CHARLESTON, S.C. — Atlanta-based The Simpson Organization is developing The Cigar Factory, a mixed-use property located at 701 E. Bay St. in Charleston. Built in 1881 as an industrial plant, the property has been in constant use since then as a cotton mill, a cigar factory, offices and Johnson and Wales University. The company plans to redevelop the property in to a mixed-use project offering 76 residential condominiums, 37,000 square feet of retail space and 26,000 square feet of office condominiums. The residential units will feature solid hardwood floors; renovated windows; and open kitchen layouts with Siematic cabinets, granite countertops and oversized islands. Additionally, the property will feature concierge service, an elevated swimming pool, a fitness center, a pet park, a roof top observation deck with a view of the harbor, a club with individual wine storage, a wine tasting room and a private, walled Charleston garden. The retail and restaurant portion are designed to accommodate a white tablecloth restaurant, a gourmet-style grocery store, galleries and boutiques. The Cigar Factory sales and information center is currently open.
Mixed-Use
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Crosland LLC and its joint-venture partner Biltmore Farms LLC have received commitments from P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and a 165-room Hilton hotel to join Biltmore Park Town Square in Asheville. The first location in Western North Carolina, P.F. Chang will feature a menu offering traditional and innovated Chinese dishes. Expected to open in spring 2009, the 165-room Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park will feature 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 2,040-square-foot ballroom, state-of-the-art visual equipment and personalized catering. Current tenants of the retail center include Barnes & Noble, REI and Consolidated Theatres.
ORLANDO, FLA. — Orlando-based Pineloch Management Corp. is developing Southgate Office/Restaurant/Retail project, which is located at the intersection of South Orange Avenue and Southgate Commerce Boulevard near downtown Orlando. The 11,600-square-foot mixed-use development will consist of a free-standing, one-story, 3,000-square-foot Tijuana Flats restaurant, and a two-story, multi-tenant building offering 4,300 square feet of ground-level retail space and 4,300 square feet of office space on the second level. Orlando-based Cuhaci & Peterson provided architectural services for the project, which is slated for completion in first quarter 2008.
CARLSBAD, CALIF. — Santa Monica, Calif.-based Pacific Development Partners LLC has acquired a three-story, 85,000-square-foot mixed-use building, which is located at 1265 Laurel Tree Lane in Carlsbad, for $29.9 million. Developed by Biltmore Holdings, the facility is currently 100 percent leased by 24-Hour Fitness. Bill Barnett, Doug Hogan and Greg Lewis of Burnham Real Estate•ONCOR International represented the buyer in the transaction; the seller, Ascent-Biltmore Carlsbad LLC, was self-represented.
CHANDLER, ARIZ. — Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Lees Mayfield Associates has broken ground for the construction of Chandler Echelon, a mixed-use business development located along Price Road Corridor in Chandler. The first phase of the project consists of a four-story, 190,000-square-foot office building, which was designed by Tempe, Ariz.-based DFD CornoyerHedrick. Phoenix-based The Weitz Company is acting as general contractor for the first phase. Additional plans for the development include the construction of a second, mirror-image office building; a 110-room Fairfield Inn & Suites; and a 150-room Courtyard, both hotels by Marriott International Inc. Delivery of the first phase is slated for fourth quarter 2008. Lees Mayfield is joined by co-developers REI Investments and White Lodging, both of Indianapolis, and Poe Companies of Louisville, Ky. Financing for the first office building was provided by Regions Bank of Birmingham, Ala.
SAN FRANCISCO — Houston-based Noteware Development has broken ground for the construction of 5800 Third Street, the company’s second venture in San Francisco’s Bayview Candlestick Point neighborhood. Located on the site of a former Coca-Cola plant, the project will include 360 one- to three-bedroom residential homes, including 47 affordable units, and 20,000 square feet of retail space. United Kingdom-based grocer, Fresh & Easy, will anchor the development.
NORTHBROOK, ILL. — Two new tenants have signed on at Center of the Northshore, a 500,000-square-foot mixed-use project located in Northbrook. Northshore Center LP has signed a contract with Pittsburgh-based Oxford Development Co. to build a 154-room Hyatt Place Hotel. Additionally, a letter of intent has been signed with Muvico Entertainment for the construction of a 12-screen movie theater. The theater project will feature a 21-and-over VIP area; a restaurant/bar by Levy Restaurant Group; a club for teens with a smoothie bar; interactive gaming and music; childcare facilities and valet parking.
COLLIERS DICKINSON FACILITATES 995-ACRE SALE JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Hobart Joost, Jr., of Colliers Dickinson in Jacksonville has represented Bacardi Bottling Corp. in the $20 million sale of 995 acres, located at the northeast quadrant of Pecan Park Road and Interstate 95 in Jacksonville. University Park, Fla.-based Benderson Development, d/b/a Rum East, purchased the site for development of a regional activity center to include office and retail space as well as 319 acres of industrial land.
ORLANDO, FLA. — Lake Cay Commons, a 108,000-square-foot mixed-use retail project, is set to open in March 2008 at the intersection of Universal Boulevard and Canadian Court in southwest Orlando. It will feature a 13,000-square-foot grocery store anchor, adjacent 13,000 square feet of retail shops, another 42,000-square-foot building with retail shops and second-floor offices as well as outparcels. Newnan, Ga.-based Thomas Enterprises is the developer and J. Raymond Construction is the general contractor.
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. — Birmingham-based Arlington Properties has broken ground on the $37 million Phase I of Hallman Hill, a mixed-use development in the Birmingham suburb of Homewood, Ala. Phase I includes 9,000 square feet of retail space and 72 condominiums. Completion of Phase I is scheduled in spring 2009. The 5.4-acre project is located on the site of the former Homewood Gardens at the intersection of Oxmoor Road and 19th Street. The Garrison Barrett Group is the project architect.