Top Stories

Dutch Bros Coffee Aims to Double Store Count to 2,029 Locations by 2029

by John Nelson April 1, 2025

GRANTS PASS, ORE. — A little over a month after unveiling its 1,000th retail location, drive-thru coffee chain Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE: BROS) is expanding its operations with goals to reach 2,029 shops by 2029. Originating in 1992 as a pushcart by the railroad tracks in downtown Grants Pass, Dutch Bros opened its first franchise in 2000. Dutch Bros Coffee now has a significant presence in the Pacific Northwest and is expanding with more locations across the United States, moving eastward to Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia. Looking further out, Dutch Bros sees potential for 7,000-plus locations nationwide, up from its original estimate of 4,000 shops. In 2025 alone, the company expects to open “at least” 160 new stores. The company recently hired former YUM! Brands executive Brian Cahoe as chief development officer to oversee the expansion strategy. The Dutch Bros management team recently provided updates on the business and its long-term growth goals at its Investor Day meeting last week. “We are pleased to deliver quarter-to-date first-quarter same-shop sales above our expectations, supported by positive traffic and strong business momentum,” says Christine Barone, CEO and president of Dutch Bros. Through March 24, same-store sales increased 4.6 percent in the …

April 1, 2025

Industrial Loans Top Stories

Clarion Provides Financing for 2.3 MSF National Industrial Outdoor Storage Portfolio

by Taylor Williams March 31, 2025

NEW YORK CITY — A fund backed by New York City-based Clarion Partners has provided an undisclosed amount of financing for a national portfolio of eight industrial outdoor storage (IOS) properties totaling 2.3 million square feet. Eastdil Secured arranged the debt and acted as an advisor on the deal. The debt is a first mortgage loan for the refinancing of the national portfolio, and the borrower is a partnership between Outour Storage Investments and affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management. The portfolio encompasses properties in Chicago, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Houston, California’s Inland Empire, Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta with an aggregate size in excess of 50 acres. The Clarion fund also acquired a 7.6-acre IOS facility at 15550 Export Plaza Drive in Houston. The Houston property was recently upgraded, includes a 24,000-square-foot structure and was fully leased at the time of sale to a waste management services company. “This portfolio is a relatively rare assembly of IOS properties with best-in-class specifications, terrific market locations and a strong roster of national and regional credit tenants,” says Brent Jenkins, portfolio manager at Clarion Partners. “This financing provides an ideal opportunity to expose our investors to this high-demand subsector within the larger industrial and logistics …

March 31, 2025

Development Loans Mixed-Use Multifamily Retail Top Stories

S3 Capital Provides $210M Construction Loan for Mixed-Use Development in Brooklyn

by Channing Hamilton March 28, 2025

NEW YORK CITY — S3 Capital has provided a $210 million construction loan for a 28-story mixed-use project located at 6208 Eighth Ave. in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn. Chicago-based Watermark Capital is the project’s sponsor. The company obtained the financing alongside its joint venture partner, Rubin Equities. Once completed, the development will consist of 497 apartment units and 100,000 square feet of retail space. Residents will have access to shared amenities such as a fitness center, rooftop terrace, bike storage, a yoga room, sauna, screening room and coworking spaces. The project is situated directly above the Eighth Avenue subway station. Prestige Construction will serve as the general contractor. An estimated completion date for the development was not disclosed. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Watermark Capital on this exciting project,” said Robert Schwartz, co-founder and partner at S3 Capital. “The Sunset Park housing market is significantly under-supplied, and this development will bring a substantial amount of in-demand, transit-oriented housing units to the community.” Morris Betesh, Alex Bailkin, Matt O’Hanlon and Israel Mermelstein of Arrow Real Estate Advisors arranged the loan on behalf of Watermark Capital. S3 Capital is wholly owned by Spruce Capital Partners, a New York City-based developer, owner, lender and investor. Since …

March 28, 2025

Development Loans Multifamily New York Top Stories

KS Group, Alma Realty Receive $300M Construction Financing for Multifamily Project in Queens

by Hayden Spiess March 27, 2025

NEW YORK CITY — KS Group and Alma Realty Corp. have received a $300 million construction loan for the development of a mixed-use multifamily project on the East River in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens in New York City. S3 Capital provided the financing. Henry Bodek of Galaxy Capital secured the loan on behalf of KS Group and Alma Realty, two multifamily developers based in Newark and Long Island City, respectively. Upon completion, the development will comprise a 26-story tower and three mid-rise buildings totaling 731 residential units. The development will include affordable housing units with the support of a 421a tax abatement, which provides a period of exemption from real estate taxes to projects that meet specific criteria and include a required percentage of affordable housing. The properties will also feature ground-floor retail space and parking. Amenities will include a rooftop pool with a landscaped roof deck, fitness center, golf simulator, children’s playroom, indoor and outdoor theaters and a business center. The development marks Phase I of a larger, multi-phased project dubbed Astoria Cove, which will be located at 8-01, 4-34 and 5-57 26th Ave. in Queens. YNH Construction will serve as general contractor on the project. Construction is …

March 27, 2025

Acquisitions New York Northeast Retail Southeast Top Stories Virginia

Dollar Tree to Sell Family Dollar Business to Private Equity Firms for $1B

by Kristin Harlow March 26, 2025

CHESAPEAKE, VA. AND NEW YORK CITY — Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) has agreed to sell the Family Dollar business segment to Brigade Capital Management LP and Macellum Capital Management LLC for $1 billion. The sales price represents a fraction of the $8.5 billion that Dollar Tree paid for the discount brand in 2015. Family Dollar will remain headquartered in Chesapeake. Family Dollar, which caters to low-income customers with its roughly 8,000 U.S. stores, has struggled in recent years. In March 2024, Dollar Tree unveiled plans to close approximately 970 underperforming Family Dollar stores. After a review of potential alternatives for the Family Dollar business segment, the Dollar Tree leadership team and board of directors determined that a sale of Family Dollar to Brigade and Macellum best unlocks value for Dollar Tree shareholders and positions Family Dollar for future success. “This is a major milestone in our multi-year transformation journey to help us fully achieve our potential,” says Mike Creedon, CEO of Dollar Tree. “We will continue to grow and optimize our Dollar Tree business to maximize value for Dollar Tree associates, customers and shareholders with an enhanced focus on compelling initiatives, including our expanded assortment, significant planned new store …

March 26, 2025

Company News Development Industrial Louisiana Southeast Top Stories

Hyundai to Develop $5.8B Steel Plant in Louisiana as Part of $21B U.S. Investment Announcement

by Hayden Spiess March 25, 2025

ASCENSION PARISH, LA. AND SEOUL — Hyundai Steel Co., a South Korean steel manufacturer and part of automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group, has announced plans to develop a $5.8 billion steel manufacturing facility in southeast Louisiana’s Ascension Parish. The new steel plant is part of Hyundai’s announcement for $21 billion in U.S. investments between 2025 and 2028. Construction on the plant, which will be capable of producing 2.7 million metric tons of steel annually, is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026 in Ascension Parish. Hyundai Steel is targeting commercial production of automotive steel plates to begin at the mill in 2029. According to a statement issued by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, the new facility is expected to create 1,400 new direct jobs with an average salary of $95,000. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) also estimates that the project will result in 4,100 indirect new jobs. A large portion of the steel manufactured at the mill will be transported to Hyundai vehicle manufacturing plants throughout the country. Hyundai Steel also plans to open up sales of its automotive steel plates to other auto manufacturers in the United States, Europe and Latin America, according to Seo Gang-Hyun, president and CEO …

March 25, 2025

Development Industrial Life Sciences North Carolina Southeast Top Stories

Johnson & Johnson Breaks Ground on $2B Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility in Wilson, North Carolina, As Part of $55B Investment

by John Nelson March 24, 2025

WILSON, N.C. AND NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), has broken ground on a $2 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wilson, about 50 miles east of Raleigh. The project is part of a larger, $55 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing, research-and-development (R&D) and technology initiatives that the global pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer health products provider is planning over the next four years. “Today’s announcements accelerate our nearly 140-year legacy as an American innovation engine tackling the world’s toughest healthcare challenges,” says Joaquin Duato, chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson. “Our increased U.S. investment begins with the ground-breaking of a high-tech facility in North Carolina that will not only add U.S.-based jobs but manufacture cutting-edge medicines to treat patients in America and around the world.” The new manufacturing facility will span approximately 500,000 square feet and will create 5,000 construction jobs, as well as 500 specialized positions for employees and contractors, including process technicians, laboratory analysts, engineers and microbiologists. Upon completion, Johnson & Johnson plans to produce medicines for people with cancer, immune-mediated and neurological diseases at the Wilson plant. The company estimates that the facility will have an economic impact of $3 billion in North …

March 24, 2025

Acquisitions Hospitality Louisiana Southeast Top Stories

Gencom Buys Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard by Marriott Hotels in New Orleans’ French Quarter

by Channing Hamilton March 21, 2025

NEW ORLEANS — Gencom, a Miami-based investment firm, has acquired a portfolio of two connected hotels located in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans. The 758-room hospitality portfolio includes The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans and the Courtyard by Marriott New Orleans French Quarter/Iberville. Situated along the city’s historic Canal Street, The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans comprises 528 hotel rooms and suites. The hotel features about 48,000 square feet of event space, a fitness center, indoor pool and a 25,000-square-foot spa. The Ritz-Carlton also offers Davenport Lounge, a jazz bar and lounge, and the M Bistro eatery. The property opened in 2000. The adjacent Courtyard by Marriott French Quarter/Iberville offers 230 rooms, as well as a coffee shop. The building was originally constructed in 1878 as a department store and was converted into a hotel in 2012. The property is located within walking distance of Bourbon Street, the Caesars Superdome and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Both hotels have recently undergone multi-year renovation programs. The Ritz-Carlton was refurbished with updates to guest rooms and public areas, including a $15 million upgrade to its Maison Orleans Club Level. Additionally, all guest accommodations and public spaces at The Courtyard by Marriott …

March 21, 2025

Development Hospitality Loans Mixed-Use Multifamily Southeast Tennessee Top Stories

Walker & Dunlop Arranges $253M Construction Loan for Pendry Nashville Hotel and Condominium Tower

by John Nelson March 20, 2025

NASHVILLE, TENN. — Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) has arranged a $253 million construction loan for the development of the Pendry Nashville and Pendry Residences Nashville, a luxury 30-story hotel and condominium tower located in the city’s Gulch district. Pendry Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with investment and development firms SomeraRoad and Trestle Studios, plan to immediately break ground on the project. Upon completion, Pendry Nashville will include 180 guestrooms and suites, while 146 for-sale residences will be offered at Pendry Residences. The Pendry Nashville Hotel & Residences development is part of Phase III of the Paseo South Gulch master-planned micro-neighborhood, a 1 million-square-foot mixed-use district developed by SomeraRoad. Aaron Appel, Keith Kurland, Jonathan Schwartz, Adam Schwartz, Michael Diaz, Sean Bastian and Jackson Irwin of the Walker & Dunlop New York Capital Markets team arranged the loan. Bank OZK and InterVest Capital Partners provided the financing package on behalf of SomeraRoad and Trestle Studio. Jay Morrow and Carter Gradwell of the Walker & Dunlop Hospitality team represented SomeraRoad throughout the financing process, working in collaboration with the firm’s New York Capital Markets team. “Having worked with SomeraRoad to capitalize prior phases of their Paseo South Gulch master-planned development, we are …

March 20, 2025

Development Office Texas Top Stories

Port San Antonio Board of Directors Approves Next Step in Development of 300,000 SF Innovation Tower

by Kristin Harlow March 19, 2025

SAN ANTONIO — The Port San Antonio Board of Directors has unanimously approved the next step in the development of Innovation Tower, an office project on the 1,900-acre Tech Port campus, located just southwest of downtown San Antonio. Port San Antonio is a public entity created to redevelop land formerly occupied by Kelly Air Force Base. Yesterday, the board approved $7.5 million to move the tower from its preliminary phase to the finalization of architectural plans, budget and schedule. The design phase is expected to last about one year, with groundbreaking slated for 2026 and completion by 2028. Project costs are estimated at roughly $275 million, according to the San Antonio Business Journal. The multi-story Innovation Tower, which will be located at the main entrance of the campus, will support growing demand by adding nearly 300,000 square feet of high-end office space. The tower will also include 27,000 square feet of amenity spaces such as a health and wellness center, sauna, locker rooms and a large conference room. Pelli Clarke & Partners designed the tower, with architect Bill Butler leading the project. The tower is a component of a broad innovation campus development strategy the organization unveiled in fall 2024. …

March 19, 2025

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