By Cray Carlson, CBRE With 2020 coming to an end, we look back at a year of much uncertainty, confusion and unprecedented restrictions. Yet amidst all that, the Inland Empire multifamily market has been going steady, continuing to thrive in spite of some substantial drops in sales volumes. Total multifamily sales of eight units and larger in the Inland Empire were $2.5 billion in 2018 and $2.1 billion in 2019. That compares with only $1.09 billion in 2020, as of October. We expect total sales volumes in the area could ultimately show a reduction of up to 40 percent for the full year. So, how is the Inland Empire maintaining its title as one of the strongest apartment markets in the nation? Collections A recent housing and employment study examined the ability for renters to make their rent payments. The Inland Empire led the category of households caught up on those payments. Respondents also indicated a high confidence level in their ability to meet their future lease obligations. Among the 15 metros surveyed, the Inland Empire ranked second. Vacancy Rates Rent vacancies have decrease in the Inland Empire to as low as 3.7 percent as rent growth has risen 6.2 …
Multifamily
McShane Breaks Ground on 322-Unit Novel Harpeth Heights Apartment Community in Nashville
by John Nelson
NASHVILLE, TENN. — McShane Construction Co. has broken ground on the 322-unit Novel Harpeth Heights in Nashville on behalf of the developer, Crescent Communities. The multifamily property is located in Nashville’s Bellevue neighborhood at 615 Old Hickory Blvd. Positioned on a 22-acre site on Nashville’s southwest side, Novel Harpeth Heights will feature studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes ranging in size from 549 to 1,529 square feet. The development will incorporate nearly 28,000 square feet of shared amenity space for tenants, including a fitness and movement studio, game room patio with fire pit, dog spa, gear lounge, library, business center with micro offices, demonstration kitchen with bar and dining lounge and a dog park. McShane began demolition in early February and plans to begin site work in six to eight weeks. The contractor expects to deliver Novel Harpeth Heights in October 2022, and the first residences will be available for occupancy in late 2022. HEDK Architects is the architect of record. Crescent Communities is a Charlotte-based, real estate investor, developer and operator of mixed-use communities.
LAKELAND, FLA. — Robert Hernandez of NorthMarq’s Tampa regional office has arranged the $38.2 million Fannie Mae Green Rewards loan for The Shore Apartments, a newly constructed, 300-unit multifamily property in Lakeland. The permanent, fixed-rate loan was structured with a 10-year term on a 30-year amortization schedule. The loan includes five years of interest-only payments. Built in 2019-2020, The Shore features 15 three-story residential buildings spread across a 65-acre site. The lakeside property is located at 5680 Waterside Blvd., about 58 miles from Orlando. The Shore’s community amenities include a private lake, resort-style pool and spa, cabanas with outdoor kitchen, fire pit, gas grills, walking trail with fitness stations, playground, dog park, 54-detached garages for rent, two electric car charging stations, car care center, clubhouse, cyber café with coffee bar, theater room, business center, 24-hour fitness center and yoga and spin room. The Shore’s unit interiors feature nine-foot ceilings, walk-in closets, full-size washer and dryer and a private screened-in balcony and most units offering views of the lake and nature preserve. At loan closing, the property was 100 percent occupied.
CYPRESS, TEXAS — California-based investment firm The Bascom Group has acquired Cantera at Towne Lake, a 350-unit apartment community in Cypress, part of the Houston MSA. Built in 2006, the 13-acre property’s unit mix comprises 52 one-bedroom units, 266 two-bedroom units and 32 three-bedroom units averaging 1,015 square feet. Community amenities include a leasing office, two-story clubhouse, networking center, fitness center and two pools. Cantera at Town Lake is located within Caldwell Cos.’ Towne Lake master-planned community, which is also the home of Lone Star College. Brian Eisendrath, Annie Rice, and Samantha Jay with CBRE Capital Markets sourced Freddie Mac acquisition financing for the deal, which was brokered by David Mitchell of Newmark along with James D’Argenio and Chang Liu of Bascom Group.
EL PASO, TEXAS — Senior Living Investment Brokerage (SLIB) has arranged the sale of SunRidge of Cambria, Cielo Vista and Desert Springs, three seniors housing communities in El Paso totaling 167 units. The assisted living and memory care communities were built in 1995, 1998 and 2000 and maintained 89 percent, 87 percent and 90 percent occupancy, respectively, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The seller is a debt and equity capital provider looking to divest of a non-core market, while the buyer is a local owner-operator. Ryan Saul and Matthew Alley of SLIB represented the seller in the deal.
NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — Kempner Properties, an investment firm based in metro New York City, has acquired Paltz Commons, a 36-unit multifamily property in New Paltz, located roughly midway between Albany and New York City. Built in 1966, the garden-style property consists of three buildings and was fully occupied at the time of sale. The new ownership plans to implement a value-add program focused on improving the unit interiors, common areas, building exteriors and landscaping.
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — Cornerstone Realty Capital has arranged a $6.5 million loan for the refinancing of a 26-unit apartment building in Cambridge. Originally built in 1903, the property consists of 25 three-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit that have been renovated in phases over the last several years. Cornerstone arranged the nonrecourse loan, which was structured with a 10-year term, fixed interest rate and 24 months of interest-only payments. The borrower was locally based management firm The Micozzi Companies.
NEW YORK CITY — Locally based firm Ariel Property Advisors has placed a $6 million loan for the refinancing of a 93-unit multifamily portfolio that comprises three rent-stabilized properties in Manhattan’s Washington Heights area. Matt Dzbanek of Ariel Property Advisors originated the financing, which allowed the undisclosed borrower to receive $3 million cash back to address capital expenditures. The exact locations of the properties were also undisclosed. The borrower, a family office, has owned the portfolio since 1971.The lender is a privately held entity that provides bridge and construction loans off of its fully discretionary balance sheet.
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has approved the $104 million project to transform the historic Jefferson Arms building in downtown St. Louis into a residential and commercial development. Construction is expected to begin in 2022 and be completed in mid-2025. Alterra Worldwide is the developer. The project has received $20 million in tax-increment financing to assist with environmental remediation and rehabilitation costs. Constructed in 1904 in anticipation of the first World’s Fair, the Jefferson Arms building is located within walking distance of the Cardinals Busch Stadium, America’s Center Convention Complex, Kiener Plaza and Arch Grounds. The building has been vacant since 2006. St. Louis-based Kwame Building Group is serving as construction manager. Merriman Anderson Architects Inc. is the project architect. When the transformation is complete, the development will feature historic elements such as exposed brick and original flooring. Amenities will include a fitness and yoga studio, business center, game room, media room, music room and art room. The project now has complete approval.
Peak Campus, Blue Vista Break Ground on 441-Bed Student Housing Community Near the University of Washington
by Amy Works
SEATTLE — A joint venture between Peak Campus and Blue Vista Capital Management has broken ground on Theory U District, a 441-bed student housing community located near the University of Washington campus in Seattle’s University District. The seven-story development will offer fully furnished units alongside communal amenities including a fitness center, business center, courtyard, rooftop amenity deck, gathering areas, grilling areas and an outdoor kitchen. The Bank of Oklahoma is providing construction financing for the project, set to open in fall 2022.