DETROIT — Bedrock, Dan Gilbert’s Detroit-based commercial real estate development and investment firm, has unveiled a package of four developments totaling $2.1 billion in new investment that will add to Detroit’s skyline. Totaling 3.2 million square feet, Bedrock expects to create both construction and permanent jobs totaling up to 24,000. “Detroit is going vertical,” says Gilbert, who also founded Quicken Loans Inc. and owns the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. “In fact, that is the only way to create any type of significant expansion in the city because we are virtually at full occupancy for residential and commercial space in both downtown and midtown.” Gilbert adds that “transformational” projects like these are necessary to both accommodate the expansion of current downtown businesses and make Detroit a legitimate competitor for new businesses and massive opportunities, including Amazon’s HQ2. Gilbert, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and other elected officials and community members gathered at the historic Book Tower to unveil the following projects: The Hudson’s Site — The approximately $900 million, 1 million square-foot redevelopment of the old Hudson’s site will include the tallest tower in Detroit. Crain’s Detroit Business reports that the building will rise 80 stories, which would top …
Mixed-Use
Cornerstone Realty Capital Arranges $38.5M in Financing for Mixed-Use Development in Boston
by Amy Works
BOSTON — Cornerstone Realty Capital has arranged $38.5 million in financing for Mount Vernon Co.’s development of a mixed-use building, located at the intersection of Western Avenue and Leo M Birmingham Parkway in Boston’s Brighton neighborhood. Cornerstone secured the fixed-rate financing structure, including an interest-only period during construction followed by a 30-year amortization schedule. The six-story building will feature parking for 108 vehicles; three on-street retail spaces totaling 4,578 square feet; residential amenity space, including a rooftop multipurpose room and fitness center; storage for 132 bicycles; 115 market-rate apartments; and 17 affordable apartments. The unit mix includes 53 studios, 43 one-bedroom/one-bath units, 16 one-bedroom/one-bath units with a den and 20 two-bedroom/two-bath units. Ranging from 520 square feet to 906 square feet, the units will feature vinyl plank and tile flooring, Silestone countertops, tile backsplashes, stainless steel appliances and in-unit washers and dryers.
Stellar Management Refinances 13-Property Portfolio in New York City with $105M Loan Package
by Amy Works
NEW YORK CITY — Stellar Management has refinanced a 13-property portfolio with a $105 million loan package from Capital One. The deal, brokered by GCP Capital Group, includes a five-year term. The portfolio includes properties at 11-15 W. 123rd St., 1061-1071 St. Nicholas Ave., 604 W. 162nd St., 601-609 W. 175th St., 3480-3496 Broadway and 12 E. 32nd St. The refinancing includes more than 600 residential units and as well as commercial and retail space in New York City. Stellar has owned the properties for more than 20 years. Loan proceeds will be used to fund upgrades to the properties, including lobby and elevator cab renovations, amenity space upgrades and landscaping improvements.
ARLINGTON, VA. — Berkadia has secured a $157 million construction loan for 750 North Glebe, a mixed-use project under construction in Arlington, roughly five miles west of Washington, D.C. Upon completion, 750 North Glebe will feature 491 residential units and 61,000 square feet of retail space, which will be anchored by a 41,000-square-foot Target store. J. Tyler Blue, Paul Wallace and Jimmy Meadows of Berkadia secured the 18-year loan through Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. on behalf of the developer, Bethesda, Md.-based Saul Centers.
BALTIMORE — Goldman Sachs has committed $233 million to the Port Covington redevelopment project in Baltimore. This is the largest single private equity investment made by the firm’s Urban Investment Group (UIG) to date, according to a Port Covington news release. Port Covington is a 235-acre mixed-use redevelopment located on Baltimore’s waterfront adjacent to I-95. At completion, the 25-year project will include up to 18 million square feet of retail, entertainment, office, hotel and residential space. In addition, the project will encompass 2.5 miles of restored waterfront and 40 acres of parks and green space. Sagamore Development Co. and the UIG have entered into an agreement to jointly own the project and develop the infrastructure in Port Covington. Marc Weller of Sagamore Development will lead the infrastructure development team. The joint venture will own and develop the land in Port Covington that is adjacent to the campus of the future global headquarters of Under Armour. The footwear and sports apparel company owns 50 acres of Port Covington land, and is not involved in this transaction. Other businesses with land parcels in Port Covington that are not part of the joint undertaking include City Garage, Nick’s Fish House, Sagamore Spirit Distillery …
NEW YORK CITY — SL Green Realty Corp. has partnered with RXR Realty to acquire a 48.7 percent interest in Worldwide Plaza, a Class A mixed-use property in Midtown Manhattan. New York REIT is selling the interest and will continue to own the remaining equity with WWP Sponsor, its existing partner. Slated to close in the fourth quarter, the transaction values the asset at $1.7 billion. Developed in 1989, Worldwide Plaza consists of a 49-story, 1.8 million-square-foot office tower, a 252,000-square-foot retail building with parking garage and a large open-air plaza. Tenants at the office tower include Nomura Holdings, Cravath Swaine and Moore LLP, WebMD, WNet.org, Rubenstein and CBS Broadcasting. The retail building features a five-stage off-Broadway theater, a 475-space parking garage and TMPL, a state-of-the-art fitness gym. At the time of sale, the property was 100 percent leased.
HONOLULU — Salem Partners, a commercial real estate developer based in Los Angeles, is moving forward on its $750 million, two-tower project in Honolulu. The Honolulu City Council recently gave Salem Partners approval to build the 450-unit condominium and hotel development, which is part of Honolulu’s Ala Moana Transit Oriented Development Plan. The first development in the plan is Salem Partner’s Mana’olana Place project, which is slated to break ground across from the Hawaii Convention Center in the second quarter of 2018. A new Mandarin Oriental Hotel will anchor the development. “We have enthusiastically embraced the city’s new TOD plan and look forward to the completion of the transit system in 2022,” says James Ratkovich of Salem Partners. Salem Partners received a special transit permit to build up to 400 feet high instead of the 250 feet previously allowed. The developer has also proposed for 78 affordable apartments to be built in collaboration with EAH Housing at the site, which spans 1.42 acres at 1500 Kapiolani Ave. “It is an innovative solution for deeply needed affordable units in Honolulu,” says Ratkovich. At this time the affordable units are designated for seniors housing. Colorado-based architect [au] workshop designed the two towers, …
ATLANTA — North American Properties (NAP) has unveiled plans to develop a 28,000-square-foot food hall at Colony Square, a mixed-use destination at the corner of 14th and Peachtree streets in Atlanta’s Midtown district. Dubbed Main & Main, the food hall will include indoor and outdoor dining space and a staging area designed for a variety of event programming. The area will host Colony Square’s more than 200 signature and seasonal events annually. Restaurant designer and architect David Thompson is leading the project’s design, and restaurateur Steve Palmer will be the food hall’s chef curator. Main & Main will feature approximately 12 to 15 culinary concepts, as well as complementary vendors such as flower, chocolate and pastry pop-ups and an incubator space to host nonprofits. In addition, the project will include The Grove, a green space outfitted with soft seating, Spanish steps and a beer garden, that will serve as the gateway to Main & Main. NAP will break ground on Main & Main this fall, with the first phase of development slated to open in 2018.
NEW YORK CITY — Trinity Place Holdings has entered into an option agreement to acquire a newly built apartment building, located at 237 11th St. in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, for $81 million. The 12-story building features 105 apartment units and 6,264 square feet of retail space, which is leased to Starbucks Coffee. On-site amenities include a courtyard garden, party room, fitness center, tenant lounge, bicycle storage room, parking and a landscaped rooftop terrace. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018. The name of the seller was not released.
Cronheim Mortgage Secures $117.5M Financing for Madison Farms Mixed-Use Development in Pennsylvania
by Katie Sloan
BETHLEHEM, PA. — Cronheim Mortgage has secured $117.5 million in permanent and construction financing for Madison Farms, a mixed-use development in Bethlehem, located north of Philadelphia and west of New York City. The development, upon completion, will feature 152,000 square feet of retail anchored by a 67,400-square-foot ShopRite; a two-story, Class A medical office building occupied by the Lehigh Valley Health Network; and 570 luxury one- and two-bedroom residential units across 15 buildings. Tenants at the property’s retail center include Starbucks Coffee, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Provident Bank, Pure Barre, Pet Valu and Supercuts. The residential property features a 6,500-square-foot clubhouse with a billiards room, multimedia center, fitness center, golf simulator and business center, as well as an outdoor deck with a pool, barbecues and fire pits. The financing — provided by American General Life Insurance Co. — consists of two separate loans placed on behalf of Madison Farms Retail and Madison Farms Residential with 20-year terms and 30-year amortization schedules. For Madison Farms Retail, Cronheim arranged $32 million in permanent financing. For Madison Farms Residential, the company secured an $85.5 million credit facility with two years of interest-only payments. This loan provides permanent financing for the 294-unit first phase of residential development, …