CITRUS PARK, FLA. — ECHO Realty LP has acquired Westgate Plaza, a 100,000-square-foot shopping center in Citrus Park, approximately 16 miles northwest of Tampa, Fla. Publix anchors the shopping center with a 55,000-square-foot store. The property also features two outparcels leased to SunTrust Bank and Fifth Third Bank. ECHO Realty purchased the shopping center from a joint venture between Kimco and GE Capital, owners of the center since 2007. ECHO has appointed Orlando, Fla.-based Crossman & Co. to manage and lease the property.
Southeast
WASHINGTON, D.C. — First Market Properties (FMP) has closed on a loan portfolio of five apartment properties in the metro Washington, D.C., area. The REO transaction includes Class B communities totaling 1,188 units. The communities include the 410-unit Forest Village in Suitland, Md.; the 349-unit Shadyside Gardens in Suitland; the 131-unit Marlow Tower in Temple Hills, Md.; the 126-unit Marlow Garden in Temple Hills; and the 172-unit Marlow Heights in Temple Hills.
FORT MYERS, FLA. — Skanska has signed a contract with Lee Memorial Hospital System’s Golisano Children’s Hospital in Fort Myers to construct a new patient tower and renovate the existing main facility. Skanska is building the project in a joint venture with Gates Construction. The total contract value is $144 million, with Skanska’s share equating to approximately $108 million. The eight-story patient tower will include a pediatric emergency department and the new patient pavilion will hold about 160 beds. The renovation and construction are set to begin in the spring and wrap up in April 2017.
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — Grandbridge Real Estate Capital has arranged $33.3 million in first mortgage financing for the acquisition of The Boulevard Apartments in Mount Pleasant. The 325-unit apartment community features 10,000 square feet of retail space that will include a restaurant and spa. The property also includes a pool and fitness center. Mike Ortlip of Grandbridge originated the loan through a life insurance company. Josh Davis of Grandbridge also assisted in the transaction.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — CBRE’s national student housing team has arranged the $18.5 million sale of 400 Meeting Street, a 41-unit student housing community in Charleston. CMB Properties LLC purchased the community from Davis Property Group. The 160-bed property was fully leased at the time of sale. The property was built in 2013 and features fully furnished units with hardwood-style flooring, black appliances and washer/dryers. Ryan Lang, Ryan Reid, Jaclyn Fitts and Phil Brosseau of CBRE brokered the sale. Greystar Student Living manages the community, which is within walking distance of The College of Charleston.
MONTGOMERY, ALA. — Multi Housing Advisors (MHA) has arranged the sale of the 224-unit Bell Station and the 28-unit Watchman Court, two contiguous apartment communities located at 3201 and 3301 Watchman Drive in Montgomery. The communities had an average 93 percent occupancy at the time of sale. The sales price was undisclosed. Jimmy Adams of MHA’s Birmingham, Ala., office represented the sellers, Tritex Real Estate Advisors and Watchman Court Ltd., in the transaction. EBSCO Watchman Dr. LLC was the buyer. Chad Hagwood of Beech Street Capital arranged a Freddie Mac acquisition loan.
TAMPA, FLA. — Atlanta-based Industrial Developments International (IDI) has signed HD Supply Facilities Maintenance Ltd., a maintenance and repairs product supplier, to a 229,308-square-foot lease. HD Supply will lease space in Madison Business Center, a Class A industrial park in Tampa. The property features 30-foot clear ceiling heights and trailer storage. The tenant will use the space as a distribution center for janitorial suppliers. Brian Rettig and Kevin Hoover of CBRE represented HD Supply in the transaction. Rick Narkiewicz, also with CBRE, represented IDI.
BOCA RATON, FLA. — A joint venture partnership between Rosemurgy Properties, Giles Capital Group and Lewis Rental Properties has broken ground on University Park, the first purpose-built student housing project in Boca Raton. The 159-unit, 279,097-square-foot community will be located at 135 N.W. 20th St. The 598-bed community will feature units with modern furnishings, flat-screen TVs, washer/dryers and private bathrooms. The amenity package includes a two-story clubhouse, student lounge, juice bar, 24-hour fitness facilities, tanning beds, video gaming rooms, computer labs, study and conference rooms and vending areas. The off-campus community will serve students of both Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College. The project team includes architect RLC Architects, general contractor Current Builders, interior designer Childs/Dreyfus Group and property manager Innovative Student Housing. HFF arranged construction financing for the development. University Park will open to students in the summer of 2015.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) has arranged the $16.1 million sale of North Charleston Center, a 236,025-square-foot shopping center located at 5900 Rivers Ave. in Charleston. The property was 87 percent leased at the time of sale to Northern Tool + Equipment, Petco, Dollar Tree, dd’s Discount and Citi Trends. Popeye’s Chicken and McDonald’s are outparcel tenants. Mark Hillis and Whitney Knoll of NGKF represented the seller, DDR Corp., in the transaction. Atlanta-based Monarch Investments Group purchased the property. Cantor Commercial Real Estate, a sister company of NGKF, provided acquisition financing.
ATLANTA — CBRE Global Investors has acquired Alexander on Ponce, which is located at 144 Ponce De Leon Ave. N.E. in Atlanta. The 330-unit apartment community features panoramic city views, two courtyard and garden areas, a fully-equipped fitness center and a business center. Equity Residential sold the property for an undisclosed price. Derrick Bloom and David Gutting of Jones Lang LaSalle's Capital Markets team represented the seller in the transaction.