With limited inventory and historically high values and rental rates, it’s safe to say the Los Angeles industrial market is enjoying an all-time high. There are several factors contributing to ongoing strength in the market, including a healthy appetite for acquisitions, strong tenant activity and creative solutions to adapt to supply constraints and maximize ROI. Industrial buyers continue to be active in Los Angeles, even with tightening availability and compressing cap rates. The fact is, there is still tremendous value to be found in this gateway city. Interest rates remain low, and those looking to acquire properties know that the sooner they buy, the better. Conversely, sellers are not especially eager to dispose of properties in the current market, based primarily on the challenge in finding acquisition-worthy assets. Specifically, owners seeking 1031 exchanges are finding it increasingly difficult to identify properties to trade into. That said, values are high enough that some owners are selling and choosing to simply pay taxes on capital gains or look to other markets for product to acquire. For example, Daum recently helped a seller dispose of a property in Los Angeles and reinvest those funds into an asset in Cleveland, Ohio, at a 7 …
It’s long been known that Atlanta, along with many other markets in the United States, is over-retailed. However, not all retailers are “overstored.” With the recent number of store closings announced (Sports Authority, hhgregg, Kmart, Sears, JC Penney, to name a few), it’s understandable that some have concerns over the current state of retail. That said, for many retailers, these closures become opportunities to enter certain markets or grab better positions within an existing market. As some retailers forfeit locations, these Atlanta vacancies will be absorbed. Burlington Stores recently backfilled the former Sports Authority adjacent to the Mall of Georgia in Buford, and will do the same with the former Best Buy adjacent to The Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia. Ashley HomeStore will backfill the former Staples in Snellville. In Alpharetta, American Signature Furniture opened in the former Sports Authority box, and entertainment destination Dave & Buster’s is set to open in a former AMC Theatres. The retail industry is undergoing a shift as a result of the emergence of e-commerce and morphing consumer habits. It’s the retailers that are able to adapt and evolve along with changes in technology and consumer attitudes that will thrive, as very few are …
FORT WORTH AND AUSTIN, TEXAS — Fort Worth-based homebuilder D.R. Horton Inc. has entered into a merger agreement with Austin-based residential and mixed-use developer Forestar Group Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, D.R. Horton will acquire 75 percent of Forestar’s outstanding shares for $17.75 per share in cash. Forestar has approximately 42 million outstanding shares, according to The Wall Street Journal, giving the transaction a value of roughly $558 million.
AUSTIN AND SAN ANTONIO — The QuikTrip Corp. will open more than 100 new gas and convenience store locations in the Austin and San Antonio areas beginning in the summer of 2018, according to a social media announcement from the company. Exact locations were not disclosed. The Tulsa-based chain, which first entered Texas in 1999, currently operates 134 locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
SPRING, TEXAS — Berkadia has arranged the sale of Modera Spring Town Center, a 396-unit multifamily asset located at 21801 Northcrest Drive in Spring. Developed in 2014, the garden-style property offers a mix of one, two- and three-bedroom units. Ryan Epstein, Jennifer Ray, Wes Breeding and Scott Bray of Berkadia represented the seller and developer, Mill Creek Residential, in the transaction. Abbey Residential Services Inc. purchased the property for an undisclosed price.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of a 40,304-square-foot retail property in Fort Worth. Located at 7300 Rosewood St., the property is net-leased to automotive repair firm Caliber Collision. Vincent Knipp of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, a private investor, in the transaction. Other terms of sale were not disclosed
RICHARDSON, TEXAS — EDGE Realty Capital Markets has brokered the sale of 1910 N. Collins Blvd., a 7,580-square-foot office building located at the intersection of North Collins Boulevard and West Campbell Road in Richardson. Stroud Arthur of EDGE represented the seller, 1910 N. Collins Medical LP, in the transaction. Linda Marver Trust acquired the asset for an undisclosed price.
WALPOLE, MASS. — Siemens has broken ground on a 300,000-square-foot expansion and renovation at Siemens Healthineers, a manufacturing and R&D facility in Walpole, about 27 miles southwest of Boston. Over the next four years Siemens plans to invest $300 million in the facility, which was built in 1979 and last renovated and expanded in 2007. The project scope will include manufacturing, warehouse, office and laboratory space. The expansion will generate 700 new high-tech, permanent jobs, bringing the total employment at the site to between 1,300 to 1,600 by 2026.
CUMBERLAND, R.I. — CBRE/New England has arranged the sale of Cumberland Crossing, a garden-style apartment community located at 100 Crossing Drive in Cumberland. An affiliate of Jones Street Investment Partners acquired the 288-unit property for an undisclosed price. Completed in 2001, the 12-building community features 84 one-bedroom units, 204 two-bedroom units and a clubhouse. Simon Butler and Biria St. John of CBRE/New England represented the undisclosed seller and procured the buyer in the deal.
NEW YORK CITY — Alpha Realty has arranged the sales of two separate apartment buildings in the East Flatbush Section of Brooklyn. A private local investor acquired a 12,800-square-foot, 16-unit apartment building at 5601 Snyder Ave. for $3 million. A different private investor purchased a 21,000-square-foot, 26-unit apartment building at 545-555 E. 82nd St. for $4 million. Lev Mavashev of Alpha Realty represented the buyers and seller, Up Realty, in the off-market transaction.