GAINESVILLE, FLA. — Prudent Growth Partners LLC, a private equity firm based in Chapel Hill, N.C., has purchased SouthGate Centre, a 24,025-square-foot retail center in Gainesville. The undisclosed seller sold the property for approximately $5.2 million. Built in 1989 within 1.5 miles from the University of Florida, SouthGate Centre was leased to 13 lifestyle and service retailers at the time of sale.
By Taylor Williams AUSTIN, TEXAS — On the surface, Austin has everything that expanding retail and restaurant operators could possibly want: youth, density, culture, high-paying jobs. Yet when these users begin scouting and diving into the state capital’s retail real estate market, they often find that entering or expanding there is much easier said than done. Skyrocketing home prices, increased vehicular congestion and limited infrastructure outside the urban core are just the most visible ways in which Austin has been somewhat victimized by its own torrid growth over the past 10 to 15 years. And each of those variables factors into retail site selection and contributes to the challenges of adding new retail and restaurant space to the market. Editor’s note: InterFace Conference Group, a division of France Media Inc., produces networking and educational conferences for commercial real estate executives. To sign up for email announcements about specific events, visit www.interfaceconferencegroup.com/subscribe. Simply put, if there are no rooftops, roads, parking spaces and utilities, there can be no new retail development. Such is the story in some of Austin’s more remote suburbs, though few doubt that those preliminary requirements for retail growth will eventually be delivered. But there is also the issue of raw …
— By John Read of CBRE Retail Investment Properties-West — The expression “in the black” signifies financial health, a positive outlook, investment opportunities and growth. It’s a phrase that’s resonating strongly with investors, as Orange County’s thriving retail fundamentals spur robust demand for investment properties. Despite ongoing capital market volatility and fluctuating interest rates, Orange County remains a prime target for retail property investors. The county’s strong retail property fundamentals is driven by its diverse, affluent and highly educated population. The average household income in Orange County exceeds $157,000, with more than 46 percent of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. It also boasts a low unemployment rate of 3.8 percent. Retail property fundamentals concluded the fourth quarter of 2024 with a county-wide availability rate of 3.8 percent, down from the previous quarter. This reduction was fueled by sustained demand, limited inventory, minimal future supply, 547,000 square feet of positive net absorption and an average asking rent of $2.57 per square foot, a $0.13 increase from the prior year. These positive trends, combined with limited new retail property construction (only 190,000 square feet of supply, representing 0.1 percent of existing inventory and the lowest share among the nation’s 40 …
ASCENSION PARISH, LA. AND SEOUL — Hyundai Steel Co., a South Korean steel manufacturer and part of automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group, has announced plans to develop a $5.8 billion steel manufacturing facility in southeast Louisiana’s Ascension Parish. The new steel plant is part of Hyundai’s announcement for $21 billion in U.S. investments between 2025 and 2028. Construction on the plant, which will be capable of producing 2.7 million metric tons of steel annually, is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026 in Ascension Parish. Hyundai Steel is targeting commercial production of automotive steel plates to begin at the mill in 2029. According to a statement issued by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, the new facility is expected to create 1,400 new direct jobs with an average salary of $95,000. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) also estimates that the project will result in 4,100 indirect new jobs. A large portion of the steel manufactured at the mill will be transported to Hyundai vehicle manufacturing plants throughout the country. Hyundai Steel also plans to open up sales of its automotive steel plates to other auto manufacturers in the United States, Europe and Latin America, according to Seo Gang-Hyun, president and CEO …
By David Leopold, SVP, Head of Affordable Housing, Berkadia In today’s shifting real estate landscape, investors increasingly prioritize stability and long-term value. One sector that has consistently demonstrated stability is affordable housing — particularly Section 8 properties backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). With guaranteed rental income and high demand, Section 8 housing has become an attractive investment vehicle for those looking to diversify their portfolios while contributing to the critical need for affordable housing. As part of this trend, in 2024 Berkadia financed $837 million and sold more than $172 million in Section 8 properties, including the sale and financing of Lauderhill Point, a Section 8 affordable housing community in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This arrangement underpins the firm’s affordable housing expertise, employing production leaders with an average of 25 years in the sector. For investors exploring opportunities in affordable housing, success depends on understanding the unique benefits and requirements of Section 8 properties. Section 8 Housing as a Safe Haven The largest federal subsidized housing program in the United States, project-based Section 8 provides financial assistance to millions of households across the country, making it a steady source of demand that can give …
CARLSBAD, CALIF. — Roseville, Calif.-based USA Properties Fund and Los Angeles-based The Pinyon Group have opened Vintage at Marja Acres, an affordable age-restricted community in Carlsbad. Located at 4660 Garden Hill Loop, Vintage at Marja Acres offers 47 apartments, a community room, wellness/health center and onsite laundry. The one-bedroom apartments feature energy-efficient appliances and light fixtures, and low-flow faucets, showers and toilets. The units are designated for residents at least 55 years old who earn 30 percent to 60 percent of the area median income for San Diego County, Calif. Vintage at Marja Acres is a public-private partnership that includes the City of Carlsbad, Riverside Charitable Corp. and WNC Inc. JPMorgan Chase is the construction and permanent lender for the $21 million project. IHP Capital Partners and KB Homes are also partners on the project, which is in infill community that is named after a former longtime nursery on the property.
TUCSON, ARIZ. — Winterhaven Investors LLC has acquired Winterhaven Square, a retail center in Tucson, from Glover Associates LP for $5.3 million. Located at 3102-3160 E. Fort Lowell Road, Winterhaven Square offers 35,300 square feet of retail space. Greg Furrier, Rob Tomlinson and Natalie Furrier of Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR handled the transaction.
OLYMPIA, WASH. — Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap, has arranged the sale of Parkview, a multifamily property within the 137-acre Briggs Village master-planned community in Olympia. Amoroso Cos. sold the asset to Nearon Enterprises for an undisclosed price. Completed in 2012, Parkview offers 72 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with nine-foot ceilings, electric fireplaces and private decks or patios. Community amenities include onsite parking, bike storage, a fenced dog run and package lockers. Ryan Harmon, Philip Assouad, Giovanni Napoli, Nick Ruggiero and Anthony Palladino of IPA represented the seller and procured the buyer in the deal.
ROCKDALE, TEXAS — T1 Energy (NYSE: TE), the company formerly known as FREYR Battery, will open an $850 million solar cell manufacturing facility in Rockdale, located northeast of Austin in Milam County. The site spans 100 acres within Sandow Lakes, the mixed-use redevelopment of a 33,000-acre industrial park formerly occupied by aluminum manufacturer Alcoa, and the facility could employ as many as 1,800 people. According to Manufacturing Dive, T1 Energy is aiming to start construction in the second or third quarter, with production expected to commence in late 2026.
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. — CBRE has facilitated the sale of 1419 Superior Avenue, a medical office building in Newport Beach, to a local owner-user. Equity Enterprises Ltd. sold the property for $5 million. Anthony DeLorenzo, Sammy Cemo, Bryan Johnson and Harry Su of CBRE represented the seller in the deal. Situated across from the 498-bed acute care hospital Hoag Newport Beach, the 8,935-square-foot building was 62 percent leased at the time of sale to four tenants.
