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Dolce-Midtown-Houston
Company NewsMarylandNorth CarolinaSoutheastTop Stories

Investment Management Merger: Barings Agrees to Acquire Artemis Real Estate Partners

by John Nelson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. AND CHEVY CHASE, MD. — Barings, an investment manager based in Charlotte, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Artemis Real Estate Partners, a commercial real estate investment firm based in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Chevy Chase. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. Financial terms were not disclosed. This acquisition will strengthen Barings’ position in the U.S. commercial real estate market and accelerate the company’s long-term growth by combining the firms’ complementary investment capabilities and expertise, according to company officials. Executives from Barings, as well as parent company MassMutual, also say that the move will enhance Barings’ real estate equity business. Deborah Harmon, co-founder and co-CEO of Artemis, believes that the merger will create “a more powerful platform for our investors” while simultaneously “preserving our culture while creating new opportunities for our team.” “We are deeply grateful to our investors for the past 15 years and look forward to continuing our partnership as a force multiplier for performance and purpose,” Harmona adds. Dechert LLP served as legal counsel to Barings for the transaction. Berkshire Global Advisors served as financial advisor to Artemis, with Paul Hastings LLP acting as the firm’s legal …

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AcquisitionsCaliforniaCompany NewsWestern

Blackstone Real Estate Completes $4B Privatization of Retail Opportunities Investments Corp.

by Amy Works

NEW YORK AND SAN DIEGO — Blackstone (NYSE: BX) and Retail Opportunities Investments Corp. (ROIC) have announced that Blackstone Real Estate Partners X has completed its previously announced acquisition of all outstanding common shares of ROIC for $17.50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $4 billion, including outstanding debt. J.P. Morgan acted as ROIC’s financial advisor. Clifford Chance US LLP served as ROIC’s legal counsel. Morgan Stanley & Co., BofA Securities, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Newmark and Eastdil Secured acted as Blackstone’s financial advisors. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as Blackstone’s legal counsel. The transaction was announced on Nov. 6, 2024.

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AcquisitionsCompany NewsKentuckyRetailSoutheast

Tempur Sealy to Rebrand as Somnigroup International Following $5B Acquisition of Mattress Firm

by John Nelson

LEXINGTON, KY. AND HOUSTON — Tempur Sealy International Inc. has completed its previously announced $5 billion acquisition of Mattress Firm Group Inc., the largest mattress specialty retailer in the United States. The Lexington-based mattress manufacturer purchased the Houston-based retailer using approximately $2.7 billion in cash considerations and about $1.3 billion in stock. Tempur Sealy will change its name to Somnigroup International Inc., effective Feb. 18, and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “SGI.” Mattress Firm, Dreams and Tempur Sealy will operate as decentralized business units under Somnigroup International, with Mattress Firm and Dreams continuing to operate as multi-branded retailers and Tempur Sealy, primarily a manufacturer, continuing to serve third-party retailers as well as Mattress Firm, Dreams and its own direct-to-consumer channel. Additionally, Tempur Sealy expects to complete the previously announced sale 73 Mattress Firm retail locations and the company’s Sleep Outfitters subsidiary, which includes 103 specialty mattress retail locations and seven distribution centers, to MW SO Holdings Co. LLC (Mattress Warehouse) in the second quarter.

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Company NewsMultifamilyTexas

Franklin Street Launches Multifamily Investment Sales Division in Texas

by Taylor Williams

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Franklin Street, a Tampa-based commercial real estate services firm, has launched a multifamily investment sales division for Texas markets. The business unit will operate as a seven-person team from the firm’s existing office in Austin, which opened about a year ago and now comprises more than 20 professionals who also offer services for land, office and industrial verticals. Patrick Strake, an Austin native and former Marcus & Millichap team member, will lead the new multifamily division.

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Volcom
CaliforniaCompany NewsRetailTop StoriesWestern

Liberated Brands Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Plans to Close 122 Stores 

by Hayden Spiess

COSTA MESA, CALIF. — Liberated Brands, a licensed operator of several sport, outdoor and lifestyle apparel brands, has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, according to court documents filed in Delaware.  Liberated Brands’ portfolio of retailers includes Volcom, Billabong, Quiksilver, ROXY, Honolua Surf, RVCA, Beachworks, Becker Surfboards, ZJ Boarding House, Spyder and Boardriders. According to Gordon Brothers, which is providing real estate advisory services to the retailer, Liberated Brands plans to close its 122 stores throughout the country. Gordon Brothers — which earlier this year entered into a sales transaction with Big Lots upon the latter’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing — has initiated closing sales at each of the 122 retail locations.  In a statement, Liberated Brands CEO Todd Hymel cited “a series of major headwinds and challenges,” including the rise in interest rates, inflation, supply chain delays, declining consumer demand, shifting customer preferences and substantial fixed costs.  Additionally, in December 2024, the company’s North American license rights for its wholesale operations under the Volcom, RVCA and Billabong brands were terminated due to a default.  Founded in 2019 by Hymel, Costa Mesa-based Liberated Brands briefly enjoyed a sharp increase in product demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, with revenue increasing from $350 million in …

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Nikhil-Chaudhri
AcquisitionsCompany NewsMultifamilySeniors HousingTop Stories

Welltower Agrees to Acquire NorthStar Healthcare Income for $900M

by Hayden Spiess

TOLEDO, OHIO AND HOUSTON — An affiliate of Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL) has entered into an agreement to acquire NorthStar Healthcare Income Inc., a non-listed REIT that owns a diversified portfolio of seniors housing properties throughout the United States, for roughly $900 million.  Toledo-based Welltower will take ownership of NorthStar Healthcare’s portfolio of 40 seniors housing communities in the acquisition. Founded in 2010, Houston-based NorthStar Healthcare’s portfolio includes independent living, assisted living and memory care properties.  “We expect that this portfolio will serve to further enhance our regional densification strategy through our existing geographic footprint and network of exceptional seniors housing operators,” says Nikhil Chaudhri, co-president and chief investment officer of Welltower, calling the agreement a “win-win outcome for shareholders of both companies.”  NorthStar Healthcare stockholders will receive $3.03 per share according to the agreement, exceeding the net asset value per share of $2.96 as decided by NorthStar Healthcare’s board of directors in June 2024.  Under terms of the agreement, the NorthStar board of directors and advisors may initiate, solicit and consider alternative acquisition proposals during a 40-day “go shop” period beginning from the date of the merger agreement.  The all-cash transaction is scheduled to close within the first half …

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AT&T-Kalamazoo-Michigan
Company NewsOfficeTop Stories

AT&T Completes 13 MSF National Office Sale-Leaseback Deal With Reign Capital, Nets $850M in Proceeds

by Taylor Williams

DALLAS — AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) has completed a sale-leaseback transaction with New York City-based development and investment firm Reign Capital that encompasses approximately 13 million square feet of office space across 74 U.S. properties. The deal, which closed earlier this month, nets the Dallas-based telecommunications giant about $850 million in upfront cash proceeds. The names and locations of the AT&T-owned buildings in which the spaces are located were not disclosed. According to AT&T, the majority of the space that was sold was originally designed and developed “to house and connect large, bulky and energy-intensive equipment for outdated copper networks.” AT&T further explained that “as customers move[d] from copper to fiber and wireless, a smaller, more efficient equipment footprint is managing the network. This technology evolution not only reduces power consumption, benefitting the environment, but also lowers operating costs and frees up valuable real estate for other uses.” AT&T plans to exit the large majority of its legacy copper network operations by the end of 2029. Under the terms of the deal, AT&T will make lease payments to Reign Capital for the duration of the lease term and maintain exclusive operational control of space required for access to communications infrastructure in …

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Industrious
AcquisitionsCompany NewsNew YorkOfficeTexasTop Stories

CBRE to Acquire Coworking Operator Industrious, Create New Business Segment

by Hayden Spiess

DALLAS AND NEW YORK CITY — CBRE Group Inc. (NYSE: CBRE) has announced plans to acquire Industrious National Management Co. LLC, a flexible workspace provider. Dallas-based CBRE, which has invested in Industrious since late 2020 through roughly 40 percent equity interest and a $100 million convertible note, will purchase the remaining 60 percent equity stake for approximately $400 million, giving Industrious an overall valuation of $800 million. Founded in 2012, New York City-based Industrious offers workplaces with private offices, suites, meeting rooms and desks. The current Industrious portfolio features approximately 200 properties across 65 cities globally. According to a press release issued by CBRE, Industrious’ revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of more than 50 percent since 2021.  In addition to the acquisition, CBRE will establish a new business segment. Dubbed Building Operations & Experience (BOE), the new segment will “unify building operations, workplace experience and property management, positioning CBRE to deliver scalable, future-ready solutions for offices, data centers, warehouses and other facilities,” according to CBRE.  Jamie Hodari, CEO and co-founder of Industrious, will lead CBRE’s BOE division, which will include CBRE’s Enterprise Facilities Management, Local Facilities Management and Property Management divisions, as well as Industrious. The new business …

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Company NewsData CentersGeorgiaIndustrialSoutheast

Amazon Web Services to Invest $11B in Georgia

by John Nelson

SEATTLE — Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing platform of the Seattle-based e-commerce giant, has announced plans to invest $11 billion in the state of Georgia. This comes a couple weeks after AWS announced a similar $10 billion investment in Ohio. The move will expand the infrastructural capabilities of AWS in Georgia and support the company’s cloud computing and generative AI technologies. Details of the planned investment in Georgia, including construction timelines for any new data centers, were not disclosed, though AWS says the investments would be concentrated in Douglas and Butts counties. AWS expects to create at least 550 new high-skilled jobs with this investment, including for technical roles such as data center engineers, network specialists, engineering operations managers and security specialists, as well as indirect jobs such as construction and those in the data center supply chain. Since 2010, Amazon has invested $18.5 billion in Georgia and contributed $20.1 billion to the state’s gross domestic product. The parent company supports 34,000 full- and part-time jobs in the Peach State, including at Amazon MGM Studios where the film studio regularly shoots movies and TV shows.

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Affordable HousingCompany NewsDistrict of ColumbiaMultifamilySoutheast

US Justice Department Adds Six Landlords to Rental Price-Fixing Lawsuit

by John Nelson

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ), along with 10 state attorneys general, has filed an amended complaint in its antitrust lawsuit against RealPage. The complaint targets six of the nation’s largest property managers, alleging that the companies used RealPage’s pricing algorithms to share sensitive data and coordinate pricing strategies, which the DOJ states resulted in artificially inflated rents. The DOJ stated that the landlords had colluded with one another by directly communicating with competitors’ senior managers about sensitive topics such as rents and occupancy; conducting “call arounds” to discuss sensitive information and pricing strategies; and participating in “user groups” hosted by RealPage, where landlords would allegedly discuss how to modify the software’s pricing methodology as well as their own pricing strategies. The DOJ’s co-plaintiffs are the Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington. The six landlords included in the amended complaint are Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC; Blackstone’s LivCor LLC; Camden Property Trust; Cushman & Wakefield Inc. (formerly operating independently as Pinnacle); Willow Bridge Property Co. (formerly Lincoln Residential); and Cortland Management LLC (Cortland). Altogether, the six companies manage approximately 1.3 million apartment units across 43 states and Washington, D.C., …

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