By Teresa Borgen, Newmark From record-high leasing rates to historically low office sales volume, the Minneapolis-St. Paul market continues to present a complex and evolving landscape. Still recovering from lasting effects of COVID-19 and civil unrest during 2020, some submarkets are thriving, while others continue their gradual recovery. Here’s a synopsis of what’s happening in the market. The haves and have-nots While the Minneapolis central business district (CBD) has been among the slowest downtown office markets in the U.S. to recover since the pandemic turmoil of 2020, recent activity suggests the submarket is showing signs of revival. Several high-profile relocations among national law firms underscore the trend, with firms such as Husch Blackwell, Cozen O’Connor, Faegre Drinker, Saul Ewing and Robins Kaplan making long-term commitments, some even growing their footprint. The Minneapolis CBD has also attracted several recent relocations from the suburbs, with tenants like HNTB, Yardstik and Pepper Foster Consulting moving for enhanced accessibility to public transit and easier opportunities for growth. Given the migration to suburban office markets between 2020 and 2022, these moves and expansions are encouraging signs for the Minneapolis CBD, as well as other downtown markets in the U.S. While these developments are certainly …
CHICAGO — Logistics Property Co. has sold a distribution facility located at 1237 W. Division St. in Chicago for $195 million. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has been reported as the buyer by multiple media outlets. Situated near downtown Chicago and totaling 571,423 square feet, the property was the first multi-story logistics facility to be developed in the Midwest, according to JLL. The facility was purpose-built for distribution operations and features clear heights over 34 feet, 56 loading docks, 135-foot truck court depths, a dedicated second-floor truck ramp and 10,000 amps of power. Parking capacity at the facility includes a 292,500-square-foot rooftop parking deck and an adjacent five-level parking structure, which together accommodate up to 1,590 automobiles or 763 vans. According to JLL Capital Markets, which brokered the sale, more than 1 million residents live within a five-mile radius of the property, which is situated roughly three miles from Chicago’s central business district, with convenient access to Chicago O’Hare International and Chicago Midway International airports. Amazon plans to begin operations at the facility in late 2027 or early 2028 and use the property as a same-day delivery center, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Logistics Property Co. completed the development in late 2024. In …
NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEV. — Agora Realty has broken ground on the third and final phase of Hylo Park, a 73-acre mixed-use entertainment project in North Las Vegas. Upon completion, the $375 million, 25-acre final phase will include a 250,000-square-foot multi-sport indoor field house; an existing multi-sport arena, fully accredited college preparatory Game Changers Sports Academy; an outdoor public space, community field, shops, restaurants and a family entertainment center; and a 177-key Hilton Embassy Suites Completion is slated for late 2027. Additional phases of the project include Hylo Park South, a 90,750-square-foot grocery-anchored retail center that was completed in July as the second phase of the project, and a nearly 400-home residential neighborhood called The West End, which was developed by Lennar Corp. Project partners include Advent, a research-driven, technology-forward storytelling agency, and PMY Group, a full-service provider of technology, data and creative solutions.
CORVALLIS, ORE. — Affinius Capital has provided a $94.8 million construction loan for Zev Corvallis, a 13-story student housing property that will serve students at Oregon State University. The borrower is Fields Holdings. Scheduled for a fall 2028 completion, Zev Corvallis will feature 667 beds across 262 studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom unit. Residences will be furnished with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, modern cabinetry, in-unit washers/dryers and smart-home technology. Communal amenities will include a pool, rooftop deck, indoor basketball court, sauna, theater, fitness center, yoga room, study and resident lounges, as well 4,500 square feet of retail space.
ATLANTA — Houston-based Hines has announced that Hines Global Income Trust Inc. (HGIT) has purchased 99 West Paces, a 312-unit luxury apartment tower in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. The seller and sales price for 99 West Paces were not disclosed, but Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that the 13-story apartment property traded for approximately $240 million. The buyer’s affiliate property management firm Hines Living will operate the luxury community, which was 95 percent occupied at the time of sale. Built in 2023, 99 West Paces features one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as some penthouse units, a wellness club and fitness center, pet spa, coworking spaces and a sky lounge. The property fronts West Paces Ferry Road and is within walking distance to a Whole Foods Market, Buckhead Village and Buckhead Theatre. Michael Harrison and Vikram Mehra of Hines’ U.S. Sunbelt team led the acquisition, which represents Hines’ first acquisition in the Atlanta market. The acquisition of 99 West Paces was part of a $500 million announcement that also included HGIT’s purchase of Bishop Arts Portfolio in Dallas and Castings Commerce Center in Columbus, Ohio.
MIAMI — Miami Design District Associates and BH3 Management have formed a joint venture to develop The Ursa, a 20-story office tower in Miami’s Design District. The development was previously announced, but the newly formed joint venture has expanded the square footage of the project’s original vision by 40 percent. Designed by Arquitectonica and Arsham Studio, The Ursa will include 250,000 square feet of Class A office space with 14-foot ceilings and a suite of amenities, including an amenity deck, art installations and fitness facilities. The property will also include 15,000 square feet of ground-level retail space and onsite parking. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with completion anticipated in 2029.
HOUSTON AND SAN ANTONIO — Northmarq has provided a $68.8 million Freddie Mac loan for the refinancing of a portfolio of three multifamily properties totaling 940 units in Texas. Two of the properties — Holden Heights and Estancia San Miguel — are located in Houston, and the third property, The Montecristo, is located in San Antonio. Holden Heights and Estancia San Miguel total 282 and 300 units and were built in 2015 and 2006, respectively. Both properties offer one- and two-bedroom units, while Estancia San Miguel also includes three-bedroom floor plans. Built in 2005, The Montecristo totals 358 units in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Taylor Francis, David Blum, Joe Giordani, Charlie Buckingham and Matt Radich of Northmarq originated the fixed-rate loan on behalf of the borrower, Francis Property Management.
MIAMI — First Washington Realty (FWR), a shopping center owner-operator based in Bethesda, Md., has sold two Publix-anchored shopping centers in Miami to Publix Super Markets Inc. The sales price was not disclosed. The properties include Airpark Plaza, a 171,443-square-foot shopping center near Miami International Airport at 5715 N.W. 7th St., and The Shoppes at Quail Roost, a 73,550-square-foot center located at 20201 S.W. 127th Ave. on the city’s south side. Both properties were fully leased at the time of sale.
RICHMOND, VA. — Walker & Dunlop has arranged an $86.5 million loan for the refinancing of Chasen, a new 352-unit apartment community located in the Scott’s Addition neighborhood of Richmond. Alexandra Huffman, Justin Nelson, Andrew Tapley, P.J. Feichtmeier, Eric Norris and Jared Diedrich of Walker & Dunlop arranged the variable-rate, interest-only bridge financing through a private credit lender on behalf of the borrower, locally based Capital Square. Fully delivered earlier this year, Chasen offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, along with more than 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Amenities include a resort-style pool, fitness center, rooftop terrace, club room with a golf simulator, whiskey lounge, coworking center, dog wash station and courtyards.
DALLAS — Houston-based investment firm Nitya Capital has refinanced Interlace Apartments, a 432-unit multifamily community in South Dallas. The property offers studio, one- and two-bedroom units and amenities such as two pools, a fitness center, children’s play area and pet-friendly facilities. Morgan Stanley provided the debt, specific terms of which were not disclosed.