When looking for new markets that might be a fit for their brand, the owners of VITAL Climbing Gym, a bouldering concept, seek out locations that are “in the mix and part of people’s lives.” This is somewhat paradoxical with the genesis of the company, which originated during a long and very solitary bike tour more than a decade ago. Co-founder David Sacher recounts that he was alone in Argentina (having started his tour at Prudhoe Bay in Alaska) and struggling through a “windy, slow and tough” stretch when the idea for the first VITAL gym emerged as a sort of exercise in escapism. California Dreaming Sacher, who had climbed throughout college with his now business partner, Nam Phan, envisioned “a little climbing gym” with a “very laidback culture,” 24-hour access and a barbecue out front — in short, a place where he and his friends could “cook food and hang out and climb.” In 2010, that dream became a reality with the opening of the first VITAL Climbing Gym in California, where Sacher and Phan attended school. In addition to achieving the atmosphere Sacher envisioned, which he describes as “happy,” “familial” and that of a second home, the facility …
Retail
NEW YORK CITY — Four new tenants have opened stores at Kings Plaza, a 1.1 million-square-foot enclosed mall in Brooklyn. Target, Primark, Zara and Burlington have debuted in a space formerly occupied by Sears. The property has also undergone capital improvements, such as the brightening of the attached parking deck, as well as the addition of new lighting, furnishings and flooring in the center’s second level. Los Angeles-based Macerich owns Kings Plaza.
DALLAS — Southern California-based office furnishing company Tangram Interiors has opened an 12,000-square-foot showroom at 300 S. Pearl Expressway in the East Quarter area of Dallas. According to LoopNet Inc., the building was constructed in 2021, rises seven stories and totals 194,672 square feet. About 40 of Tangram Interiors’ 75 employees will work at the showroom.
ATTLEBORO, MASS. — RK Centers, an owner-operator with offices in New England and South Florida, has acquired Bristol Place, a 415,404-square-foot retail power center located south of Boston in Attleboro. The center sits on a 45.5-acre site along State Route 1A and is home to tenants such as grocer Market Basket, Home Depot, T.J. Maxx, Burlington, Hobby Lobby, Edge Fitness, Bob’s Discount Furniture and Party City. Nat Heald of CBRE represented the seller, an affiliate of Unison Realty Partners, in the transaction. RK Centers will rebrand the property, which was 96 percent leased at the time of sale, as RK Bristol Place.
LOS ANGELES — Carmel Properties has announced plans for Forge at Alloy, a 1 million-square-foot mixed-use property at 530 Mateo St. in Los Angeles’ Art District. The developer has retained Mike Condon Jr., Brittany Winn, McKenna Gaskill, Pete Collins and Steven Marcussen of Cushman & Wakefield to lead leasing effort for the project, which is slated for completion in third-quarter 2024. Forge at Alloy will consist of a six-story, Class A building featuring 127,456 square feet of creative office space and 18,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, outdoor space with seating and lounge areas, a rooftop deck and three levels of parking. The second building will be a 35-story, 475-unit residential tower. The office and residential components will be connected via a pedestrian and retail paseo, formerly a rail spur, between Mateo Street and Santa Fe Avenue. The paseo will house year-round activities and attractions, including public art installations, outdoor concerts, movies and other special events.
Essex Financial Secures $13M Acquisition Loan for Summer Valley Shopping Center in Aurora, Colorado
by Amy Works
AURORA, COLO. — Essex Financial Group has arranged $13 million in financing for the acquisition of Summer Valley Shopping Center in Aurora. Blaire Butler and Matt Perigard of Essex’s Capital Markets team secured the 10-year, fixed-rate loan for the undisclosed buyer. At the time of financing, the Summer Valley Shopping Center was 99 percent leased to 18 retailers. Current tenants include VASA Fitness and Dollar Tree.
JUNO BEACH, FLA.— Bucksbaum Properties has acquired Plaza La Mer, a 111,000-square-foot shopping center in the coastal South Florida town of Juno Beach. Built in 1988, the property comprises five buildings on 10 acres. Tenants at the center include Dunkin, Trustco Bank and Loggerhead Fitness. The seller and sales price were not disclosed.
FORT MYERS, FLA. — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the $38 million sale of a retail and entertainment property located in Fort Myers. Topgolf occupies the asset, which totals 48,000 square feet, on a triple-net-lease basis. Constructed in 2021, the property is situated on 14 acres off of Interstate 75. Ronnie Issenberg, Gabriel Britti and Ricardo Esteves of Marcus & Millichap arranged the transaction on behalf of the seller, a Miami-based family office. The buyer was not disclosed.
SPRING HOPE, N.C. — Legacy Realty Group Advisors has brokered the $4.8 million sale of Spring Hope Commons, a retail center located in Spring Hope, approximately 35 miles northeast of Raleigh. Food Lion anchors the 47,950-square-foot property. Jacob Baruch and Daniel Baruch of Legacy represented the buyer and seller, neither of which were disclosed, in the transaction.
PLAINFIELD, IND. — Theo’s Italian, a new pizza and pasta restaurant concept by local Indianapolis-based restaurant operator Cunningham Restaurant Group, is slated to open in October at The Shops at Perry Crossing in Plainfield. Theo’s Italian serves pasta, salads, appetizers, sandwiches and a wide variety of Roman Style Pinsa, a lighter healthier version of Italian pizza. The 6,118-square-foot restaurant will feature patio seating outdoor, a full bar and private dining. Cunningham Restaurant Group also operates Bru Burger Bar, Stone Creek Dining Co. and a 7,500-square-foot event center at The Shops at Perry Crossing, an outdoor lifestyle center managed by JLL that features more than 60 retail, restaurant and service brands.