Strategically located within a day’s drive of 50 percent of the U.S. population, the Richmond metropolitan area has experienced immense growth driven by increased millennial demand, arterial connectivity, a pro-business environment, low cost of living and overall high quality of life, cementing its position as one of the leading Southeastern U.S. markets for employment and capital investment alike. The Richmond market’s strong trajectory is attracting interest from new to the market capital sources, including Brookwood Capital, TPA Group and Ashley Capital, as well as significant corporate investment from the likes of Dominion Energy, Kinsale Insurances and Altria Group. The industrial market in particular has seen robust growth with reported user demand doubling year over year to nearly 6 million square feet as of July 2019 — an all-time high according to Colliers International research. The strength of user demand has resulted in the market’s high bay vacancy rate receding to 5.6 percent and significant speculative and build-to-suit development, including Panattoni’s recently completed Virginia’s I-95 Logistics facility that was 100 percent preleased during construction to Brother International and Amazon. With no shortage of user demand, Richmond’s industrial market is expected to remain a highly desirable market to invest as noted in …
TYSONS, VA. — American Real Estate Partners has purchased 1660 International Drive, an eight-story, 212,731-square-foot office building in Tysons. The property is situated 14 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C. The building was 99 percent leased at the time of sale. AREP plans to upgrade the main lobby and common areas, as well as improve the conference facilities, collaborative spaces and outdoor lounge areas. The seller and price were not disclosed.
With easy access to the James River, hiking trails and a burgeoning culinary scene, the Richmond region has won numerous accolades for its quality of life. The city remains a top destination for college graduates and young professionals, as well as families and retirees. Apartment demand is fueled by both a growing millennial population and increasing number of empty-nesters who are downsizing. Renters continue to seek accessible apartment communities that are highly walkable with comfortable amenities. As a result, both urban and suburban markets are experiencing an influx of rental demand. The Richmond apartment market continues to experience rising rental rates and interest from out-of-town investors. Apartment rents in Richmond have increased every year since 2012 but remain relatively affordable. The average effective rent reached $1,113 per unit after increasing approximately 3.8 percent over the past 12 months. Accordingly, developers and investors have responded to the steady demand and continue to be bullish on the Richmond market, especially for apartments. There are currently more than 4,000 apartment units under construction, marking a post-recession peak for construction activity. Apartment sales have accounted for more than 50 percent of all commercial real estate transactions during the first half of 2019. Additionally, institutional …
NORFOLK, VA. — Generation Income Properties Inc. has acquired two office buildings totaling 106,621 square feet in Norfolk for $18.9 million. The portfolio included a 71,774-square-foot building occupied by a general services administration and international shipping company Maersk. The other property is a 34,847-square-foot office building fully leased to PRA Group. Scott Adams, Pat Mugler, Gray Randolph and Will Bradley of Colliers represented the seller, Virginia Beach-based Robinson Development Group, in the transaction.
PUNTA GORDA, FLA. AND WILLIAMSBURG, VA. — Branch Properties LLC has acquired two grocery-anchored shopping centers in the Southeast for $47 million. The two properties are Burnt Store Marketplace in Punta Gorda and Lightfoot Marketplace in Williamsburg. Branch Properties acquired the 95,625-square-foot Burnt Store Marketplace for $17 million. A 46,500-square-foot Publix anchors the center, which includes four undeveloped outparcels. The center was 88 percent leased at the time of sale to tenants including Anytime Fitness, Pet Supermarket and The Home Depot, which was not a part of the sale. Built in 1989, the center was fully renovated in 2017 as part of Publix’s store replacement and expansion. Lightfoot Marketplace spans 116,023 square feet and was 85 percent occupied at the time of sale to tenants including anchor Harris Teeter, Great Clips, SunTrust Bank, Pet Valu and Panera Bread. Atlanta-based Branch Properties bought the center for $30 million. The sellers were not disclosed.
LYNCHBURG, VA. — SunTrust Banks Inc. has provided $30.9 million in Fannie Mae financing for Liberty Ridge, a 171-unit independent living and assisted living seniors community in Lynchburg. The borrower is Runk & Pratt, a family-owned operator of seniors housing communities in the Lynchburg market. The loan will refinance the acquisition loan that Runk & Pratt used to buy the property in 2016. Liberty Ridge was originally constructed in 2014. Joshua Hausfeld of SunTrust CRE Seniors Housing & Healthcare Finance originated the fixed-rate, non-recourse, 10-year loan with a 30-year amortization schedule.
Virginia’s capital city added more jobs in 2018 than in 2017 and 2016 combined. The addition of 11,000 jobs in 12 months aided a 7 percent population growth since 2010 and a median household income increase of $10,000 since 2016. With only 2.9 percent unemployed, residents now have more disposable income to shop. Richmond’s rapid growth brought vacancies to the lowest they’ve been in almost 15 years. At 4.7 percent, vacancy is near the cycle’s lowest trough of 4.5 percent in late 2005. Grocery store competition and limited speculative construction are driving down vacancies. In January, Food & Wine magazine published that Richmond was “Secretly the Supermarket Capital of America.” Publix’s takeover of Martin’s gave the Florida-based grocer a foothold, and new Publix stores are coming by the fourth quarter of 2019 in Westpark Shopping Center, Swift Creek and The Village Shopping Center. Kroger retains the highest market share despite operating only 18 stores compared to Food Lion’s 48. At last count, Aldi stores number 11, The Fresh Market four and Lidl six. With only two stores, however, Wegmans is the per-store average sales leader. Besides grocers, other expanding big box users include Launch Trampoline Park, Burlington, Conn’s HomePlus and …
FALLS CHURCH, VA. — Sachs Cos. and Blackfin Real Estate Investors have purchased Loren Falls Church, a mixed-use property in Falls Church, for $70 million. Loren Falls Church comprises 185 multifamily units and 13,577 square feet of retail space. The property was built in 2017 and was 97 percent occupied at the time of sale. Communal amenities for residents include a swimming pool, fitness center, outdoor lounge, living room lounge and a community kitchen. Retail tenants include Orangetheory Fitness and Casual Pint. Located at 6410 Arlington Blvd., the asset is situated 10 miles west of National Landing, the future home of Amazon HQ2. The seller was not disclosed, although according to multiple media reports, Bozzuto was the seller and developer.
ASHBURN, VA. — JLL has negotiated the $141 million sale of Atley on the Greenway, a 496-unit, transit-oriented apartment complex in Ashburn. The property is situated at 21827 High Rock Terrace, less than one mile from the Ashburn Metro Station and 30 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C. The community offers one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans averaging 1,001 square feet. Forty of the units are designated affordable housing. Communal amenities include two swimming pools, an outdoor fireside lounge, poolside barbecue and picnic areas, playground, 24-hour fitness center, multi-station business center, indoor lounge with fireplace, demonstration kitchen and a dining area. Walter Coker and Brian Crivella of JLL represented the seller, Northwestern Mutual, in the transaction. The buyer was Fairfield Residential.
At the mid-year mark, the greater Richmond area industrial market has continued to strengthen, closing with an overall occupancy rate of 91 percent in the categories being tracked (Class A, B, C vacant and investor-owned product with a minimum of 40,000 square feet total RBA). Class A occupancy increased slightly from 89 percent at the end of the first quarter to 91 percent at the end of the second quarter, and the majority of the Class A vacancy is attributed to a vacancy approaching 800,000 square feet in the former Ace Hardware facility in Prince George’s County. Ashley Capital purchased the property in early July for $21.7 million and will be offering the facility for lease. Class B occupancy has also experienced an increase to 92 percent, up from 89 percent at the end of the first quarter. CoStar Group reports overall industrial occupancy at 96 percent for product of all sizes, including investor-owned facilities, but excluding flex space (minimum 50 percent office). Richmond’s strategic Mid-Atlantic location along Interstate 95 provides access to 55 percent of the nation’s consumers within two days’ delivery by truck. In addition to being the northernmost right to work state on the Eastern Seaboard, Virginia …