There are two major trends affecting retailers across South Florida: the reduction of affluent foreign tourists in the market and the internet, which is forcing retailers to shift their concepts at an accelerating pace. Both factors have led to a slight decline in market conditions, specifically a deceleration of growth rates, but not significantly enough to cause great concern or to feel South Florida has become a “falling market.” Instead, much like origami, one must shape retail concepts to adapt to the new online reality. The American dollar is still very strong against Latin American and most foreign currency. This has created a downward spiral for hotel occupancy and retail sales in South Florida’s tourist driven areas such as South Beach and Lincoln Road. Miami-Dade County hotel occupancy was down 0.6 percent year-over-year to 83.5 percent in February/March 2017. This tourism decline has also created a shift in foreign investing. While large foreign investors are still active in the market, there has been a noticeable exit of smaller foreign investors. This has created an unusual twist in the South Florida market as now domestic (primarily from the Northeast) and Canadian investors are actively looking and purchasing retail opportunities given they …
PLANO, TEXAS — HFF has secured $17.7 million in post-acquisition financing for Creekwalk Village, a 174,484-square-foot retail power center situated on 14.7 acres at 801 W. 15th St. in Plano. The center currently houses tenants such as Michaels, Bed Bath & Beyond, Barnes & Noble and Designer Shoe Warehouse. Chris Drew, Nat Scarmazzi and De’On Collins of HFF secured the financing on behalf of an affiliate of Sterling Organization, a Florida-based private equity firm. Southside Bank originated the loan.
BLUFFTON, S.C. — Matthews Real Estate Investment Services has arranged the $22 million sale of Low Country Village, a 140,000-square-foot shopping center in Bluffton, roughly seven miles west of Hilton Head. Scott Henard of Matthews led the transaction on behalf of the seller, Retail Properties of America Inc. A private, California-based buyer acquired the property. At the time of sale, Low Country Village was fully leased to 14 tenants including Ross Dress for Less, Michaels, Cost Plus World Market, Big Lots and Pier 1 Imports. Constructed in 2001, the shopping center is situated between two Tanger Factory Outlet Centers.
WYOMING, MICH. — Wolverine Building Group has broken ground on a 36,000-square-foot expansion for Craig’s Cruisers in Wyoming, five miles south of Grand Rapids. The family fun center is located at 5730 Clyde Park Ave. The addition will be home to a trampoline park, laser tag arena and an indoor roller coaster. The $2.4 million project is slated for completion in February 2018.
GARDENA, CALIF. — CBRE has arranged the sale of Gardena Crenshaw Plaza, a retail center located at 14730-14842 Crenshaw Blvd. in Gardena. Crenshaw Retail Holding acquired the property from Diamond Rock Partners for $7 million. Dan Riley and Austin Wolitarsky of CBRE represented the seller, while the buyer was self-represented with Mark Rafeh and John Proia of Promark Investments being the primary principals. At the time of sale, the 26,504-square-foot property was 100 percent occupied. AutoZone is the anchor tenant.
SAN JACINTO, CALIF. — Progressive Real Estate Partners has brokered the sale of Dollar General Town Center, located at 700-728 San Jacinto Ave. in San Jacinto. A private family trust acquired the 27,112-square-foot property from a private investor for $4.9 million. Anchored by Dollar General, the property was 100 percent occupied at the time of sale. Greg Bedell of Progressive Real Estate Partners represented the seller, while Rob Sauser of PMZ Commercial represented the buyer in the deal.
STOCKTON, CALIF. — Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors has facilitated the sale of a single-tenant, absolute net-leased restaurant property located at 627 N. Wilson Way in Stockton. Santa Monica, Calif.-based TB Stockton sold the 1,644-square-foot property to M&M Trust of Sacramento for $1.4 million, or $882 per square foot. Taco Bell occupies the property and has a 48-year operating history at the location. Pat Kent and Corey Olson of Hanley Investment represented the seller, while Stephen Harper of Veritas Investment Realty Investors represented the buyer in the transaction.
LOS ANGELES — Kennedy Wilson has closed three 10-year leases with major national retailers at South Park by Windsor, a mixed-use property located at 201 W. Olympic Blvd. in downtown Los Angeles. The leases bring the property’s retail space to 100 percent occupancy. The new retailers — Chipotle, Loit and Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa — will occupy more than 12,500 square feet at the development. Chipotle and Loit have already opened and Aveda is slated to open this fall. Lee Shapiro and Justin Weiss of Kennedy Wilson negotiated the leases.
NEW YORK CITY — Besen & Associates has arranged the sale of a mixed-use building located at 151 Bruckner Blvd. in the South Bronx’s Port Morris section. The five-story building features 12 apartment units and four retail spaces. A group led by Steven Satz (151 Realty LLC) acquired the property for an undisclosed price. Amit Doshi and Shallini Mehra of Besen & Associates represented the undisclosed seller in the deal.
HAGERSTOWN, MD. — PREIT has signed a lease with Belk to join Valley Mall in Hagerstown. The Charlotte-based department store is new to the Maryland market and will occupy 123,000 square feet, taking the place of Bon-Ton, which will close in February 2018. Slated to open in October 2018, Belk will join a mix of tenants including H&M, Pandora, Torrid and Mission BBQ. Valley Mall is also home to dining and entertainment options including Primanti Brothers, Red Robin, Noodles & Co., Starbucks Coffee and Regal Cinemas.