It is impossible to have a discussion about retail commercial real estate without considering the implications of shifting demographics. This is true both nationally and in the Columbia market. The unique demographic characteristics of the local market serve as an explanation for the current situation in retail real estate. The trends in retail real estate in Columbia echo those on that national level, although with the local market’s heavy concentration of Millennials (one of the highest in the Southeast), the opportunity for disproportionately high growth is significant. Those trends involve the sector being the last to emerge from the recession with low levels of retail development on a broad scale, but increasing activity and viability in urban and infill environments, especially for restaurants. Much of the retail activity in the market uniquely caters to that 20 to 34 age demographic. At this stage in their lives, the overwhelming majority of the younger demographic is focused on living in an active lifestyle, preferably in urban environments. This is making the prospect of infill retail, particularly as a component of mixed-use development, more feasible. This is resulting in increasing retail and multifamily development in Columbia’s downtown. For urban retail, there are three …
ROUND ROCK, TEXAS — X Team International partner Venture Commercial Real Estate has represented LA Fitness in a land acquisition in Round Rock for a new location. The 37,000-square-foot gym will be located on a 4.7-acre site at the intersection of East Palm Valley and Grimes boulevards. The new LA Fitness is slated to open in summer 2017. Venture’s John Zikos, Jonathan Cooper and Cheryl Hill, along with Walt Brown Jr. and Tim Dolander of Diversified Partners, represented LA Fitness in the transaction. Brett Baker with HEB Grocery Co. represented the seller.
HUMBLE, TEXAS — Interurban Corp. has purchased Woodland Hills, a 282-unit, Class A apartment community in the northeast Houston suburb of Humble. Woodland Hills is located at 3918 Atascocita Road within a 15-minute drive of Generation Park, a deed-restricted, 4,000-acre master-planned development that will include the FMC Technologies’ headquarters campus and the 52-acre Redemption Square corporate lifestyle district. Completed in 2009, the property has had an average occupancy above 92 percent for the past two years. The gated, garden-style community has units averaging 880 square feet and amenities such as a swimming pool, fitness center, clubhouse, lounge and business center. HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, a joint venture between KKR and Crossbeam Concierge.
SAN ANTONIO — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of 6.8 acres of land in San Antonio. Jon Danklefs of Marcus & Millichap’s San Antonio office marketed the property on behalf of the seller, a partnership. The land is located at the southwest corner of Loop 410 and Medina Base Road. Nearby retailers in the area include Walmart Supercenter, Valero Corner Store, Walgreen’s, Jack in the Box, Burger King and HEB.
HOUSTON — NAI Partners has arranged the lease for a freestanding 23,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to Lion Millwork Co., a cabinet and carpentry business. The newly constructed property is located at 13735 FM 529 in Houston. John Ferruzzo and Nick Peterson of NAI Partners represented the landlord, Southbelt Park Ltd., during lease negotiations, while Michael Foreman and Beau Kaleel of Cushman & Wakefield represented Lion Millwork.
DORAL, FLA. — Capital One has provided a $74 million loan for the refinancing of The Manor CityPlace Doral, a 398-unit, Class A apartment community in Doral, a city in Miami-Dade County. Joshua Howes of Capital One originated the loan on behalf of the borrower, a joint venture between the Related Group of Florida and an investment fund managed by PGIM Real Estate (formerly known as Prudential Real Estate Investors). The joint venture used the loan to retire an existing construction loan. The apartment community is part of CityPlace Doral, a 48.3-acre master-planned development that will include retail, condominiums, multifamily and single-family homes.
SAVANNAH, GA. — CenterPoint Properties plans to develop a 492,492-square-foot spec industrial facility within CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Savannah. Situated on 32 acres about four miles from the Port of Savannah’s main gate, the facility will feature Norfolk Southern rail service and the ability to be subdivided based on tenant requirements. Danny Chase and John Neely of Colliers International are marketing the facility on behalf of CenterPoint Properties. The Class A, cross-dock warehouse is expandable up to roughly 780,000 square feet and will feature 32-foot clear heights, 80 dock doors, four drive-in ramps, 176 trailer parking positions and 182 car parking spots. CenterPoint Properties expects to deliver the facility in summer 2017.
WILTON MANORS, FLA. — Miami-based Carrfour Supportive Housing has teamed with The Pride Center to build an affordable housing development with a special focus on aging members of the LGBT community. The project, known as The Residences at Equality Park, will be located in Wilton Manors, a city in Broward County. Phase I will feature 48 apartments, 34 of which will be reserved for low-income seniors living with disabling conditions due to HIV/AIDS and other challenges. The remaining units will be reserved for seniors earning 60 percent or less of the area median income (AMI), or roughly $35,000 per year according to Carrfour. Phase I will break ground in the fourth quarter of 2017 with an expected completion in late 2018. Phase II, which will comprise 74 units, will begin at a later date. The Pride Center, a nonprofit LGBT community center, will provide residents with on-site services such as recreation, healthcare consulting and counseling. Carrfour will serve as the project’s developer and operator.
BATON ROUGE, LA. — Berkadia has arranged a $19 million Fannie Mae loan for Turnberry Place Apartments, a 272-unit property located at 10720 Linkwood Court in Baton Rouge. Built in 2002, Turnberry Place features one- and two-bedroom units with full-size washer and dryers, patios or balconies and walk-in closets. Community amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, resort-style pool, heated spa, digital business center and video-monitored, controlled access gates. Cameron Hart of Berkadia’s Austin office arranged the 12-year refinancing with a fixed 3.67 percent interest rate and a 30-year amortization schedule on behalf of the borrower, Belcher Management LLC.
SOUTH PITTSBURGH, TENN. — Chattanooga-based Morgan Construction Co. has begun construction on a $12.9 million, 202,000-square-foot distribution center in South Pittsburgh. The tilt-wall project is a build-to-suit for Lodge Manufacturing, a cast iron skillet and cookware manufacturer. The design team includes River Street Architects, A.D. Engineering and Structural Services Inc. Morgan Construction expects to deliver the distribution center in March 2017.