AUSTIN, TEXAS — Locally based development and investment firm Rastegar Property Co. has acquired Mueller Square Apartments, a 58-unit multifamily community located near the 700-acre Mueller mixed-use development in Austin. Rastegar acquired the property, which was originally built in 1967, in a joint venture with an unnamed insurance company based in Texas. The new ownership will renovate Mueller Square’s unit interiors, including kitchens, bathrooms, floors, counters and utility systems. The seller was not disclosed.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released plans for the second phase of the state’s plan to reopen the economy at a press conference on Monday afternoon, notably giving bars the option to begin reopening on Friday, May 22. Under the terms of the plan, Texas bars, wine tasting rooms and craft breweries may initially reopen at 25 percent occupancy with regard to indoor seating only. In addition, childcare centers, youth clubs and bowling alleys may begin reopening this week as part of Phase II of the plan. Restaurants may increase their occupancy levels to 50 percent, and Texas public schools now have the option to conduct in-person summer school classes. The order stipulates that all of the above businesses must adhere to proper social distancing guidelines and minimum standard health protocols established by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
HOUSTON — A public-private partnership between Houston-based developer Medistar Corp. and Texas A&M University has branded its new, $401 million medical and engineering campus in Houston and released updated plans for the ensuing phases of construction. The new campus, which is situated on five acres at the intersection of Holcombe Boulevard and Main Street near the Texas Medical Center, will be known as the Texas A&M Innovation Plaza at the Texas Medical Center. New construction plans include the development of Life Tower, a 714-bed student housing building, and Horizon Tower, a 485,000-square-foot medical and academic building. The 17-story Horizon Tower will be constructed atop a 2,700-space parking structure, will include most of the campus’s 15,000 square feet of retail space and is expected to be delivered by or before the first quarter of 2024. Life Tower, along with the parking garage, grade-level retail space and the central “open-air” plaza, is scheduled to be delivered in June 2022. The groundbreaking of this phase of the project is scheduled for late 2020. Development of the campus began earlier this year with the acquisition and renovation of Discovery Tower, an 18-story office building that now houses the university’s EnMed program, which provides students …
HOUSTON — NAI Partners Investment Fund III has acquired Avera Commerce Center, a 245,495-square-foot industrial flex property located in the southwestern Houston suburb of Stafford. The property consists of 16 buildings that are situated on a 14.5-acre tract. Andrew Pappas and Adam Hawkins of NAI Partners closed the deal on behalf of the fund. The seller was not disclosed. Amegy Bank provided acquisition financing for the transaction. Following this acquisition, NAI Partners’ Investment Fund platform now spans more than 1 million square feet of commercial space.
PLANO, TEXAS — Renovo Financial, a Chicago-based private equity lender, has expanded into the Texas market with the opening of a new office in metro Dallas. The firm primarily focuses on providing financial solutions to borrowers that are targeting ground-up or rehabilitation construction projects. Jon Shipley, a real estate professional who previously worked for a regional private lender in Texas, will lead the firm’s new office as managing director. The new office is located at 5700 Tennyson Parkway in Plano.
GREENVILLE, TEXAS — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of a 41,684-square-foot industrial building in Greenville, located northeast of Dallas. The property was built on 5.2 acres in 1980, expanded in 2007 and is leased to Martin Saddlery, a provider of equestrian accessories. Adam Abushagur of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, a private investor, in the transaction. The buyer and additional terms of sale were not disclosed.
DALLAS — JLL has provided Freddie Mac loans for four multifamily properties totaling 1,489 units north of Dallas. The new loans refinance acquisition loans the borrower, an affiliate of Orion Residential Advisors, originally received in 2016. The properties in the portfolio are Orion McKinney, a 453-unit community located in McKinney; Orion McCord Park, a 416-unit community located in Little Elm; Orion Prosper, a 312-unit community in Prosper; and Orion Prosper Lakes, a 308-unit community, also located in Prosper. The assets were completed between 2008 and 2012 with an average unit size of 883 square feet across the portfolio. The properties feature communal amenities such as pools, fitness centers, outdoor entertaining areas and club rooms. “The refinance was critical to our long-term strategic plan for the portfolio,” says Dan Gumbiner, Orion president and CEO. “We were determined to complete the transaction despite the current environment,” referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mona Carlton and Kristopher Lowe of JLL represented the borrower in the refinancing loan transaction. JLL also provided the acquisition loans that the new transaction refinances. HFF, a JLL company and Freddie Mac lender, will service all four loans, which feature 10-year terms and fixed interest rates. Deerfield, Ill.-based Orion specializes …
By Cody Payne, senior vice president, Colliers International. As strong job growth over the past decade has brought more and more investors to Texas, many of these buyers have looked to office product due to the appealing going-in returns that the property type offers. In addition, many cross-product owners look at office investing to make higher returns outside of their current portfolios. As buyers look toward the office market, there are many factors that need to be considered before making an informed decision. Along with these basic considerations, the impacts of COVID-19 on real estate investing are also important to understand when looking at an office deal. The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) market in particular has experienced an influx of cross-product buyers from other asset types such as retail, multifamily and self-storage during this cycle. The higher rate of return is the primary catalyst behind their motivation to purchase office investments. All asset classes are different and so are their opportunities, whether immediate or long-term. Understanding what sets office apart from other types of commercial investments is key to a successful operating strategy. Hidden Costs of Ownership One important factor to consider when buying office properties is that there are many …
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Texas gyms, offices and manufacturing facilities for nonessential goods may begin reopening at reduced capacities on Monday, May 18, pursuant to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order outlining steps of the state’s economic restart. Operators of each of these facilities may reopen at 25 percent of their total listed occupancies. Offices with 20 or fewer employees can reopen with up to five staffers onsite should that number be greater than 25 percent of their total workforce. In addition, locker rooms and showers are to remain closed at gyms and exercise studios. This phase follows the permitted reopenings of salons and barbershops that went into effect on Friday, May 8. As of this morning, Texas had reported about 48,000 cases of COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS — Berkadia has provided $31.7 million in Freddie Mac permanent financing for The Junction at College Station, a student housing community located about five miles from Texas A&M University. The property consists of three-, four- and five-bedroom cottages and townhomes. Amenities include a pool, volleyball court, clubhouse, fitness center, business center and shuttle service to campus. Thomas Genetti of Berkadia arranged the 10-year loan on behalf of the undisclosed borrower.