RICHFIELD, MINN. — Grandbridge Real Estate Capital has arranged $14.4 million in bond financing for the acquisition of Seven Hills Preparatory Academy in Richfield, a southern suburb of Minneapolis. BB&T Capital Markets closed a tax-exempt $13.3 million Series 2017A loan and a taxable $1.1 million Series 2017B loan for the borrower, SHPA ABC. Proceeds from the Series 2017 bonds will be used to acquire the 60,000-square-foot facility, as well as expand the property with the construction of a gymnasium. Interior and exterior renovations will also be made. The school serves students in grades K-8.
The Minneapolis retail market ended the second quarter with a vacancy rate of 3.1 percent. The freestanding retail segment (buildings not contained within a shopping center) posted a vacancy rate of 1.8 percent. Over the past year, there has been a pattern of positive absorption in the market. The average quoted asking retail rental rate at the end of the second quarter was $13.94 per square foot. Comparably, a year ago this rate was $13.29 per square foot. Meanwhile, construction of retail properties has been on an upward climb. Within the past four quarters, 1.2 million square feet of retail space has been built, and there is an additional 892,910 square feet in progress, according to CoStar Group. Net absorption continues Retail net absorption was moderate in Minneapolis in the second quarter of 2017, totaling 484,120 square feet. That’s up from 135,536 square feet of positive absorption in the first quarter and 366,652 square feet in the fourth quarter of 2016. However, these figures are all down from the third quarter of 2016, when 638,183 square feet were positively absorbed in the market. Several tenants have moved out of large blocks of space in 2017. For example, Sears vacated 125,209 …
HOPKINS, MINN. — Doran Cos. has completed The Moline in downtown Hopkins, a western suburb of Minneapolis. The 241-unit apartment property features more than 35,000 square feet of amenity space, including a club room, fitness center, business office, pet run, rooftop lounge and pool deck. The name pays homage to the community’s history as home of the Minneapolis-Moline Co., a large tractor and machinery producer. The first-floor lobby features an antique tractor display open to the public.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MINN. — Kraus-Anderson has completed Phase I construction of the new passenger air service terminal building at the Falls International Airport in International Falls, located near the border of Canada. The $10 million project replaces approximately two-thirds of the old terminal. Architecture firm Alliiance designed the 17,894-square-foot building. Phase I includes new arrival and departure services with check-in ticketing counters and kiosks, a secured gate lounge, baggage handling, passenger boarding bridge, TSA screening area, car rental services and waiting area. Phase II of the construction — a separately funded project — will complete the full replacement of the old terminal, and provide new space for U.S. Customs processing, the Weather Bureau office, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offices and Airport Commission conference room. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2018 and is slated for completion in March 2019.
MINNEAPOLIS — CBRE has arranged the sale of Lee Lofts Apartments in the Minneapolis Warehouse District for $3.2 million. Located at 280 N. Second Ave., the property was originally built in 1906 and converted into loft-style apartments in the 1960s. SRRT Lee LLC, an affiliate of SR Realty Trust Inc., purchased the 24-unit apartment property, which was 96 percent occupied at the time of sale. CBRE also arranged a $2.2 million Freddie Mac loan for the acquisition. Ben Bastian, Joel Torborg and Mark Roos of CBRE represented the buyer. Harmony Lofts LLC was the seller.
EAGAN, MINN. — Dougherty Mortgage LLC has arranged a $13.7 million Fannie Mae loan for the refinancing of Aspenwoods Apartments in Eagan. The 162-unit apartment property features one- and two-bedroom units. Amenities include an outdoor pool, grilling area, 24-hour fitness center and tennis court. The 12-year loan features a 30-year amortization schedule. Eagan Apartment Associates LLP was the borrower.
MINNEAPOLIS — HRI Properties LLC has completed a $3.5 million renovation of DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Minneapolis. The 229-suite hotel underwent renovations to the guestrooms, lobby, restaurant, business center and meeting space. All guestrooms received sectional sofas, new carpeting, 50-inch televisions and contemporary artwork and lighting. Other highlights include upgraded elevators, a complete remodel of the full-service Starbucks onsite and a revamp of the hotel’s restaurant, Lot 57. Studio 11 Design provided design guidance.
MINNEAPOLIS — Dougherty Funding has provided a $15.4 million loan for the construction of a 110-unit apartment property in Minneapolis. The property will be located on Marshall Street within the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. Located approximately two blocks from the Mississippi River, many of the units in the six-story building will feature views of the downtown skyline and the Mississippi River. Dougherty Funding served as lead lender and servicer for the loan. Marshall14 LLC was the borrower.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINN. — Baceline Investments LLC has acquired Central Plaza shopping center in Columbia Heights, five miles north of Minneapolis, for $7.2 million. The 82,478-square-foot shopping center is located at 725 45th Ave. NE. The property is currently 92 percent leased. Central Plaza Associates LLC was the seller. Denver-based Baceline is a private real estate investment and management company that focuses on acquiring and revitalizing neighborhood shopping centers.
NEWPORT, MINN. — Meyer Distributing and Logistics has signed a 36,000-square-foot industrial lease at Raceway Business Center in Newport, about 10 miles southeast of St. Paul. The automotive distribution and logistics company will be the lead tenant at the new 83,000-square-foot development, which is currently under construction at 910 Hastings Ave. Scannell Properties broke ground on the project in July. The first phase will be available for occupancy in December. The building features 28-foot clear heights and multiple docks and drive-in doors. Daniel Madrigal of Scannell and Tom Sullivan and Peter Fooshe of Cushman & Wakefield negotiated the lease with Meyer. Scannell and Cushman & Wakefield are also marketing 144,000 square feet for lease in the second phase of the property.