Company News

Flexible Workspace Pioneer WeWork Files for Bankruptcy, Plans to Renegotiate Leases

by John Nelson November 7, 2023

NEW YORK CITY — Coworking and office-sharing pioneer WeWork Inc. (NYSE: WE) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. WeWork also plans to file similar protectionary measures in Canada. WeWork has entered into a restructuring support agreement with its creditors representing approximately 92 percent of its secured notes to “drastically reduce” the company’s existing funded debt and expedite the restructuring process. Reuters reports the debt-for-equity swap deal with its creditors totals $3 billion. The New York City-based company plans to continue operations and “further rationalize its commercial office lease portfolio” with its network of office landlords. WeWork’s locations and franchisees outside of the United States and Canada are not part of this process. According to the company website, WeWork operates more than 320 locations globally across various workplace solutions platforms. As part of the filing, WeWork is requesting the ability to reject the leases of certain locations that are “non-operational,” all of which have affected members that have received advanced notice. The company has retained Hilco Real Estate, an Illinois-based real estate restructuring and advisory firm, to assist with lease renegotiations. “WeWork has a strong foundation, a dynamic business and a bright future,” says David Tolley, CEO of WeWork. “Now …

November 7, 2023

Acquisitions Company News Florida Hospitality Southeast

Hilton Grand Vacations Agrees to Acquire Bluegreen Vacations for $1.5B, Including 48 Club Resorts

by John Nelson November 7, 2023

ORLANDO AND BOCA RATON, FLA. — Orlando-based Hilton Grand Vacations has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bluegreen Vacations, a time-share resort company based in Boca Raton. The all-cash transaction is valued at $75 per share, or $1.5 billion, including debt. The merger agreement will add more than 200,000 members and 48 club resorts in 14 new geographies for Hilton Grand Vacations. Additionally, Hilton Grand Vacations has reached a 10-year marketing agreement with Bass Pro Shops, which formerly had an exclusive marketing agreement with Bluegreen Vacations that includes a joint venture for four outdoor-themed resorts. The Bluegreen Vacations acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2024.

November 7, 2023

Company News Florida Retail Southeast

Sembler Co. Founder Mel Sembler Dies at 93

by John Nelson November 3, 2023

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — Mel Sembler, founder of St. Petersburg-based retail real estate development firm The Sembler Co., has passed away at the age of 93, according to a statement from the company. Sembler founded his eponymous real estate company in 1962. To date, it has completed more than 350 developments totaling 29 million square feet. Additionally, the company manages and leases 10 million square feet of retail real estate and has offices in St. Petersburg, Atlanta and Puerto Rico. In a prepared statement, The Sembler Co. stated “his indelible mark will continue to guide us as we honor his legacy. He was the truest friend and leader to all.” Currently, The Sembler Co.’s portfolio includes Belmont Shopping Center in Ruskin, Fla., and North Macon Plaza in Macon, Ga. Sembler is also underway on the development of The Preserve Marketplace in Odessa, Fla., and West Villages Marketplace in Venice, Fla. In metro Atlanta, the company developed The Prado in 2008 and Town Brookhaven in 2010. The retail centers total 345,000 and 441,217 square feet, respectively. Sembler also previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Nauru from 1989 to 1993 and to Italy from 2001 to 2005. He also served …

November 3, 2023

Acquisitions Company News Midwest Ohio Retail

Cedar Fair, Six Flags Agree to Merge in $8B Deal

by Kristin Harlow November 2, 2023

SANDUSKY, OHIO AND ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Sandusky-based Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. (NYSE: FUN) and Arlington-based Six Flags Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: SIX) have entered into a definitive merger agreement to combine in a merger of equals transaction. The all-stock deal values the combined company at approximately $8 billion, including debt. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, Cedar Fair investors will receive one share of common stock for each unit they own, and Six Flags shareholders will receive .58 shares for each share they own. Following the close of the transaction, Cedar Fair unitholders will own approximately 51.2 percent and Six Flags shareholders will own about 48.8 percent of the combined company’s equity. “Our merger with Six Flags will bring together two of North America’s iconic amusement park companies to establish a highly diversified footprint and a more robust operating model to enhance park offerings and performance,” says Richard Zimmerman, president and CEO of Cedar Fair. The combined company will operate a portfolio of 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 17 states in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The companies expect the merger to …

November 2, 2023

Acquisitions Company News Data Centers New York Northeast Top Stories

Brookfield Agrees to Purchase Cyxtera’s Assets for $775M, Including Seven US Data Centers

by John Nelson November 2, 2023

NEW YORK CITY AND MIAMI — Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (NYSE: BIP) and its institutional partners have entered into an asset purchase agreement (APA) with Miami-based data center owner-operator Cyxtera. Brookfield will acquire “substantially all” of Cyxtera’s assets for $775 million. As part of the agreement, the New York City-based investment firm will purchase the real estate supporting seven Cyxtera data centers in the United States. The locations of the affected properties were not disclosed. According to the company’s website, Cyxtera operates facilities in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York/New Jersey, Northern Virginia, Phoenix, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Tampa and Canada. Brookfield will purchase the real estate that supports the data centers from several landlords, including Digital Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: DLR) and Digital Core REIT. The court-supervised process stems from Cyxtera’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The company cited financial challenges and lack of funding when it filed for bankruptcy this past summer, about two years after it went public. Cyxtera’s stock price peaked at $14.60 per share in May 2022 before dipping below $1.80 by December 2022. “We are pleased to reach this agreement with Brookfield, which represents a favorable path forward for our …

November 2, 2023

Acquisitions California Company News Net Lease Retail Texas Top Stories Western

Realty Income Corp. to Acquire Spirit Realty Capital in $9.3B REIT Merger

by Katie Sloan October 31, 2023

SAN DIEGO AND DALLAS — Realty Income Corp. (NYSE: O) and Spirit Realty Capital Inc. (NYSE: SRC) have entered into an all-stock merger agreement valued at $9.3 billion. The combined company, which will operate under the Realty Income banner, is expected to become the fourth largest REIT on the S&P 500 index with a total enterprise value of $63 billion. Both companies primarily invest in freestanding, net-leased commercial properties. Realty Income boasts a portfolio of 13,100 properties located across the U.S. and Europe, and Spirit Realty owns a portfolio of 2,064 properties across 49 states. Primary tenants across the combined company’s portfolio include Life Time Fitness, BJ’s Wholesale Club, At Home, Dave & Buster’s, Dollar Tree, The Home Depot, Treasury Wine Estates, Sainsbury’s, 7-Eleven, Lowe’s and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Under terms of the agreement, each share of Spirit Realty Capital will be converted into 0.762 of a share of newly issued Realty Income stock. At closing, this will result in Realty Income and Spirit owning 87 percent and 13 percent of the combined company, respectively. No external capital is currently being used for the transaction. Realty Income and Spirit cite the potential for higher earnings, a more competitive cost of …

October 31, 2023

Colorado Company News Healthcare Midwest Top Stories Western Wisconsin

Healthpeak Properties, Physicians Realty Trust Agree to $21B Merger

by Taylor Williams October 30, 2023

DENVER AND MILWAUKEE — Two healthcare REITs, Denver-based Healthpeak Properties (NYSE: PEAK) and Milwaukee-based Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE: DOC), have agreed to enter into an all-stock merger agreement that is valued at roughly $21 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, each share of Physicians Realty Trust common stock will be converted into 0.674 of a share of newly issued Healthpeak common stock. The combined entity will feature a portfolio of roughly 52 million square feet of healthcare assets. On a pro-forma basis, Healthpeak and Physicians Realty Trust shareholders will own approximately 77 percent and 23 percent of the combined company, respectively. The deal is expected to close during the first half of next year. Of the combined 52 million square feet, about 40 million would consist of outpatient healthcare facilities in major gateway markets like Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix and Denver. Healthpeak CEO Scott Brinker will lead the newly formed company in conjunction with a board of directors comprised of eight existing Healthpeak directors and five existing Physicians Realty Trust directors, including current CEO John Thomas. In detailing the reasons behind the merger, executives from both companies noted that Healthpeak Properties and Physicians Realty Trust have overlapping footprints in …

October 30, 2023

Company News Northeast Pennsylvania Retail Top Stories

Rite Aid Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Receives $3.4B for Debt Restructuring

by Taylor Williams October 16, 2023

PHILADELPHIA — Rite Aid Corp. (NYSE: RAD) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and has received financial commitments totaling roughly $3.4 billion from lenders to support business operations as the company works to restructure its debt. The Philadelphia-based pharmacy and convenience store chain did not say whether it would immediately close any stores as a direct result of this filing, just that it would continue “assessing its footprint and closing underperforming stores.” However, in September, The Wall Street Journal reported that Rite Aid had proposed to its creditors a restructuring and rightsizing plan that would involve closing 400 to 500 of its 2,100 or so stores nationwide. The bankruptcy filing has long been expected within the industry, as Rite Aid’s position has grown more precarious in the wake of numerous lawsuits alleging the pharmacy’s role in supplying opioid drugs that contributed to overdose deaths. That legal activity reached its crescendo earlier this year when the U.S. Justice Department formally lodged a complaint against Rite Aid. According to CNN, the government alleged at that time that Rite Aid had “knowingly filled unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances.” According to CNBC, Rite Aid ended its most recent fiscal quarter on June 3 …

October 16, 2023

Company News Office Texas

Hoar Construction Opens New Office in Abilene, Texas

by Taylor Williams September 21, 2023

ABILENE, TEXAS — General contractor Hoar Construction has opened a new office in the West Texas city of Abilene. The office, which is located at 104 Pine St. and is officially open for business, is the company’s fourth in Texas and 11th nationwide. Hoar Construction’s presence in the Abilene area began in 2006 when it was hired to renovate and expand Abilene Regional Medical Center.

September 21, 2023

Company News Georgia Office Southeast

US Soccer to Relocate from Chicago to Atlanta, Build National Training Center

by John Nelson September 18, 2023

ATLANTA — The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced plans to develop a National Training Center in Atlanta, relocating the organization’s headquarters from Chicago. The center will be utilized by all of the 27 U.S. Soccer National Teams. Philanthropist and owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United Arthur Blank has contributed $50 million to support the development of the center. Part of the contribution will be dedicated to the construction of facilities for U.S. Soccer’s nine Extended National Teams (ENTs), particularly the Cerebral Palsy, Deaf and Power Soccer teams. Support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation will also provide community programming. Advised by Deloitte, J.T. Batson, CEO and secretary general of U.S. Soccer, is leading the search for a site in metro Atlanta. A final decision on the location for the development will be made in January.

September 18, 2023

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