DARIEN, ILL. — Mid-America Real Estate Corp. has brokered the sale of Darien Shopping Center in the western Chicago suburb of Darien for an undisclosed price. The 46,582-square-foot retail center is fully leased to tenants such as American Freight, Concentra Urgent Care, Chuck E. Cheese and World Star Nails & Spa. Jewel-Osco shadow anchors the property. Emily Gadomski and Rick Drogosz of Mid-America represented the private seller. The asset sold to a local private buyer.
YPSILANTI, MICH. — MC Driving School has signed a 2,322-square-foot retail lease at Arbor Square Plaza in Ypsilanti. The tenant will take the space formerly occupied by Weight Watchers at the center, which is located at the southeast corner of Carpenter and Ellsworth roads. Michael Murphy and Tjader Gerdom of Gerdom Realty & Investment represented the landlord, Verus Development Group.
By Adam Connor, Colliers When the pandemic hit in 2020, most of the media jumped to write articles about the downfall of retail properties and how shoppers were going to get all their goods flown from drones from their Amazon overlords. The reality is that every day, normal people shop at grocery stores, go work out at the gym, and buy lunch or dinner somewhere. Now that 2020 is far behind us, the 2023 retail landscape in the Milwaukee region looks much different. Most of the retail space, including the mid-box and big-box vacancies, have been backfilled and, as a result, owners saw healthy rent growth in their assets. With the lack of construction over the past five to seven years, retailers are now competing for high quality space and paying a premium in rent to be located there. With only 134,000 square feet under construction and a 12-month absorption of 660,000 square feet, quality space is in high demand. Asking rents are up 7 percent to $14.80 since the second quarter of 2020 and vacancy is down to 5 percent. Development The Milwaukee area has some large development projects that are underway, including Fiserv moving its corporate headquarters back …
Life sciences-anchored innovation districts are becoming increasingly popular as hubs for research and development in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. These districts, also known as “innovation districts,” are characterized by clusters of companies, research institutions, supporting organizations, living areas, amenities and offices all located in close proximity. This grouping requires detailed planning and design strategies to maximize their potential for scientific exploration and success on an enormous, ambitious scale. Master planning and engaging site civil engineering partners early on in the process can save time and money once a project reaches the design stage. This article is the first installment in a two-part series on life sciences innovation districts to discuss, first, the planning, and, then, the design elements required by these districts. Read about design in Part 2, here. Fostering innovation, collaboration and productivity is at the heart of planning for life sciences innovation districts. The successes of famous examples such as North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass. and Mission Bay in San Francisco indicate how beneficial a melting-pot mix of residential, commercial and research spaces can be when they concentrate talent from research institutions, life sciences innovators, universities and the surrounding community. “Many life …
MAPLE GROVE, MINN. — Ryan Cos. US Inc. and C. S. McCrossan Inc. have unveiled plans to build the Minnesota Science and Technology Center in Maple Grove, a suburb of Minneapolis. The 100-acre campus will offer build-to-suit opportunities for scientists, innovators and researchers as well as some light industrial and manufacturing components. For more than 60 years, the project site served as a source of high-quality aggregate, which McCorssan used in the construction of many large road and infrastructure projects in the Twin Cities. In addition to its role as co-developer and land partner, Ryan will also serve as the builder and site planner. A timeline for construction was not released.
LANSING, MICH. — Gillespie Group’s medical services building that is opening in Lansing’s University Health Park has been named the Izzo Family Medical Center after Michigan State University’s basketball coach Tom Izzo and his family. The Izzo family received the naming opportunity to honor the contributions they have made in the community over the past 27 years. The 60,400-square-foot building, which is slated to open in June, will house three groups: McLaren Greater Lansing, MSU Healthcare and Corewell Health’s Helen Devos Children’s Hospital. The Izzo family will own the building in conjunction with developer Gillespie Group and a few other investors.
ILLINOIS — Greystone has provided $35.7 million in HUD-insured loans for the refinancing of two supportive living facilities in Illinois. The Supportive Living Program in Illinois is an alternative to nursing home care for low-income residents who require mid-range care needs as opposed to skilled nursing. The two properties total 272 units and were built in 2004 and 2005. Eric Rosenstock of Greystone originated the loans on behalf of the borrower, Grand Lifestyles. Both loans feature 35-year terms, 35-year amortization schedules and fixed interest rates.
ST. LOUIS — Northmarq has originated a $10 million Freddie Mac loan for the refinancing of The Vineyards, a 426-unit multifamily property in St. Louis. The community consists of 19 buildings that were constructed in 1973 and renovated in 2002. David Garfinkel of Northmarq secured the fixed-rate loan on behalf of the undisclosed borrower. Kohner Properties Inc. manages the community.
PLAINFIELD, ILL. — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the $2.3 million sale of a retail center in Plainfield, about 38 miles southwest of Chicago. NAPA Auto Parts signed a lease at the property in late 2022, taking a space formerly occupied by Mattress Firm. The center is now fully leased and occupied by four tenants. Mitchell Kiven of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, a private real estate fund. The transaction closed at 96 percent of the asking price.
CHICAGO — Law firm Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella PC has renewed its 47,000-square-foot office lease across the 21st and 22nd floors of AMA Plaza in Chicago. The firm plans to renovate its space with an interconnected staircase between the two floors as well as new technology, conferencing space and a café. Joe Learner of Savills negotiated the firm’s initial lease at AMA Plaza more than 25 years ago. Rich Dale and Laura Schueren of Savills will oversee project management of the office renovation, which is slated for completion in 2024. AMA Plaza is the last and largest building in the U.S. designed by renowned architect Mies van der Rohe.
