HOPKINSVILLE, KY. — Brennan Investment Group is underway on the development of a 100,800-square-foot build-to-suit industrial facility in Hopkinsville. Upon completion, the facility will act as a food processing plant for Kitchen Food Co., an Australian-based company that manufactures and distributes ready-to-go products like sandwiches, wraps and meals. Byline Bank provided an undisclosed amount of construction financing for the project. Brennan, Kitchen Food Co. and federal/private student loan servicer Nelnet Inc. formed a partnership to own the facility, as well as provide equity for the project. Food Plant Engineering is leading construction for the project. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2026.
Kentucky
By Casey Smallwood of SRS Real Estate Partners The quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry is reshaping retail real estate by capitalizing on the “15-minute city” trend — a movement where people can access essentials within a short walk, bike ride or delivery window from home. This shift, fueled by evolving consumer behavior, urban densification and the rise of digital ordering, is pushing QSRs to prioritize hyper-local presence over traditional highway or regional ‘hubs. The result is a transformation in both real estate development and the metrics that define success in the foodservice sector. Embedding into daily life Hyper-localization is about placing restaurants within the flow of everyday life — close to where people live, work and socialize. Rather than clustering around big-box retail or commuter corridors, many brands now target neighborhood locations near apartment clusters, schools and small mixed-use developments. 7 Brew Coffee, a drive-thru-only brand, exemplifies this model. Its small footprint and fast service make it ideal for small lots and secondary intersection spots once overlooked by national tenants. These locations are now thriving due to residential growth and proximity to commuter paths. With minimal barriers to entry and an emphasis on quick-service, 7 Brew is establishing a strong local …
ATLANTA — Atlanta-based MDH Partners has purchased a six-property, 1.5 million-square-foot industrial portfolio in the Southeast and Midwest for $165 million. John Huguenard and Trent Agnew of JLL represented the seller, LBA Logistics, in the transaction. The portfolio has an average vintage of 2017, an average clear height of 33 feet and 6.9 years of weighted average lease term remaining, with each property fully leased to a single tenant. The assets include a 69,679-square-foot property in Miami leased to Compass Group USA; a 552,700-square-foot property in Jacksonville leased to Margo Garden Products; a 246,920-square-foot property in Atlanta leased to SupplyOne; a 235,013-square-foot facility in Louisville leased to ICS AmerisourceBergen; a 68,388-square-foot property in Cincinnati leased to GE Aerospace; and a 302,880-square-foot facility in Columbus leased to Hims.
Fairstead Acquires Majority Stake in 503-Unit Affordable Housing Community in Louisville
by John Nelson
LOUISVILLE, KY. — New York City-based Aaffordable housing developer and operator Fairstead has acquired a general partner interest in City View Park, an affordable housing community in Louisville. Via the partnership, Fairstead will assume the role of owner and property manager. The community includes 72 one-bedroom, 221 two-bedroom, 179 three-bedroom and 31 four-bedroom residences. Of the 503 total units, 468 are supported by Section 8 contracts, and all homes are governed by Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) affordability restrictions, reserved for residents earning no more than 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). City View Park was built in the early 1970s and renovated in 2021. Fairstead owns approximately 26,000 apartments across 28 states.
Louisville is a city full of history, charm and grit. We’re the birthplace of Muhammad Ali, home to the Kentucky Derby and the heart of America’s bourbon culture. As our city has grown, so have its business opportunities. Louisville’s geographic location, its logistics network and its diversified economy have attracted significant investment from global businesses to set down roots in recent years. In 2023, Louisville was named as a top 5 U.S. metro for economic development by Site Selection magazine with over $1 billion in capital investment and 2,300 new jobs that year alone. Louisville’s overall commercial real estate market has grown along with the population, but the office market has had a softer rebound following the pandemic than other markets nationally. Office overview In second-quarter 2025, Louisville had over 235,000 square feet of positive office leasing activity that was negated by over 256,000 square feet of negative net absorption, primarily due to large move-outs from office users in the city’s suburban submarkets. Leasing activity in Louisville’s Central Business District (CBD) has rebounded. In the second quarter, the submarket saw over 6,100 square feet of net positive absorption from Class A leasing activity, including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office lease …
Louisville’s industrial market stands out as a steady force, resisting the fluctuations often seen in surrounding Midwest cities such as Cincinnati, Columbus and St. Louis. Midyear figures show Louisville’s year-over-year rent growth exceeding the national percentage and its vacancy rate 340 basis points below the national rate, both signs of a healthy market. Additionally, Louisville’s recognition in national trade publications and recent announcements of General Electric/Haier and Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) investment at its Louisville Assembly Plant suggests positive future job growth. A sturdy foundation Louisville’s centralized location has helped secure its place as a major logistical powerhouse and develop relationships with major industrial business players such as UPS, Ford and General Electric. UPS announced its first expansion into Louisville in 1981 and has continued to grow its operations since, including the recently opened $100 million automated medical labs shipping facility. Ford also continues to invest in Louisville, recently leasing a 567,433-square-foot facility in Southern Indiana and a 426,300-square-foot facility in Louisville’s Bullitt County submarket just south of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Additionally, General Electric/Haier will move washer/dryer manufacturing processes to Louisville, creating 800 new jobs and confirming Haier’s Louisville manufacturing operations as its global hub. A resilient market …
Louisville’s retail market continues to show strength in 2025, with grocery anchors driving much of the momentum. Despite national headwinds such as moderating rent growth and elevated construction costs, the metro has proven resilient, posting a vacancy rate of just 3.5 percent, outperforming the national benchmark of 4.8 percent, according to CoStar Group. Asking rents averaged $17.42 per square foot, reflecting steady demand across the region. At the center of this activity are grocers like Kroger, Publix and BJ’s Wholesale Club, each reshaping Louisville’s retail landscape in unique ways. Kroger is deepening its footprint with multiple new stores, including a 123,000-square-foot location under construction on Beulah Church Road that is scheduled to open in 2026. Publix, one of the most closely watched entrants to the Kentucky market, has expanded aggressively after opening its first store, securing 60,000 square feet at Blankenbaker Plaza and 56,000 square feet at Prospect Point. BJ’s Wholesale Club has adopted a redevelopment approach, razing the former Sears building at Jefferson Mall to deliver a 104,000-square-foot store that opened earlier this year. Collectively, these projects underscore the draw of essential, needs-based retail while fueling complementary leasing activity in their surrounding trade areas. Concepts gaining ground That momentum …
LTC Properties Completes $40M Acquisition of Two Seniors Housing Communities in Kentucky
by John Nelson
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF. — LTC Properties has completed the acquisition of two seniors housing communities located in Kentucky. An undisclosed seller sold the properties for $40 million. Opened in 2023, the properties together total 158 units and feature assisted living and memory care residences. Charter Senior Living manages the communities, the locations of which were not disclosed. California-based LTC plans to execute an additional $195 million in seniors housing operating portfolio acquisitions by mid-October and an additional $90 million by the end of the year.
Berkeley Capital Advisors Negotiates $39M Sale of Westport Village Shopping Center in Louisville
by John Nelson
LOUISVILLE, KY. — Berkeley Capital Advisors has negotiated the sale of Westport Village, a 170,249-square-foot shopping center located at 1315 Herr Lane in Louisville. An affiliate of Richmond-based Hackney Real Estate Partners purchased the center from an affiliate of Savannah, Ga.-based Wicker Park Capital Management LLC for $39 million. David Webb, Alex Quarier and Alex McDonald of Berkeley Capital Advisors represented the seller in the transaction. Situated on 13.4 acres roughly 10 miles west of downtown, Westport Village houses 45 tenants, including Apricot Lane Boutique, Bend and Zen Hot Yoga, BoomBozz Pizza & Watch Party, Deka Lash, F45, North Lime Coffee & Donuts, Q’doba Mexican Grill, Steak & Bourbon, StretchLab, The Comfy Cow, The Wedding Studio, Westport Whiskey & Wine and Wild Eggs, among others.
Marcus & Millichap Brokers $3.6M Sale of Two-Property Retail Portfolio in Bowling Green, Kentucky
by John Nelson
BOWLING GREEN, KY. — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the $3.6 million sale of a two-property Dollar General portfolio in Bowling Green. Each retail property occupies 10,640 square feet on a 15-year corporate guaranteed lease with Dollar General Corp. Don McMinn and Andrew Koriwchak of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, a Kentucky-based developer, in the transaction. The buyer was not disclosed. Grant Fitzgerald was Marcus & Millichap’s broker of record in Kentucky.
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