ALEXANDRIA, VA. — StonebridgeCarras has been selected to build the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, a $1 billion, 1 million-square-foot, technology-focused campus in Alexandria, less than two miles from Amazon’s HQ2 future site. Virginia Tech and the State of Virginia will each put forth $250 million to the new campus. Further funds are expected to come via private philanthropy, industry partnerships and other revenue streams. The new campus will be situated in River Landing, a newly branded neighborhood encompassing parts of Pentagon City and Crystal City in Arlington and Potomac Yard in nearby Alexandria. The land is owned by investment firm Blackstone Group LP. The campus will include 300,000 square feet of academic space and research and development facilities, 250,000 square feet of partner space dedicated to startups and corporate facilities, 350,000 square feet of housing space for students and faculty and 100,000 square feet of retail and support spaces. An expected date of completion was not disclosed, but Virginia Tech officials say the first 100 master’s program students will enroll next year in a temporary space. The school also announced Bethesda, Md.-based StonebridgeCarras and the City of Alexandria have agreed to expedite construction.
Multifamily
EDENS, Crescent Break Ground on Retail, Residential Development in Atlanta’s Upper Westside
by John Nelson
ATLANTA — EDENS and Crescent Communities have broken ground on Phase II of Moores Mill, a mixed-use development in Atlanta’s Upper Westside neighborhood. Charlotte-based Crescent Communities, a multifamily developer, will build 345 units across three buildings over five acres called NOVEL Upper Westside. The complex will total 300,000 square feet and offer one- , two- and three-bedroom options. Amenities are set to include a fitness center, pool, courtyard, refined rooftop lounge and a dog park. EDENS, a national retail real estate owner, will develop 15,000 square feet of retail. The Columbia, S.C.-based developer built the 45,000-square-foot Publix in Phase I of Moores Mill and has invested in green space renovation at nearby Sara Gonzalez Park. Completion of Phase II is expected in 2020.
Bainbridge, Diamond Realty to Develop 492-Bed Student Housing Community Near University of Florida
by John Nelson
GAINESVILLE, FLA. — The Bainbridge Cos. has acquired an 11-acre site in Gainesville located near the University of Florida for the development of a 492-bed student housing community. The property — to be named Campus Circle Gainesville — will be developed in a joint venture with Diamond Realty Investments Inc. The four-story, garden-style community will offer shared amenities including an outdoor lounge and study area; resort-style courtyards; swimming pool with private cabanas; 24-hour fitness center with a cardio theater and yoga studio; clubhouse featuring lounge space and a game room; 24-hour private study space with group study areas and a large conference room; and dog-walking trails. The property is set to open prior to the 2020-2021 academic year.
Fantini & Gorga Arranges $27M Construction Loan for Multifamily Community in Cambridge
by David Cohen
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — Fantini & Gorga has arranged a $27 million construction loan for Park 77 Apartments, a 93-unit multifamily community in the Alewife neighborhood of Cambridge. Terms of the financing were not disclosed. Located at 77 New St., the property is walking distance from the Metro Boston Transit Authority’s Alewife Station. Derek Coulombe, Tim O’Donnell and Despina Hixon of Fantini & Gorga arranged the financing for the undisclosed borrower through a large regional lender.
Landsea Homes, Leyton Properties Break Ground on 14-Story Condominium Tower on Upper West Side
by David Cohen
NEW YORK CITY — Landsea Homes and Leyton Properties have broken ground on a 14-story condominium tower on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Located at 212 W. 93rd St., the property will include 20 residences atop a new 9,350-square-foot synagogue that will occupy the first two floors. The developers purchased the site from Congregation Shaare Zedek. The building was designed by Eran Chen of ODA New York and draws inspiration from the neighborhood’s historic pre-war architecture. The completion date for the property was not disclosed.
GARDNER, MASS. — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the $3.6 million sale of Washington Park Apartments, a 48-unit apartment property in Gardner. The property is located at 61 W. Broadway. Matthew Pierce of Marcus & Millichap’s Boston office represented the seller, a limited liability company, in the transaction. The buyer was a private investor.
TEMPE, ARIZ. — Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap, has arranged the sale of The Davenport, a multifamily asset situated on 20.5 acres along Mill Avenue in Tempe. Tides Equities acquired the property from an affiliate of Abacus Capital Group for $55.5 million, or $125,566 per unit. Developed in 1973 and 1979, The Davenport features 442 units in a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom layouts. Steve Gebing and Cliff David of IPA represented the seller and procured the buyer in the transaction.
LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS — Houston-based Keener Investments has acquired The Shore and Harbor Walk, two multifamily properties totaling 314 units in League City, about 25 miles southeast of Houston. Both Class B properties were built in the 1980s, have an average unit size of 880 square feet and feature pools, fitness centers, business centers and playgrounds. Keener will upgrade both properties’ unit interiors and amenity spaces. The seller was not disclosed.
SAN ANTONIO — Houston-based developer Allen Harrison Co. is nearing completion of Los Robles, a 306-unit multifamily project in the Stone Oak area of northern San Antonio. The property, which is expected to be open for leasing by year’s end, will feature a resort-style pool, 24-hour fitness center, resident clubhouse with a lounge and pub, a dog park and private storage. Embrey Management Services will lease and manage the property upon completion.
GRANDVILLE AND WYOMING, MICH. — Berkadia has secured $108.3 million in acquisition financing through Fannie Mae for two apartment properties in Michigan. Torchlight Investors was the borrower. The Grandville property features a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Amenities include a basketball court, pet area, fitness center and walking and biking trails. The Wyoming property offers upgraded units with vaulted ceilings and walk-in closets. Amenities include a fitness center, outdoor courtyard, swimming pools, tennis courts and storage facilities. Peter Benedetto of Berkadia arranged 12-year, fixed-rate financing for both properties.