Top Stories

Greenberg Gibbons Begins Development of $350M Towson Row Project in Baltimore County

by Kristin Harlow June 8, 2018

TOWSON, MD. — Greenberg Gibbons has kicked off construction of the $350 million Towson Row mixed-use project in downtown Towson, about 10 miles north of Baltimore. The 1.2 million-square-foot development will be built on a five-acre site bounded by York Road, Towsontown Boulevard, Washington Avenue and Chesapeake Avenue. Plans call for over 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 150,000 square feet of Class A office space, 300 student housing units, a hotel and 250 high-rise residential units. Greenberg Gibbons is leading the development in a joint venture with Caves Valley Partners, an urban infill real estate developer based in Baltimore. Gilbane Development Co. has been selected to build the student housing portion of the project, which will house students of nearby Towson University. Home to more than 20,000 students, Towson University is located in downtown Towson and is part of the University System of Maryland. Shamin Hotels will develop the hotel, the brand of which has not yet been disclosed. Towson Row is expected to generate $220 million in annual business sales, create 5,500 jobs (2,000 permanent jobs and 3,500 construction jobs) and, when fully occupied, generate $92 million in annual employee compensation. At the kickoff celebration, Greenberg Gibbons also …

June 8, 2018

Acquisitions Massachusetts Office Top Stories

TA Realty Arranges $418M Sale of Office Tower in Boston’s Financial District

by Camren Skelton June 7, 2018

BOSTON — TA Realty LLC has arranged the $418 million sale of 28 State Street, a 40-story office tower located at the intersection of Congress and State streets in Boston’s Financial District. A joint venture between Rockefeller Group U.S. Premier Office Fund LP and Mitsubishi Estate New York sold the asset to a domestic institutional investor. The building includes 572,000 square feet of office space, and was 95 percent leased at the time of sale to financial services and law firms. In addition, 28 State Street includes 7,000 square feet of retail space. TA Realty managed the building and provided advisory services on behalf of the joint venture, helping the ownership group enhance the property’s value through operational and capital improvements. “The asset quality and ideal location together with strong market fundamentals made 28 State Street a highly compelling acquisition opportunity,” says Jim Raisides, partner at TA Realty. “We believe the purchase price reflects the value we helped create over the ownership period.” Designed by Emery Roth & Sons and originally constructed in 1968, 28 State Street was completely renovated in the late 1990s. Enhancements were made to the building’s infrastructure and systems, lobby and outdoor spaces. The tower is one …

June 7, 2018

Acquisitions Multifamily New Jersey New York Northeast Top Stories

Gebroe-Hammer Arranges $327.8M Sale of Multifamily Portfolio in New Jersey

by David Cohen June 6, 2018

HUDSON COUNTY, N.J. — Gebroe-Hammer Associates has arranged the sale of a 118-building, 2,137-unit multifamily portfolio in Hudson County. The Gateway Portfolio was separated into six packages, which sold for a total of $327.8 million. The properties are located throughout Jersey City, West New York, North Bergen, Guttenberg and Union City. Nicholas Nicolaou of Gebroe-Hammer represented the seller, a private investor, in the transaction. “The Gateway Portfolio in its entirety and as separate packages presented an extremely rare multifamily investment opportunity,” says Nicolaou. “It marked the highest concentration of for-sale stabilized assets in Hudson County ever to come to market at a time when asking rents for this apartment submarket are expected to advance upward of 6 percent over the next few years.” The largest of the six packages sold for $190.6 million and involved 67 buildings and 1,272 units in West New York, Jersey City, North Bergen and Guttenberg. The second largest package sold for $97 million and involved 35 buildings and 588 units in Jersey City. The buyer in both transactions was Optimum Holdings LLC. Rounding out the sale of the portfolio was another Jersey City deal which brought $190,000 per unit, two separate transactions in Union City …

June 6, 2018

Development Mixed-Use Property Type Texas Top Stories

McNair Interests to Develop $500M Mixed-Use Project in Houston’s Uptown District

by John Nelson June 5, 2018

HOUSTON – McNair Interests, a private investment and management company founded by Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, has revealed plans to transform a vacant six-acre site in Houston’s Uptown District. The price tag for the 1.2 million-square-foot mixed-use development was not disclosed, but the Houston Business Journal reports the project is estimated to cost upwards of $500 million to complete. Located at 3200 Post Oak Blvd. near the intersection of Post Oak Boulevard and Richmond Avenue, the project will feature a Rosewood Hotel with luxury residences, multifamily tower, Class A office tower, chef-driven dining concepts, high-end retailers, green space and structured parking. “This is a defining development for McNair Interests and the city of Houston,” says Cary McNair, chairman and CEO of McNair Interests. “Our vision redefines the southernmost entrance of Post Oak Boulevard and the Uptown District, fusing a distinctive, sophisticated design with Houston’s future. We are excited for what this project will bring to our city and to visitors from around the world.” Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will manage the new hotel that will offer 150 hotel rooms and 80 upscale residences. The property will also feature multiple food and beverage options, ballroom and banquet facilities, meeting and …

June 5, 2018

California Civic Development Top Stories Western

Delta Unveils $1.86B Terminal Upgrade Project at LAX

by Taylor Williams June 4, 2018

LOS ANGELES — Delta Airlines, in a partnership with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), has unveiled plans for the $1.86 billion Sky Way project at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The undertaking calls for upgrades to two of the existing domestic terminals, as well as the Tom Bradley International Terminal, and delivery of infrastructure that connects the hubs. Construction of the project is scheduled to begin this fall. Upon completion, the terminals will offer a greater capacity for security screening with automated lanes, as well as more gate-area seating. Terminals 2 and 3 will feature 27-gate complexes with a secure connection to the international terminal. “LAX is one of the most important hubs in our network where we operate more than 170 daily flights and connect more passengers to our partner airlines than anywhere else in the U.S,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “The Delta Sky Way at LAX project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in and transform the airport experience in partnership with LAWA and the City of Los Angeles.” Delta, which launched a new slate of retail and dining options for Terminal 3 in December 2017, will continue to adjust the shopping and restaurant options at the …

June 4, 2018

Development Hospitality North Carolina Southeast Top Stories

Kessler Collection Breaks Ground on $110M Boutique Hotel in Uptown Charlotte

by Camren Skelton June 1, 2018

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Kessler Collection has broken ground on the Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte, a 254-room hotel located in Charlotte’s Uptown district. The 15-story hotel is expected to open in 2020 and will feature 32 suites, a signature Poseidon Spa, indoor and outdoor event spaces, an open kitchen restaurant concept and a rooftop bar on the 16th floor with views of the Charlotte skyline. In addition, the boutique hotel will feature an art collection that pays tribute to the culture of Argentina. The Charlotte Business Journal reports development costs for the project total $110 million. “The Kessler Collection is extremely pleased to be in Charlotte and a part of the fabric of this beautiful city’s hospitality services,” says Richard Kessler, chairman and CEO of The Kessler Collection. “We look forward to bringing energy and animation to the city, to our location and to the hospitality experience.” The Grand Bohemian Hotel is located within walking distance to museums, restaurants and retail space. JE Dunn Construction is the general contractor for the project. The Kessler Collection’s portfolio includes nine boutique hotels located throughout the Southeast and Colorado, including two sister properties in Charleston, S.C., and Asheville, N.C. The Grand Bohemian brand is part …

June 1, 2018

Illinois Midwest Retail Top Stories

Sears to Close 72 More Stores

by Kristin Harlow May 31, 2018

HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. — In its first-quarter results released today, Sears Holdings Corp. says that it has identified approximately 100 non-profitable stores, 72 of which will begin store-closing sales in the near future. The Hoffman Estates-based retailer had already announced plans to close 103 Kmart and Sears stores nationwide at the beginning of this year. Sears says the closings are part of ongoing efforts to streamline the company’s operations and focus on its best stores. After the 72 store closings, Sears will have 822 Kmart and Sears stores in operation. A full list of store closures can be found here. Sears reported a net loss of $424 million for the first quarter of 2018. This compares to $245 million reported for the first quarter of 2017, which included a gain of $492 million from the sale of the Craftsman brand. Sears generated total revenues of approximately $2.9 billion during the first quarter of 2018, compared with $4.2 billion this time last year, with store closures contributing to nearly two-thirds of the decline. “In a challenging quarter, we continued to focus on our strategic transformation, identifying additional opportunities to streamline operations and adjust inventory and operating expenses,” says Edward Lampert, chairman …

May 31, 2018

Acquisitions Healthcare New York Northeast Office Top Stories

Columbia Property Trust Sells 25-Story Manhattan Office Tower for $332.5M

by David Cohen May 30, 2018

NEW YORK CITY — Columbia Property Trust has sold 222 E. 41st St., a 390,000-square-foot office tower in Midtown Manhattan, for $332.5 million. Commerz Real, the real estate investment management arm of German Commerzbank, purchased the property. CBRE’s capital markets team represented Columbia in the transaction. The building was originally constructed in 2001. Law firm Jones Day occupied the 25-story building from 2007 until 2016. When the Jones Day lease expired, Columbia signed NYU Langone Medical Center to a full-building, 30-year lease. The building has since been converted into a multi-specialty ambulatory care facility that began accepting patients last month. “We were very pleased to secure an esteemed tenant on a long-term lease, which significantly increased the value of the property,” says Nelson Mills, president and chief executive officer of Columbia. “Proceeds will further strengthen our balance sheet in the near term and will eventually be recycled into higher growth investment opportunities.” Following this disposition, Columbia’s portfolio now includes seven New York City properties after the recent purchase of 149 Madison Ave. in November and the acquisition of 245-249 W. 17th St. and 218 W. 18th St. in October. — David Cohen

May 30, 2018

Acquisitions Arizona California Multifamily Oregon Property Type Top Stories Washington Western

Kennedy Wilson Sells West Coast Multifamily Portfolio for $422M

by John Nelson May 29, 2018

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. — Global real estate investment firm Kennedy Wilson (NYSE: KW) has sold a 2,199-unit multifamily portfolio mostly located on the West Coast for $422 million. The Beverly Hills-based company had a 41.3 percent average ownership stake in the six properties. The buyer was undisclosed. The properties in the portfolio include: • Slate Creek in Roseville, Calif. (612 units) • Xander 3900 in Las Vegas (480 units) • Big Trout Lodge in Liberty Lake, Wash. (297 units) • Heatherbrae Commons in Milwaukie, Ore. (174 units) • Montair at Somerset Hill in Tumwater, Wash. (396 units) • StonePointe in University Place, Wash. (240 units) The garden-style apartment communities were originally built between 1989 and 1999. During Kennedy Wilson’s ownership the properties have undergone improvement plans, including exterior renovations and unit upgrades. The asset sales generated cash proceeds of $223 million for Kennedy Wilson, its commingled funds and equity partners, including net proceeds to Kennedy Wilson of approximately $104 million. “This portfolio sale enables us to recycle capital into other strategic investment opportunities,” says William McMorrow, chairman and CEO of Kennedy Wilson. “These six properties represent the successful rollout of our value-add asset management initiatives, and we are pleased to …

May 29, 2018

Company News District of Columbia Mixed-Use Multifamily Retail Southeast Texas Top Stories

Madison Marquette, PMRG Confirm Merger Discussions

by Kristin Harlow May 25, 2018

HOUSTON AND WASHINGTON, D.C. — Retail developer Madison Marquette and Houston-based developer PMRG have confirmed that they plan to combine operations. The terms of the merger were not disclosed, but PMRG will become part of the family of companies owned by Capital Guidance, a global investment firm that owns Washington, D.C.-based Madison Marquette. The leadership of both firms will remain intact, and the combined company will maintain its primary office locations in Houston and Washington, D.C. Closing is expected in the next 30 days. “We anticipate a highly complementary combination that significantly expands the capabilities of both firms,” says Amer Hammour, chairman of Madison Marquette. “Madison Marquette’s investment management as well as retail and mixed-use development, marketing and management expertise would join PMRG’s office, medical, industrial and multifamily capabilities to provide leadership across all asset classes to our clients and investment partners.” PMRG’s concentration in the Southern United States will balance well with Madison Marquette’s presence in primary gateway markets on both coasts, according to PMRG. The companies’ shared clients include several institutional owners and investors in the industry. PMRG is a privately held commercial real estate firm specializing in project leasing, property management, investment management and development services. The company’s 180 …

May 25, 2018

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