NEW YORK CITY — WHP Global, a New York City-based firm that acquires global consumer brands, has purchased a controlling stake in Tru Kids Inc., the parent company of Toys ‘R’ Us. WHP Global joins a group of institutional shareholders that includes funds managed by Solus Alternative Asset Management and Ares Management Corp. Going forward, WHP will manage Tru Kids’ global business and direct its strategic expansion, which according to CNBC will include the reopening of some U.S. stores. Neither the network nor the companies involved in the deal specified how many U.S. stores would open or in what markets the reopenings would occur. New Jersey-based Tru Kids announced in 2018 that it would be closing and/or selling off all 735 Toys ‘R’ Us stores in the United States. However, the chain and its sister brand, Babies ‘R’ Us, still operate roughly 900 stores and e-commerce sites in other parts of North America, as well as in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. “Our investment in Toys ‘R’Us reflects our belief and passion for the brand,” said Yehuda Shmidman, chairman and CEO at WHP Global. “We are thrilled to be taking the reins of the world’s leading toy …
KALAMAZOO, MICH. — JLL Capital Markets has brokered the sale of Lakeview Apartments in Kalamazoo for $19.6 million. The 280-unit apartment community features a playground, pet park and community barbecue area. The property is located at 1928 Colgrove Ave. and is situated adjacent to Ascension Borgess Hospital. David Gaines, Dave MacDonald and Kyle Butler of JLL represented the seller, Florida-based Property Resource Associates. The JLL team worked closely with Ron Plichta and Tommy Bateman of Property Resource Associates. Bender Cos. was the buyer.
CLEVELAND — KeyBank has structured $13 million in construction financing for Via Sana, a 72-unit affordable housing project in Cleveland. The NRP Group LLC, The MetroHealth System and CCH Development Corp. are serving as developers. Via Sana is part of a $60 million mixed-use project being spearheaded by MetroHealth in the city’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood. Rents at the property will be offered at 15 to 75 percent below market rents. Project-based vouchers will be used for eight of the units. In addition to residences, Via Sana will include more than 5,000 square feet of commercial space as well as conference rooms and classrooms reserved for MetroHealth’s Economic Opportunity Center.
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO — Owner and developer The Dickman Co. Inc. is nearing completion of a $9 million speculative industrial project in Middleburg Heights, a southern suburb of Cleveland. Terry Coyne of Newmark is representing Milwaukee-based Dickman in leasing efforts. The 125,500-square-foot project is now 90 percent pre-leased. Forward Air has leased 52,500 square feet and Lasership has signed for 63,000 square feet. There are 10,000 square feet remaining available for lease. Completion of the project is slated for the end of the second quarter. Building features include a clear height of 28 feet, multiple docks and drive-in doors, and ample employee and trailer parking.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Northwest Bank has leased the top floor at 3 Easton Oval in Columbus and will have building signage. The owner of the office building, Alterra Real Estate Advisors, recently completed a renovation with new common areas, LED lighting, HVAC units with improved air quality, a new roof and solar panels. Northwest Bank joins accounting firm Brady Ware, which has leased half of a floor in the building. Alterra acquired the asset in December 2019.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Klink Group of Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of a Walgreens-occupied property in the Nora submarket of Indianapolis for $3.7 million. The single-tenant building is located at 1505 E. 86th St. Jordan Klink of the brokerage marketed the property on behalf of the seller, Indianapolis-based Westfield Pointe LLC. The Klink Group also sourced the buyers, Nora LLC and PP Nora LLC. Both are based in Indiana.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP, PA. — Locally based developer J.G. Petrucci has signed wholesale redistribution firm RJ Schinner to a 160,000-square-foot, full-building industrial lease at Lehigh Valley Flex Center campus in Hanover Township. The tenant will relocate from an 80,000-square-foot space in nearby Bethlehem. Van Martin Brokerage represented RJ Schinner in the lease negotiations.
ANDOVER, MASS. — Tampa-based SkyView Advisors has arranged the sale of a 470-unit self-storage facility located at 17 Dundee Park Drive in Andover, a northern suburb of Boston. The property is situated on 1.5 acres and spans 65,836 net rentable square feet. Richard Riddle and Ryan Clark of SkyView Advisors represented the seller in the transaction. Additional terms of sale were not disclosed.
NEW YORK CITY — Hellenic Classical Charter School (HCCS) will open a 36,000-square-foot academic institution for students in grades 3-8 at 1641 Richmond Ave. in Staten Island. HCCS has entered into a ground lease with the owner of the land, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community, to develop the project. Marty Cottingham, Michael Gottlieb and Patrick Steffens of Avison Young represented HCCS in the ground lease negotiations. HCCS also secured $44 million in bond financing from youth empowerment organization Build NYC to help finance construction of the new building.
RIVERDALE AND MANASQUAN, N.J. — R.J. Brunelli & Co. LLC has negotiated two retail leases for Dollar Tree in New Jersey. In the first deal, the discount retailer leased 9,200 square feet at Riverdale Crossing, a Walmart-anchored power center in Morris County. Dollar Tree will backfill a space formerly occupied by Pier 1 Imports. In the second transaction, Dollar Tree committed to a 9,460-square-foot endcap space at The Orchards at Wall, a 22,504-square-foot center in Manasquan that was also formerly occupied by Pier 1. Both stores are slated to open in the second quarter. Danielle Brunelli and Pete Nicholson of R.J. Brunelli represented Dollar Tree in both sets of lease negotiations. Ryan Starkman of Pierson Real Estate represented the landlord in the Riverdale Crossing deal.