KATY, TEXAS — Local owner-operator NewQuest has inked a trio of ground leases at Texas Heritage Marketplace, the local owner-operator’s $400 million mixed-use development in the western Houston suburb of Katy. The deals are with Olive Garden (7,825 square feet), Chase Bank (3,443 square feet) and Whataburger (3,305 square feet). David Meyers and Bob Conwell internally represented NewQuest in all lease negotiations. Traci Holman of Baker Katz represented Olive Garden. Scott Gardner of Main Street Commercial represented Whataburger, and James Namken and Kyle Knight of Weitzman represented Chase Bank.
Mixed-use development across the Southeast continues to change and evolve. What was once as straightforward as building residential apartments located above a street-level retail component has become something far more sophisticated and intentional. Today’s mixed-use communities offer integrated, experience-driven environments where all elements of living, working, shopping, dining and recreation are thoughtfully curated, with connectivity as a primary focus. The North Georgia region, located approximately 40 miles north of Atlanta, is where residential demand is rising, incomes are growing and consumer preferences are changing. As these trends converge, developers seek the opportunity to create true neighborhood hubs in the area. The Crossing at Coal Mountain, located in Forsyth County, is a new 140-acre mixed-use destination by Atlantic Residential that reflects how development strategies are evolving in response to these market shifts. The project will feature walkable streets, activated green spaces, local dining, daily lifestyle services and a carefully programmed retail plaza alongside luxury homes being developed in partnership with national homebuilder Toll Brothers. Each of the project’s planned elements is designed to support a true live-work-play environment. Phase I of the project’s retail district is on track to open this year, positioning the development to contribute to the region’s broader …
ATLANTA — Locally based Third & Urban has unveiled renovation plans for the Atkins Park Collection, a 61,120-square-foot retail portfolio located in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland neighborhood. Third & Urban purchased the first phase of the Atkins Park Collection in December 2024, which totals 35,370 square feet along North Highland and St. Charles avenues. The firm acquired the second phase, which includes Neighbors, City Church and infill pieces of the block between Greenwood and St. Charles avenues, in September 2025. In partnership with the Virginia Highland District, Third & Urban is planning more than $3 million in building and streetscape improvements for the retail shops. The firm recently completed improvements to the 842 North Highland building, which included new signage, railings and upgraded light fixtures, as well as a new front stair entry and mural. Future building upgrades for 780 North Highland will include updated facades, the addition of an indoor-outdoor courtyard with several retail suites and new food-and-beverage tenants. Construction will begin in late spring. Shelbi Bodner and Lexi Ritter of Bridger Properties will handle retail leasing for the property.
MURRIETA, CALIF. — Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors has arranged the $6.9 million sale of two single-tenant retail pads at the intersection of California Oaks Road and Jackson Avenue in Murrieta. A private developer based in Orange County, Calif., sold the properties to a private 1031 exchange investor based in California’s Central Valley. Sean Cox and Bill Asher of Hanley Investment Group represented the seller, while Brendan Tyoran and Jake Linsky of Matthews Real Estate Investment Services represented the buyer in the deal. The two-tenant property features two separate, stand-alone pads on a 1.78-acre parcel. Built in 2022, Quick Quack Car Wash occupies the 4,126-square-foot property at 40640 California Oaks Road on a 20-year absolute triple-net ground lease with approximately 17 years remaining, including 12 percent rental increases every five years and multiple renewal options. Popeyes, which closed on a lease prior to the sale, will begin construction on a 1,983-square-foot restaurant at 40642 California Oaks Road. The tenant signed a 20-year, absolute triple-net ground lease with 10 percent rental increases every five years.
In the digital age, nearly everything is accessible online — entertainment, shopping, friendship, you name it. With a few taps on a screen, we can order three pairs of jeans, have a pizza delivered and carry on a meaningful conversation without ever leaving the couch. Considering that Generation Z — those born roughly between 1996 and 2013 — has grown up immersed in this digital reality, it would be easy to assume they have little interest in traditional, in-person experiences. Surprisingly, the opposite is true. From pop-ups, influencers, to retail, Gen Z are securing their Labubus to their bags and heading out the door to shake up our understanding of successful contemporary retail experiences. After coming of age during COVID, living through what has been called an “epidemic of loneliness,” Gen Z is craving in person experiences more than ever, and where better to go with your friends than the mall? A reported 69 percent of Gen Z shoppers say they prefer shopping in brick-and-mortar stores over online alternatives. However, their renewed interest in physical spaces doesn’t mean a return to retail as we once knew it. Instead, Gen Z is fundamentally reshaping what in-person shopping and entertainment look like …
If there is one defining characteristic of the Raleigh-Durham retail market today, it is scarcity. Exceptionally low vacancy — especially in high-quality, well-located centers — has become the norm rather than the exception, fundamentally reshaping leasing dynamics, rent growth and development strategy across the region. As of third-quarter 2025, overall retail vacancy in Raleigh-Durham stood at approximately 2.4 percent, marking four consecutive years below the 3 percent threshold. Even more telling, spaces under 10,000 square feet posted vacancy closer to 1.8 percent, underscoring just how competitive conditions have become for local and regional tenants. This imbalance between demand and supply has placed landlords in a position of sustained leverage, particularly in grocery-anchored centers, strong neighborhood and lifestyle shopping centers or mixed-use environments. Low vacancy matters because it drives outcomes. Lease-ups are happening faster, concessions are increasingly rare in top trade areas and rents continue to trend upward. For tenants, especially those seeking smaller footprints, waiting to engage often means missing opportunities altogether. For owners, the market rewards proactive asset management and disciplined tenant selection. A clear example of this dynamic is Olde Raleigh Village, a grocery-anchored community shopping center that is currently 100 percent leased. With no vacancy to contend …
Marcus & Millichap Brokers Sale of 33,055 SF Mixed-Use Property in San Diego’s La Jolla Neighborhood
SAN DIEGO — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of Prospect Square at La Jolla Village, a mixed-use property located in San Diego’s La Jolla submarket. 1025 Prospect LLC sold the asset to 1025 Associates LLC & Wedge 3.0 LLC for $10.3 million. Nick Totah of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, while Ross Sanchez of Marcus & Millichap represented the buyers in the deal. Located at 1025 Prospect St., Prospect Square at La Jolla Village features 33,055 square feet of ground-floor and second-floor retail and restaurant space, third-floor office space and a three-story subterranean parking garage. Current tenants include Cody’s Restaurant, Beeside Balcony, The Agency, Arjang Fine Art, Blueprint Equity and Patient Partner. Originally built in 1984, the property was renovated in 2022 and 2024.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. — A partnership between Morgan Co. and Casto Net Lease has acquired 15 acres in Port St. Lucie, a city in southeast Florida’s St. Lucie County. The duo plans to develop a new shopping center anchored by Aldi on the site. The center will also include outparcels designated for McDonald’s, Circle K and AutoZone, as well as outparcels that are currently available for sale or lease. Scott Copeland of On Course Development represented Morgan and Casto Net Lease in the land deal. The seller and sales price were not disclosed. The buyers plan to break ground on the shopping center before the end of the year and deliver the property in 2027.
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. — The Taylor McMinn Retail Group of Marcus & Millichap has brokered the sale of a restaurant in Flowery Branch leased to Whataburger. The restaurant was built in 2024 and sold to a local buyer that purchased the property all-cash in a 1031 exchange. Don McMinn and Andrew Koriwchak of Taylor McMinn Retail Group represented the seller, a repeat developer for the Whataburger brand, in the deal. Both parties requested anonymity. Whataburger has 14 years remaining on its ground lease, which features rent increases in the initial term as well as extension options. “This marks our fourth new Whataburger closing in the Atlanta MSA over the past 12 months, and we are currently marketing an additional location in Buford, Ga.,” says McMinn. “Demand for well-located QSR [quick-service restaurant] assets remains strong as 1031 exchange and private capital continue to re-enter the net lease market. Capital targeting the QSR sector is driven by long-term leases, rent escalations and attractive drive-thru locations.”
CHICAGO — Fine dining restaurant and bar concept Espiritu has signed a lease to open a roughly 10,000-square-foot ground-floor space at One East Wacker, a Chicago office building owned by AmTrustRE. Espiritu comes from the restaurateurs behind Chicago Cut Steakhouse and Cerdito Muerto, Matt Moore and Emidio Oceguera. The dining concept blends classic Chicago dishes with a modern Mexican flair. In addition to 10,000 square feet of indoor space, the restaurant will include 2,200 square feet of adjoining outdoor patio area along Wacker Drive. Dana Moyles of Dana Moyles Real Estate Services represented Espiritu in the lease, while John Vance and Will Winter of Stone Real Estate represented the landlord. AmTrustRE has also secured three new office leases at the property, including Flight Centre Travel Group (USA) Inc., the Trade Commission of Spain in Chicago and the Consulate General of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Chicago. Signed to 7,216 square feet of office space on the 13th floor, Flight Centre Travel Group is one of the world’s largest global travel agencies. JLL’s Sarah Silva and Bess Cooney represented the tenant. The Trade Commission Office of Spain, of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, will occupy 4,326 square feet on the …
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