CLIFTON, N.J. — Locally based financial intermediary G.S. Wilcox & Co. has arranged a $13 million loan for the refinancing of Clifton Plaza, a 95,222-square-foot shopping center in Northern New Jersey. The center was fully leased at the time of the loan closing. Big Lots is the anchor, and other tenants include Dollar Tree, New Jersey Eyes and Blink Fitness. David Fryer of G.S. Wilcox arranged the loan through an undisclosed life insurance company. The borrower was also not disclosed.
PHILADELPHIA — Metro Boston-based Apple Cinemas will open a 17-screen theater near downtown Philadelphia. The company will backfill a former theater space of Regal Cinemas at Riverview Plaza III, which is owned by Philadelphia-based Tower Investments. Soloff Realty & Development Inc. represented the landlord in the lease negotiations. The opening is scheduled for fall 2025.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. — PREIT has received an $80 million loan for the refinancing of Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids. JLL arranged the loan through a national CMBS lender. The five-year loan features a fixed interest rate of 7.35 percent. PREIT says the refinancing will save the company approximately $5 million in interest expense over the life of the loan. The redevelopment of Woodland Mall included new tenants such as Von Maur, The Cheesecake Factory, Sephora and Urban Outfitters.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Ten tenants have opened new locations at Easton Town Center in Columbus. CHANEL Fragrance and Beauty Boutique, David Yurman, Louis Vuitton, Hollister, Mugsy, Bluemercury, Tecovas, Rowan, BoxLunch and Mikey’s Late Night Slice are now open. Coming soon to the shopping destination are gorjana, Faherty, Bar Italia, Diamond Cellar and Altar’d State. Easton Town Center is home to more than 250 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Steiner + Associates handles leasing and management for the property.
The Atlanta retail market continues to thrive with significant growth driven by a combination of strong demand, minimal new construction and low inventory levels. Long regarded as a key hub for commerce in the Southeast, metro Atlanta has seen its population increase rapidly over the years, which has, in turn, bolstered retail demand. As a result, Atlanta’s retail availability has hit record lows and has created a competitive market for tenants looking to secure high-quality spaces. Rental rates have increased, and investment sales volume has continued at a healthy pace as tenants vie for a limited amount of inventory. Rising rents, investment sales One of the standout trends in Atlanta’s retail market is the consistent increase in rental rates. Retail rents in the metro area have grown steadily over the past few years, with average rents rising from $21.07 per square foot in first-quarter 2023 to $22.83 per square foot by third-quarter 2024. This represents an impressive 5.2 percent year-over-year growth, significantly outpacing the national average of 2.4 percent. The city’s growing population and economic development have spurred greater demand for retail spaces, especially in high-traffic areas. Retailers are willing to pay premium rates to secure space in desirable locations, …
Branch Properties Plans Mixed-Use Redevelopment of 492,798 SF Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville, Georgia
GAINESVILLE, GA. — Branch Properties has announced plans for the redevelopment of Lakeshore Mall, a 492,798-square-foot retail property located in Gainesville, roughly 55 miles northeast of Atlanta. Plans for the mixed-use redevelopment include 305,444 square feet of retail space, as well as 652 multifamily units and 38,200 square feet of outdoor community greenspace. The property will also have the capacity for the future development of a hotel and townhomes. Current Lakeshore Mall anchors Dick’s Sporting Goods and Belk will remain open throughout the project, with the former relocating to a new space within the development. The Atlanta-based developer, which acquired the property in 2022, will soon initiate the development of regional impact (DRI) process with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), with the groundbreaking scheduled for late 2026. Len Erickson of Franklin Street will handle retail leasing at the development in partnership with Branch Properties. Originally opened in 1970, Lakeshore Mall is located off Dawsonville Highway near Lake Lanier. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Gainesville has seen a population increase of roughly 15 percent since 2020. “This reimagined mixed-use destination redefines Lakeshore as a dynamic, pedestrian-friendly community hub tailored to meet the needs of Gainesville, one of Georgia’s …
DENTON, TEXAS — Weitzman has brokered the sale of University Lanes, a 17,657-square-foot bowling alley and entertainment venue in the North Texas city of Denton. The venue is located near Texas Woman’s University and includes a snack and alcoholic beverages bar. Kevin Butkus and Guillermo Lopez of Weitzman brokered the deal. The names of the seller and locally based buyer were not disclosed.
MIAMI — A partnership between development firm Related Group and Boston-based private equity firm Rockpoint has delivered The Highley House, a mixed-use project in Miami. Situated at 2150 N. Miami Ave. in the city’s Wynwood district, the development features two towers comprising 304 rental apartments, approximately 72,000 square feet of Class A offices and 18,000 square feet of retail space. The co-developers named the project after Locke Highleyman, a developer behind local projects like Hibiscus and Palm Islands and the judge responsible for christening the area as “Wyndwood” in 1917, which was later streamlined to “Wynwood.” Amenities at The Highley House include a rooftop with a swimming pool, summer kitchen, bar and sky lounge. Other amenities include a private dining and wine room, private cinema and lounge, podcast suites, game room, art murals throughout, electric vehicle charging stations, coworking spaces, package services, storage and a wellness center with a gym, yoga room, spa, steam room, cold plunge and treatment suites. The Highley House’s apartments feature studio to three-bedroom layouts with monthly rental rates ranging from $2,389 to $5,657, according to Apartments.com.
AUBURN, WASH.— The Lightstone Group has acquired The Outlet Collection Seattle, an enclosed mall located in Auburn, roughly 30 miles south of Seattle. WPG sold the asset for $82 million. Located at 1101 Outlet Collection Way, the property offers 919,446 square feet of retail space. Tenants include Nordstrom Rack, Burlington, Best Buy, Dave & Busters, Polo Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Ulta Beauty, Coach, Nike, Adidas and Michael Kors. The mall was 98 percent occupied at the time of acquisition. Lightstone plans to implement $10 million of capital improvements and tenancy upgrades. Nicholas King, Michele Dawson and Scott Ferguson of FFO Real Estate Advisors will manage outlet leasing at the property on behalf of the buyer, and Spinoso Real Estate Group will handle big box and mall tenant leasing. Dino Christophilis, Richard Frolik, George Good and Daniel Tibeau of CBRE’s National Retail Partners represented the seller in the deal.
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIF. — Faris Lee Investments has arranged the all-cash sale of Santa Margarita Marketplace, a retail center in Rancho Santa Margarita. K&G Marketplace sold the asset to Curbline Properties, a publicly traded REIT, for $22.8 million. Starbucks Coffee, Luna Grill and Philly’s Best occupy the three-tenant, 29,418-square-foot pad building. Scott DeYoung, Chris DePierro, Jeff Conover and Greg Lukosky of Faris Lee represented the seller in the transaction.