Mexican furniture company Grupo FAMSA has selected Ridge Property Trust to develop a 198,000-square-foot build-to-suit distribution center at the intersection of Fischer Road and Interstate 35.

The new distribution center will support FAMSA's retail expansion into the United States. FAMSA owns the National Furniture brand and has 25 stores in the country, including five in San Antonio.

FAMSA has an ultimate goal of developing 300 stores in the United States over the next several years. FAMSA already is Mexico's largest furniture, appliance and electronics retailer.

Ridge Property awarded MYCON General Contractors in Dallas the construction contract for the project. Work has already begun on the distribution center, which is slated for completion in May 2008.

"Over the last six months, we've established a strong working relationship with FAMSA, understanding their specific requirements and designing a distribution center with 40-foot clear ceilings that will support their expansion needs moving forward over the next decade," Ridge Property Chairman and CEO James Martell says.

"Our work with FAMSA provides us with a unique opportunity to leverage our strengths in the build-to-suit market to create a top-tier distribution facility, and at the same time has opened the door for continuing development activities between the two organizations," he adds.

Ridge Property Trust is a privately held real estate investment trust with industrial developments in the United States and Mexico. The Chicago-based company is backed by Prudential Real Estate Investors.