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HospitalityMassachusettsNortheastTop Stories

RLJ Lodging Sells 383-Room Hotel in Boston for $170M

by Taylor Williams

BOSTON — RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE: RLJ) has sold Fairmont Copley Plaza, a 383-room hotel located in the Back Bay area of Boston, for $170 million, or approximately $444,000 per room. Maryland-based RLJ, which merged with Texas-based FelCor Lodging Trust Inc. in September, intends to use the proceeds from the sale to cover general corporate expenses, with an emphasis on paying down debt. The sales price represents a capitalization rate of roughly 4.6 percent on the hotel’s projected net operating income (NOI) for 2017. The buyer of Fairmont Copley Plaza was not disclosed. The hotel, which is situated within walking distance of Boston Common as well as a variety of shopping and dining destinations on nearby Newbury Street, opened in 1912. Amenities for guests include laundry services, safety deposit boxes, a 3,000-square-foot rooftop health club and on-site restaurant OAK Long Bar + Kitchen. The property also features 23,000 square feet of meeting and conference space. “The disposition of this asset is consistent with our objectives of selling non-core assets and unlocking shareholder value,” says Ross Bierkan, president and CEO of RLJ. Following the sale of Fairmont Copley Plaza, RLJ’s hospitality portfolio consists of 157 hotels totaling 30,800 rooms across 26 states …

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MidwestOhioRetailTop Stories

DDR to Spin Off 50 Assets With Gross Book Value of $3B into Separate REIT

by Kristin Harlow

BEACHWOOD, OHIO — As part of what DDR Corp. (NYSE: DDR) calls a “strategic transformation,” the shopping center REIT has approved a plan to spin off a portfolio of 50 assets — including 38 continental U.S. assets and all 12 of its properties in Puerto Rico — into a separate publicly traded REIT to be named Retail Value Trust (RVT). The gross book value of the assets in the RVT portfolio is approximately $3 billion. “We believe that these two distinct companies with two distinct business plans will appeal to a much broader pool of investors than the combined DDR today,” said David Lukes, president and CEO of Beachwood-based DDR, during an investor conference call late Thursday afternoon. “This strategy adds value for all of our stakeholders and maximizes both our growth and optionality well into the future.” Specifically, the RVT portfolio consists of 38 high-quality, lower-growth assets in the continental U.S. and all 12 assets in the Puerto Rico portfolio. The properties within the RVT portfolio in the continental U.S. are mostly located in suburbs outside metro areas. Common tenants include Bed Bath & Beyond, Michaels, Kohl’s and T.J. Maxx. The remaining company, known as the “New DDR,” will …

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Company NewsRetailTexasTop Stories

Charming Charlie Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Plans to Close 97 Stores

by John Nelson

HOUSTON — Citing struggles stemming from the rise of e-commerce, fashion retailer Charming Charlie has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. During the Chapter 11 process, which was filed late Monday, the Houston-based fashion retailer plans to restructure its debt while maintaining and operating a majority of its stores, as well as its online platform. The company also plans to go through with its previously announced decision to shutter 97 of its underperforming stores. Charming Charlie specializes in selling jewelry, handbags, apparel and beauty products. The company, which was launched in 2004, currently operates more than 375 stores in the United States and Canada. Charming Charlie has secured commitments from its lenders for $20 million in new-money debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing. The company also entered into a $35 million DIP asset-backed loan with its lenders. Both financing arrangements are subject to court approval and are intended to help operation costs during the Chapter 11 process. The Wall Street Journal reports the court on Wednesday approved the early use of the financing, and Charming Charlie is scheduled to return to court in January to request approval to use the balance of the loans. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing is part of Charming …

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FeaturesTop Stories

Marcus & Millichap: Proposed Tax Legislation Holds Modest Change for Investment Real Estate

by Katie Sloan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the much anticipated tax reform legislation makes it way through Congress, commercial real estate investors may be wondering what reverberations they will feel if the proposed changes are signed into law by President Trump. According to a special report by Marcus & Millichap, the two final versions of the law from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate appear relatively benign for real estate investors. Both versions of the legislation, which have yet to be reconciled, offer modest changes to key provisions including 1031 tax-deferred exchange, mortgage interest deductibility and asset depreciation. The tax plans offer generous cuts for corporations and pass-through entities such as limited liability companies, which may lend an opportunity for investors to reconfigure their portfolios. “There are many nuances in both the House and Senate versions,” says John Chang, first vice president of research services at Marcus & Millichap. “The House version could reduce tax rates on this income from personal rates as high as 39.6 percent to as low as 25 percent depending on whether the earnings are active or passive. The Senate version grants a 23 percent deduction on qualified pass-through income with some restrictions.” The maximum tax rate for …

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Data CentersIndustrialTop Stories

Iron Mountain to Buy IO Data Centers’ U.S. Operations for $1.3B

by Nellie Day

RESTON, V.A. — Iron Mountain Inc. (NYSE: IRM) has agreed to acquire the U.S. operations of IO Data Centers LLC for $1.3 billion. The agreement includes up to an additional $60 million based on future performance. Iron Mountain will acquire the land and buildings associated with the four state-of-the-art data centers, which total 728,000 square feet. They are situated in Edison, N.J.; Columbus, Ohio; Phoenix; and Scottsdale, Ariz. The centers provide 62 megawatts (MW) of capacity with expansion potential of an additional 77 MW in Arizona and New Jersey. The portfolio has an average weighted lease term of 3.3 years. The transaction is anticipated to close in January 2018, subject to customary closing conditions. “The addition of IO’s data centers enhances our geographic diversification and provides market-leading exposure to Phoenix, the fourth fastest market for absorption in the U.S. in 2017, and the 12th largest data center market globally,” says Mark Kidd, senior vice president and general manager of Iron Mountain Data Centers. “This transaction also enhances our ability to support the needs of the largest cloud providers through new development with expansion capacity in Phoenix as well as New Jersey, another attractive market due to its proximity to the …

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RetailTop Stories

Unibail-Rodamco to Acquire High-Profile Mall Owner Westfield Corp. for $15.7B

by Katie Sloan

SYDNEY AND PARIS — Europe’s largest commercial property firm Unibail-Rodamco is set to acquire U.S. and U.K. mall owner Westfield Corp. (ASX: WFD) for $15.7 billion. Paris-based Unibail-Rodamco owns and operates a portfolio of 69 shopping centers across major European cities including Paris, Madrid, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Munich, Vienna, Warsaw and Prague. Sydney-based Westfield operates 35 malls in the U.S. and U.K., including Westfield World Trade Center, which opened to major success in New York City in August 2016; Century City, Westfield Fashion Square and San Francisco Centre in California; and Westfield London and Stratford City in the U.K. Following the transaction — expected to close in the first half of 2018 — Unibail-Rodamco will own and operate a portfolio of 104 commercial properties across 13 countries valued at about $72.2 billion. The company will be headquartered in Paris and the Netherlands, with regional headquarters in Los Angeles and London. Westfield has made a name for itself in the industry under billionaire chairman and co-founder Frank Lowy by transforming outdated malls into viable shopping centers for modern consumers. “The transaction announced today is the culmination of the strategic journey Westfield has been on since its 2014 restructure,” says Lowy. “We see this …

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Conference CoverageFeaturesGeorgiaMultifamilySoutheastTop Stories

Talent, Technology Are Top Priorities for Multifamily Operators Today, Says InterFace Panel

by John Nelson

ATLANTA — Apartment management is a people-intensive industry that requires dedicated team members at multiple levels. Finding talented and driven individuals is priority No. 1 for multifamily operators. But seasoned executives are the first to admit that hiring is difficult in an expanding economy where recent graduates have multiple career paths at their choosing. Property management firms are recruiting prospects who are working in outside industries, which has been a reliable tactic. “We’ve had to go out and look at hospitality, restaurants and other industries that complement multifamily to find talent,” said Chris Burns, senior vice president of Lincoln Property Co. During the operators panel at the InterFace Multifamily Southeast conference held on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Westin Buckhead in Atlanta, Burns and his fellow panelists discussed the opportunities and challenges facing the industry today. The eighth annual conference drew 402 professionals. The panel agreed that finding talent was difficult, but that retaining and training that talent is just as big a challenge. “Retaining talent is just like leasing — it’s important to get a lease but it’s more important to get a renewal,” said Greg Mark, senior vice president of operations at Pinnacle, a national multifamily property management …

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CaliforniaMultifamilyTop StoriesWestern

MG Acquires 456-Unit Apartment Community in Vista, Calif. for $117.5M

by Taylor Williams

VISTA, CALIF. — San Diego-based multifamily investment firm MG Properties Group has acquired Waterleaf Apartments, a 456-unit multifamily community located at 333 Emerald Drive in Vista, about 40 miles north of San Diego, for $117.5 million. Built in 1986, the garden-style property offers convenient access to I-15 and I-5, as well as U.S. Highways 76 and 78. Amenities include two clubhouses, two pools, two fitness centers, two sports courts, a playground and a business center. MG Properties Group will continue the interior renovation plan currently in place, which will focus on upgrading the property’s common areas. “We are pleased to grow our existing San Diego portfolio, particularly in the North County region,” says Mark Gleiberman, CEO of privately owned MG Properties Group. “Waterleaf is well-positioned to capitalize on strong regional employment prospects and will allow us to further scale our operations in the region.” Ed Rosen and John Chu of Berkadia represented the undisclosed sellers in the transaction. In addition, Brian Eisendrath of CBRE arranged $76.4 million in Fannie Mae financing for the acquisition. Over the past 12 months, MG Properties Group has acquired 11 properties totaling more than 4,000 units and $817 million in capital investment. — Taylor Williams

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MassachusettsMixed-UseNortheastTop Stories

Intercontinental Real Estate Corp. Acquires Mixed-Use Building in Cambridge’s Harvard Square

by Kristin Harlow

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — Intercontinental Real Estate Corp. has acquired 1280 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge for an undisclosed price. Located in Harvard Square, the 43,120-square-foot mixed-use building features 33,828 square feet of office space and 8,540 square feet of retail space. The seller, Boston Residential Group, developed the property in 1985. Current office tenants include Harvard University, Equity Resources Investments and Mark of the Unicorn. Retail tenants include Tatte Bakery and Café, Qdoba Mexican Eats and SEE Inc. Symmes Maini & Mckee Associates (SMMA) designed the brick and steel building, which is located at the edge of Harvard Yard at Harvard University and near the MBTA’s Red Line Harvard Square Station. Boston-based Intercontinental Real Estate Corp. is an investment adviser that manages a real estate portfolio of approximately $6 billion for its clients. Boston Residential Group is a residential developer based in Boston. — Kristin Hiller

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MarylandMultifamilySoutheastTop Stories

ARA Newmark Brokers $131M Sale of Apartment Community in Metro D.C.

by Camren Skelton

DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD. — ARA Newmark has arranged the $131 million sale of The Avanti, a 930-unit multifamily community in District Heights, roughly 11 miles southeast of Washington, D.C. Al Cissel, Ryan Ogden, Drew White and Mike Marshall of ARA Newmark arranged the transaction on behalf of the seller, Suitland Park LLC, an entity comprising Dragone Realty Investments and PCCP LLC. GMF Capital acquired the asset, and Dragone Realty elected to retain its ownership stake in the property. “With the recent comprehensive renovation that Dragone and PCCP completed, The Avanti is positioned at the top of the submarket and will outperform the competition for the foreseeable future,” said Cissel. “The transaction worked out well for everyone and will capitalize on the strong demand for quality product in the area, resulting in high investment yields.” Constructed in 1965 and renovated in 2012 and 2016, The Avanti includes one- to three-bedroom units and features wall-to-wall carpeting, ceramic and vinyl flooring, breakfast bars and walk-in closets. Community amenities include a swimming pool, business center, dog park and fitness center. Kelley Drye & Warren LLP provided legal counsel to Dragone Realty in the transaction. Morrison & Foerster LLP represented PCCP, and Neuberger, Quinn, Gielen, Rubin & …

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