MATTHEWS, N.C. — Ziff Properties Inc. has purchased Matthews Festival Shopping Center, a 127,817-square-foot shopping center located at the corner of East Independence Boulevard and Matthews Township Parkway in Matthews, roughly 12 miles south of Charlotte. Ziff Properties purchased the center from an undisclosed seller for $8.2 million. The property’s tenant roster includes Big Lots, Miracle Ear, Springleaf Financial, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Tequilerias and Tamarind Fine Cuisine of India. Ziff Properties plans to renovate the shopping center. Bryan Wyker of The Providence Group represented the buyer in the transaction and will continue to work on repositioning efforts along with Alex Kelly of Tribek Properties.
BELTSVILLE, MD. — Laurus Corp. has completed the repositioning of the 207-room, nine-story Sheraton College Park North Hotel. The hotel is located in Beltsville, a Maryland suburb roughly nine miles outside of downtown Washington, D.C. The $5 million renovation includes an overhaul of each hotel room with new furniture, upgraded bathrooms, new Wi-Fi connectivity, remodeled club lounge, updated fitness center, new signage, recent landscaping and a renovated outdoor swimming pool with a sundeck. The hotel is now pet-friendly and will accommodate dogs up to 40 pounds. In addition to the renovations, the hotel features a new restaurant and bar known as Asado Brasserie.
Family-owned grocers Schnucks and Dierbergs solidified their position as the primary grocers across the St. Louis metro area when Schnucks acquired 57 stores from National Supermarkets in 1995. But after several years of these two chains dominating the grocery sector, an influx of fresh-format grocery stores is shaking up the market by offering shoppers fresh, local, organic — and in some cases more affordable — whole food choices. These new chains — typically half the size of traditional grocers — appeal to a younger customer, as well as those looking to supplement their grocery shopping or find items for special occasions. Consumers interested in the offerings of fresh-format grocers are willing to drive farther to shop at their stores. New Entrants Abound Fields Foods, a “homegrown” fresh-format grocer, opened its first location in the Lafayette Square neighborhood in January 2014. The newly constructed 37,000-square-foot, stand-alone building is just south of downtown’s central business district. The grocer markets produce provided by farmers within 100 miles of the store, and also features a wine bar and personal shoppers. This unique, full-service grocer is locally owned and was the first fresh-format store to enter the metro area. Fields Foods has plans to expand …
CHICAGO — HFF has brokered the $135 million purchase of 525 West Van Buren in Chicago by AEW Capital Management Inc. The 522,809-square-foot, 16-story, Class A office tower is situated at the southwest corner of Van Buren and Canal streets in the West Loop. 525 West Van Buren features an on-site café, 40 indoor executive parking spaces, a mezzanine floor with a Wi-Fi lounge, conference center, fitness center with lockers and showers and a 56-bike storage room. Tenants of the office tower include Akzo Nobel Chemicals LLC, Griffin American Healthcare and The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Jaime Fink, Jeffrey Bramson and Mark Kantz of HFF represented the seller, Northwood Investors.
CHICAGO — The Habit Company has been awarded the property management contract for 1000 South Clark, a 469-unit luxury apartment tower currently under construction in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. The 29-story apartment tower will offer studio, one, two, and three-bedroom residences, with individual units ranging from 505 to 2,112 square feet. Units will feature luxury finishes including high ceilings, panoramic lake and city views, custom kitchen cabinetry and Quartz countertops, stainless steel Whirlpool appliances, custom bathroom vanities with tile bath and shower surrounds, plank flooring, elegant interior lighting and full-size washers and dryers. 1000 South Clark will offer more than 43,000 square feet of amenity space including a 20,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with grilling stations, an enclosed indoor pool and rooftop running track, a 10,000-square-foot fitness center, basketball and racquetball courts, virtual golf simulator and putting area. Designed by Hartshorne & Plunkard, 1000 South Clark is a joint venture project between JDL Development LLC and New York-based iStar. The building is slated for delivery in early 2016.
BOLINGBROOK, ILL. — Cushman & Wakefield has arranged a 361,000-square-foot industrial lease for online retailer Swap.com in Bolingbrook. The property, owned by Prologis Inc., is located at 850 Veterans Parkway in Bolingbrook. The long-term lease marks the second major expansion for Swap.com since its founding in 2013. Swap.com previously occupied a smaller footprint in a separate ProLogis building. Situated on the north side of I-55 between Route 53 and Weber Road, the asset provides 30-foot clear height ceilings, ESFR sprinklers, heavy power, 37 exterior loading docks, four drive-in doors, and parking for 224 cars and 321 trailers. Swap.com offers a selection of pre-owned baby, kid’s, maternity and women’s apparel and accessories. Jason West of Cushman & Wakefield represented Swap.com. in the transaction. Jim Estus of Colliers International represented Prologis.
ITASCA, ILL. — Paine/Wetzel TCN Worldwide has arranged a 12,031-square-foot industrial lease renewal for United Global Logistics in Itasca, about 27 miles northwest of Chicago. The property is located at 1475 Thorndale Ave. The space features eight exterior docks and 25 trailer spots. Inc. Magazine named United Global Logistics as one of the top 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the country. Phil Reiff Jr. and Sr. of Paine/Wetzel represented United Global Logistics in the transaction.
GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS — The Bascom Group has acquired Towns of Riverside, a 436-unit apartment community located in Grand Prairie. The property offers access to all the Dallas area’s major employment corridors. Jamie Leachman of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank arranged acquisition financing on behalf of Bascom. Brian Murphy and Brian O’Boyle Jr. of ARA Newmark represented the seller in the transaction. Built in 1999, the property consists of 59 residential buildings and one standalone leasing center spread across 54 acres. The unit mix comprises 52 percent one-bedroom units, 40 percent two-bedroom units and 8 percent three-bedroom units. Roughly 39 percent of the 436 units provide direct access garages and 28 percent are townhome-style apartment homes. Amenities include a clubhouse, media lounge, fitness center, pool and spa, volleyball court, tennis court, basketball court and fishing pier overlooking the community lake.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Altman Cos., a developer of luxury apartment communities, has broken ground on its first development in Austin. Located at 12700 Ridgeline Blvd., the 354-unit complex will be known as Altís Lakeline. The property will consist of 19 two- and three-story residential buildings, and the floor plans will include one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The gated community has private entries and attached garages, as well as private balconies and patios. The clubhouse includes a Starbucks, conference room, fitness center and a yoga and aerobics studio. The community is located in Austin’s Northwest submarket.
RICHARDSON, TEXAS — The Weitzman Group has negotiated the sale of The Shire, an 83,000-square-foot mixed-use retail and office project located at President George Bush Turnpike and Jupiter Road in Richardson. A local investment group formed by Huey Investments and Standridge Cos. was the buyer. Restaurateur Dale Wamstad was the seller. Eddie Liebman and Joey Keffler with The Weitzman Group handled negotiations. The Shire features restaurants as well as service and office users. Restaurants in the retail space include Silver Fox Steakhouse, Ye Shire Tavern, Main Street Bistro/Bakery, Thai’s Thumbz Urban Kitchen and Apollonia’s Italian Kitchen. Other tenants include Bright Horizons Child Care and Republic Title.