CHICAGO — SVN has arranged the sale of a mixed-use property portfolio in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood for $1.8 million. The portfolio consists of two buildings at the corner of 18th Street and Carpenter Street. The properties include 15 apartment units and two retail storefronts. Angelo Labriola and Paul Cawthon of SVN arranged the sale. Neither the buyer nor the seller was disclosed.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The first Architecture Billings Index (ABI) of the year slipped below the positive mark, reflecting a decline in demand for design activity at architecture firms. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the January ABI score was 49.5, down from a very strong 55.6 in December 2016. The score reflects a decrease in design activity, with any score above 50 indicating an increase in billings. The new projects inquiry index was 60.0, up from a reading of 57.6 the previous month, and the design contracts index, which is an early indicator of construction contract awards, was also positive with a mark of 52.1. Given the positive showing for the new projects inquiry and design contracts indices, Kermit Baker, AIA’s chief economist, isn’t too concerned about the ABI starting 2017 in the negative territory. “This small decrease in activity, taking into consideration strong readings in project inquiries and new design contracts, isn’t exactly a cause for concern,” says Baker. “The fundamentals of a sound nonresidential design and construction market persist.” Regionally, the West was the only geographic region with a negative showing (48.8). The South led the way with a 54.2 mark, followed by the Northeast (53.0) and …
FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Trademark Property Co. has announced the addition of Bartaco to WestBend, its mixed-use development in Fort Worth’s university district. Of WestBend’s 670,000 square feet of retail, multifamily and office space, the Latin-themed eatery, operated by Barteca Restaurant Group, will occupy 4,853 square feet overlooking the Trinity River. The deal is part of WestBend’s Phase II expansion of WestBend onto a 3.5-acre tract south of the property.
FOLEY, ALA. — White-Spunner Construction (WSC) and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians are underway on OWA, a $500 million entertainment and retail district in Foley, a town in south Alabama near the Gulf of Mexico. WSC is constructing 154,000 square feet of retail and dining space for the $240 million first phase of OWA, which is set to open this summer. Phase I of OWA will also feature a themed amusement park and a 150-room Marriott TownePlace Suites hotel. Future phases call for a water park, additional hotels and a resort-level RV park. “This will be an exciting new family-friendly destination for locals and visitors alike in Baldwin County,” says John White-Spunner, president of WSC. “We’re proud to be a part of such an innovative entertainment concept that will bring thousands of new jobs and draw more tourism to the Gulf Coast.” When completed, the OWA development is expected to generate nearly 3,500 direct and indirect jobs and draw about 1 million visitors a year. Plans call for the development to include three themed districts that offer shopping, dining and other entertainment. Located off the Foley Beach Express and County Road 20, OWA is nine miles from Gulf Shores …
MANASQUAN, N.J. — Ariel Property Advisors has arranged a $1.8 million acquisition loan for the $2.4 million purchase of a mixed-used property, located at 140 Main St. in Manasquan. The 6,000-square-foot property features four retail units and five residential units. Ariel’s Capital Services Division arranged the non-recourse seven-year loan for an undisclosed borrower.
MCKINNEY, TEXAS — EDGE Realty Capital Markets has arranged the sale of a mixed-use property located at 7508 Eldorado Parkway in McKinney. Iselworth Management Inc. sold the 8,815-square-foot property to Guidepost A LLC, a Delaware-based limited liability company, for an undisclosed price. Wilson Stafford and Brandon Crow of EDGE Realty Capital Markets represented the seller, while Stephen Coffey of Greyhawk Associates represented the buyer in the deal.
COCONUT GROVE, FLA. — Terra and partner Mayfair Real Estate Advisors plan to transform a 1980s-era parking garage in Coconut Grove into Mary Street, a Class A mixed-use project. Designed by Touzet Studio, the property will include three levels of office space, a public parking garage component and 20,000 square feet of street-level retail space fronting Mary, Oak and Rice streets. The property will include a main lobby, 24-hour security, covered valet and drop-off, dedicated elevators, electric car charging stations and bike storage. Construction on Mary Street is set to begin early this year. Terra has two other projects in Coconut Grove under construction: Grove at Grand Bay, a condominium property, and Park Grove, a multifamily community. Mary Street will represent the first construction of office space in Coconut Grove in more than 20 years, according to Terra.
RICHARDSON, TEXAS — Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions, along with Dallas-based Wynne/Jackson and lead equity partner Star Alliance, has closed on the financing for the second phase of a mixed-use project for the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson. The development team will expand on the Northside Phase 1 development by delivering 275 housing units and more than 6,600 square feet of retail space valued at $67 million as part of a public-private partnership. Situated on 12 acres, the second phase will include mid-rise apartments and townhomes totaling 900 beds, as well as shops, restaurants and entertainment venues to serve the 27,000 students, faculty, staff and young professionals of the university and greater Richardson area. Additionally, the new development will have a fitness facility, a resort-style pool, patio areas and spaces for small gatherings. Andres Construction will lead the overall design/build team, with Architecture Demarest as the lead design firm. Construction is underway, with completion slated for August 2018.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Columbus Downtown Development Corp. is seeking a national developer for a 21-acre mixed-use project at the Scioto Peninsula along the city’s waterfront. A request for qualifications (RFQ) was released on Friday. The Scioto Peninsula mixed-use development will include residential, commercial, office, retail and cultural amenities. The goal is to transform downtown Columbus and its waterfront areas into an active live, work and play environment for residents and visitors. The project will encompass 3.1 million square feet, including 1,575 to 1,800 apartments, up to 840,000 square feet of office space, 180,000 square feet of retail space and up to 240 hotel rooms. The Scioto Peninsula, located near the Scioto River, will be anchored by the National Veterans Memorial & Museum, which is slated to open in 2018, as well as the COSI science museum. The development site is adjacent to the Scioto Mile, Columbus’ system of waterfront parks, with easy access to recreational trails connecting to The Ohio State University, Victorian Village and other Columbus neighborhoods. RFQ submittals are due on March 27. A developer is expected to be chosen in July, and the project is expected to break ground in the first half of 2018.
CHICAGO — Blackstone and Equity Office have unveiled a $500 million investment plan to remake Willis Tower in downtown Chicago. The tower will be transformed with office, retail and entertainment space. This will be the first renovation for the tower, constructed in 1973. Approximately 460,000 square feet of existing space within the tower will be reconfigured. This includes 150,000 square feet of space for exclusive tenant use, including a full-service fitness center, expansive tenant lounges, private event space and concierge services. The plan also calls for more than 300,000 square feet of new retail, dining and entertainment space to be added to the base of the building, and a new 30,000-square-foot outdoor deck and garden space. Part of the investment will also focus on enhancing the tower’s 103rd floor Skydeck Chicago experience. Work to transform the tower is scheduled to begin this month, and will create an additional 2,500 jobs. San Francisco-based design firm Gensler designed the renovation. Gonzalez Architects designed the tenant-only office amenities, and Los Angeles-based Hetzel Design is overseeing the design concepts for the Skydeck enhancements. Design-build firm Turner Clayco will oversee the construction of the new Willis Tower.
