WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports retail sales rose 0.8 percent in June over the prior month on a seasonally adjusted basis — not including automobile dealers, gas stations and restaurants — and were up 12.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year. The NRF’s June report confirms the organization’s revised predictions made at the beginning of July. NRF revised its retail sales forecast for 2021 retail sales to increase between 10.5 and 13.5 percent over 2020 to a range of $4.44 trillion and $4.56 trillion. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that retail sales have increased year-over-year every month since June 2020, including May, which had a decline of 1.7 percent month-over-month and a growth of 27.6 percent year-over-year. The Washington, D.C.-based trade association also reports that there was a big increase in sales during the yearly Amazon Prime Day promotion on June 21 and 22, but that hot temperatures and tropical storms like Hurricane Elsa may have negatively impacted retail sales. The NRF expects an increase in back to school shopping as children head back to school, some for the first time since before the pandemic. Clothing and accessory stores increased 2.6 percent month-over-month and increased 49.4 percent year-over-year. Also, …
HOUSTON — Locally based developer Levcor will redevelop Post Oak Plaza, an 503,000-square-foot shopping and dining destination in Houston’s Uptown neighborhood. Architecture firm BRR is leading the design of the project, which will be carried out in phases throughout 2022. The development team will upgrade storefronts to allow more natural light, introduce communal outdoor gathering spaces, widen pathways that connect buildings and install new landscaping features. Businesses will remain open throughout the redevelopment project. Current tenants at Post Oak Plaza include Bill Walker Clothier, Eye Elegance, FedEx, Home Source, Madison Lily, Pinto Ranch, Post Oak Nail Lounge, Sensia, Toys to Love and UPS. SHOP Cos. has been tapped to lease the property following completion of the project.
HOUSTON — MCR, a New York City-based hospitality owner-operator, has acquired the 135-room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Houston I-10 West/Park Row. The hotel offers a covered outdoor picnic area, fitness center, outdoor pool, convenience mart and 575 square feet of meeting and event space. The seller and sales price were not disclosed. MCR acquired the properties as part of a five-hotel portfolio deal that carried a price tag of $94 million.
HOUSTON — TricorBraun, a designer and distributor of packaging supplies, has signed a 70,106-square-foot industrial lease at Ella West Crossing, a 221,363-square-foot development in East Houston. The property, which is located within Pinto Business Park, features 32-foot clear heights, an ESFR sprinkler system and 67 trailer parking spaces. Kelly Landwermeyer, Craig Bean and John Kruse of Dallas-based Holt Lunsford Commercial represented the landlord, Seefried Industrial Partners, in the lease negotiations. Steve Schmid and Will Condrey of Cresa represented the tenant.
SPRING, TEXAS — Common Desk, a Dallas-based provider of coworking and flexible workspace solutions, has opened a 26,750-square-foot space at City Place, a mixed-use development located in the northern Houston suburb of Spring. Chrissy Wilson and Matt Pruitt of JLL, along with internal agents Phillip Moore and Dennis Tarro of Patrinely Group, represented the landlord in the lease negotiations. Patrinely Group owns the building in partnership with USAA Real Estate. Common Desk also recently opened a 25,000-square-foot space at HALL Park in Frisco.
TEXARKANA, TEXAS — Cherokee Federal, a contractor that serves the construction, engineering, manufacturing and defense industries, has signed two new lease agreements with TexAmericas Center (TAC) to accommodate the company’s expansion. Cherokee Nation Red Wing, a defense contractor serving the Red River Army Depot, will lease a 19,228-square-foot light manufacturing space at 154 Service St. This move represents an expansion of the company’s existing 126,00-square-footprint at 312 Panther Creek Drive on TAC’s central campus. In addition, the company’s aerospace and defense department will lease 4,000 square feet of office space at 342 Texas Ave. TexAmericas Center owns and operates roughly 12,000 development-ready acres of land and about 3.5 million square feet of commercial and industrial product that serve four states.
BOSTON — The HYM Investment Group, a locally based developer, has topped off One Congress, a 1 million-square-foot office project in downtown Boston. The 600-foot tower is part of the Bulfinch Crossing redevelopment, which is owned by Carr Properties and National Real Estate Advisors LLC. One Congress will house the future headquarters of financial services firm State Street Corp., which has committed to 510,000 square feet as the anchor tenant. Amenities will include a 30,000-square-foot outdoor garden on the 11th floor and more than 30,000 square feet of fitness and wellness-based amenity space, as well as multiple food and beverage offerings. Pelli Clarke Pelli and CBT Architects handled design of the building. Gachot Studio is serving as the interior design firm, and John Moriarty & Associates is the construction manager. Construction began in June 2019 and is expected to be complete in January 2023.
MOONACHIE, N.J. — Nevada-based investment and development firm Dermody Properties has acquired a 72,045-square-foot warehouse that is situated on a three-acre site in Moonachie, located in Bergen County. The property offers proximity to Interstates 95, 80 and 78 and features a clear height of 20 feet, 62 parking spaces and 9,388 square feet of office space. Gary Stein of Savills, along with Craig Engelhardt and Steve Korfiatis of Newmark, represented Dermody Properties, which will implement a value-add program in the transaction. Capital improvements will include repaving the truck court and parking areas, installing new dock packages and fully renovating the existing office space. KBC Advisors will market the property for lease beginning in the fourth quarter.
NEW YORK CITY — Locally based lender Emerald Creek Capital has provided a $27 million bridge loan for two multifamily buildings totaling 33 units in the SoHo area of Manhattan. The first building rises eight stories and houses 11 units, and the second property stands six stories and consists of 22 newly renovated apartments and two ground-floor retail units. Mike Cleaver of Emerald Creek Capital originated the financing on behalf of the undisclosed borrower.
MILLIS, MASS. — Anthology Senior Living has acquired land in Millis, located southwest of Boston, for the development of a new community. The facility will consist of 105 independent living, assisted living and memory care units that will be situated on a 7.7-acre site. Rick Swartz, Jay Wagner and Sam Dylag of Cushman & Wakefield brokered the land deal between seller Barberry Homes and Anthology Senior Living. Cushman & Wakefield also arranged construction financing on behalf of the buyer from a regional bank.