LOS ANGELES — A&G Realty Partners has launched a new division focused on increasing the productivity of U.S. healthcare providers’ real estate holdings. Peter Lynch, a Los Angeles-based principal, will led the company’s new Healthcare Property Division. “Healthcare over the next five years will undergo an accelerating metamorphosis driven by the need for innovation, convenience and affordability,” says Lynch. “The forces in play are every bit as disruptive as those afoot in retail or higher education. Real estate must be central to any strategic response.” The company’s new division will offer a variety of services tailored to healthcare real estate, including the disposition of excess medical office space and renegotiation of urgent care center leases to selling a city hospital to a mixed-use developer, notes Lynch.
NEW YORK AND CHICAGO — Brookfield Property Partners (NASDAQ: BPY) has agreed to acquire all remaining shares of GGP Inc. (NYSE: GGP), a Chicago-based mall owner. BPY, a global real estate company based in New York City, and its affiliates already hold a 34 percent stake in GGP. The deal struck between the two parties is for GGP shareholders to receive $23.50 per share in cash, a total cash consideration of $9.25 billion. Alternately, shareholders may elect to receive stock in either BPY or a new REIT that BPY plans to list on one of the major U.S. exchanges. “This is a compelling transaction that enables GGP shareholders to receive premium value for their shares and gives them the ability to participate in the long-term upside of their investment,” says Brian Kingston, CEO of BPY. The newly agreed-upon deal comprises a cash-to-equity ratio of 61/39, which is more cash-centric than BPY’s original 50/50 cash-to-equity offer to acquire the remainder of GGP last November. Shares in the new REIT will be equivalent to that of a BPY unit. BPY’s parent company, Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM), has guaranteed the exchange of the shares between the two stocks (totaling 254 million units) …
WAYNE, N.J. — Toys ‘R’ Us is taking the next step in what the Wayne-based retailer is calling an “orderly wind down” of it’s U.S. business. In a U.S. Bankruptcy Court filing early this morning, Toys ‘R’ Us is requesting approval to begin the liquidation of inventory in all 735 of its remaining stores across the country, including stores in Puerto Rico. The closures threaten up to 33,000 American jobs in the coming months, according to the Wall Street Journal. “I am very disappointed with the result, but we no longer have the financial support to continue the company’s U.S. operations,” said David Brandon, chairman and CEO of Toys ‘R’ Us, in an official statement. In January, the toy chain announced plans to shutter up to 182 underperforming stores, including those under the Babies ‘R’ Us banner, as part of its restructuring efforts to revive business. The 70-year-old retailer filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy last September. Toys ‘R’ Us was facing $5 billion in debt, largely stemming from a $6.6 billion buyout in 2005 led by KKR & Co. LP, Bain Capital LP and Vornado Realty Trust. Continued debt, combined with poor holiday sales, forced the retailer’s latest move. For …
BETHESDA, MD. — HCR ManorCare, an Ohio-based seniors housing operator, will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and transfer its management operations to its landlord, Quality Care Properties (NYSE: QCP). HCR ManorCare, which currently manages about 320 seniors housing properties, is the second-largest skilled nursing operator in the country. The company’s management contracts also span the assisted living, hospice and home care sectors. The move follows HCR’s declaration of approximately $385 million in delinquent rent payments. Reuters reports that the company’s total debt is roughly $7.1 billion and that QCP will put its own management teams in place at properties previously managed by HCR. Under the terms of the agreement, HCR’s operating subsidiaries will not file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The parent company’s name and brand will also remain in place, but as a wholly owned subsidiary of QCP. QCP itself is a spin-off of healthcare REIT HCP (NYSE: HCP), which created the company specifically to remove HCR ManorCare’s 320 properties from its portfolio. QCP and HCR have been in negotiations for months regarding hundreds of millions in unpaid rent. In addition, QCP will give up its REIT designation, as it will now both own and operate its properties. “This …
IRVINE, CALIF. — Michael McKee, executive chairman of Irvine-based healthcare REIT HCP Inc. (NYSE: HCP), has announced he plans to retire on March 1. Following his official retirement, McKee will continue to serve on the board of directors as a consultant until HCP’s annual meeting on April 26. Dave Henry, previously the lead independent director, has been appointed to serve as non-executive chairman. McKee has served as HCP’s executive chairman since May 2016 and as a member of the board since 1989. From July to December 2016, he served as interim president and CEO, filling the gap between Lauralee Martin’s departure and Tom Herzog’s promotion. McKee has been one of the few constants for a REIT that underwent massive changes in recent years. In his 20 months as executive chairman, the company spun off its 320-property HCR ManorCare skilled nursing portfolio into a separate REIT known as Quality Care Properties Inc. (NYSE: QCP). Additionally, the executive team saw nearly constant change during this time. Herzog was re-hired to his previous position of CFO and eventually promoted to CEO following Martin’s tenure. The company was also able to woo longtime industry veterans Justin Hutchens and Kai Hsiao, before losing them both …
BOSTON — Lynnfield, Mass.-based Powers & Co., a boutique retail brokerage firm, is merging with The Dartmouth Co., a retail real estate advisory and brokerage firm. Focusing on the Greater Boston suburbs and Cape Cod, Mass., Powers & Co. specializes in representing retail landlords and owners throughout New England. The Dartmouth Co. specializes in tenant and landlord representation in the Northeast and throughout the United States and provides a variety of services, including dispositions, investment sales and consulting and advisory services. Additionally, the company recently created a full-service commercial retail property management division. Powers & Co.’s suburban focus will enhance Dartmouth’s depth of market and solidify its place as the area’s best-in-class retail real estate advisory and brokerage company.
HOUSTON — Citing struggles stemming from the rise of e-commerce, fashion retailer Charming Charlie has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. During the Chapter 11 process, which was filed late Monday, the Houston-based fashion retailer plans to restructure its debt while maintaining and operating a majority of its stores, as well as its online platform. The company also plans to go through with its previously announced decision to shutter 97 of its underperforming stores. Charming Charlie specializes in selling jewelry, handbags, apparel and beauty products. The company, which was launched in 2004, currently operates more than 375 stores in the United States and Canada. Charming Charlie has secured commitments from its lenders for $20 million in new-money debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing. The company also entered into a $35 million DIP asset-backed loan with its lenders. Both financing arrangements are subject to court approval and are intended to help operation costs during the Chapter 11 process. The Wall Street Journal reports the court on Wednesday approved the early use of the financing, and Charming Charlie is scheduled to return to court in January to request approval to use the balance of the loans. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing is part of Charming …
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — ICON Builders and Multi-Family Renovation Group (MFRG) have merged to form a new company called MFRG-ICON Construction. The new company will focus on affordable housing renovation. Justin Krueger is the owner and will act as president of the new company. Allen “Kelly” Sands will be his partner. The new firm will draw from nearly three decades of experience to push this now $100 million annual construction business to raise the standard in occupied affordable housing renovations. ICON began building and renovating affordable housing in 1992. The company specialized in the renovation of tax credit, bond and HUD projects. The combined companies have completed more than 28,000 affordable housing units and more than $1.7 billion in construction. MFRG-ICON has offices in Scottsdale and Los Angeles. The company has projects in Arizona, California, Nevada and some Eastern states.
WARRENDALE, PA. — Teen clothing retailer rue21 has completed its financial restructuring and emerged from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. The Warrendale-based company began to close approximately 400 underperforming stores in April, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 15. Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as rue21’s legal advisor, Rothschild Inc. acted as investment banker and financial advisor, and Berkeley Research Group acted as restructuring advisor throughout the process.
WAYNE, N.J. — Toys ”R” Us Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, Sept. 18. The company’s Canadian subsidiary also plans to seek protection in parallel proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. No store closings have yet been announced in conjunction with the filing. The Wayne, N.J.-based toy retailer’s approximately 1,600 Toys ”R” Us and Babies ”R” Us locations will continue to operate through at least the holiday season. Customers may also continue to shop on the company’s newly launched web stores. “Together with our investors, our objective is to work with our debtholders and other creditors to restructure the $5 billion of long-term debt on our balance sheet, which will provide us with greater financial flexibility to invest in our business, continue to improve the customer experience in our physical stores and online, and strengthen our competitive position in an increasingly challenging and rapidly changing retail marketplace worldwide,” says Dave Brandon, chairman and CEO of Toys ”R” Us Inc. The company’s debt largely stems from a $6.6 billion buyout in 2005 led by KKR & Co. LP, Bain Capital LP and Vornado Realty Trust. Toys ”R” Us has …