Mariner Real Estate Management Re-Signs Whole Foods Market as Anchor Tenant at Willits Town Center Development

LEAWOOD, Kan., July 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Whole Foods Market, the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods, has re-signed as the anchor tenant at Willits Town Center development in Basalt, Colo. The project was delayed when the development stalled, but the grocery retailer stepped back in after the recent announcement that Mariner Real Estate Management (MREM) had purchased the Willits development with the intent to complete the project.

Ranked for 14 consecutive years as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by Fortune magazine, Whole Foods Market chose the Willits Town Center because the demographics of the Roaring Fork Valley match well to the retailer's target. The Willits development is a multi-use community near Aspen and Snowmass and its purpose is to combine the town's natural beauty and green areas with the area's lively, dynamic and diverse marketplace. MREM restored confidence in the project when it announced its plan to resume construction, picking up where the project left off three years ago.

"We are extremely pleased to bring Whole Foods back into the picture," said Ryan Anderson, co-president of MREM. "As our premier tenant with a solid base of loyal customers, they add tremendous value to our sustainable community and they are re-energizing the project in many ways. We expect other Willits tenants to benefit from the traffic driven to the community by Whole Foods, so it's an all-around positive step in the resurrection of this important community project."

The completed Willits Town Center will include a town square, parks, retail, office space, residential lofts and recreation facilities in a setting that is reminiscent of the old west. MREM is working to bring additional retailers, businesses and residents to the area.

MREM is a real estate investment management firm owned by Montage Investments, which is an affiliate of Mariner Wealth Advisors – an independent wealth management firm that ranks second nationally, according to Barron's Magazine. Montage is known for bringing together diverse investment managers across a range of assets – including real estate, as managed by MREM.

About Mariner Real Estate Management

Mariner Real Estate Management is a real estate investment management firm owned by Montage Investments, a unique group of diverse investment managers across a range of assets. MREM manages and invests in real estate, real estate-related assets and real estate-focused companies located throughout the United States. MREM seeks to add value to client portfolios by applying its knowledge of the long-term cycles and macro-economic trends that shape the real estate market and create price-to-value dislocations.  Visit www.mariner-re.com.

About Montage Investments

Montage Investments brings together a diverse group of institutional investment managers – each offering a distinct approach to money management that reflects many decades of professional experience and proprietary investment strategies across global asset classes. Currently managing over $8 billion for institutions and high-net worth clients, the firm's structure allows individual investment managers to retain boutique processes, talent and culture that have proven records of adding value to portfolios and meeting client objectives. Visit www.montageinvestments.com.

About Mariner Wealth Advisors

Mariner Wealth Advisors is an independent, national wealth advisory firm that has earned a reputation for providing unbiased financial advice that is based purely on the needs and interests of their clients.

Mariner's performance has resulted in steady growth and a national reputation as one of the top financial advisors in the industry. In 2010, Mariner was ranked the #2 independent advisor in the U.S., according to Barron's Magazine. And in February 2011, Barron's also named Mariner the best financial advisor in the state Kansas for the third consecutive year.  In addition, the firm was named "Best Place to Work in Kansas City" by Ingram's Magazine in 2011.

Mariner's expert teams help clients achieve and maintain financial peace of mind -- preserving the wealth they have created and building a legacy for future generations of family and business leaders. The firm's services include:

• Wealth Transfer
• Risk Management
• Philanthropy
• Investment Advisory Services
• Executive Compensation Planning
• Business Succession Consulting
• Family Office Services

Visit www.marinerwealthadvisors.com.

SOURCE Mariner Real Estate Management