By Teresa Borgen, Newmark From record-high leasing rates to historically low office sales volume, the Minneapolis-St. Paul market continues to present a complex and evolving landscape. Still recovering from lasting effects of COVID-19 and civil unrest during 2020, some submarkets are thriving, while others continue their gradual recovery. Here’s a synopsis of what’s happening in the market. The haves and have-nots While the Minneapolis central business district (CBD) has been among the slowest downtown office markets in the U.S. to recover since the pandemic turmoil of 2020, recent activity suggests the submarket is showing signs of revival. Several high-profile relocations among national law firms underscore the trend, with firms such as Husch Blackwell, Cozen O’Connor, Faegre Drinker, Saul Ewing and Robins Kaplan making long-term commitments, some even growing their footprint. The Minneapolis CBD has also attracted several recent relocations from the suburbs, with tenants like HNTB, Yardstik and Pepper Foster Consulting moving for enhanced accessibility to public transit and easier opportunities for growth. Given the migration to suburban office markets between 2020 and 2022, these moves and expansions are encouraging signs for the Minneapolis CBD, as well as other downtown markets in the U.S. While these developments are certainly …
CHICAGO — Logistics Property Co. has sold a distribution facility located at 1237 W. Division St. in Chicago for $195 million. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has been reported as the buyer by multiple media outlets. Situated near downtown Chicago and totaling 571,423 square feet, the property was the first multi-story logistics facility to be developed in the Midwest, according to JLL. The facility was purpose-built for distribution operations and features clear heights over 34 feet, 56 loading docks, 135-foot truck court depths, a dedicated second-floor truck ramp and 10,000 amps of power. Parking capacity at the facility includes a 292,500-square-foot rooftop parking deck and an adjacent five-level parking structure, which together accommodate up to 1,590 automobiles or 763 vans. According to JLL Capital Markets, which brokered the sale, more than 1 million residents live within a five-mile radius of the property, which is situated roughly three miles from Chicago’s central business district, with convenient access to Chicago O’Hare International and Chicago Midway International airports. Amazon plans to begin operations at the facility in late 2027 or early 2028 and use the property as a same-day delivery center, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Logistics Property Co. completed the development in late 2024. In …
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA — The Annex Group has opened Union at Bluffs Run, a 192-unit affordable housing community in Council Bluffs. The $58.2 million property features one-, two- and three-bedroom units that are restricted to households whose income level is at or below 60 percent of the area median income. Amenities include a community room, fitness center, playground, dog walking area and picnic area. Partners on the project include DCCM, Snyder and Associates and the City of Council Bluffs. Merchants Capital provided more than $22 million in total equity and over $24 million in permanent debt financing. Merchants Bank provided more than $40 million in construction financing. Fannie Mae was also a partner. The Iowa Finance Authority issued 4 percent tax credits and tax-exempt bonds. Impact Housing Indiana is an organization dedicated to supporting residents of affordable housing communities within The Annex Group portfolio.
LIBERTY, MO. — Newmark has arranged the $20 million sale of Liberty Corners, a grocery-anchored shopping center in the Kansas City suburb of Liberty. First Washington Realty acquired the 125,000-square-foot property from Brixmor Property Group. Conor Lalor, Keely Polczynski and Tim McKay of Newmark represented the seller. Colleague Brian Schneiderman also supported the assignment. Price Chopper, which occupies 56,000 square feet and has been a tenant at the property since 1986, recently committed approximately $6.5 million toward a remodel and extended its lease through 2037.
CHICAGO — Flexday, a national provider of flexible office solutions, has launched four fractional office suites at PNC Centre in Chicago’s Loop. The suites total more than 25,000 square feet and are designed to accommodate teams of 10 to 70 with flexible lease terms. The launch was made possible through a partnership with MetLife Investment Management, the building’s ownership group, as part of a broader capital investment in PNC Centre that includes a newly renovated lobby and upgraded tenant amenities. Brad Despot, Kim Doyle and Catherine Walsh of JLL represent MetLife at PNC Centre.
LA GRANGE, ILL. — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the $6.3 million sale of a three-building, medical-anchored retail portfolio in downtown La Grange. The 34,279-square-foot, 12-suite portfolio spans an entire block and is located directly across from the Stone Avenue Metra Station. Longstanding tenants include Duly Health Care and Corte Dental, alongside national brands such as Rush Physical Therapy, Mathnasium and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Adrian Mendoza, Sean Sharko and Austin Weisenbeck of Marcus & Millichap’s Sharko | Weisenbeck | Mendoza Group represented the seller, a private investor who is a long-term owner of properties in La Grange.
LOMBARD, ILL. — Mid-America Real Estate Corp. has negotiated the sale of High Point Centre, a 240,345-square-foot shopping center in Lombard. The property presents a value-add opportunity, as it is 68 percent leased. Tenants include LA Fitness, Altitude Trampoline Park, Ace Dental, Burger King, Mango Mango Desserts, Sport Clips, Seoul Bites Korean BBQ, Souq Market and Tropical Smoothie Café. Ben Wineman of Mid-America represented the seller, a publicly traded REIT. A private investment group was the buyer.
LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO. — Lawrence Group has completed its work on the renovation and expansion of SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital’s Cancer Center in Lake Saint Louis. Lawrence Group’s healthcare studio provided architecture and interior design services on the recent multi-million-dollar project aimed at increasing treatment capacity and improving the patient experience for individuals navigating cancer care. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place July 28. The expanded center features space for additional clinical staff and new exam rooms, plus semi-private infusion bays complete with floor-to-ceiling windows for patients to view the nearby lake while receiving treatment. The building’s pharmacy, laboratory and waiting areas were also expanded.
NAPERVILLE, ILL. — Quantum Real Estate Advisors Inc. has brokered the $7.3 million sale of a 23,000-square-foot retail center in Naperville. Located at 175 W. Jackson St., the property consists of eight suites. The buyer was a Chicago-based family office, and the seller was a private family that had owned and managed the property for over 30 years. Brett Berlin of Quantum brokered the transaction. At the time of sale, the asset featured two vacancies.
NORTHBROOK, ILL. — The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation will host its marquee annual networking and fundraising dinner on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Hilton Chicago located at 720 S. Michigan Ave. The goal for the foundation’s signature event — which benefits gastrointestinal cancer research programs at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center within Northwestern Medical Center — is to raise more than $750,000 through sponsorships (see list of sponsors below), ticket sales and other program opportunities. Now in its 27th year, the annual dinner is expected to attract more than 700 professionals from the commercial real estate and related industries, the business community, as well as cancer medicine and research practitioners from the Chicago area, including the Lurie Cancer Center. The overarching goal of the foundation is to make a difference in the lives of those diagnosed with any one of nine gastrointestinal cancers and to increase the rate and length of survivorship. “As we celebrate and honor survivors and caregivers, we recognize the critical importance of cancer research and the role that individuals and the private sector play in today’s world,” says Peter Eisenberg, president of the board of directors of the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation headquartered in …