 113 square feet compared to the average 80-95 square feet.

The facility will be operated by StorQuest Self-Storage and carry the national chain’s name. It offers an array of high-tech features, including:

100% climate-controlled facility
An average unit size of 113 square feet — up to 29 percent larger than a typical unit
Camera-monitored covered RV and boat parking stalls
Solar trickle chargers for RV and boat units to ensure long battery life
Individually alarmed units
Heavy digital security throughout the facility with no blackout areas
24-hour remotely monitored security system
Solar-powered system for net zero efficiency throughout the facility

“The Central Valley has been largely underserved when it comes to new self-storage development, and we wanted to create something beneficial and unique for Modesto and the surrounding communities,” said Grupe Huber Vice President Fritz Huber. “The existing building was exceptionally well-constructed and gave us a chance to create a unit mix that is right for this market while offering rates on par with non-climatized facilities.”

Modernizing the building for net zero efficiency was an important step, Huber said, given the facility’s climate-control capabilities. Even when temperatures skyrocket into the 100+ range, the temperature at Modesto’s new StorQuest units will never exceed 80 degrees. Plus, steady solar power means RV and boat users can keep their batteries charged and ready for anytime use via trickle charge outlets supplied at no extra cost to the tenants.

The facility opened on August 17, 2020. Ready to rent a climate-controlled unit? Rates range from $76-$215 per month. For more information, click here.

A man gifting medal to a boy in yellowish effect image

Community Involvement

Investing in Students: Reflecting On 9 Years of Service with UOP

September 26, 2020

The University of the Pacific isn’t just the oldest chartered university in California. Its Stockton campus is part of the lifeblood of the community — and as such, the university’s worth goes far beyond the economic benefit it brings to the area.

So when alumnus (business, ’86) and Grupe Huber CEO Kevin Huber joined UOP’s Board of Regents, he had to shift his boardroom mentality to an outlook focused on students.

“Your objective is not shareholder value,” he says. “Your objective is transformation of lives. UOP’s mission is to take somebody who comes in as a freshman or transfer student and help them achieve their purpose, their goals, and to get the degree they seek that will help them do what they want to do in life.”

Kevin recently ended three terms, or nine years of service, on the Board of Regents. It was a natural extension of his previous work for the university: He served on the Eberhardt School of Business advisory board from the mid-’90s to the early 2000s, including a stint as chair.

During his time on the Board of Regents, Kevin and his colleagues were tasked with selecting a new university president, an extensive process that began in 2018. At the time, Kevin was serving as the chair of the board. He and other board members embarked on a listening tour to speak with faculty, staff, and students — 18 meetings spanning from November 2018 to January 2019, prior to the presidential search in 2019.

After the tour, on his recommendation, the Board of Regents formed a selection committee that included the vice chair of the board and representatives from faculty, staff, alumni, regents, undergraduates, graduates, and members of professional schools, among others. He suggested one hard-and-fast rule that the board agreed with: no chairs or presidents of the constituent group could serve on the selection committee, including himself — he was concerned they could be an undue influence on the process.

His team’s work paid off when Chris Callahan, formerly of Arizona State University, became UOP’s 26th president in late 2019.

“If I’m going to get involved with something, I give it everything I have,” Kevin says.

That attitude certainly served him well this year, when the university — along with thousands of other institutions around the country — faced the COVID-19 crisis. For the first time in generations, UOP students wouldn’t be able to walk in a graduation ceremony. Instead, Kevin gave a speech in a virtual ceremony intended to give graduates some much-needed closure to such an important part of their lives.

After Kevin told the online crowd how UOP had put a college education in reach for him, he explained how the benefits of attending the university go far beyond economic or professional development.

“Pacific has trained us — you and me — to confront the unknown with resolve, confidence, and the ability to adapt,” he said. “Go Tigers!”

Partner Spotlight

Oak Valley Community Bank: A Partner with a Can-Do Spirit

September 24, 2020

Grupe Huber loves a good challenge. But to turn challenges into opportunities, we need a partner that sees potential in our vision and can be trusted to follow through every step of the way. Luckily, we found that partner more than 10 years ago in Oak Valley Community Bank.

Our relationship with Oak Valley began in 2008, when University Park was in the midst of a major redevelopment. This was a complex project with layered leasehold interests involving multiple municipalities. It involved public and private partnerships and was extremely high profile. In other words, it wasn’t just a challenge — it was a twisted knot of challenges. To see this project through, we needed to partner with a bank that had the stamina to underwrite this complex credit facility and provide construction and term financing for future developments.

Oak Valley met us where we were, helped us untwist that knot, and inspired us to see how we could get to the next level. We forged a relationship based in trust and support, and over the years we’ve been able to truly collaborate with Oak Valley thanks to their clear communication and easy rapport.

“The people who lead Oak Valley Community Bank share our values, and that has made our work together that much more invaluable,” Kevin Huber says. “Without their open minds and enthusiasm, their can-do spirit and belief in what we do, I’m sure we wouldn’t have been as successful as we have been. Their support has been invaluable to us.”

The feeling is mutual, according to Cathy Ghan. “The collaborative effort from each of us — from the top down — contributes to the whole,” she says. “We stay attuned to what is happening within and outside of the relationship and have open communication on possible impacts to our respective businesses. We pay attention with an open mind and have strong internal support systems to carry out our goals and objectives. We also share in each other’s celebrations.”

Those celebrations have included the success of University Park, which has become more than a business campus — it’s now a beloved Stockton landmark. Oak Valley has financed eight projects within University Park, from the parking lot to the new Grupe Huber headquarters in the Spruce Building.

“There is nothing more inspiring and motivating than to watch the progression of UP over the past 12 years, and to know that OVCB was a catalyst in this growth … one building at a time,” says Cathy Ghan.

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