By Jennifer Hopkins, MBA and Olivia Czyzynski, SVN Chicago Commercial The commercial real estate (CRE) industry has traditionally been relatively stable but can be impacted by the economy with normal ups and downs based on economic fluctuations. However, when COVID-19 hit, it was unprecedented and something the world had not seen in many years. The CRE industry started preparing for the changes that came along, including business shutdowns and many employees working from home. Although it was expected that the retail market would be the hardest hit sector, it turned out that the office market ended up being significantly impacted. The overall issues and pending work-from-home approach have had a major ripple effect on office markets across the nation. The Chicagoland market was impacted particularly hard, and this included the suburban Chicago markets. Chicagoland is broken out into several main commercial hubs: the city of Chicago, the East-West Corridor, the O’Hare market, the Northwest suburbs and the North suburbs. According to CoStar, office vacancy rates increased in all these markets. In 2020, the vacancy rates ranged from 7 to 20 percent, but currently stand at 18.8 percent, 17.3 percent, 16.9 percent, 23.2 percent and 11 percent, respectively. While no market …
BINGHAM FARMS, MICH. AND NEW YORK CITY — Newmark has arranged $240 million in joint venture financing on behalf of Bingham Farms-based Burton-Katzman and New York City-based DRA Advisors for the recapitalization of 24 light industrial properties in the Midwest. The portfolio totals more than 2.2 million square feet and is 99 percent leased. With over 40 tenants on the rent roll, no tenant occupies more than 15 percent of the portfolio’s total square footage. The venture will target value-add returns by acquiring industrial assets across the Midwest where rents are below market. Jordan Roeschlaub, Dustin Stolly and Eden Abraham of Newmark arranged the venture and financing, while Daniel Canvasser of Newmark provided regional support. Roeschlaub, Stolly and colleague Chris Kramer arranged a $150 million acquisition loan. Burton-Katzman is a fully integrated real estate company with an emphasis on the industrial market. DRA Advisors is an investment advisor specializing in real estate investment and management services for institutional and private investors.
WAUKEGAN, ILL. — Mid-America Real Estate Corp. has negotiated the sale of Waukegan Plaza in the Chicago suburb of Waukegan for an undisclosed price. The 211,190-square-foot retail center is 89 percent leased to tenants such as Ross Dress for Less, Burlington, dd’s Discounts, rue21, Shoe Carnival, Family Dollar, GameStop, Subway, USPS and Aaron’s Rental. Joe Girardi and Emily Gadomski of Mid-America represented the private seller. The asset sold to a West Coast-based 1031 exchange investor.
CHICAGO — Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. (AAC) has purchased Gateway Centre in Chicago for an undisclosed price. The roughly 200,000-square-foot shopping center is located at 7507 N. Clark St. and is 93 percent leased to tenants such as Jewel-Osco, Marshalls and LA Fitness. George Good of CBRE represented the seller, Stockbridge. AAC was represented in-house in the transaction. AAC is a New York City-based private real estate investment firm focusing on retail, hotel and office assets located throughout the United States and Canada.
VERNON HILLS, ILL. — Colliers has brokered the sale of a 68,279-square-foot industrial warehouse in the Chicago suburb of Vernon Hills for an undisclosed price. Built in 1996 and located at 220 N. Fairway Drive, the property features eight interior loading docks, one drive-in door, six trailer parking stalls and 75 car parking stalls. There is also 7,390 square feet of office space. Ned Frank and Pat Hake of Colliers represented the undisclosed seller. Justin Lerner, Joe Karmin and Ross Lehrman of Transwestern represented the buyer, frozen pizza maker Roncadin.
GRANGER, IND. — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the $2.9 million sale of a 17,539-square-foot retail property in Granger, a city in northern Indiana. Dunkin’ is the anchor tenant. Mitchell Kiven of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, Cloverleaf Real Estate Group, an investment fund headquartered in Northbrook, Ill. Kiven also secured and represented the buyer, a LaPorte, Ind.-based private investor. Dean Giannakopoulos and Frank Montalto of Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. arranged acquisition financing on behalf of the buyer. The asset sold at full asking price.
CHICAGO — CBRE has brokered the sale of a 1.7-acre site located at 420 N. May St. in Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood for $34.5 million. Tom Svoboda of CBRE represented the seller, an entity doing business as 420 May Acquisitions LLC. The buyer, Crescent Heights, has proposed a large multifamily project for the site. The Miami-based developer has been active in the Chicago market with multiple projects. In 2019, the firm completed construction of Nema Chicago, a 76-story, 800-unit skyscraper that is the tallest apartment building in the city.
CHICAGO — ShainRealty Capital has sold a 200-unit multifamily portfolio in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood for $28.5 million. The value-add portfolio includes eight buildings located within a two-mile radius. Most of the properties feature two- and three-bedroom floor plans with an average unit size of 1,166 square feet. Lucas Fryman and Ted Stratman of Interra Realty brokered the transaction. A local Chicago syndicate led by Eagle Infinite Investments acquired the portfolio. The deal marks the first company disposition for ShainRealty Capital, a Los Angeles-based privately owned real estate investment firm. The buyer assumed in-place agency debt, which offers a 66 percent loan-to-value ratio and a 4.18 percent fixed interest rate for the remainder of the loan.
SHOREWOOD, WIS. — JLL Capital Markets has arranged the sale of and acquisition financing for the Oaks of Shorewood, a 101-unit active adult community in Shorewood, a northern suburb of Milwaukee. Weidner Apartment Homes acquired the asset from Sherman Associates. The four-story, age-restricted building offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom units averaging 1,115 square feet. The Oaks of Shorewood is near Lake Michigan, the Milwaukee River, Hubbard Park & Beer Garden and the 50-acre Estabrook Park and Village’s main drive, which is known for eclectic boutiques and trendy restaurants. JLL worked on behalf of the new owner to originate a Fannie Mae loan to fund the purchase. Tom Wilson and Mike Brady of JLL represented the borrower, while Amanda Friant, Wick Kirby, Mox Gunderson and Jaime Fink of JLL represented the seller.
MERRILLVILLE, IND. — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the $5.3 million sale of Century Plaza in Merrillville, a city in Northwest Indiana. The 18,215-square-foot retail property is located at 3999 E. 81st Ave. and is home to tenants such as Panera. Alex Perez and Chris Garavaglia of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, a limited liability company. The duo also secured and represented the buyer, a limited liability company.