DECATUR, ILL. — Cinnaire has invested $7 million in New Markets Tax Credits to support the rehabilitation and expansion of the former Prairie Farms dairy plant into the Tillamook Decatur Creamery. The facility, located at 757 N. Morgan St. in Decatur, is being transformed into a modern 79,000-square-foot creamery to support Tillamook County Creamery Association’s (TCCA) production efforts in the eastern U.S. Construction began in June, and is slated for completion this month. The project, which has revitalized the vacant building into a dedicated ice cream manufacturing plant, marks a significant expansion as TCCA’s first wholly owned and operated manufacturing facility outside of Oregon and its only facility dedicated solely to ice cream production. Tillamook is an Oregon-based dairy co-op and manufacturer known for its cheese, yogurt, butter and ice cream. The Tillamook Decatur Creamery will create approximately 49 new full-time jobs. Originally opened in 1918 by Swift and Co., the Decatur plant was later acquired by Prairie Farms in 1977 where it served as an ice cream production facility until its closure in early 2022. TCCA is spending roughly $74 million adding automation, robotic palletizing and improving employee welfare spaces.
Development
FRISCO, TEXAS — HALL Group has opened a 224-room hotel at HALL Park, the locally based firm’s flagship campus in Frisco that is currently in the midst of a $7 billion redevelopment. The hotel, which is operated under Marriott’s Autograph Collection family of brands, features 164 traditional guestrooms and 60 suites. Amenities include a rooftop pool and bar, fitness center, restaurant and lounge, 4,000-square-foot ballroom, patio overlooking Kaleidoscope Park and a “sanctuary” space that was crafted by B2 Design Co. Construction of the hotel began in 2022.
NASHVILLE, TENN. — A joint venture between Property Markets Group (PMG), New Valley Realty and RMWC has completed vertical construction on Society Nashville, a 16-story apartment tower project located in the city’s Gulch neighborhood. Upon completion, the development will offer 502 residential units. Units will include a blend of traditional apartments in studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts, as well as a small number of co-living “rent-by-bedroom” options. Designed by Baker Barrios Architects, Society Nashville will also feature 8,400 square feet of retail space and 485 parking spaces. Amenities at the building will include a pool deck, fitness center, coworking spaces, music room and rooftop sky deck. In 2022, the developers received a $162 million construction loan from Square Mile Capital for the project. CrowdStreet also provided $35 million in equity.
Branch Receives City Council Approval for Lakeshore Mall Redevelopment in Gainesville, Georgia
by John Nelson
GAINESVILLE, GA. — Atlanta-based Branch Properties has received civic approval for the redevelopment of Lakeshore Mall, a former shopping mall in Gainesville that opened in 1970. Gainesville City Council unanimously approved the developer’s vision for a 49-acre mixed-use redevelopment that was announced this past fall. Branch plans to break ground on the redevelopment in late 2026 and wrap up construction in 2028. Located between Lake Lanier and I-985, the new Lakeshore Mall project will usher in 652 multifamily residences, 38,200 square feet of community green space and more than 300,000 square feet of retail space, including existing anchors Belk and Dick’s Sporting Goods, both of which will remain open during the redevelopment. Dick’s will relocate to a new store within the redevelopment. Len Erickson of Franklin Street is leading the project’s retail leasing component with Branch. Future plans for the project could include a hotel and townhomes.
Forman Capital Provides $53.7M Construction Loan for Multifamily Project in Hollywood, Florida
by John Nelson
HOLLYWOOD, FLA. — Forman Capital has provided a $53.7 million construction loan for Caltopia, a new multifamily development in the South Florida city of Hollywood. The developer and borrower, Coral Gables, Fla.-based Calta Group, is developing the 251-unit community in two phases. Phase I will feature 100 units averaging 751 square feet in size, and Phase II will span 151 units averaging 740 square feet in size. Units will come in studio, one- and two-bedroom configurations, and amenities will include a pool, fitness center and yoga room, dog spa, lounge and kitchen area, EV chargers, coworking space and 24-hour package storage and pickup. Calta Group plans to break ground on Phase I in the fourth quarter and deliver about 18 months later. Scott Mehlman and Ty Regnier of Forman Capital originated the financing on behalf of Calta Group, which is also underway on another apartment development in Hollywood. George Gnad, Mathew Gnad and Helmut Fischer of Lenders Capital Realty Services arranged the financing.
SOMERVILLE, MASS. — Locally based general contractor Nauset Construction has completed a 59-unit multifamily project in Somerville, located just outside of Boston. Designed by ICON Architecture, the project represents the second phase of a larger development known as Union 346 and houses one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with 11 residences set aside as affordable housing. Amenities include a rooftop deck, fitness center, lounge, outdoor grilling and dining spaces and a dog wash station. A joint venture between John M. Corcoran & Co., The Grossman Companies and SMT Development owns Union 346, the first phase of which comprised 94 units.
TOLEDO, OHIO — Continental Real Estate Cos. and Hallmark Communities have completed development of Colony Lofts, a 262-unit luxury apartment community in Toledo. Coastal Ridge is the property manager. Amenities include a resort-style pool, grilling stations, fitness center, business center, clubhouse and coffee bar. The property also features retail spaces, electric vehicle charging stations and an onsite restaurant, the newest outpost of Central Ohio staple The Old Bag of Nails Pub. Colony Lofts is located near ProMedica Toledo Hospital and the University of Toledo. Monthly rents for studios start at $964, according to the property’s website. Residents can earn one month of free rent by moving in prior to April 15.
SKOKIE, ILL. — Skender has completed construction on the interior build-out of the 19,366-square-foot Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI) lab for UL Research Institutes (ULRI), a global safety science leader. The lab is located within the Illinois Science + Technology Park at 8045 Lamon Ave. in Skokie. Designed as an incubator for scientific innovation where students and early-career researchers can work alongside seasoned experts, the MDRI lab harnesses advanced computing and experimental methods to create innovative materials for renewable energy and environmental sustainability. The build-out included joining multiple lab sections within a secure envelope, retrofitting existing labs and adding specialized laboratories. The space features a gas adsorption lab with significant lab gas infrastructure, an automation lab and a battery characterization lab. The project team included architect Harley Ellis Devereaux, Affiliated Engineers Inc. and Project Management Advisors Inc. Construction lasted 30 weeks. Skender is now underway on the project’s next phase, the design-build of a scanning electronic microscope capable of viewing down to 1 nanometer.
Simon Unveils Plans for Multimillion-Dollar Transformation of Smith Haven Mall on Long Island
by John Nelson
LAKE GROVE, N.Y. — Mall giant Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) has unveiled plans for a multimillion-dollar transformation of Smith Haven Mall in the Long Island village of Lake Grove. The redevelopment project will feature improvements to both the interior and exterior of the mall, with the addition of new retailers, restaurants, a new outdoor plaza and amenities throughout the property. The redevelopment process will begin this summer and is scheduled for completion in 2026. “At Simon, we are committed to making significant investments across our portfolio to ensure that our centers continue to deliver exceptional customer experiences for today’s shoppers,” says Mark Silvestri, president of development at Simon. Smith Haven Mall’s exterior will be repainted and will include new signage, updated entryways, landscaping and seating accommodations. The mall’s interior will receive new flooring and fixtures, as well as enhancements to Center Court and a transformation of the food court with newly installed seating. New tenants at the mall include fashion retailer Zara, which will open its first location in Eastern Long Island near Smith Haven’s Center Court next year. The square footage of the new Zara was not disclosed, but the space will be “massive,” according to Simon. Additionally, Golf …
Adept Urban Development Receives $107M in Construction Financing for Mixed-Use Project in Ontario, California
by Amy Works
ONTARIO, CALIF. — Adept Urban Development has obtained $107 million in financing for the construction of Adept Ontario, a master-planned, mixed-use development at 4117 E. Concours St. in Ontario. Situated adjacent to Toyota Arena, the first phase of Adept Ontario will include 384 multifamily units and 26,000 square feet of retail space, as well as several digital media signs. Stefen Chraghchian of Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. secured the financing with Affinius Capital and Bank OZK on behalf of the developer.