Southeast

US Economy Adds 150,000 Jobs in October, Falling Short of Expectations

by John Nelson November 3, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Total nonfarm employment in the United States rose by 150,000 jobs in October, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This figure both marks a notable decline from September, which saw the addition of 297,000 jobs, and falls short of expectations for October. Previously, Dow Jones economists predicted a rise of 170,000 for the month, reports CNBC. October’s employment gain is also below the average monthly gain of 258,000 over the previous 12 months. While the sectors of healthcare, government and social assistance saw job gains, manufacturing jobs decreased, which the BLS report attributes to strike activity. Manufacturing employment decreased by 35,000 positions, including a decline of 33,000 in motor vehicles and parts manufacturing. Healthcare, government and social assistance added 58,000, 51,000 and 19,000 jobs, respectively. Construction employment also increased, with the addition of 23,000 jobs. Leisure and hospitality and professional business services saw more modest gains, adding 19,000 and 15,000 jobs, respectively. Other industries saw minimal changes. The unemployment rate ticked up from 3.8 percent in September to 3.9 percent in October, and is the highest unemployment rate since January 2022. Some experts predict that the cooler job market reflected in the report portends …

November 3, 2023

Sembler Co. Founder Mel Sembler Dies at 93

by John Nelson November 3, 2023

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — Mel Sembler, founder of St. Petersburg-based retail real estate development firm The Sembler Co., has passed away at the age of 93, according to a statement from the company. Sembler founded his eponymous real estate company in 1962. To date, it has completed more than 350 developments totaling 29 million square feet. Additionally, the company manages and leases 10 million square feet of retail real estate and has offices in St. Petersburg, Atlanta and Puerto Rico. In a prepared statement, The Sembler Co. stated “his indelible mark will continue to guide us as we honor his legacy. He was the truest friend and leader to all.” Currently, The Sembler Co.’s portfolio includes Belmont Shopping Center in Ruskin, Fla., and North Macon Plaza in Macon, Ga. Sembler is also underway on the development of The Preserve Marketplace in Odessa, Fla., and West Villages Marketplace in Venice, Fla. In metro Atlanta, the company developed The Prado in 2008 and Town Brookhaven in 2010. The retail centers total 345,000 and 441,217 square feet, respectively. Sembler also previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Nauru from 1989 to 1993 and to Italy from 2001 to 2005. He also served …

November 3, 2023

Affordable Housing Development Florida Multifamily Southeast

Universal Destinations, Wendover Housing Break Ground on 20-Acre Affordable Housing Development in Orlando

by John Nelson November 2, 2023

ORLANDO, FLA. — Universal Destinations & Experiences and Wendover Housing Partners have begun construction on Catchlight Crossings, a 20-acre residential district in Orlando. The land was donated by Universal’s not-for-profit Housing for Tomorrow. Situated near the Orange County Convention Center along International Drive, the project will ultimately feature 1,000 affordable housing apartments, onsite amenities and services, 16,000 square feet of retail space, play areas and a transportation center. Some features will include Bezos Academy, a tuition-free preschool, as well as educational opportunities via the nearby University of Central Florida. Amenities will include resort-style pools, a fitness center, game room, cafes, bike and walking paths, a community garden and four acres of open green space. Chase is the primary construction lender for Catchlight Crossings, which will remain an affordable community in perpetuity. The majority of the units – 75 percent — will be designated as affordable and reserved for households with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area’s median income (AMI). Universal Destinations & Experiences and Wendover Housing expect to open the first phase of Catchlight Crossings in 2026.

November 2, 2023

Kentucky Loans Lument Multifamily Southeast

Lument Provides $78.8M HUD-Insured Refinancing for Hub Apartments in Bowling Green, Kentucky

by John Nelson November 2, 2023

BOWLING GREEN, KY. — Lument has provided a $78.8 million loan through HUD’s 223(f) program for The Hub, a 590-unit apartment community in Bowling Green. Ryan Duling of Lument’s Columbus, Ohio office originated the financing, which was underwritten with a low fixed interest rate and a 25-basis-point mortgage insurance premium due to its green classification. The borrower was not disclosed. Built in 2020, The Hub comprises 42 apartment buildings surrounding a central park. Amenities include pickleball courts, a splash pad, pet park and resort-style pools with multiple pavilions and lounge areas, as well as food-and-beverage options.

November 2, 2023

Florida Loans Office Southeast

New York Life Closes $45M Loan for Midtown West Office Building in Tampa

by John Nelson November 2, 2023

TAMPA, FLA. — New York Life Insurance Co. has provided a $45 million loan for Midtown West, an eight-story office building within the 22-acre Midtown Tampa development. Ed Coco, Matt Casey and Lee Weaver of JLL arranged the five-year loan through New York Life on behalf of the borrower, a joint venture between Highwoods Properties and The Bromley Cos. Built in 2021, the 152,000-square-foot Midtown West was fully leased at the time of financing to Prudential, Primo and Nestle.

November 2, 2023

Acquisitions Loans South Carolina Southeast Student Housing

JLL Funds $18.5M Acquisition Loan for Student Housing Community Near Coastal Carolina University

by John Nelson November 2, 2023

CONWAY, S.C. — JLL has provided an $18.5 million Freddie Mac acquisition loan for Bellamy Coastal, a 480-bed student housing community situated near Coastal Carolina University. Built in 2018, the property is located at 300 Bellamy Ave. in Conway, a half-mile east of the university and 10 miles from Myrtle Beach. Amenities include a resort-style pool, sundeck, beach volleyball court, 24-hour fitness center, computer lab, study area, hammock garden and in-apartment security systems. Dan Kearns, Patricia Heminger, Sam Tarter and Katia Novi of JLL originated the five-year, fixed-rate loan on behalf of the borrower, Eastman Residential. The loan will be serviced by JLL Real Estate Capital LLC, a member of Freddie Mac Multifamily’s Optigo network of seller-servicer partners.

November 2, 2023

Alabama Development Loans Mixed-Use Retail Southeast

Benson Capital Partners Joins $2.2B MidCity District in Huntsville as Investment Partner

by John Nelson November 2, 2023

HUNTSVILLE, ALA. — Benson Capital Partners, an investment firm founded by New Orleans Saints owner and New Orleans Pelicans governor Gayle Benson, has invested in MidCity District, a $2.2 billion mixed-use development in Huntsville. The New Orleans-based company has provided a $5.7 million equity investment via its real estate fund, Benson Capital Real Estate I LP, for MidCity Placemakers Retail II, a retail component within MidCity spanning 82,669 square feet. Additionally, Randy Wolfe of Northmarq arranged a $13.8 million loan for MidCity Placemakers Retail II. RCP Cos. is the principal owner of MidCity District, which will ultimately comprise 1,865 residential units, 925 hotel rooms, shops, restaurants, entertainment retail and Class A offices, along with outdoor gathering spaces, including the Orion Amphitheater. “We are excited to further RCP’s vision for MidCity, redefining community spaces,” says Keith Schneider, managing director for Benson Capital’s real estate fund. “MidCity District represents a pioneering vision that aligns with our commitment to investing in transformative projects.”

November 2, 2023

Data Centers Development Georgia Southeast

DC Blox Breaks Ground on $1.2B Data Center Campus in Douglasville, Georgia

by John Nelson November 1, 2023

DOUGLASVILLE, GA. — Data center developer and operator DC Blox has broken ground on a $1.2 billion data center campus in Douglasville, about 22 miles west of Atlanta. Situated on a 55-acre site, the two-story data center campus will feature 12 data halls totaling 750,000 square feet. Tenants will have access to 180 megawatts of power and will be connected to DC Blox’s nearly 500-mile dark fiber route, which is slated for completion before the end of the year. The east-west fiber path will connect the company’s major hubs in Atlanta to its holdings in Augusta and on to its newly opened DC Blox Cable Landing Station in Myrtle Beach. Initial customer move-ins at the Douglasville campus is expected for third-quarter 2025. DC Blox is using tax incentives coordinated by Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership to help fund the development. The design-build team includes Evans General Contractors, DLB Associates, Bennett & Pless and Corgan, Thomas & Hutton.

November 1, 2023

Development Georgia Southeast Student Housing

Joint Venture Underway on 798-Bed Student Housing Tower Near Georgia Tech in Midtown Atlanta

by John Nelson November 1, 2023

ATLANTA — A joint venture between LV Collective, Kayne Anderson Real Estate and Pacific Life is underway on a new student housing tower in Atlanta. Dubbed Rambler Atlanta, the property will house 798 student housing beds in 215 units comprising one-, two-, four-, five- and six-bedroom configurations. The 457,000-square-foot property will be located at 736 Peachtree St. NE in Midtown Atlanta, which is within the Tech Square neighborhood opposite the interstate from the Georgia Tech campus. Amenities at Rambler Atlanta will include the second location of the Daydreamer café, a “study mezzanine” with coworking space and private study rooms, a resident lounge, fitness center and a rooftop pool and hot tub. The joint venture plans to deliver Rambler Atlanta by fall 2025. Project partners include architect Niles Bolton Associates, general contractor JE Dunn, interior designer Archie Bolden, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and landscape architect Ironwood DDG. TSB Capital Advisors consulted on the joint partnership and construction financing. Pacific Life is providing debt for the project. Earlier this year, LV Collective delivered the nearby Whistler, a 565-bed student housing community at 859 Spring St. NW.

November 1, 2023

Affordable Housing Development Florida Multifamily Southeast

Related Urban Opens Two Affordable Housing Communities in Miami Totaling 497 Units

by John Nelson November 1, 2023

MIAMI — Related Urban, the affordable housing and mixed-income division of Related Group, has opened Robert King High and Paseo Del Rio, two newly completed affordable housing communities in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. The 315-unit Robert King High project is the substantial rehab of an elderly public housing high-rise built in 1964. The property is reserved for low-income seniors housing citizens and comprises residential towers, a one-story clubhouse that was also overhauled and a 1,500-square-foot convenience store. Paseo del Rio is a 182-unit, seven-story residential tower reserved for households earning 30, 60 and 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). Amenities will include a multipurpose room, fitness center, business center, dog park, bike storage, outdoor grill areas, resident courtyard and a 3,000-square-foot Pinecrest Bakery shop, which is set to open in early 2024. Robert King High and Paseo del Rio are now fully leased and occupied. The properties represent the fourth and fifth phases of the River Parc master plan, which will ultimately comprise 2,500 affordable housing, workforce housing and market-rate apartments. Full completion of the master plan’s 10 phases is slated for 2027.

November 1, 2023

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