COLUMBUS, GA. — HFF has brokered the $20.2 million sale of Bradley Park Crossing, a 116,768-square-foot retail power center located at 1591 Bradley Park Drive in Columbus, roughly 100 miles south of downtown Atlanta. The property’s tenant roster includes The Fresh Market, PetSmart, Michael’s and Hibbett Sports. Jim Hamilton, Richard Reid and Mike Allison of HFF represented the seller, DDR Corp., in the transaction. The Rosen Group purchased the asset free and clear of existing debt.
MEBANE, N.C. — CBRE Capital Markets has arranged $16.1 million in financing for White Furniture Mill Apartments in Mebane. The 157-unit apartment community is a substantial rehab of a historic furniture mill that implemented federal and state historic tax credits. Monica Newman of CBRE’s Capital Markets’ Denver office originated the loan through HUD’s 221(d)(4) rehabilitation mortgage insurance program. The loan provides an interest-only construction period of 16 months that transitions into a 40-year, fully amortizing permanent loan. CBRE arranged the loan on behalf of the borrowers, WFP LLC and D3 Development Inc. The project team includes Raleigh-based JDavis Architects and Winston-Salem-based Rehab Builders Inc.
Birmingham’s retail market remained steady in 2014, with approximately 10 percent of the total 24 million square feet available for lease. Birmingham is tracking above national averages relative to new ground-up and rehab projects that are announced or underway. Downward pressure on rents have challenged developers pro-formas, though the very friendly city and state incentives environment has allowed developers to creatively meet tenants conservative occupancy cost requirements. While the Birmingham metro area is challenged by the threat of major closings by retailers like JC Penney, Sears and Kmart, there is a pipeline of first-to-market national retailers eyeing the growth submarkets, including Highway 280, Hoover/ Riverchase and Trussville. New Grocers Enter Market Trader Joe’s recently unveiled plans to open a 12,600-square-foot store at The Summit shopping center in the second half of 2015. Trader Joe’s provides a destination food option for the market. The Summit is leased and managed by Bayer Properties. Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market recently announced it would be entering the Birmingham metro as well. Sprouts’ first local offering will be at Brook Highland Plaza on U.S. 280. The 22,457-square-foot store will serve an array of fresh produce and meats. Additionally, GBT Realty is developing a 25,000-square-foot Sprouts location …
ATLANTA — Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) has opened its new $100 million Porsche Experience Center (PEC) and headquarters in Atlanta. The 27-acre complex, which is located at the northeast corner of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, is the largest investment ever outside Germany for the sports car manufacturer. The facility is complete with a driver development track, classic car gallery, restoration center, human performance center, driving simulator lab and a fine dining restaurant. The property’s business center features 13,000 square feet of conference and event space. An estimated 30,000 guests are expected to visit the PEC each year. PCNA has called the Atlanta area home since 1998. PCNA is now joined by Porsche Financial Services, Porsche Business Services, Porsche Consulting and Mieschke Hofmann & Partners, with all five entities housed at the new facility. Roughly 450 employees will be based at the new headquarters, over 100 of whom fill positions that are new to Georgia.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — HFF has brokered the $107.8 million sale of 101 Independence Center, a 565,694-square-foot, Class A office tower in downtown Charlotte. The 20-story tower is located at the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets, roughly two blocks from the CTC Lynx light rail station, and is connected to the adjacent Charlotte Center City Marriott hotel. Built in 2001, the building features a concierge, food court, restaurants, three-story atrium and three-story underground parking garage. The property was 82.2 percent leased at the time of sale to office and retail tenants such as Bank of America; Northeastern University; Clifton Larson Allen LLP; G4S Solutions; Grier Furr and Crisp PA; Robinson, Bradshaw and Hinson; Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP; Newk’s Eatery; Starbucks Coffee; Uptown Sundries; Subway; Tin Tin Box & Noodles and Showman’s. Ryan Clutter, Zachary Drozda, Kelly Kuykendall and Ryan Eklund of HFF represented the seller, KBS Real Estate Investment Trust, and its asset manager, Gramercy Property Trust Inc. A joint venture between LRC Properties and an undisclosed capital source purchased 101 Independence Center free and clear of existing debt.
CLEARWATER, FLA. — The RADCO Cos., a value-add multifamily investment firm based in Atlanta, has purchased Bay Meadows, a 276-unit apartment community in Clearwater, for $34.2 million. The property is RADCO’s third acquisition in 2015 and its second property in the state of Florida. The apartment community features a 2,500-square-foot leasing center that has a fitness facility, office space and meeting areas. The property also has a pool that overlooks a lake situated in the center of the community. RADCO financed the acquisition using a mixture of Freddie Mac debt and private capital. Built in 1985, the apartment community is located within the master-planned Feather Sound Country Club. The property was 97.1 percent occupied at the time of sale. RADCO plans to invest $3.6 million to upgrade the apartment community and rebrand the community as Ashford at Feather Sound. Since August 2011, RADCO has raised more than $230 million of private capital to fund its purchases.
OWINGS MILLS, MD. — The Greysteel Co. has brokered the $31.7 million sale of New Town Village Center, a 117,593-square-foot grocery-anchored shopping center located at 9700-9780 Groffs Mill Drive in Owings Mills. Constructed in 1996, the shopping center was 98 percent leased at the time of sale to tenants such as Giant Food, Starbucks Coffee, Hair Cuttery, M&T Bank, Merritt Athletic and Ledo Pizza. Gil Neuman of Greysteel’s Mid-Atlantic office led the Greysteel team in representing the seller, Black Oak Associates LLC. Greysteel also procured the buyer, Inland Real Estate Group Inc.
MEMPHIS, TENN. — Love Funding has closed a $10.1 million refinancing loan for Court Square Center, a historic mixed-use development in downtown Memphis. The property comprises three buildings: Lincoln American Tower, the Lowenstein Building and Court Annex 2. The project features 75 market-rate apartments and more than 32,000 square feet of commercial space. The Lowenstein Building and Lincoln American Tower are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Court Square Center was redeveloped from 2006-2009 following a fire in October 2006 at a nearby church that spread to the development, resulting in a loss of the Court Annex building and severe damage to the other two properties. Artin Anvar of Love Funding’s Washington, D.C., office arranged the loan through HUD’s 223(f) loan program. The loan features a low fixed interest rate and a 35-year term. A development team comprising John Basek, C. Yorke Lawson, Chandler and Chandler, Telesis Corp. and New Community Partners co-developed the property’s rehabilitation. The proceeds of the loan will be used us pay off the original debt taken out to redevelop the property.
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Ziegler, a specialty investment bank, has arranged a $66.1 million bond issue for Maryfield Inc., a North Carolina not-for-profit that owns and operates Pennybyrn at Maryfield, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in High Point. Proceeds of the bonds will be used to pay off bonds from 2005 and 2010, fund a debt service reserve fund for the bonds and pay fees and expenses incurred by the sale of the new bonds. Located on 68 acres, Pennybyrn consists of 180 independent living units (131 apartments and 49 cottages); 48 assisted living units (24 standard care and 24 memory care); and 125 skilled nursing beds.
LOUISVILLE, KY. — 908 Development Group, in a joint venture with Harrison Street Real Estate Capital, has begun construction on The Nine at Louisville, a 385-bed, urban infill project located adjacent to the University of Louisville. The Nine at Louisville will be a purpose-built student housing project to serve the students of The University of Louisville and will target students seeking pedestrian access to classrooms, the student center and athletic fields. The Nine at Louisville will be located immediately across the street from the University of Louisville Student Center. The community will consist of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom units. Each floor plan will offer private bathrooms, will be fully furnished and will have finishes such as granite countertops, showerheads with Bluetooth-enabled capabilities, in-unit washer and dryers and stainless steel appliances. Amenities at The Nine will include a resort-style pool, outdoor grilling and gaming areas, business center with cyber café, numerous 24-hour study lounges, tanning beds, a fitness facility and game room. Gated parking will be provided in a covered and secure setting. The Nine at Louisville was designed by Humphrey’s & Partners Architects, with interior design services provided by Sixth River. Whittenberg Construction Co. has been selected as the …
