The greater Baltimore metropolitan region achieved positive absorption of more than 6 million square feet of warehouse and industrial space in 2017, smashing the previous record by several million square feet and triggering yet another wave of speculative development activity. While on the surface there seems to be no end in sight to this unprecedented level of activity as we cross the midway point of 2018, there does exist several warning signs that are worth monitoring. But, who wants to dwell on anything remotely negative, when experiencing a seemingly end-less supply of 600,000-square-foot requirements? A Major Industrial Market The Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region is considered the fourth largest MSA in the country with more than 10 million people in the Combined Statistical Area. Several major seaports are within close proximity, approximately one-third of all consumers residing in the United States can be accessed within a one-day truck drive and developable land is still avail-able, although an increasing number of projects involve the demolition of unusable product to make way for the modern variety. Local fundamentals mirror conditions found in “white-hot” sections of the country, including the Inland Empire in Southern California, Northern New Jersey and sections in Pennsylvania where Interstates 81 …
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Mission Capital has arranged a $29.4 million loan for the construction of 1600 S. 1st St., an 86,700-square-foot mixed-use project that will be located in the Bouldin neighborhood of Austin. Upon completion, the project will feature 59 residential units, 22,800 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and a 321-space parking garage. Jason Parker, Steven Buchwald and Jamie Matheny of Mission Capital arranged the non-recourse loan through a local debt fund on behalf of the developer, Austin-based PSW Real Estate LLC. A timeline for groundbreaking and completion has not yet been established.
TEXAS CITY, TEXAS — Houston-based Keener Investments has acquired The Breakers, a 272-unit apartment property in Texas City, located about 45 miles southeast of Houston. The garden-style property was built in 1983 and features a pool, fitness and business centers, a lakeside jogging trail and private fishing piers. Keener, which acquired the property from an undisclosed seller, will renovate the community’s amenity spaces and unit interiors. Warren Hitchcock of NorthMarq Capital arranged a five-year acquisition loan on behalf of Keener Investments that featured an 80 percent loan-to-cost ratio.
MIDLAND, TEXAS — Berkadia has provided a $21.7 million Freddie Mac acquisition loan for Anatole on Briarwood, a 250-unit apartment community in Midland. Built in 2014, the property features one-, two- and three-bedroom units and amenities such as a pool, fitness center, business center, coffee bar and TV lounge. Tucker Knight and Nicholas Murphy of Berkadia arranged the loan, which includes a fixed interest rate and five years of interest-only payments, on behalf of the buyer, Fort Worth-based Olympus Property. The seller was not disclosed.
EL PASO, TEXAS — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the sale of Cottonwood Self Storage, a 35,058-square-foot, facility located at 12500 Pellicano Drive on the eastern side of El Paso. A private investor purchased the newly built, 207-unit property from a limited liability company, both of which requested anonymity. Jon Danklefs of Marcus & Millichap brokered the deal on behalf of both parties.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS — General contractor and design/build firm Fort Construction has broken ground on Vineyard on Lancaster, a 104-unit affordable housing project in Fort Worth. The development costs will total approximately $19 million, according to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The builder has partnered with Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County for the project, which is aiming to begin leasing units by December.
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Gebroe-Hammer Associates has negotiated the $32.5 million sale of Woodmont Square Apartments, a 100-unit multifamily community in Bridgewater. The market-rate apartment community was built in 2012 and is located at 100 Bellis Court. Amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, game room, business center, basketball court and picnic area. Greg Pine, Stephen Tragash and Eli Herskowitz of Gebroe Hammer represented the seller, Woodmont Properties at Bridgewater LLC, in the transaction. The buyer was undisclosed.
FAIRFIELD, N.J. — Alexander Property Group has acquired a four-story, 48,000-square-foot office building in Fairfield. The sales price was undisclosed. Located at 700 Route East, the property is currently 98 percent leased. Alexander Property Group purchased the office building from Boston-based real estate development and management company the Davis Cos. and joint venture partner Rubicon Cos. The office building is located adjacent to the 204-room Fairfield Crowne Plaza Hotel.
NEW YORK CITY — Bessemer Trust has signed a 239,000-square-foot lease at the Time Life Building in Midtown Manhattan. The privately owned wealth management company will occupy the top seven floors at the 48-story skyscraper. Located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, the tower was built in 1959 as part of Rockefeller Center. Cushman & Wakefield represented Bessemer Trust in the transaction. An in-house Rockefeller Group leasing team represented the building’s owner. Terms of the lease were not disclosed.
SAN DIEGO — Berkeley Point Capital has provided a $52.4 million multifamily affordable housing refinancing for Lantana Hills Apartment Homes in San Diego. The borrow is an affiliate of the Convermat Corp. Lantana Hills Apartments Homes was built in two phases with 300 units constructed in 1955 and the remaining 80 units constructed in 1986. The complex comprises one- and two-bedroom apartments, 23 acres of landscaping and parks, two swimming pools, a newly remodeled fitness center, and garage and surface parking. The new loan, provided via Fannie Mae’s Affordable Housing Group, features a 12-year term with eight years of interest-only payments. The financing was used to retire tax-exempt, variable-rate bonds totaling $37.5 million that were issued by the City of San Diego in 2004. The complex underwent a $5.9 million in renovations between 2014 and 2017 that included new wood flooring, quartz kitchen countertops, new kitchen appliances and accessories, while also becoming a pet-friendly community. The borrower plans on spending an additional $1.4 million in capital expenditures in 2018. Mitch Clarfield of Berkeley Point’s Santa Monica, Calif., office facilitated the loan for the borrower.