Top Stories

Millennium Partners Secures $775M Construction Financing for Mixed-Use Tower in Downtown Boston

by Katie Sloan October 16, 2020

BOSTON — Millennium Partners Boston, a local arm of developer Millennium Partners, has secured $775 million in construction financing from Cale Street Investments for Winthrop Center, a $1.3 billion mixed-use development located in downtown Boston. Upon completion, the project is expected to feature 812,000 square feet of Class A office space; 572,000 square feet of residential space including 321 luxury residential units; and a 24,000-square-foot common area featuring a fitness center, game room, coffee bar, cafe and lounge space. “Securing the construction loan from Cale Street Investments — an unprecedented investment given the global pandemic — assures that Winthrop Center will remain on schedule for completion in 2022,” says Christopher Jeffries, founder of Millennium Partners. “From its inception, human-centric design, sustainability and flexible workspaces have formed the foundation of Winthrop Center. With innovation a core part of Boston’s DNA, the city is the perfect home for this building.” The project was designed by Handel Architects to provide ample access to natural light and elevated indoor air quality in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The development will seek LEED Gold certification for its residential units and LEED Platinum certification for its office space upon completion, which is slated for 2022. Founded …

October 16, 2020

Development Mixed-Use North Carolina Southeast Top Stories

Hoffman & Associates Plans $300M Redevelopment of Seaboard Station in Raleigh

by Alex Tostado October 15, 2020

RALEIGH, N.C. — Hoffman & Associates has unveiled its plans for a $300 million redevelopment of the Seaboard Station neighborhood on the northern edge of downtown Raleigh. The Washington, D.C.-based developer plans to build the mixed-use project in three phases, beginning with the construction of 300 residential units and 30,000 square feet of retail space. Upon full build-out, the new Seaboard Station plans call for three apartment buildings totaling 600 units, 130,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel and underground parking. The central corridor of the project will also feature a street without curbs, making the area accessible to pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists, while also available for expanded outdoor dining, music, events and gatherings. Hoffman & Associates plans to break ground on Phase I by the end of the year, with completion expected by the third quarter of 2022. A timeline for further phases was not disclosed. Seaboard Station was originally built in 1942 and the neighborhood has since undergone multiple transformations. The property initially served as a train depot until 1986. In the early 1990s, the Logans, a locally based entrepreneurial family, restored the property, spurring development around the area, including the development of Shops at Seaboard Station …

October 15, 2020

Development Illinois Midwest Office Top Stories

Howard Hughes, Riverside Open 55-Story Office Tower Along Chicago River

by Kristin Harlow October 14, 2020

CHICAGO — The Howard Hughes Corp. and Riverside Investment & Development have opened 110 North Wacker Drive, a 55-story office tower situated along the Chicago River. The 1.5 million-square-foot project is the tallest office building completed in the city in the last three decades, according to the developers. Bank of America is the anchor tenant. Other opening-day tenants include real estate investment advisor Heitman, global investment bank Lincoln International and law firms Jones Day and Morgan Lewis. Construction began in summer of 2018. Although no development cost was disclosed, Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase provided a $495 million construction loan at that time. The Class A tower features a 45-foot-wide riverwalk on its ground level. The covered area, which connects two downtown pedestrian paths and a small park, offers 22,000 square feet of public space. The project features technology designed to maximize overall health and wellness. This includes best-in-class HVAC systems, advanced dispatch elevators and a customized app that provides touchless building access, transportation information, event listings and the ability to book fitness and spa activity. Several enhancements have been added to address COVID-19 concerns, including advanced secondary air filtration systems, more air changes per hour than most …

October 14, 2020

Acquisitions Company News Georgia Industrial Southeast Top Stories

Americold Acquires Cold Storage Owner Agro Merchants Group for $1.7B

by John Nelson October 13, 2020

ATLANTA AND SCHIPHOL, NETHERLANDS — Americold Realty Trust (NYSE: COLD) has agreed to acquire Agro Merchants Group, a privately held cold storage warehouse owner based in The Netherlands, for $1.74 billion. Atlanta-based Americold entered into the agreement with Agro Merchants’ owner, an investor group led by funds managed by Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital Management LP. The move will give Americold its first cold storage properties in Europe. Agro Merchants, which has its North American headquarters in Alpharetta, Ga., owns and operates 46 cold storage properties in 10 countries. The company is the fourth largest cold storage owner in the United States and third largest in Europe. Agro Merchants serves more than 2,900 customers across multiple industries. “We are confident that by joining Americold, we will accelerate our growth and by combining our complementary networks, we will be able to provide a more comprehensive range of solutions to customers around the world,” says Carlos Rodriguez, CEO of Agro Merchants. Americold is the only publicly traded REIT specializing in cold storage, which is seeing an influx of investment and leasing demand since the onset of the pandemic. According to a June report from Vyzn Research, the global cold storage sector is estimated …

October 13, 2020

Development Hospitality Mississippi Southeast Top Stories

Universal Music, Dakia U-Ventures Plan $1.2B Entertainment Destination in Biloxi

by Taylor Williams October 12, 2020

BILOXI, MISS. — A joint venture between California-based Universal Music Group (UMG) and hospitality investment firm Dakia U-Ventures has unveiled plans for a $1.2 billion hotel and music-themed entertainment destination in the coastal Mississippi city of Biloxi. The new development will be the first of the joint venture’s UMUSIC Hotels, with additional locations coming to Atlanta and Orlando. Each hotel and entertainment district is designed to educate guests on the city’s musical heritage and will feature new venues for live performances. Pyramid Hotel Group, a Boston-based hospitality management firm, has also partnered with UMG and Dakia to operate the hotels. The new hotel and entertainment venue in Biloxi will be developed at the site of the former Broadwater resort. A construction timeline was not released. The number of hotel rooms was not disclosed, and the joint venture did not specify whether or not the development will include a casino, as many hospitality properties in Biloxi do. Should the project feature a casino, the hotel would then be legally required to have at least 300 rooms, according to regional news outlet nola.com. Local media outlets have also reported that the price tag of $1.2 billion would make the project the most …

October 12, 2020

Company News Restaurant Retail Southeast Tennessee Top Stories

Ruby Tuesday Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection, Closes 185 Restaurants

by Katie Sloan October 9, 2020

MARYVILLE, TENN. — Ruby Tuesday Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with plans to permanently close 185 restaurants that were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s 236 open locations will remain operational throughout the reorganization process. The Maryville, Tennessee-based chain is the latest restaurant group to fall victim to the economic pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. California Pizza Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 protection in July citing similar struggles. “This announcement does not mean ‘Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday’ — this is ‘Hello, to a stronger Ruby Tuesday’,” said CEO Shawn Lederman in a statement Wednesday, playing off the lyrics to the popular Ruby Tuesday song recorded by The Rolling Stones, which was released prior to the company’s founding in 1972. In response to the pandemic, Ruby Tuesday implemented a number of new practices including an expansion of third-party delivery and off-premise services, the introduction of a virtual kitchen initiative and the launch of ‘Ruby’s Pantry,’ an option which allows customers to purchase uncooked food, groceries and other essentials for delivery through the company’s website. With in-store dining historically representing over 90 percent of the company’s total sales, these initiatives are expected to play a part in Ruby’s Tuesday’s …

October 9, 2020

Development Mixed-Use Texas Top Stories

Centurion American Breaks Ground on $300M Mixed-Use Development in Metro Dallas

by Alex Tostado October 8, 2020

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS — Centurion American Development Group has broken ground on City Point, a 52-acre mixed-use development in the Dallas suburb of North Richland Hills. Development costs were not disclosed, but D Magazine reports it will cost the Farmers Branch, Texas-based developer $300 million. City Point will comprise 400 to 600 multifamily units, 60,000 square feet of commercial space, a trail system, outdoor greenspace and 366 single-family homes, including bungalows and townhomes. The commercial space will include office, retail and restaurant space. The City of North Richland Hills and Tarrant County each contributed a cap of $4.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively, through a Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) for infrastructure improvements surrounding the development. Cleveland-based NRP Group will build the apartment units, Plano, Texas-based CB Jeni Homes will construct the townhomes and Gunter, Texas-based New Synergy Homes will build the bungalow homes portion of the development. A developer for the commercial space was not disclosed. City Point is situated at the former site of North Mills Mall, which closed in 2004 and was torn down in 2007, according to D Magazine. The site has sat vacant since. The property is located along Grapevine Highway near Interstate 280, …

October 8, 2020

Development Georgia Mixed-Use Southeast Top Stories

Pinewood Atlanta Studios Rebrands, Unveils 935-Acre Master Development

by Kristin Harlow October 7, 2020

ATLANTA — Pinewood Atlanta Studios, home of blockbuster films such as Avengers: Endgame, has rebranded as Trilith Studios and unveiled a new 935-acre master development in South Atlanta. The project includes the studio as well as businesses, custom homes, “micro villages,” restaurants and schools, all aimed at servicing the film and creative industries. Plans call for more than 220,000 square feet of new spaces on the campus, including a “Creative Office Centre” designed to house content and technology companies as well as 60,000 square feet of stages with computer-generated production technologies. Trilith Development LLC says it “aims to connect business with lifestyle through a European-inspired town that serves as the development’s cultural center.” Construction on the walkable community began two years ago with plans to house 5,000 residents in 1,400 homes, including 600 multifamily units. Barleygarden Kitchen & Craft Bar is the first of 12 food concepts to complement the shops in Town Centre, a 270,000-square-foot retail development. Half of the project is dedicated to green space. Residents will have access to 15 miles of nature trails and 19 landscaped parks. Plans also call for Piedmont Wellness Center, The Forest School and a 60,000-square-foot fitness facility. The Georgia Film Academy …

October 7, 2020

Acquisitions Healthcare Midwest Ohio Seniors Housing Top Stories

Welltower Sells $1.3B of Seniors Housing and Outpatient Medical Facilities; CEO Steps Down

by John Nelson October 6, 2020

TOLEDO, OHIO — Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL) has sold three separate portfolios totaling $1.3 billion in value. The portfolios comprise 11 seniors housing facilities in the Western United States, six seniors housing communities in Massachusetts and 20 outpatient medical facilities across five states. Separately, Welltower also announced on Monday a strategic personnel change in the C-suite as the Toledo-based REIT promoted Shankh Mitra from chief operating officer to CEO effective immediately. Tom DeRosa is stepping down from his role as CEO after six years. Mitra will also retain his chief investment officer title. Details of seniors housing sales The sales price of the Western portfolio totaled $702 million, or $466,000 per unit. The unnamed properties are situated in California, Washington and Nevada and have an average age of 12 years. Welltower’s previous ownership stake in the portfolio was 80 percent. The buyer was not disclosed. The sales price of the Massachusetts portfolio totaled $200 million, or $395,000 per unit. The unnamed properties have an average age of 19 years. Welltower is reducing its ownership stake from 95 percent to 20 percent. The remaining 80 percent of the portfolio will be owned by a fund co-managed by Taurus Investment Holdings and …

October 6, 2020

Company News Retail Southeast Tennessee Top Stories

Regal Cinemas to Temporarily Suspend All U.S. Theater Operations Beginning Oct. 8

by Taylor Williams October 5, 2020

KNOXVILLE, TENN. — Regal Cinemas will temporarily suspend operations at all of its 536 U.S. theaters beginning Thursday, Oct. 8. British owner-operator Cineworld (LON: CINE) owns Knoxville, Tenn.-based Regal Cinemas, which has about 7,000 screens across its U.S. portfolio of theaters. Cineworld also announced plans to close all of its theaters in the United Kingdom this week. The closures will impact about 40,000 employees, according to Cineworld. “This is not a decision we made lightly, and we did everything in our power to support a safe and sustainable reopening in the United States,” says Mooky Greidinger, CEO of Cineworld. “From putting in place robust health and safety measures at our theaters to joining our industry in making a collective commitment to the CinemaSafe protocols to reaching out to state and local officials to educate them on these initiatives, we are grateful for and proud of the hard work our employees put in to adapt our theaters to the new protocols,” he adds. While theaters in several major markets, most notably New York City, remain closed, many large cities have permitted theaters to reopen at limited capacities in recent weeks. Venues located in Manhattan’s famous Broadway District that showcase plays also …

October 5, 2020

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