ORLANDO, FLA. — The Orlando office market’s vacancy rate has exceeded 10 percent for the first time since year-end 2016, according to CBRE. The vacancy rate stood at 11.2 percent at the end of the second quarter, up from 9.1 percent the previous quarter. With the novel coronavirus causing the economy to halt in mid-March, many office players in the country hit the pause button on sales and leases. Orlando, like several other markets nationwide, was not able to escape the downturn as large swaths of space were given back quicker than they were absorbed. Alight Solutions vacated its 147,000-square-foot space in the University/Research submarket, and Hartford Insurance downsized by 27,000 square feet in Lake Mary. Orlando ended the second quarter of 2020 with 352,000 square feet of negative absorption, the biggest dip the market has taken since first-quarter 2018 when the absorption was minus-22,857 square feet, according to CBRE. CBRE also notes that development has not slowed in the market, with deliveries reaching an 11-year quarterly high. Five office buildings totaling 339,000 square feet came on line in the second quarter. There are another seven projects underway totaling 279,700 square feet, the largest of which is a 120,000-square-foot building …
LOGANVILLE, GA. — American Homes 4 Rent has opened Stone Creek Community, a 127-home rental community in Loganville. The community comprises single-family homes that feature fenced-in backyards and three-to five-bedroom floor plans ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. Rents will start in the $1,600s. Each home offers granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, vinyl plank flooring, central heating and air conditioning and two-car garages. The community will also feature a clubhouse, pool, fitness center and a playground. Additionally, routine front and backyard maintenance is included. Stone Creek Community is situated at 5031 U.S. Highway 81, 38 miles east of downtown Atlanta.
BALTIMORE — Sprouts Farmers Market will open a new store in Baltimore on Wednesday, July 22. The store, located at 3800 Boston St., will be the fifth location in Maryland for the Phoenix-based grocer. Sprouts is following CDC guidelines at the location, requiring employees to wear masks, promoting social distancing and installing plexiglass barriers at registers. The new Sprouts will be part of Collective at Canton, a 12-acre mixed-use development featuring multifamily units, an office building, hotel and retail and restaurant space. Developer 28 Walker is building the project. Ryan Wilner, Andrew Feldman and Mason Bernstein of KLNB are leading the retail leasing efforts for the development.
MONT BELVIEU, TEXAS — Colliers International has arranged the sale of Midstream Business Park, a 23,657-square-foot flux building in Mont Belvieu, about 30 miles east of Houston. Judd Harrison and Jason Tangen of Colliers represented the seller, Bellwether Interest LLC, in the transaction. Hart Schleicher of Capital Real Estate Commercial represented the buyer, Kimberlee Partners LP. The property was fully leased at the time of sale.
PADUCAH, KY. — Capstone Apartments Partners has arranged the $3 million sale of Fernwood Homes, a 126-unit apartment complex in Paducah. The property offers two- and three-bedroom floor plans. The asset is situated at 710 Lone Oak Road, three miles southwest of downtown Paducah. New York-based Hillcrest Acquisitions acquired the asset, which was originally built in 1950. Jonathan Hawks, Adam Klenk and Tyler Mayo of Capstone represented the seller, Fernwood Homes LP, which owned the property for more than 30 years.
IRVING, TEXAS — Holt Lunsford Commercial has negotiated an 8,346-square-foot industrial lease at 8080 Tristar Drive in Irving. According to LoopNet Inc., the property was built in 1980 and totals 137,237 square feet. Canon Shoults, Josh Barnes and Maddy Canty with Holt Lunsford Commercial represented the landlord, KFG Investments, in the lease negotiations. Elizabeth Jones with JLL represented the tenant, Progressive Healthcare Solutions LLC.
NEW YORK CITY — Insurance giant American International Group (AIG) will relocate its global headquarters to 1271 Avenue of the Americas, a 48-story office building in Manhattan that was recently redeveloped. The move calls for AIG to consolidate its two regional offices at 28 Liberty St. in Manhattan and 30 Hudson St. in nearby Jersey City. The company plans to take occupancy of its new space, which will span eight floors and 325,000 square feet, in 2021. Rockefeller Group owns 1271 Avenue of the Americas.
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. — JLL has arranged an undisclosed amount of construction financing for a multifamily project that will be located at 104 Baker St. in Maplewood, a western suburb of Newark. The 25,000-square-foot property will feature 11 apartments and 3,500 square feet of retail and parking space. Michael Klein and Max Custer of JLL arranged the loan through Provident Bank on behalf of the borrower, Iron Ore Properties. Completion of the project is scheduled for fall 2021.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — CBRE has negotiated a 66,375-square-foot industrial lease at Centennial Commerce Center in the Northern New Jersey city of Piscataway. The property was built in 2019, spans 277,830 square feet and offers proximity to Interstate 287, Port Newark-Elizabeth and Newark Liberty International Airport. Building features include 36-foot clear heights, 261 parking spaces and land for construction of additional parking spaces. Mindy Lissner, Robert Pine and Ben Shapiro of CBRE represented the landlord, Penford Group, in the lease negotiations. CBRE also represented the tenant, appliance manufacturer Fisher & Paykel.
NEW YORK CITY — Whole Foods Market has opened a 60,245-square-foot store at 450 W. 33rd St. in Manhattan’s 5.4 million-square-foot Hudson Yards mixed-use development. The store offers a cocktail bar that serves to-go drinks, a beauty and body care section and a convenience market at street level for customers needing a grab-and-go meal, snack or beverage. The store is the 14th in New York City for Austin-based Whole Foods.