DURHAM, N.C. — Driftwood Capital has purchased Marriott Raleigh Durham Research Triangle Park, a 225-room hotel located in North Carolina’s Research Triangle area. Built in 1988 at 4700 Guardian Drive in Durham, the hotel marks Driftwood’s third acquisition in the state. Franklin BSP Realty Trust originated a two-year loan with three one-year extension options for the acquisition on behalf of Driftwood Capital. The buyer plans to implement $9 million of renovations at the property, with planned improvements including upgrades to the guest rooms, a new central air system and the introduction of amenities such as a lounge and expanded fitness center.
GOOSE CREEK AND MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — Berkadia has arranged the sale of two multifamily communities totaling 144 units in metro Charleston. The properties, which comprise 72 units each, include Epson Oaks and Churchill Apartments. Faris Capital Partners acquired the communities from Napali Capital for an undisclosed price. Mark Boyce of Berkadia represented the seller in the transaction. Built in 2008, Churchill Apartments is located at 601 Old State Road in Goose Creek. Epson Oaks was built in 2003 and is located at 2000 Epson Plantation Drive in Moncks Corner.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Colliers Mortgage has secured an $8.9 million loan for the refinancing of Northside Townhomes in Spartanburg. The 47-unit property features three-bedroom townhome residences. Amenities at the community include attached garages for select units, off-street parking and access to the Hub City Farmers Market. Bill Mattice and Phillip Cox of Colliers Mortgage orginated the 35-year financing on behalf of the borrower, an entity doing business as Spartanburg RE Investments LLC.
By Christine Espenshade of Newmark Baltimore is an often-overlooked gem of a city along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., and New York City. This waterfront town is home to two major sports teams, a world-class symphony and art museums that rival those in the best cities around the world. Baltimore is more often referenced as the location for various crime TV shows rather than being known as home to two of the top medical facilities in the world — Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical System — Johns Hopkins University, and headquarters for famous companies such as Under Armour, T. Rowe Price and McCormick Spices. The multifamily market in Baltimore is also often overlooked by investors in favor of larger cities. However, to spur the development of top-quality rental products, Baltimore City and Baltimore County offer lucrative property tax abatements for new developments. The region continually sees consistent population growth due to the “eds and meds” nature of the economy, and the lower cost of living when compared to D.C. or Philadelphia attracts a well-educated workforce looking to enjoy the live-work-play lifestyle. The popularity of Baltimore for employers and employees is evident when considering the 35,000 …
ORLANDO, FLA. — The Cordish Cos. has announced plans for a 73,000-square-foot dining and entertainment destination in Orlando. Dubbed Live! at the Pointe Orlando, under the company’s hospitality and entertainment brand, the property will feature a 4,800-square-foot cocktail lounge; 4,600-square-foot bar; and anchor venues Sports & Social and PBR Cowboy Bar. Sports & Social, a restaurant and bar concept, will span 11,700 square feet across two levels, with an LED display for viewing sporting events and social games including skee-ball, foosball, arcades games and shuffleboard. The 8,400-square-foot PBR Cowboy Bar will feature multiple signature bars, private VIP booths and a mechanical riding bull. Live! at the Pointe Orlando is scheduled to open this fall.
NEW ORLEANS — Cushman & Wakefield has brokered the $73 million sale of two hotels located in the Arts/Warehouse District of New Orleans. The properties include Courtyard by Marriott, which comprises 202 rooms, and SpringHill Suites by Marriott, which totals 208 rooms. A group led by Robert Guidry, along with Guidry Land Partners and David Bansmer, acquired the hotels, which are located at 300 Julia St. and 301 St. Joseph St. Bill Murney, Alyson Murney and Craig Hey of Cushman & Wakefield represented the undisclosed seller in the transaction.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Presidium has completed Presidium Park, a 342-unit multifamily community located at 8181 AC Skinner Parkway in Jacksonville. The development features apartments in one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts, ranging from 616 to 1,703 square feet in size. Monthly rents at the community range from $1,450 to $2,875. Amenities at the property include a club room, game lounge, golf simulator and theater room, billiards room, fitness center, coworking lounge, coffee lounge and podcast rooms, situated within an 11,000-square-foot leasing and amenity center. The 400,000-square-foot community also features a rooftop terrace and lounge area, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, grilling stations, a swimming pool, electric vehicle charging stations, a car wash area, dog park and spa and bike storage and repair stations. Dwell Design Studio designed the property.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Taicoon Property Partners has acquired 1899 L, a 152,000-square-foot office building situated along Restaurant Row in Washington, D.C. The property was renovated in 2022, with improvements to the main lobby, elevator cabs, HVAC, conference center, fitness center and bike room. The buyer plans to implement further renovations, including an updated façade, enhanced restrooms and common areas, redesigned retail storefronts and modernization of the amenities and infrastructure. Charlie Smiroldo and Matt Pacinelli of Stream Realty Partners represented Taicoon in the transaction. Stream also serves as the leasing agent for the building, which features available suites ranging from 2,500 to 13,000 square feet. Collins Ege and Bradley Allen of Eastdil Secured represented the undisclosed seller. The sales price was also not disclosed.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Total nonfarm employment in the United States increased by 175,000 jobs in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This marks a departure from the predictions of Dow Jones economists who anticipated a more robust increase of 240,000, according to CNBC. The unemployment rate increased to 3.9 percent, defying expectations that it would remain at 3.8 percent. This brings the rate to its highest since January 2022. The April number falls far below the employment figures of March — which were revised up by 12,000, reaching a new total of 315,000 jobs — as well as the average monthly gain of 242,000 over the prior 12 months. Total nonfarm employment figures for February were revised down by 34,000, leaving the figure at 236,000. Healthcare saw the most significant increase, adding 56,000 jobs. Transportation and warehousing and retail trade were the only other sectors with notable changes. Transportation and warehousing added 22,000 jobs, and the retail trade increased employment by a similar 20,000. Government and construction employment changed little in April, adding 8,000 and 9,000 jobs, respectively. Other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; information; financial activities; professional …
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. has purchased the fee simple interest in a two-hotel complex in downtown Nashville. The properties in the $530 million acquisition include 1 Hotel Nashville, a 215-room hotel, and the 506-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown. Affiliates of Starwood Capital Group, Crescent Real Estate LLC and High Street Real Estate Partners sold the hotels, which they built in 2022. Situated adjacent to Bridgestone Arena and across from the Music City Convention Center, the hotels feature a combined 721 rooms averaging approximately 500 square feet in size, as well as seven food-and-beverage options, including Harriott’s Rooftop. Amenities include a spa with six treatment rooms, two fitness centers, a yoga studio and 33,000 square feet of shared meeting space, including a 9,400-square-foot ballroom and 9,300 square feet of pre-function space.