Expect the Orange County retail landscape to be characterized by continued strong fundamentals and high transaction volumes in 2017. The area remains among the most stable markets nationally—attractive to both high-end and affordable retailers thanks to its high median income and population growth. However, a bit of volatility would be welcomed in the coming year to generate leasing opportunities and enhance rental rate growth. Significant store closings, including a selection of Walmarts, Macy’s, Staples and Sears, in addition to Sports Authority and Sports Chalet locations, affected many of our regional malls and shopping centers in 2016. As a result, we will continue to see more space absorbed rather than closed or constructed in the coming year. This type of instability breeds opportunity. From grocers to soft goods to restaurateurs, traditional and non-traditional retailers remain motivated to identify what works best across Southern California. Retailers who have been working to right-size and reconfigure their traditional formats will catch everyone’s attention in 2017. Target recently announced the opening of a flex-format concept with plans for a 41,000-square-foot store in Orange in the fall. Burlington Coat Factory has been evaluating a smaller footprint, while 365 by Whole Foods will soon enter the Orange …
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Saxum Real Estate has purchased a vacant retail building, located at 37 Easton Ave. in Brunswick, for an undisclosed price. Completed in 2009, the two-story building features 18,000 square feet of space that can be reconfigured to multi-tenant retail, office and residential space. Marc Duval, Jose Cruz, Kevin O’Hearn, Michael Oliver and Stephen Simonelli of HFF represented the undisclosed seller in the deal.
EASTCHESTER, TUCKAHOE AND GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Q10 New York Realty Advisors, an affiliate of Houlihan-Parnes Realtors, has arranged an $8.9 million permanent loan secured by three properties in Westchester County, N.Y. The borrower is a long-term owner of the properties, which include a retail strip center in Eastchester and two warehouse/industrial buildings in Tuckahoe and Greenburgh. The warehouse buildings are net-leased to Verizon. Jeanne Cronin of Q10 secured the five-year loan, which features a 30-year amortization schedule, through a community bank for the borrower.
MANASQUAN, N.J. — Ariel Property Advisors has arranged a $1.8 million acquisition loan for the $2.4 million purchase of a mixed-used property, located at 140 Main St. in Manasquan. The 6,000-square-foot property features four retail units and five residential units. Ariel’s Capital Services Division arranged the non-recourse seven-year loan for an undisclosed borrower.
TEMPLE, TEXAS — The Silver Group has arranged the sale of a single-tenant retail property located at 1519 W. Central Ave. in Temple. An undisclosed individual acquired the 14,820-square-foot, freestanding building for an undisclosed price. Walgreens signed a 20-year, absolute net lease for the property, but chose to sub-lease the property to a multi-unit emergency care operator. The Silver Group represented the undisclosed seller in the deal.
MCKINNEY, TEXAS — EDGE Realty Capital Markets has arranged the sale of a mixed-use property located at 7508 Eldorado Parkway in McKinney. Iselworth Management Inc. sold the 8,815-square-foot property to Guidepost A LLC, a Delaware-based limited liability company, for an undisclosed price. Wilson Stafford and Brandon Crow of EDGE Realty Capital Markets represented the seller, while Stephen Coffey of Greyhawk Associates represented the buyer in the deal.
LOS ANGELES — CBRE has arranged the sale of a single-tenant retail building located in Los Angeles. An Orange County, Calif.-based family partnership sold the building to a Los Angeles-based private investor for $17.9 million. Numero Uno Markets occupies the 24,575-square-foot building on a long-term, triple-net corporate lease. Arthur Flores of CBRE represented the seller, while Janet Newman of Charles Dunn Co. represented the buyer in the deal.
WEST COVINA, CALIF. — CalBay Development has purchased a restaurant site at the Plaza West Covina Mall in West Covina for $5.5 million. Elephant Bar previously occupied the space, but vacated in late 2016. The property, which also includes a freestanding Pacific Western Bank, totals 1.75 acres and 11,500 square feet of gross leaseable area. The Kozakov-Wade team of CBRE/Los Angeles represented the sellers, a private family and heirs of the original property developer in the deal.
YUCAIPA, CALIF. — Progressive Real Estate Partners has arranged the sale of Yucaipa Plaza, a retail and office property located at 34469-79 Yucaipa Blvd. in Yucaipa. An Orange County, Calif.-based private investor sold the property to a Los Angeles-based private investor for $3.5 million. Built in 1970, the 37,453-square-foot building features ground-floor retail space and office space on the second floor. Current tenants include Papa John’s Pizza, Boost Mobile and Allstate. Greg Bedell and Pablo Velasco of Progressive Real Estate Partners represented the seller and buyer in the deal.
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS — Park Place Dealerships is developing a Porsche dealership off Texan Trail and State Highway 114 in Grapevine. Construction on the two-story, 70,000-square-foot dealership is expected to start within the next 30 days, with completed slated for spring 2018. The project will create more than 180 temporary construction jobs and approximately 50 permanent jobs. Park Place Porsche will have the capacity to feature 21 display vehicles on the showroom floors and feature a shop with 28 service and make-ready bays. Hill & Wilkinson is serving as general contractor, and Good, Fulton & Farrell is providing architectural services for the project.