ARLINGTON, VA. — Amazon has paused construction on the second phase of its 5.4 million-square-foot HQ2 development in Arlington, reports Bloomberg. The developer, JBG Smith, previously announced that the first phase of the headquarters, which comprises 2.1 million square feet, is scheduled for delivery this summer. The delay will affect the second, 3.3 million-square-foot Pen Place phase, plans for which include three office buildings and a biophilic, double-helix amenity center dubbed The Helix. The pause coincides with recent layoffs, and John Schoettler, the real estate chief for the company, did not disclose a new start date for construction, though he says Amazon remains committed to the National Landing area.
SHELBYVILLE, KY. — Northmarq has secured $25.3 million in financing for the construction of the first two phases of a bourbon barrel storage facility in Shelbyville. Randall Waddell of Northmarq’s Louisville office arranged the fixed-rate loan through a Kentucky-based bank on behalf of the borrower, a joint venture between The Spirits Group and K-RAX. The loan carries a five-year term with three years of interest-only payments followed by a 25-year amortization schedule. Upon completion, the development, situated on 107 acres at 2517 Vigo Road will feature seven rickhouses — each of which will have capacity for 19,800 barrels — and one blending/bottling building.
EL PASO, TEXAS — Atlanta-based investment firm MDH Partners has entered into an agreement to acquire Loop 375 Industrial, a three-building, 554,960-square-foot development that is nearing completion in El Paso. The site spans 36.7 acres, and the development features 191 trailer parking spaces, 230 car parking spaces and clear heights of 32 to 36 feet. Bret Felberg and Jeff Morris of Colliers represented the seller and developer, Houston-based NIT Industrial, in the transaction. MDH Partners also provided NIT Industrial with mezzanine debt to complete construction. The financing is coterminous with the senior construction loan, which was provided by Veritex Community Bank. CBRE is leasing the development, which is scheduled to come on line this fall.
DENTON, TEXAS — Atlanta-based multifamily developer Wood Partners has opened Alta Denton Station, a 248-unit apartment community in North Texas. Units come in one-, two- and three-bedroom formats and are furnished with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, tile backsplashes and individual washers and dryers. Amenities include a pool, fitness center, coworking space, pet care facilities and outdoor grilling and dining areas. Rents start at $1,300 per month for a one-bedroom unit.
MAGNOLIA, TEXAS — SVN | J. Beard Real Estate has begun leasing Country Forest Plaza, a 9,615-square-foot retail project located at 11828 FM 1488 in Magnolia, about 45 miles northwest of Houston. Retail spaces will range in size from 1,300 to 5,715 square feet. Kane Dunbar served as general contractor for the project, construction of which began in January and is expected to be complete during the summer.
Continental Properties to Undertake 172-Unit Multifamily Redevelopment in West Hartford, Connecticut
WEST HARTFORD, CONN. — New York-based investment and development firm Continental Properties will undertake a 172-unit multifamily redevelopment project in West Hartford. The site at 950 Trout Brook Drive previously housed a children’s museum and preschool. John Cafasso and Ian Hunt of Colliers represented the seller, Kingswood Oxford School, in the disposition of the land. The new apartment community will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units and amenities such as a pool, dog park, coworking space and a rooftop lounge. Continental Properties, which purchased the site for $10.5 million, has received approvals and is underway on preliminary sitework.
CHICAGO — The Habitat Co. has received financing for Phase II of Ogden Commons, a $200 million mixed-use, mixed-income project in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. Upon completion, there will be 120,000 square feet of commercial and retail space and more than 350 mixed-income housing units known as OC Living. Construction has commenced on OC Living’s first phase, a 92-unit building. Of the total units, 90 percent will be affordable and 10 percent will be market-rate. Completion is slated for spring 2024. The four-story building is located steps away from the three-story commercial building that marked Phase I of Ogden Commons and was completed in 2021. The 30,000-square-foot property is home to Wintrust Bank, Momentum Coffee and Sinai Health System’s One Lawndale Express Care Clinic. Development partners include Sinai Health System, Alecko Capital and the City of Chicago. Ogden Commons is the city’s largest Opportunity Zone project, according to Habitat. Built over multiple phases, the entire project is slated for completion by 2026. McHugh Construction Co. and Bowa Construction are the general contractors. Bank of America is among the project’s other development partners.
NEW TOWN, N.D. — Kraus-Anderson will complete a $95 million renovation of the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town with a new seven-story hotel. The property is located on the western shore of Lake Sakakawea between Minot and Williston. The project includes an 18,000-square-foot demolition of the existing two-story hotel, 108,000 square feet of new construction and 20,200 square feet of renovation space. Upon completion, the lodge will have 264 rooms. The new hotel tower will add 90 guest rooms, gaming, offices and a 3,100-square-foot sports bar with a dining room and gaming stations. There will also be a 2,500-square-foot ballroom, meeting rooms and a fine dining steakhouse. A new Sakakawea Spa will feature couples’ massage, a gift shop, fitness room and hair and nail salon. The original 4 Bears Motor Lodge opened in the 1970s with 40 rooms. In 1993, a casino was added. Over the years, there were various expansions and improvements, including restaurants, an event center, marina, RV park, water park, convenience store and River Willow gaming boat. The project team includes Wenaha Group, a Native-owned owner’s representative firm, and TBE Architects, a St. Louis-based and Native American-founded design firm. Demolition and site work is …
SCHAUMBURG, ILL. — The Equitable Funds and Berger Asset Management have completed a tenant amenity center and expanded the spec suite leasing program at One Story Schaumburg in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg. The office property consists of six single-story buildings totaling 130,000 square feet at 1340 Remington Road. The spec suite program offers businesses move-in ready spaces spanning from 630 to 3,000 square feet. The new suites are under construction and will be available this spring. The amenity center features a tenant lounge, coffee bar and vending, as well as a conference center with fully equipped Wi-Fi. Recently, FCx Performance, the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education, Prime Line Transportation and QPS Employment Group all signed leases at the property for a total of 11,473 square feet. Steve Chrastka and Jason Wurtz of NAI Hiffman are the leasing agents.
LONG BEACH, CALIF. — Plans have been filed with the City of Long Beach for the conversion of Park Tower, a 119,287-square-foot office building, into a student housing community serving California State University, Long Beach. Fountain Residential Partners is leading the development and plans to break ground in late 2023. The property is set to offer 539 beds in on-campus-style residential suites with large lounge areas on each floor. Shared amenities will include study and meeting rooms on the ground floor; an Amazon Hub; fitness rooms; an indoor/outdoor dining patio; outdoor fitness turf; a wading pool and lounge area; flexible lawn space for gathering; and barbecue grills with picnic tables. The development is targeting LEED Gold certification and will include the implementation of both passive and active strategies towards sustainability. Green practices for the project are set to include the leveraging of natural light and ventilation, and the maximization of solar performance. Shuttle service to campus and the retainment of an existing Metro bus shelter have also been proposed at the site. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2025.