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Blackstone Agrees to Acquire Tropical Smoothie Cafe for Nearly $2B

by Kristin Harlow

ATLANTA AND NEW YORK CITY — Private equity giant Blackstone has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a franchiser of fast-casual restaurants, from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. The deal values the Atlanta-based smoothie chain at around $2 billion, including debt, according to The Wall Street Journal. Tropical Smoothie Cafe began as a single location in Destin, Fla., in 1997. The chain has grown to more than 1,400 locations in 44 states today. The company opened more than 175 locations in 2023, 70 percent of which were opened by existing franchisees. In addition to smoothies, the company sells menu items like sandwiches, salads and bowls. In the first quarter of this year, Tropical Smoothie Cafe completed 64 franchise agreements and opened 39 new stores. Its newest airport location opened at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The launch of new menu items such as Tropic Bowls helped drive overall sales, which were above the industry average in the first quarter, according to the company. “Tropical Smoothie Cafe has had an impressive growth trajectory, consistently building on its loyal customer base as it has scaled nationwide,” says Peter Wallace, a senior managing director in Blackstone’s private equity business. “Blackstone …

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Market ReportsOfficeUtahWesternWestern Market Reports

As the Global Office Landscape Changes, Salt Lake City Responds with Resilience

by Jeff Shaw

— By Nadia Letey, senior vice president, CBRE — The global office landscape has markedly changed post-pandemic. Now, amidst economic headwinds and the ongoing stabilization of return-to-office mandates, U.S. office markets like Salt Lake City are undergoing various shifts that are set to shape real estate dynamics in 2024. At the same time, Utah’s economy remains a highly desirable location to do business, in large part bolstered by an exceptionally strong talent pool. What’s Changing: Development Slowdown Poised to Ease Supply Demand Imbalances Salt Lake City saw a 42 percent year-over-year decrease in total office space under construction in fourth-quarter 2023, marking an all-time low. High interest rates, along with record-high vacancies, will continue to deter developers from breaking ground in the near term without significant pre-lease activity. This thinning construction pipeline will likely reduce supply side risks over the next several years as demand can be placed within second-generation space with elevated vacancy. Existing properties — especially in amenity-rich locations — will do well to attract tenants. The emphasis on creating a collaborative and inviting workspace will continue to be important to bring employees into the office.  Projects that are moving from planned to under construction are hedging their risk by …

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Firefly-Park-Frisco
DevelopmentMixed-UseTexas

Wilks Development, Frisco EDC Unveil Plans for 217-Acre Firefly Park Mixed-Use Project

by Taylor Williams

FRISCO, TEXAS — A partnership between Fort Worth-based Wilks Development and the Frisco Economic Development Corp. has unveiled plans for Firefly Park, a 217-acre mixed-use project that will be located on the northern outskirts of Dallas. The site at the intersection of U.S. Highway 380 and the Dallas North Tollway sits at the gateway to the PGA of America’s headquarters campus. Preliminary plans call for 3 million square feet of Class A office space, 400,000 square feet of upscale retail, dining and entertainment space, 1,200 hotel rooms, 230 townhomes and 1,970 mid-rise and high-rise residential units. Firefly Park will also feature a 45-acre park with multiple lakes, hiking trails, public art installations and family-friendly amenities. The first phase of the development will center on construction of the Dream Hotel, 650,000 square feet of Class A offices, upscale dining and shopping space and the 45-acre park. Construction is scheduled to begin in the coming days, with a formal groundbreaking ceremony to take place in late June.

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Company NewsOfficeSoutheastTennessee

Reports: Oracle Announces World Headquarters Relocation to Nashville

by John Nelson

NASHVILLE, TENN. — Oracle Corp. (NYSE: ORCL), an IT company known for its cloud-based products and services, has announced it is moving its global headquarters from Austin to Nashville in a move to focus on the healthcare sector, according to multiple media outlets. Oracle chairman and chief technology officer Larry Ellison announced the move at the Oracle Health Summit earlier this week, citing the Music City as a “health center.” In 2020, Oracle announced it was moving its longtime headquarters from Redwood City, Calif., to the Texas capital. In 2021, the company purchased a 60-acre riverfront site in downtown Nashville for more than $250 million with plans to develop a corporate campus. In 2022, Oracle bolstered its healthcare portfolio when it acquired electronic medical records company Cerner in a deal valued at more than $28 billion. Oracle also expanded its office presence in Nashville by leasing more than 100,000 square feet at Radius, a nine-story office building in the city’s Gulch district. According to The Tennessean, Ellison says that the riverfront campus underway in Nashville will resemble a city within a city with office buildings, a park, hotel, concert venue, restaurants and a community clinic.

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DevelopmentFloridaMultifamilySoutheast

Tortoise Properties Delivers 264-Unit Luxury Apartment Community in Downtown West Palm Beach

by John Nelson

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. — Tortoise Properties, a locally based development firm, has delivered Tortoise One, a luxury multifamily development in downtown West Palm Beach. The property comprises two eight-story buildings with 264 apartments, nearly 21,000 square feet of amenities and 3,325 square feet of ground-level retail space. Tortoise One’s floor plans range from studios to two-bedroom units ranging from 548 to 1,053 square feet in size. Monthly rental rates range from $2,506 to $4,629, according to Apartments.com. Tortoise Properties recently received its final temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) for the project. The project team includes property manager Crown Residential, architect MSA Architects, interior designer Builders Design and general contract Verdex. In summer 2022, Acore Capital provided an $88.5 million construction loan for the project.

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DevelopmentIndustrialNorth CarolinaSoutheast

Jackson-Shaw Breaks Ground on 1.3 MSF Industrial Park in Metro Charlotte

by John Nelson

LANDIS, N.C. — Jackson-Shaw has broken ground on Landis Ridge, a 1.3 million-square-foot industrial park in Landis, a northeast suburb of Charlotte in Rowan County. The Dallas-based developer plans to deliver the project, its first in the Charlotte area, in two separate phases. Phase I is slated for a second-quarter 2025 delivery and will comprise three buildings totaling nearly 600,000 square feet. Situated on nearly 150 acres at 619 Old Beatty Ford Road, the parcel is located midway between US Route 29 and the new exit 65 on I-85. Jackson-Shaw is developing Landis Ridge on a speculative basis with various uses in mind, including third-party logistics occupiers, e-commerce distribution, consumer goods, warehousing and manufacturing. Jay Hill, Spencer Yorke and Matthew Greer of JLL are leading leasing efforts. Compatriot Capital is Jackson-Shaw’s equity partner for Landis Ridge, and Hartford Investment Management Co. (HIMCO) provided construction debt financing. The design-build team includes general contractor Frampton Construction, civil engineer Orsborn Engineering Group and architect Merriman Schmitt Architects.

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Westpoint-45-Houston
DevelopmentIndustrialTexas

Vigavi, Principal Asset Management Break Ground on 728,080 SF Industrial Project in North Houston

by Taylor Williams

HOUSTON — A joint venture between locally based developer Vigavi and Principal Asset Management has broken ground on Westpoint 45, a 728,080-square-foot industrial project in North Houston. The 42-acre site at 410 West Road is located near the intersection of I-45 and Beltway 8, and the development will feature 40-foot clear heights, speculative office space and 180 trailer parking stalls. Seeberger Architecture is designing the project, and Angler Construction is serving as the general contractor. JLL will market the property for lease. Delivery is slated for early 2025.

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DevelopmentFloridaIndustrialSoutheast

PCCP, Stonemont Financial to Develop 100,620 SF Spec Industrial Facility in Tampa

by John Nelson

TAMPA, FLA. — A joint venture between PCCP LLC and Stonemont Financial Group plans to break ground next month on a 100,620-square-foot speculative industrial facility in Tampa. Called TIA Executive Center, the project will be located at 6101 Johns Road, which is within two miles of Tampa International Airport and immediately north of Executive Industrial Park. The property will offer 32-foot clear heights, spec office suites and will be divisible down to around 33,000 square feet to accommodate smaller users. PCCP and Stonemont Financial plan to deliver TIA Executive Center in first-quarter 2025. The project team includes general contractor Frampton Construction, architect Harley Commercial Architecture and civil engineer Kimley-Horn. JLL will handle leasing on behalf of the co-developers.

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Depot-on-Main-Burleson
DevelopmentMultifamilyTexas

Realty Capital Residential Completes 275-Unit Multifamily Project in Burleson, Texas

by Taylor Williams

BURLESON, TEXAS — Locally based developer Realty Capital Residential has completed Depot on Main, a 275-unit multifamily project in Burleson, located south of Fort Worth. The five-story building is situated adjacent to the city’s Old Town district at 125 N. Main St. Depot on Main offers one- and two-bedroom units ranging in size from 590 to 1,229 square feet. Amenities include a pool with a tanning deck, coworking lounge, coffee bar, rooftop deck and entertainment terrace, dog park, fitness center and outdoor grilling and dining areas. Monthly rental rates range from $1,325 to $2,260, according to Apartments.com. Merriman Anderson Architects designed the project.

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Leasing ActivityNorth CarolinaRetailSoutheast

Providence Group Arranges Leases With HomeGoods, Michaels in Raleigh-Durham Area

by John Nelson

KNIGHTDALE AND DURHAM, N.C. — The Providence Group has arranged two leases in the metro Raleigh-Durham area with national retailers HomeGoods and Michaels. HomeGoods will occupy nearly 23,000 square feet at Knightdale Marketplace, a 325,000-square-foot, open-air shopping center in Knightdale. Michaels will occupy 16,200 square feet at Durham Festival, a 134,290-square-foot retail center in Durham. Melissa McDonald of The Providence Group represented the tenants in both lease transactions. Reagan Crabtree and Cristi Webb, also with The Providence Group, represented the landlords in both deals — Epic Real Estate Partners at Durham Festival and M&J Wilkow at Knightdale Marketplace.

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