NEW YORK CITY — Merchants Capital has arranged $231 million in financing for Eastchester Gardens, an 877-unit affordable housing community in The Bronx. The 10-building development was originally constructed in 1950 and is home to nearly 2,000 people. The bulk of the financing consists of a $221.7 million, 30-year Freddie Mac CME permanent loan, proceeds of which will be used to fund capital improvements and preserve affordability of all units for renters earning 60 percent or less of the are median income. Capital improvements will include upgrades to heating, cooling, plumbing, lighting and electrical systems, as well as new flooring, kitchens and bathrooms and upgrades to common areas and outdoor spaces. In addition, Eastchester Gardens will be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, enabling the use of federal historic tax credits to support the property’s revitalization. The project team includes MDG Design + Construction, Infinite Horizons, Wavecrest Management and the New York City Housing Authority. Construction is underway and expected to be complete in 2028.
WILTON, CONN. — A partnership between AMS Acquisitions and Avenue Realty Capital has broken ground on a $95 million multifamily project in Wilton, located in southern Connecticut’s Fairfield County. The development will offer 208 units in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Amenities will include a pool, fitness center, coworking space, music room and outdoor kitchens and grilling stations. Morris Betesh, Alex Bailkin and Matt O’Hanlon of Arrow Real Estate Advisors arranged a $71 million construction loan for the project through Madison Realty Capital. Scott Gance of Partners Commercial Real Estate represented the joint venture in its acquisition of the land. A tentative completion date was not announced.
NEW YORK CITY — A partnership between Safehold (NYSE: SAFE), a New York City-based REIT that specializes in ground-lease deals, and The Michaels Organization will develop The Benjamin, a 364-unit apartment community in the Central Massachusetts city of Worcester. Residences will come in studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plans and will feature private balconies or courtyards. Amenities will include coworking areas, a game room, roof deck, fitness center, pet spa and work-from-home spaces. A construction timeline was not announced.
BOUND BROOK, N.J. — Locally based developer Denholtz has completed The Rail at Bound Brook, a 143-unit multifamily project located about 50 miles southwest of Manhattan. The six-story building offers studio, one- and two-bedroom units and amenities such as a fitness center, game room, courtyard and outdoor grilling and dining areas. Citizens Bank financed the project, construction of which began in May 2023. Rents start at approximately $1,800 per month for a studio apartment.
WILLOW GROVE, PA. — New Jersey-based financial intermediary G.S. Wilcox & Co. has placed an $18.2 million loan for the refinancing of a 123,397-square-foot retail building in Willow Grove, a northern suburb of Philadelphia. The property address was not disclosed, but the building is a freestanding grocery store that sits on a 12.4-acre site. Wesley Wilcox and Al Raymond of G.S. Wilcox originated the debt through an undisclosed life insurance company. The borrower was also not disclosed.
NEW YORK CITY — A partnership between two locally based firms, Charney Cos. and Tavros, has received $525 million in construction financing for a 55-story multifamily tower that will be located in the Long Island City area of Queens. Greystone arranged the financing, which consists of $425 million in debt from Madison Realty Capital and $100 million in equity from Kushner and OneIM. Plans call for 636 condos in studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom formats, as well as Class A amenities and retail space that will be occupied by grocery and fitness users. A formal name for the project, which will be located at 24-19 Jackson Ave. and 45-03 23rd St. in the Court Square area, has not yet been determined. FXCollaborative designed the building, completion of which is slated for 2028.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Locally based brokerage firm The Kislak Co. Inc. has arranged the $20 million sale of 70 Central Lofts, a 31-unit apartment building in Jersey City. Completed in 2024, the five-story building includes a 32-space parking garage and a 1,696-square-foot retail space, as well as 7,000 square feet of amenity space. Davis Briones of Kislak represented the seller, Legacy Development, in the transaction and procured the buyer, an entity doing business as 70 Central Lofts LLC.
NEW YORK CITY — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the $6.2 million sale of a 17,934-square-foot mixed-use building in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. The three-story building at 167 N. 9th St. consists of 10 residential units and four commercial spaces. Shaun Riney and Michael Salvatico of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller and procured the buyer, both of which were local private investors that requested anonymity, in the transaction.
METHUEN, MASS. —Hunneman has negotiated a 70,872-square-foot industrial lease in Methuen, located along the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border. The tenant, CMC North America, a provider of sales and distribution services for aerial work platforms, will consolidate its regional footprint and headquarters via occupancy of the entire building at 200 Danton Drive, which includes 20,663 square feet of office space. Ken Oppenheim of Hunneman represented CMC North America in the lease negotiations.
NEW YORK CITY — Nonprofit organization ElderServe Health has signed a 14,551-square-foot office lease renewal in the Midwood area of Brooklyn. The space is located on the second floor of the building at 1630 E. 15th St., which was constructed in 2006. Bert Rosenblatt, Peter Sabesan and Alex Gerome of Cresa represented the tenant, which does business as RiverSpring Health Plans, in the lease negotiations. Mike Taylor represented the landlord, Lincoln Property Co., on an internal basis.