THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS — The J. Beard Real Estate Company has brokered the sale of a 600-acre tract known as the Doughtie Parcel in Montgomery County, in the north Metro Houston area. The property, which will be developed into a luxury master-planned community by Toll Brothers, is located east of FM 2978 between Woodlands Parkway and FM 2920. Diana Gaines of J. Beard organized and represented the sellers, the names of which were not disclosed. Kirk Laguarta and Duane Heckmann of Land Advisors Organization represented the buyer, the name of which was also not disclosed.
GLENDALE, CALIF. – Construction has commenced on the 303-unit Glendale Triangle residential mixed-use project. The 315,391-square-foot project will be located at 3900 San Fernando Road in Glendale near animation studios like Disney and DreamWorks. It is being developed by Camden USA, which conceived and designed the project to attract Gen-Y renters.Lifestyle amenities include a pool and spa, two roof decks, four courtyards, a barbecue area and a fitness center with yoga rooms. The project includes 16 live-work units and six ground-floor retail spaces. It is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2015. Bernardswill serve as general contractor.
GLENDALE, CALIF. – Construction has commenced on the 303-unit Glendale Triangle residential mixed-use project. The 315,391-square-foot project will be located at 3900 San Fernando Road in Glendale near animation studios like Disney and DreamWorks. It is being developed by Camden USA, which conceived and designed the project to attract Gen-Y renters. Lifestyle amenities include a pool and spa, two roof decks, four courtyards, a barbecue area and a fitness center with yoga rooms. The project includes 16 live-work units and six ground-floor retail spaces. It is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2015. Bernardswill serve as general contractor.
HOLMDEL, N.J. — Holmdel Township has selected Somerset Development for the $100 million redevelopment of the former Bell Labs facility in Holmdel, located about 23 miles north of Staten Island, N.Y. The property includes a 2 million-square-foot building and 470 acres surrounding the facility. Somerset has spent the past several years working closely with the Holmdel community and officials to devise a plan that will transform the structure into a vibrant, mixed-use town center. In addition, the approved plan allows for residential, recreational and open space uses outside the building, including the development of up to 40 single-family homes and 185 age-restricted townhomes, as well as a field house for sports and an 18-hole golf course. The complex, which was originally constructed between 1959 and 1962, and then expanded to its current size between 1966 and 1982, is revered for its architectural distinction, in particular its notable mirrored glass façade. Designed by Eero Saarinen, the former Bell Labs research complex was home to Bell Laboratories division of Bell Telephone, later known as AT&T, Lucent and today, Alcatel-Lucent. Toll Brothers is in contract with Somerset for the purchase of land outside the building to construct the development’s residential component.
CHICAGO — Essex Realty Group Inc. has arranged the $1.1 million sale of 1270 N. Milwaukee Ave., a two-unit, mixed-use building in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. The yellow brick building includes two renovated rental units that feature spacious floor plans with two bedrooms and a den, a large living room with exposed brick, newer island kitchens, central air, private iron balconies and enclosed parking. The property also features 1,600 square feet of retail space. Jim Darrow and Jordan Gottlieb of Essex were the brokers in the transaction.
FORT LEE, N.J. — A partnership led by Tucker Development Corp. has secured $218 million in financing for the first phase of Hudson Lights, a 1 million-square-foot, mixed-use redevelopment in Fort Lee. Savills US arranged the debt and equity financing, including a $117 million construction loan from Sovereign Santander Bank. Tucker will soon begin construction on the first 517,000-square-foot phase, including 143,000 square feet of retail, 864 parking stalls and 276 luxury apartments. Tucker Development is building Hudson Lights with its development partner, KRE Group, and Ares Management. Tishman Construction Corp. is serving as the development’s general contractor. KRE Group will also assist with property management for the development’s residential portion upon completion. Robert K. Futterman & Associates is serving as the development’s exclusive retail leasing agent. Hudson Lights, designed by architecture and planning firm Arquitectonica, is the western portion of a 16-acre site in Fort Lee undergoing comprehensive redevelopment. The second phase of Hudson Lights will include an additional 201 residential units, about 50,000 square feet of retail space and parking and a 175-room hotel.
CHICAGO — Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp. has originated a $37 million mezzanine loan secured by the office and parking portion of a 49-story, mixed-use property in Chicago. The proceeds of the loan were used to refinance the mixed-use property and fund improvements. A joint venture between Walton Street Capital and GlenStar Properties owns the property, which is located in the central business district of Chicago.
NEW YORK CITY — Madison Realty Capital (MRC) has provided a $7.2 million construction loan for a partially complete mixed-use property in Queens. The property is located at 28-18 Astoria Blvd. in the neighborhood of Astoria. Proceeds from the loan will be used to retire outstanding debt and fund the completion of construction for the building. The seven-story, 24,992-square-foot property includes 21,514 square feet of residential, as well as 2,289 square feet of retail space and 1,189 square feet of community space. The final phase of the project includes the construction of 28 one-bedroom units.
CHICAGO — Sperry Van Ness Chicago Commercial has completed the sale of a mixed-use property in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. The corner property is located at 4660 N. Rockwell Ave. and includes four retail/office units and two apartment units. Jeffrey Baasch, senior vice president of multifamily sales, and Brian Kochendorfer, senior advisor at Sperry Van Ness LLC, represented the buyer and seller in the transaction. The property sold for $875,000.
PITTSBURGH, PA. — UC Funding has provided $6.5 million in financing for the acquisition of a 60,473-square-foot, six-story mixed-use building in downtown Pittsburgh. The borrower plans to renovate floors two through six, which are currently vacant, and convert them to 40 Class A apartments. Each unit will include stainless steel appliances, granite or quartz countertops, solid maple cabinets, side-by-side washer and dryer, marble bathroom vanities and tiled flooring. Built in 1900, the building includes 7,290 square feet of ground-floor retail that is fully occupied by a restaurant. Construction is slated to begin shortly after closing and will take 12 months to complete.