Georgia

Economist: Hotel Sector Benefitting from Strong Consumer Confidence, Uptick in Income and Corporate Profits

by John Nelson September 11, 2018

ATLANTA — Roger Tutterow, director of Kennesaw State University’s Econometric Center, encourages hoteliers to be optimistic about today’s historic level of consumer confidence because it directly impacts the leisure travel side of the hospitality sector. In late August, the consumer confidence index increased to 133.4, its highest level since October 2000, according to The Conference Board. The index gauges consumers’ confidence levels about business and labor conditions. “This is still a consumer-driven economy, and it’s very important that we maintain those confidence levels,” said Tutterow, who was one of the featured speakers at Atlanta Lodging Outlook 2019. The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cornell Hotel Society and the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association jointly hosted the annual event, which took place on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at the InterContinental Buckhead hotel in Atlanta. Spending Power Impacts Hotel Performance Personal income gains and corporate profits also affect hotel absorption as these determine the spending power of leisure travelers and businesses. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal income increased by 3.5 percent over the past six months, while corporate profits rose 20 percent during the same period. “You’ve got support both from the personal income and corporate profits side,” said Tutterow …

September 11, 2018

Civic Development Georgia Southeast

City of Atlanta Begins First Phase of 280-Acre Park in Westside Area

by Camren Skelton September 10, 2018

ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta has broken ground on the first phase of Westside Park at Bellwood Quarry in Atlanta’s Westside area. Expected to be the largest park in Atlanta, the first phase will include a signature gateway and trails leading to an overlook area for views of a quarry-turned-reservoir. Upon completion, the park will encompass 280 acres, nearly 100 acres larger than Piedmont Park in Atlanta’s Midtown district. The park will connect the Proctor Creek Greenway and Chattahoochee River Corridor with the Atlanta BeltLine, a loop trail that will eventually span 22 miles and connect 45 intown neighborhoods in Atlanta. Architecture firm HGOR is designing the park. The quarry-turned-reservoir will take on the role of Atlanta’s major emergency water source, increasing the city’s drinking water supply from three days to more than 30 days. The surrounding park will feature elements of green infrastructure, which should enhance water quality and ground water infiltration. HGOR is collaborating on the development with partner leaders Reeves Young and CERM. Other project team members include Portman & Associates, Long Engineering, EcoWorks, Full Circle Communication, Denyse, BioHabitats, Sherwood Design Engineers, S.L. King & Associates and Sykes Consulting. According to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, the park …

September 10, 2018

Acquisitions Georgia Industrial Southeast

Monmouth Acquires New Industrial Building Leased to FedEx in Northeast Georgia for $61.1M

by Camren Skelton September 10, 2018

BRASELTON, GA. — Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp. has acquired a newly constructed industrial building in Braselton, roughly 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, for $61.1 million. Delivered earlier this year, the 373,750-square-foot building is net-leased for 15 years to FedEx Ground Packaging System. The facility is situated on 93 acres at 650 Braselton Parkway off of Interstate 85. New Jersey-based Monmouth’s portfolio includes 111 properties totaling 21.2 million square feet.

September 10, 2018

Development Georgia Retail Southeast

Sembler, Berkley Development Break Ground on 166,465 SF Retail Project in Macon, Georgia

by Camren Skelton September 7, 2018

MACON, GA. — A joint venture between The Sembler Co. and Berkley Development has broken ground on North Macon Plaza, a 166,465-square-foot retail project located in Macon, located roughly 83 miles south of Atlanta. The center will be home to Marshalls/HomeGoods, Michaels, Beall’s Outlet, Old Navy, Five Below, Famous Footwear and Lifeway Christian. North Macon Plaza will be situated adjacent to a 600,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops retail facility and distribution center, as well as the Shoppes at River Crossing, a 750,000-square-foot shopping center. The new center is scheduled to open in fall 2019. A second phase of the project could accommodate up to 50,000 square feet, according to the developers.

September 7, 2018

Development Georgia Industrial Southeast

Automotive Supplier to Invest $72M to Expand Manufacturing Facility Near Atlanta

by Camren Skelton September 6, 2018

COVINGTON, GA. — Nisshinbo Automotive Manufacturing Inc. (NAMI), a manufacturer and supplier of brake pads, will invest $72 million to expand its facility in Covington, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal announced on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The expansion will create 100 production and administration jobs at the facility, which is located roughly 35 miles southeast of Atlanta. NAMI, a subsidiary of Japan-based Nisshinbo Group, has maintained a presence in Covington for 20 years. The Covington facility produces friction materials for automotive manufacturers and develops environmentally friendly, copper-free brake pads. According to the governor’s office, Japanese-affiliated companies currently operate more than 500 facilities in Georgia, employing approximately 30,000 people.

September 6, 2018

Development Georgia Office Southeast

Inspire Brands to Locate $32M Global Headquarters in Metro Atlanta

by Camren Skelton September 4, 2018

SANDY SPRINGS, GA. — Multi-brand restaurant company Inspire Brands will locate its global headquarters in Sandy Springs, roughly 20 miles north of Atlanta. The Global Support Center is expected to open in 2019 and will be the corporate hub for Inspire and its portfolio of restaurant brands. Founded in February, Inspire’s portfolio includes more than 4,600 Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and R Taco restaurants worldwide, with combined global system sales of more than $7.6 billion in 2017. The new headquarters is expected to create more than 1,100 jobs in Fulton County over the next six years.

September 4, 2018

Conference Coverage Features Georgia Industrial Retail Southeast Southeast Feature Archive

Retailers Ramp Up Industrial Presence to Service Their Stores, Customers, Say InterFace Panelists

by Camren Skelton September 4, 2018

ATLANTA — While the development pipeline for industrial real estate is at peak capacity, retail’s new store inventory is taking a back seat. Paul Xhajanka, division real estate manager of Kroger, said that his company is breaking from the past when it would open hundreds of stores a year. “If you look at our store count for the next three to five years, we’re only going to open 20 to 25 stores across our various platforms,” said Xhajanka, referring to Kroger’s portfolio of grocery brands, which include Mariano’s, Harris Teeter and Ralphs. “Target is opening 10 to 20 smaller stores a year, and even Walmart is down to 10 stores a year. All of us are shrinking our inventory of new stores down. Retailers are building more distribution centers, not stores.” Xhajanka’s comments were made during the “Industrial Brokers and Expanding Retailers” panel at the first annual Intersection of Industrial and Retail in the Southeast conference, held Thursday, Aug. 23 at the Westin Buckhead in Atlanta. Sponsored by InterFace Conference Group and Southeast Real Estate Business, the half-day event drew more than 170 industrial and retail real estate professionals across the Southeast. Retailers, along with global companies like Amazon and Wayfair, are the …

September 4, 2018

Development Georgia Industrial Southeast

German Manufacturer to Build $45M Facility in Northeast Georgia

by Camren Skelton August 31, 2018

BANKS COUNTY, GA. — SELIT North America, a manufacturer of polystyrene foams and the U.S. affiliate of SELIT Europe, will invest $45 million to build a new manufacturing facility in northeast Georgia’s Banks County. The new facility will create 100 manufacturing and administrative positions. Based in Germany, SELIT Europe produces foams for acoustic and thermal insulation of floating flooring solutions like laminate, parquet and vinyl floors. SELIT North America is family-owned and holds the largest market share in its North American niche market. SELIT’s products are designed for top-tier flooring manufacturers, as well as do-it-yourself customers. A construction timeline for the Banks County facility was not disclosed.

August 31, 2018

Development Georgia Industrial Southeast

Ware Malcomb Completes Design of 615,572 SF Industrial Project Near Atlanta

by Camren Skelton August 31, 2018

BUFORD, GA. — Architecture firm Ware Malcomb has completed design on the new 985 Lanier Logistics Center located on Georgia State Road 13 and Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford, roughly 38 miles northeast of Atlanta. McCraney Property Co. is developing the project, and Evans General Contractor is building the facility. Construction has begun on the project, which will include three buildings totaling 615,572 square feet. The project will be able to accommodate tenants ranging in size from 25,000 to 236,000 square feet. The buildings will feature 32-foot clear heights, 38- to 42-foot dock high doors, tilt-up concrete panels, glass and a framed metal canopy at the building entrance. The project also includes 160 tractor-trailer stalls.

August 31, 2018

Acquisitions Georgia Multifamily Southeast

Berkadia Secures $50M Sale of Apartment Portfolio in Metro Atlanta

by Camren Skelton August 30, 2018

BROOKHAVEN, GA. — Berkadia has arranged the $50 million sale of the Briarwood Park portfolio, a three-property apartment portfolio in Brookhaven, roughly 11 miles north of downtown Atlanta. Paul Vetter, Andrew Mays, Judy MacManus and Matt White of Berkadia arranged the transaction on behalf of the seller, Atlanta-based Marquis Investments. Richard Levine of Berkadia arranged a $38 million Fannie Mae loan for the acquisition on behalf of the buyer, Washington-based Wilkinson Corp. The portfolio includes Northeast Plaza and Terraces at Brookhaven, which Wilkinson will combine into one property and rename The Commons at Briarwood. Located at 3506-3510 Buford Highway, the 344-unit property includes a mix of one- to three-bedroom floor plans and features a swimming pool, playground and laundry facilities. The third property, Epic Gardens, is located at 3460 Buford Highway, adjacent to The Commons at Briarwood, and includes 112 units with a mix of one- to three-bedroom floor plans. The community features private balconies or patios, two swimming pools and laundry facilities.

August 30, 2018

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