WATERLOO, IOWA — Through real estate holding company JP Management Corp., Dignity Apparel LLC is purchasing a 77,000-square-foot manufacturing building in Waterloo, just south of Cedar Falls. The transaction, including remodeling space and purchasing equipment and software, represents a capital investment of $4.5 million. Dignity Apparel manufactures garments with domestically sourced fabrics for Image Pointe, its wholly owned subsidiary. The Iowa Economic Development Authority board awarded tax benefits for the acquisition through the High Quality Jobs program. Dignity Apparel plans to create 40 to 55 new jobs in Waterloo.
By Jeremy Spillman and Corey Sedrel, Capstone Commercial In a setting where I-80 and I-35 intersect to make up one of the busiest truck traffic intersections in the Midwest, Des Moines is well positioned to harness the power of manufacturing in Iowa to support several larger Midwest cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis and Omaha. As we see change in our global supply chains, manufacturers and distributors look to states like Iowa to support these changing environments where we see these organizations moving away from the just-in-time model to just-in-case. The transition to a just-in-case supply chain model began to form due to several supply chain-related issues we encountered during the pandemic. This led to higher demand for additional warehousing to be constructed. Availability of large cube warehousing had been historically tight in Iowa since 2012 where most years carried vacancy rates of 2.5 to 4.5 percent annually. During 2022, there was 2.97 million square feet of warehouse/distribution space delivered to meet the increase in demand of rising inventories. “From the construction standpoint, supply chain issues are subsiding, but there are still longer than normal lead times for certain trades and equipment. These lead times are still …
WAUKEE, IOWA — General contractor DCI Group Inc. has broken ground on Waukee Towne Center in suburban Des Moines. Pierson Cos. is developing the 62-acre project, and Ryan Cos. is building the 148,000-square-foot Target store that will anchor the development. Corell Contractor Inc. is currently performing earthwork. Located at the intersection of Hickman and Alice’s roads, the development will include retail, entertainment and restaurant space overlooking an eight-acre lake with a fountain. Seasonal amenities will include a winter ice skating rink, summer game area, playground and amphitheater. A timeline for completion was not provided.
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA — Co-op Solutions, a southern California-based financial services company, has signed a 99,700-square-foot office lease at the Palisade Building in West Des Moines. The new office will become a flagship center for Co-op to serve its credit union clients. R&R Realty Group owns the property, which has received new brick stain and other exterior enhancements. The Palisade Building will also undergo tenant improvements and other renovations.
IOWA, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA AND WISCONSIN — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the sale of a 22-property portfolio occupied by Arby’s in the Midwest for $35.1 million. The net-leased assets are located in Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Drew Isaac and Brian Bailey of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, an Arby’s franchisee. As part of the sale, new leases were executed for the properties. The buyer was undisclosed.
DES MOINES, IOWA — Area Commercial Real Estate Advisors has brokered the sale of a CubeSmart Self Storage facility in Des Moines for an undisclosed price. The property was formerly a Gordmans department store that was converted into self-storage space in November 2021. The facility features roughly 68,000 rentable square feet of climate-controlled space. Tom Flannigan, Alex Ihrke and Matt Haugen of Area brokered the sale and serve as the Minnesota, Iowa and North and South Dakota broker affiliates for Argus Self Storage Advisors. U-Haul was the buyer.
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA AND EDMOND, OKLA. — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the sale of a net-leased daycare portfolio in Iowa and Oklahoma for $11.1 million. The KinderCare-occupied properties are in West Des Moines and Edmond. Dominic Sulo marketed the portfolio for sale on behalf of the seller, a Michigan-based limited liability company. The buyer was undisclosed.
PELLA, IOWA — Northmarq has brokered the $11.1 million sale of Highpoint at Pella, a 100-unit apartment community in Pella, about 45 miles east of Des Moines. Built in 1999, the property features a fitness facility, pool and grilling areas. The community is situated near Lake Red Rock, the largest lake in Iowa. Parker Stewart, Dominic Martinez and Anthony Martinez of Northmarq represented the seller, Axiom Equities. Local investor HighPoint Apartments LLC was the buyer.
IOWA — Matthews Real Estate Investment Services has arranged the sale of four properties occupied by Shine Shop Car Wash in Iowa for an undisclosed price. The properties are located at 3301 N. Ankeny Blvd. in Ankeny, 1400 SE University Ave. in Waukee, 601 NE Cypress Drive in Grimes and 6035 Merle Hay Road in Johnston. Beryl Grant and Clay Smith of Matthews represented the buyer, Rocket Car Wash, a national chain looking to expand particularly in the Iowa market. The seller was a private investor.
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA — ARTISAN Capital Group (ACG) and its partner Eastham Capital have acquired Cambridge Court Apartments in West Des Moines for an undisclosed price. Built in 1992, the 192-unit apartment complex features a clubhouse, fitness center, dog park and pools. ACG’s management vertical, ARTISAN Management Group, will oversee property operations. ACG plans to renovate apartment units beginning this spring. ACG assumed the current agency financing, which features an interest rate that is below current market rates. Chicago-based ACG maintains a regional office in Des Moines and a portfolio of nearly 6,000 apartment units in the Midwest. Parker Stewart and Anthony Martinez of Northmarq represented the seller, CRES Management.