FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS — Farmers Branch city manager Charles Cox has promoted Allison Cook to director of economic development and tourism for the city of Farmers Branch. Cook has been an employee of Farmers Branch since 2011, when she started the first city program focused on business retention. She was later promoted to economic development manager. The previous director of economic development and tourism John Land, has been promoted to deputy city manager. Cook previously worked for Catalyst Commercial, a real estate analytics company, and was also the leasing manager for another commercial real estate company focused on retail development in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Growth. It is occurring all across the Rio Grande Valley. From the residential sector to the retail development industry, regional statistics indicate there is an overwhelming boom in the Valley. The rise in the region’s population and the increasing number of yearly visits from Mexican nationals, among other factors, are contributing to the boom. The Rio Grande Valley commercial real estate industry has seen steady, consistent growth over the last two years. National retailers looking to incorporate themselves into the local economy or expand their existing business include Main Event Entertainment, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Dave & Busters, Dick’s Sporting Goods, HomeGoods, Chick-fil-A and Walmart. Local and international retailers including Super Cream Restaurant & Bakery, Kurai Sushi Buffet, and Dona Tota are also expanding in the region. Other entities helping to spur growth in the commercial real estate industry are the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) campuses in Edinburg, Harlingen and Brownsville, and a number of large investment retail projects in the upper and mid-valley including the development of the 8,500-seat Bert Ogden Arena in Hidalgo County. Impact of UTRGV The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is less than two years old and boasts …
SAN ANTONIO — On behalf of Calton Investments Inc., JLL has brokered the sale of the Cordoba Apartments in San Antonio. Brugge Properties purchased the 260-unit property. Scott LaMontagne, Moses Siller and Zar Haro led the JLL team in the deal. Cordoba Apartments offers access to I-10 and Loop 410 and features a swimming pool, on-site clothing care facilities and a tennis court. The 149,264 -square-foot, garden-style community consists of 24 two- and three-story residential buildings across nearly eight acres.
CEDAR HILL, TEXAS — Guitar Center has leased 13,349 square feet of junior anchor space at Cedar Hill Pointe, a retail center located at the northwest corner of Pleasant Run Road and U.S. Highway 67 in Cedar Hill. Steve Gray and Phillip Hooks of The Weitzman Group handled negotiations as leasing agents for the shopping center’s owner, along with Cole Burdette and Rob Franks of JLL. The new Guitar Center location is scheduled to open this fall. Other tenants in the shopping center include Jason’s Deli, Sherwin Williams, Sleep Number, FedEx Kinko’s, SAS Shoes and Fantastic Sams.
LAGUNA PARK, TEXAS — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of a 9,100-square-foot retail building in Laguna Park net-leased to Dollar General. Thomas Costello of Marcus & Millichap’s office in The Woodlands secured the buyer, a private partnership. The property is located at Secunda Street and Highway 22.
HOUSTON — NAI Partners has represented Bombshelter Diesel Supply LLC in the lease of a 42,525-square-foot distribution/warehouse space located at 21401 Park Row Drive in Houston. Bombshelter Diesel Supply is a subsidiary of Dieselcore. The company is a diesel core supplier to engine and parts remanufactures, as well as parts distributors. John Ferruzzo and Darren O’Conor of NAI Partners represented the tenant, Bombshelter Diesel Supply LLC, in the negotiations. Darryl Noon and Brain Gammill of Transwestern represented the landlord, MCA Mason Creek Owner LLC.
TERRELL, TEXAS — Lee & Associates, has arranged a lease transaction for a 19,000-square-foot industrial space located at 9752 County Road 310 in Terrell. Brett Lewis of Lee & Associates’ Dallas/Fort Worth office represented the tenant, Axus Paints, in the transaction.
ODESSA, TEXAS — Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital has finalized agreements with the city of Odessa and Eofficial Enterprises to develop a seven-story, 219-room Marriott hotel with a 67,500-square-foot conference center, 323-space parking garage and 27,000-square-foot plaza. Gatehouse Capital also plans to refurbish the historic Ector Theater, originally built in 1951. The Gatehouse team includes general contractor UEB Builders, architect RTKL, hotel operator Aimbridge Hospitality, hotel brand Marriott Hotels and Resorts and structural engineer DCI. Construction is expected to begin in March 2017 and last for 18 months. Founded in 1997, Gatehouse Capital is a national real estate investment and development firm that has launched mixed-use developments such as the W Hollywood Hotel and Residences and W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Hilton Worldwide has opened the DoubleTree by Hilton Arlington DFW South following a $10 million renovation. Located less than five miles from Six Flags Over Texas, AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park, the 237-room, five-story hotel features more than 6,000 square feet of meeting space, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, business center and a round-trip shuttle to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Owned by Admiral Hotel Group LLC and managed by Hotel Equities, the former Admiral Hotel features complimentary Wi-Fi, a 40-inch TV, mini-refrigerator, coffee maker and workspace. Many rooms also provide a pool view, patio and/or balcony.
PLANO and LEWISVILLE, TEXAS — CBRE has arranged the sale of Dominion Legacy Office Center in Plano and Lakeside II Office Center in Lewisville. Developed by Myers & Crow Co. and completed in 2014 and 2015, respectively, both properties are fully leased to single tenants and offer a combined total of 173,214 square feet. The Aztec Fund acquired the assets for an undisclosed price. CBRE’s Gary Carr, Eric Mackey, John Alvarado, Jared Chua, Robert Hill and Pete Van Amburgh arranged the transaction on behalf of Myers & Crow. Dominion Legacy spans 92,250 square feet and serves as the headquarters of CompuCom Systems Inc. Spanning 80,964 square feet, Lakeside II is fully leased to a regional service center of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA).