SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICH. — Polymer Process Development has signed a 75,000-square-foot industrial lease in Shelby Township, about 30 miles north of Detroit. The provider of plastic injection moldings will occupy the space at 11969 Shelby Tech Drive. The company plans to vacate two facilities in Clinton Township and Chesterfield Township and consolidate into the new building later this summer. Jason Capitani of L. Mason Capitani CORFAC International represented PPD in the lease transaction.
DETROIT — The Michigan Strategic Fund has provided the final approval for Bedrock’s use of the MIthrive financing tool, clearing the final hurdle that locks in $2.1 billion in new investment in downtown Detroit for four projects. Plans call for redevelopment of the iconic Hudson’s site, transformation of the Monroe Blocks site, restoration of the historic Book Building and Book Tower, and expansion of One Campus Martius building. The projects are expected to create a total of 22,000 jobs, of which 15,000 are construction-related and 7,000 are permanent. The State of Michigan is estimated to capture a $2.5 billion increase in tax revenue, according to Bedrock. Construction has already begun on Hudson’s and Book Tower. Bedrock expects to break ground on Monroe and One Campus Martius later this year. Read more about each of the projects here.
MICHIGAN — Northern Diamond Management has signed an agreement with Smoothie King to develop 50 locations to be occupied by Smoothie King in Michigan. The firm plans to open three of those locations by the end of this year. Smoothie King expects to open 150 new locations in 2018, the most it has ever opened in the United States in a single year, according to Smoothie King Franchises Inc. There are currently more than 900 Smothie King locations worldwide. Northern Diamond Management is a Brighton, Mich.-based limited liability company.
EAST LANSING, MICH. — Arbor Realty Trust Inc. has provided a $13 million HUD-insured loan for the refinancing of Glenwood Apartments in East Lansing. The 138-unit apartment property is located near Michigan State University. Amenities include a pool, fitness center, clubhouse and laundry facilities. Michael Jehle of Arbor originated the 35-year loan.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. — Corrigan Worldwide Inc. has signed a 21,600-square-foot industrial lease in Grand Rapids. The company, which specializes in residential and commercial relocation services, is in the process of expanding its Grand Rapids facility. The property is located at 1120 36th St. Kevin Tamer of CORE Partners represented the tenant. John Kupier of Colliers International represented the undisclosed landlord.
MICHIGAN, INDIANA AND OHIO — Global Net Lease Inc., a real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition of net lease industrial properties, has acquired five industrial assets representing approximately 1.4 million square feet for $83 million. Three of the buildings are located in Michigan with one in Indiana and one in Ohio. The properties are leased to Contractors Steel Co., a steel service supplier. The industrial buildings included in this transaction comprise all of Contractors Steel Co.’s facilities and also house the company’s offices, central inventory and processing depot.
DETROIT — KeyBank Real Estate Capital has provided a $24 million CMBS loan for the refinancing of Port Atwater parking garage in Detroit. Built in 1989, the seven-level parking garage features 1,086 parking stalls. William Cassidy of KeyBank originated the 10-year loan, which features a 25-year amortization schedule.
Detroit’s economy is reinventing itself and slowly gaining its footing after the Great Recession and the city’s bankruptcy. Low interest rates supported record auto sales in 2016 and another strong showing last year, adding some stability to the metro area’s bellwether industry. A rejuvenated downtown and new, growing industries are invigorating the retail market. The story of retail in Detroit closely follows the overall narrative of the market — out with the old and in with the new. Because of this, well-known national retailers such as John Varvatos and Lululemon have made their way into downtown, while international retailer Zara established a presence in Troy, reiterating the market’s strengthened retail sector. Job growth is closely aligned with retail sales, and payrolls in the Motor City have been expanding, on and off, since mid-2009. At times, the snail’s pace of growth has proven frustrating for a market that bore an above- average burden due to population declines and the auto industry’s collapse. The outlook is positive, however, and total nonfarm payroll employment in metro Detroit eclipsed the 2 million mark last year for the first time since 2006. Manufacturing and professional and business services have provided the foundation for the local …
MILFORD, MICH. — Battery Solutions has signed a 94,000-square-foot industrial lease in Milford, about 40 miles northwest of Detroit. The property, located at 2950 Holtz Drive, will serve as the battery recycling company’s North American headquarters. Jim Montgomery of Signature Associates represented both the tenant and the landlord, Holtz Drive SW.
TROY, MICH. — Greystone has provided a $36.3 million HUD loan for the refinancing of Gables of Troy, a 544-unit apartment property in Troy. The property features amenities such as a pool, hot tub, tennis court, fitness center and covered parking. Cary Belovicz and Steve Van Riper of Greystone Bel Real Estate Advisors and John Marr of Greystone originated the loan on behalf of Kaftan Communities. The loan, fully amortized over 35 years, is part of HUD’s green program.
