Top Stories

Alexandria Acquires Pfizer-Occupied Office Building in Manhattan for $203M

by Kristin Harlow July 13, 2018

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. (NYSE: ARE) has acquired 219 E. 42nd St. in Manhattan for $203 million from Pfizer Inc. The pharmaceutical giant will lease back the 350,000-square-foot office building on a triple-net basis from an affiliated purchasing entity of Alexandria known as 219/235 East LLC. Pfizer announced plans earlier this year to relocate its global headquarters to Manhattan’s Hudson Yards neighborhood in 2022. Tishman Speyer is currently building the 2.85 million-square-foot, 65-story tower known as The Spiral. Located in the heart of Manhattan’s East Side Medical Corridor, 219 E. 42nd St. rises 10 stories. Upon expiration of Pfizer’s lease, Alexandria plans to redevelop the property into office and laboratory space. Pasadena, Calif.-based Alexandria was instrumental in creating the New York City life science cluster through the development of its Alexandria Center for Life Science, which opened in 2010. Alexandria is an urban office REIT focused on collaborative life science and technology campuses with a total market capitalization of $17.9 billion and a North American asset base of 30.2 million square feet as of March 31. Alexandria’s stock price closed at $127.96 per share on Thursday, July 12, up from $118.73 per share one year ago. …

July 13, 2018

Acquisitions Hospitality Nevada Retail Top Stories Western

VICI Properties Closes $507.5M Sale-Leaseback of Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace

by Camren Skelton July 12, 2018

LAS VEGAS — VICI Properties has acquired the 23-story Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace Las Vegas for $507.5 million in cash. Under the terms of an existing ground lease, the REIT will lease the 668-room hotel back to the seller, Caesars Entertainment Corp., which currently operates the property. Caesars’ annual rent payment to VICI will be $35 million. Constructed in 2012, the hotel spans 1.2 million square feet and is located on the Flamingo Avenue side of Caesars Palace Las Vegas. At the time of closing, VICI announced that it will also acquire Harrah’s Philadelphia from Caesars. The original purchase price of $241.5 million will be reduced to $82.5 million to reflect modifications to VICI’s existing leases with Caesars. “These agreements with VICI unlock more than $500 million in value from our real estate assets to support value-adding growth opportunities and reduce the volatility of our future rent payments, demonstrating our commitment to create value for our shareholders while maintaining financial discipline,” says Mark Frissora, president and CEO of Caesars Entertainment. Constructed in 2006, Harrah’s Philadelphia underwent a renovation in 2017. The property spans 2 million square feet and includes 2,450 slot machines, live table games, and several bars, restaurants and parking garages. …

July 12, 2018

Acquisitions Office Top Stories Washington Western

Pembroke Acquires 14-Story Office Building in Seattle for $338.4M

by David Cohen July 11, 2018

SEATTLE — Pembroke Real Estate has acquired the 400 Fairview Building in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle for $338.4 million. The 14-story, Class A office building was constructed in 2015 and is currently 98 percent leased. Pembroke purchased the property from a joint partnership between TH Real Estate and Swedish development and construction company Skanska, as well as Skanska’s financial partner, TIAA. TH Real Estate acquired a 90 percent stake in the property for $235 million in 2015 from Skanska, which retained a 10 percent ownership. “400 Fairview is a significant investment for Pembroke,” says Cory Saunders, the company’s vice president. “Not only are we expanding into a new market, but this first acquisition in Seattle demonstrates our continued commitment to our U.S. markets, and the growth of our global portfolio.” “Seattle has been a target market for us due to its long-term growth potential and operational synergies with San Francisco, where we currently manage two assets,” continues Saunders. “400 Fairview’s flexible and efficient work spaces coupled with its dynamic retail mix and curated amenities perfectly complements our global portfolio.” Current tenants at the LEED Gold-certified building include, Delta Dental; technology manufacturer Impinj; lifestyle company Tommy Bahama; …

July 11, 2018

Acquisitions Development Mixed-Use New York Northeast Office Top Stories

Walt Disney Co. Strikes $650M Deal to Develop New Downtown Manhattan Headquarters

by John Nelson July 10, 2018

NEW YORK — The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) has acquired development rights in downtown Manhattan’s Hudson Square neighborhood for $650 million. The 4 Hudson Square site covers a full city block bordered by Hudson, Varick, Vandam and Spring streets. The global media firm plans to move its New York operations to the new site, including 1.2 million square feet of office and production space for WABC-TV, ABC News, Live with Kelly and Ryan and The View. According to ABC-7, Good Morning America will continue to broadcast from Times Square and Disney Streaming Services will relocate from Chelsea Market to the Hudson Square site. “We’re announcing plans to build an incredible new state-of-the-art facility at 4 Hudson Square in downtown Manhattan that will ensure our employees have everything they need to do their best work and lead the way forward,” said Robert Iger, chairman and CEO of Disney. “This move represents a historic step forward toward our long-term vision for our New York operations. The Hudson Square district is rapidly becoming a dynamic, innovative hub for media, technology and other creative businesses. We are pleased and proud to be joining this exciting community.” According to Iger, the new facility will …

July 10, 2018

Washington-Dulles-Gateway-Loudoun-County-Virginia

Acquisitions Data Centers Industrial Southeast Top Stories Virginia

Sentinel Acquires 280 Acres for Data Center Development in Northern Virginia for $82.5M

by Taylor Williams July 9, 2018

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA. — New York-based Sentinel Data Centers has acquired Washington Dulles Gateway, a 280-acre tract in northern Virginia, for $82.5 million. The site features 140 acres of net developable land for a new data center project, which equates to a purchase price of about $589,000 per developable acre. The site is one of the largest contiguous tracts for data center development in in Loudoun County, located northwest of Washington, D.C. “Seventy percent of the world’s internet activity runs through Loudoun County,” says Jay Taustin, a representative for the seller. “We are extremely pleased to have sold this important land parcel to Sentinel Data Centers, which provides world-class facility infrastructure, engineering acumen, technical personnel and operations protocols to its users.” Mark Levy, Matthew Gallagher and Jonathan Walk of JLL represented the seller, which according to datacenterdynamics.com was developer and majority owner H. Christopher Antigone, in the sale. “Significant demand continues to exist for data center product in Loudoun County,” says Levy. “When we began the conversation with Sentinel, it was clear it had the market knowledge and sophistication necessary to execute a complex transaction such as this.” Sentinel also acquired 65 acres in Loudoun County for the same purpose …

July 9, 2018

Acquisitions Arizona Multifamily Top Stories Western

NexMetro Sells Three Apartment Communities in Suburban Phoenix for $98M

by Kristin Harlow July 6, 2018

CHANDLER AND GOODYEAR, ARIZ. — NexMetro Communities has sold three apartment communities in suburban Phoenix for $98 million. The properties include Avilla Grace and Avilla Heights in Chandler, as well as Avilla Palm Valley in Goodyear. Avilla Grace, which features 194 units, sold for $45 million. An entity of Illinois-based The Inland Real Estate Group of Cos. Inc. was the buyer. Avilla Heights, which features 116 units, sold for $27.8 million. A single-purpose entity formed by California-based The Certe Group was the buyer. The 125-unit Avilla Palm Valley sold for $25.1 million. New York-based RN Falcon LLC was the buyer. Avilla Homes communities feature single-level units for lease. One-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans include private entrances and outdoor patios. The Class A communities each offer a pool, dog park and recreation area. NexMetro partnered with MEB Management Services in 2014 to manage the lease-up and stabilize operations of its Avilla Homes Arizona portfolio. NexMetro and its affiliated companies have been developing Avilla Homes communities since 2010. With more than 4,000 units completed or under construction, NexMetro plans to expand along the entire Sunbelt region of the country. — Kristin Hiller

July 6, 2018

Acquisitions Hospitality New York Northeast Top Stories

Qatar-Owned Fund Acquires New York’s Historic Plaza Hotel for $600M

by Camren Skelton July 5, 2018

NEW YORK — A hospitality fund controlled by the state of Qatar has acquired New York’s historic Plaza Hotel for $600 million, according to Reuters. Katara Hospitality bought the majority stake held by Indian business group Sahara India Pariwar, along with a 25 percent stake held by New York-based real estate investor Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. and its partner, Saudi Prince al-Waleed bin Talal, the Wall Street Journal reports. Sahara originally acquired the Plaza Hotel in 2012. Previous owners of the historic property include President Donald Trump, who acquired the asset in 1988 for $390 million, and hotelier Conrad Hilton. The Plaza Hotel is situated on the corner of 5th Avenue and Central Park South. Constructed in 1907, the hotel has hosted famous guests including The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Lloyd Wright. The hotel has also been the site of films such as Home Alone 2, The Great Gatsby, Eloise at the Plaza and Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. The 282-room hotel features multiple on-site dining options including a champagne bar and The Plaza Food Hall, on-site retail, spas and salons. The property underwent a $450 million restoration in 2008. Katara Hospitality is a global hotel owner, developer and operator. …

July 5, 2018

Development Industrial Mixed-Use Southeast Tennessee Top Stories

Urban Story Ventures to Redevelop 112-Acre Site Along Chattanooga’s Tennessee River

by John Nelson July 3, 2018

CHATTANOOGA, TENN. — Urban Story Ventures, a Chattanooga-based commercial real estate developer and owner, is planning the redevelopment of a 112-acre site in Chattanooga’s West End district. Situated along the Tennessee River, the site houses the former Alstom turbine plant, as well as adjacent buildings and land. Preliminary plans call for Urban Story Ventures to preserve the LEED Gold-certified plant and renovate the remaining buildings and land for mixed-use, including office space, restaurants and residences. The developer is also planning a combination distillery, brewery and winery — a first for Tennessee. Urban Story Ventures recently established West End Property LLC to oversee the project. The company hopes to recruit a manufacturer to occupy the space left behind in 2016 by Alstom, a French rail transport company that sold its power and grid business lines to GE Power (NYSE: GE) in 2015. “This is the most significant resurgence of Chattanooga’s riverfront since Mayor Bob Corker implemented the 21st Century Waterfront in 2002,” says Jimmy White, principal of West End Property LLC and owner of Urban Story Ventures. “The development will create hundreds of jobs, connect people to the river and create a whole new district and destination for residents and visitors.” …

July 3, 2018

District of Columbia Loans Office Southeast Top Stories

Cushman & Wakefield Arranges $95M Construction Loan for Office Building in D.C.

by Taylor Williams July 2, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cushman & Wakefield has arranged a $95 million construction loan for 1050 17th Street, a 154,000-square-foot office building that will be located in Washington, D.C.’s central business district. Currently occupying the site is a 145,000-square-foot office building that was developed in the mid-1970s and will be demolished. The new property will be developed on a speculative basis, with construction slated to begin later this year. A timeline for completion was not released. The new property will also feature ground-floor retail space and below-grade parking, as well as proximity to nearby public transportation lines. The location also puts the building within walking distance of The White House and the U.S. Treasury Building. Maryland-based EagleBank provided the loan, specific terms of which were not disclosed. Philip Mudd and Brad Geiger of Cushman & Wakefield placed the debt on behalf of The Lenkin Company, a full-service construction and management firm that developed the existing building. “There were several lenders interested in financing this project,” says Mudd. “This was due to the quality, design, ownership and extraordinary location.” — Taylor Williams

July 2, 2018

Acquisitions California Office Top Stories Western

Vanbarton Group Acquires 21-Story Office Tower in San Francisco

by Kristin Harlow June 29, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO — Vanbarton Group LLC has acquired 101 Mission Street in San Francisco. The 206,455-square-foot, 21-story office tower is located in the heart of the South Financial Transbay District. The Class A property is currently 86 percent leased to tenants such as Wells Fargo, Forbes and Pearson. Although the price was not disclosed, Vanbarton received a $116.5 million acquisition loan for the transaction. The building, which is LEED Gold-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, features views of the San Francisco Bay, column-free office space and 10,500-square-foot floor plates. Services and amenities include on-site property management, 24-hour security, a conference room and building shower. HKS Architects Inc. designed the property. JLL is the leasing agent. Gerry Rohm, Michael Leggett, David Dokko, Ben Bullock and Thomas Foley of HFF represented the undisclosed seller. Peter Smyslowski of HFF arranged acquisition financing. Vanbarton Group is a privately owned real estate investment and advisory firm with corporate offices in New York City and San Francisco. — Kristin Hiller

June 29, 2018

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