Top Stories

Restrictive Bank Regulations Open Door for Alternative Lenders

by Jeff Shaw February 22, 2018

Upon the introduction in 2015 of new banking regulations related to holding extra reserves for short-term or riskier commercial real estate loans, banks reined in lending. While the pullback affected property investors across the board, developers felt it most. Typical loan-to-cost ratios for construction financing dropped 20 percentage points to 55 percent, interest rates ballooned by some 150 basis points to around 350 basis points over 30-day LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate), and the number of banks that would consider development financing plunged, say mortgage bankers. In 2017, the number of banks willing to look at potential deals grew and interest rates dropped some, but leverage generally remained capped at 65 percent of costs. Consequently, borrowers more than ever are tapping non-bank lenders, particularly private debt funds. “The most notable change in 2017 was the growth in debt fund activity,” says Kathy Farrell, head of commercial real estate for Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks. “They certainly stepped in to fill the gap in construction and acquisition financing created by the pullback of the banks.” According to alternative asset research firm Preqin, 47 global real estate debt funds raised a record $28 billion in 2017, up from 32 funds that raised $19 billion …

February 22, 2018

Albertsons to Buy Drugstore Chain Rite Aid

by Nellie Day February 21, 2018

BOISE, IDAHO — Boise-based grocery chain Albertsons Cos. has agreed to acquire Rite Aid Corp. (NYSE: RAD), one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, for an undisclosed sum. The integrated company will operate about 4,900 locations, 4,350 pharmacy counters, and 320 clinics across 38 states and Washington, D.C., serving 40 more than million customers per week. The majority of Albertsons’ pharmacies will be rebranded as Rite Aid. The company will continue to operate Rite Aid standalone pharmacies. The Rite Aid merger will allow Albertsons to go public. Under the terms of the agreement, in exchange for every 10 shares of Rite Aid common stock, Rite Aid shareholders can receive either one share of Albertsons common stock plus about $1.83 in cash, or 1.079 shares of Albertsons stock. Depending upon the results of cash elections, upon closing of the merger, shareholders of Rite Aid will own a 28 percent to 29.6 percent stake in the combined company, while current Albertsons shareholders will own a 70.4 percent to 72.0 percent stake in the combined company on a fully diluted basis. The combined company plans to seek expanded opportunities in Albertsons’ many brands, including O Organics and Lucerne, along with its manufacturing and …

February 21, 2018

New York Northeast Office Top Stories

Northwood Investors Acquires NYC Office Tower from Chinese Conglomerate for $305M

by Katie Sloan February 20, 2018

NEW YORK CITY — Northwood Investors has acquired the 1180 Avenue of the Americas building in Midtown Manhattan from Chinese conglomerate HNA Group for $305 million. The 23-story, 386,921-square-foot office tower was built in 1963, and offers 13,679 square feet of ground-floor retail occupied by tenants including Chick-fil-A and T-Mobile. The fully occupied office component of the property is home to anchor tenant Scripps Networks, which occupies 126,000 square feet at the building. The company’s lease is through November 2021. Jordan Roeschlaub and Dustin Stolly of NKF Capital Markets secured $237 million in financing for the acquisition of the property. The lender was RBC Royal Bank. Founded in 2006, Northwood Investors is a privately held real estate investment advisor. The company invests alongside institutional and private clients in a broad range of real estate globally, with approximately $7 billion worth of assets under management as of Jan. 1, 2018. Haikou, China-based HNA Group is a conglomerate involved in a number of industries, including real estate, tourism, finance and logistics. The company has approximately $145 billion worth of assets, over $90 billion in annual revenues and an international workforce of 410,000 employees globally. HNA has undergone financial struggles in recent months. Following …

February 20, 2018

Lancaster Pollard 2018 Seniors Housing and Care Survey

Features Multifamily Seniors Housing Top Stories

Lancaster Pollard Survey: 87 Percent of Seniors Housing Professionals Rate Industry as Highly Competitive

by Jeff Shaw February 20, 2018

COLUMBUS, OHIO — Increasing competition is becoming a larger and larger issue within seniors housing, as 87 percent of owners, operators developers and investors rate their local environment as either competitive or extremely competitive. That’s according to the 2018 Seniors Housing and Care Survey conducted by Lancaster Pollard. In December 2017, the Columbus-based real estate services firm sent an online survey to approximately 4,000 leaders at seniors housing and care facilities throughout the United States. Over the course of two weeks, 386 respondents completed the online survey. Out of the respondents, 62 percent were for-profit providers and 73 percent identified themselves as CEOs, CFOs or owners. The majority operated facilities with fewer than 250 units and all aspects of the continuum of care were represented. Generally, respondents reflected the belief that skilled nursing is going through trouble, with only 19 percent rating the outlook for the sector as “good” over the next three years. For comparison, 58 percent rated the assisted living outlook as “good,” and 55 percent said the same for continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Other major finds of the survey include that 82 percent of respondents cited a shortage of workers as a key concern over the …

February 20, 2018

Arizona Multifamily Top Stories Western

Western Wealth Capital Acquires 552-Unit Apartment Community in Phoenix for $90M

by Taylor Williams February 19, 2018

PHOENIX — Western Wealth Capital (WWC) has acquired Carlyle @ South Mountain, a 552-unit multifamily community in Phoenix, for $90 million. Carlyle @ South Mountain consists of 360 apartment units and 192 townhomes that were built in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Western Wealth Capital will invest in capital improvements to the units, most of which have not been upgraded since their initial construction. Physical amenities at the pet-friendly property include a resort-style pool, business lounge, basketball court and outdoor barbecue area. Service-based amenities include trash valet and package receiving. The property is located along the Interstate 10 corridor near the campuses of several national employers, including Intel, Wells Fargo and Bank of America. The property also offers proximity to Arizona Mills Mall, the Arizona Aquarium and Tempe Diablo Stadium, the training ground of the Los Angeles Angels baseball team. The acquisition, which raises the size of Western Wealth Capital’s multifamily portfolio to more than 7,500 units, is the company’s largest individual purchase by units and dollar value to date. Cushman & Wakefield brokered the sale of Carlyle @ South Mountain. The seller was not disclosed. — Taylor Williams

February 19, 2018

Florida Hospitality Southeast Top Stories

Ashford Prime to Acquire Ritz-Carlton Sarasota in Florida for $171M

by Kristin Harlow February 16, 2018

SARASOTA, FLA. — Ashford Hospitality Prime Inc. (NYSE: AHP) has agreed to acquire the 266-room Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, located approximately 60 miles south of Tampa, for $171 million. The transaction equates to $643,000 per room. Ashford Prime is also acquiring a 22-acre plot of vacant land adjacent to the hotel for $9.7 million with plans for residential development adjacent to a golf course. The acquisitions are expected to close in early April. Built in 2001, Ritz-Carlton Sarasota features 31 suites. Amenities include a 26,000-square-foot beach club, private golf club, 15,000-square-foot spa, eight food and beverage outlets, 29,000 square feet of meeting space, two outdoor pools, fitness club, tennis courts and kids club. The property has received over $21 million in capital improvements during recent years. Ritz-Carlton will continue to manage the hotel after the sale. The seller was not disclosed. Ashford Prime expects a stabilized, unleveraged annual yield of approximately 8 percent on its investment. On a 12-month basis as of Dec. 31, 2017, the property achieved revenue per available room (RevPAR) of $284.38, occupancy of 78.1 percent and an average daily rate (ADR) of $364.04. Dallas-based Ashford Prime is a real estate investment trust focused on investing in luxury hotels …

February 16, 2018

Data Centers Texas Top Stories

Equinix to Purchase Infomart Dallas Data Center Complex from ASB for $800M

by John Nelson February 15, 2018

DALLAS — Equinix Inc. (NASDAQ: EQIX), a data center owner and operator based in Redwood City, Calif., has agreed to purchase Infomart Dallas from ASB Real Estate Investments for $800 million. The 1.6 million-square-foot Infomart Dallas is a highly visible data center facility located at 1950 N. Stemmons Freeway near the intersection of Interstate 35 and Dallas North Tollway. Equinix is the facility’s largest tenant, representing approximately 40 percent of lease revenues. The facility houses four of eight Equinix Dallas International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers. Infomart Dallas is home to 45 tenants, including global companies such as Bank of America and Verizon Wireless. The transaction includes developable land adjacent to the facility that will allow the new ownership to potentially increase the facility’s current capacity of 11MW of power to 40MW. The capital consideration will consist of $31 million in cash and $750 million in debt securities that will be paid out to ASB over a three-year period following closing, which is expected to occur in the second quarter. (The notes will be valued at roughly $769 million when adjusted to current trading value of Equinix’s outstanding bonds.) Washington, D.C.-based ASB, a division of ASB Capital Management LLC, originally …

February 15, 2018

Industrial Loans Nevada Top Stories Western

BKM Capital Partners Buys 13-Building Industrial Complex in Las Vegas for $92M

by Nellie Day February 14, 2018

LAS VEGAS — BKM Capital Partners has purchased Hughes Airport Center, a 13-building, multi-tenant industrial complex in Las Vegas, for $92 million. The properties are situated in the industrial pocket between McCarran International Airport and interstates 15 and 215. Hughes Airport Center contains 3.3 million square feet of Class A industrial space and Class B office space. The 420-acre, master-planned business park has access to nearby retail and entertainment amenities like Town Square shopping center, Las Vegas Premium Outlets South, Tahiti Village, Callaway Golf Center, Bali Hai Golf Club and Sunset Park. The business park has recently undergone a slew of improvements, including new paint to building exteriors, asphalt and parking lot repairs, roof repair, and upgraded landscaping, monument signage and tenant signage. Rents at Hughes Airport Center typically range between $0.90 per square foot and $1.30 per square foot. Notable tenants at the center include Geotab, CanvasPop, Medical Transportation Management, Climatec, Credit One Bank, North American Video, LabCorp of America and Harman International. Hughes Airport Center marks BKM’s fifth industrial park acquisition in the Las Vegas Valley. “This is a best-in-class asset, the largest of its scale in the Las Vegas airport submarket and our firm’s biggest transaction to …

February 14, 2018

Conference Coverage Features Retail Top Stories

Activation Is a Top Priority for Entertainment Destinations, say EEE Panelists

by Taylor Williams February 14, 2018

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. — E-commerce has claimed many victims in its siege of brick-and-mortar shopping, but perhaps none more so than big box retailers. As more of these spaces are vacated, demand for entertainment-based users to backfill them grows. Entertainment-themed tenants often require the same open-floor layouts and high ceiling heights that big box spaces offer. In addition, big boxes are typically found in malls and retail power centers, which have presumably been built in high-traffic and high-density locations. As such, entertainment tenants backfilling or building within a traditional retail development aren’t as reliant on “activation” of their sites to drum up business. But when you have a variety of entertainment tenants, including bars and restaurants, operating out of a single destination, it’s crucial to galvanize the property with events and programs. This was a trend discussed at the Entertainment Experience Evolution conference on Feb. 6-7 at Fairmont Miramar hotel in Santa Monica. A panel of professionals in the entertainment retail space discussed the role of activation in creating a “sense of place” at the conference, which more than 600 industry players attended. Moderator Nick Egelanian, president of SiteWorks Retail Real Estate Services, asked the other panelists to describe how …

February 14, 2018

Healthcare Idaho Mixed-Use Multifamily Office Retail Top Stories Western

Millennial Development Partners Announces Plans for Master-Planned Community in Idaho

by Katie Sloan February 13, 2018

POCATELLO, IDAHO — Millennial Development Partners has announced plans for Northgate District, a master planned community located in Pocatello, a city in southeastern Idaho. At completion, the development will feature 10,000 residential units; a 1 million-square-foot office/technology park that will support 6,000 jobs; a medical campus; and a shopping district. The residential portion of the community will include single-family homes, condominiums and apartments. Phase I of the project is set to include a retail center, the beginning stages of an Office IT Park and between 500 and 1,000 residential units. Groundbreaking on a new interchange and Phase I of the development is scheduled for later this year. Millennial has selected Coldwell Banker Commercial Advisors to lead commercial sales and leasing efforts for the development. The company has also partnered with Geomancer, a real estate investment startup that blends market analytics, GIS mapping services and data visualization via a software platform. Salt Lake City-based Millennial Development Partners specializes in multifamily, office, industrial, retail and master planned developments. The company has completed 100 real estate projects. — Katie Sloan

February 13, 2018

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