Top Stories

AvalonBay Sells 504-Unit Multifamily Community in New York City Suburb for $147M

by Haisten Willis September 7, 2016

NANUET, N.Y. — AvalonBay Communities Inc. (NYSE: AVB) has sold eaves Nanuet, a 504-unit multifamily community in the New York City suburb of Nanuet, for $147 million. A joint venture between Harbor Group International LLC and Azure Partners LLC purchased the asset free and clear of existing debt. The community is situated on 54 acres at 100 Avalon Gardens Drive. HFF represented AvalonBay in the transaction. The property is located near Interstate 287’s intersection with the Garden State Parkway and Palisades Interstate Parkway. Nanuet’s Metro North train station and park and ride lot are also located nearby. The 97 percent-leased community includes 64 buildings with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments averaging 1,208 square feet. Apartments feature loft spaces, gas fireplaces, closet and attic storage, in-unit washers and dryers, direct-access personal garages, and patios/balconies. Community amenities include an outdoor swimming pool with sun deck, two tennis courts, grilling areas, two playgrounds, clubhouse, fitness center, yoga room, indoor basketball and racquetball courts, and a resident lounge with a fireplace and business center. Jose Cruz, Kevin O’Hearn, Michael Oliver, Stephen Simonelli and Robert Borny led the HFF investment sales team representing the seller. “Demand for well-located, value-add multifamily housing continues to …

September 7, 2016

New York Northeast Retail Top Stories

Kimco Realty Acquires Remaining Interest in Four-Property Retail Portfolio for $170.7M

by Katie Sloan September 6, 2016

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. — Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE: KIM) has bought out its joint venture partners in a four-property retail portfolio, purchasing the remaining 85 percent interest for $170.7 million. The acquisition included the assumption of $103 million in mortgage debt, $26 million of which was prepaid by the company. The joint venture partners that sold their interest were undisclosed. The portfolio includes Perimeter Expo, a 175,835-square-foot shopping center in the Atlanta suburb of Dunwoody, Ga.; Cranberry Commons, a 166,495-square-foot shopping center in the Pittsburgh suburb of Cranberry Township, Pa.; Cypress Towne Center, a 279,210-square-foot shopping center in Houston; and Doc Stone Commons, a 101,042-square-foot shopping center in Stafford, Va., approximately 50 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Portfolio tenants include Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, Old Navy and Newk’s Eatery at Perimeter Expo; TJ Maxx, Lane Bryant, PetSmart and Starbucks Coffee at Cranberry Commons; Michaels, Best Buy, TJ Maxx and Bed Bath & Beyond at Cypress Towne Center; and Petco, Giant Food, Staples and Subway at Doc Stone Commons. In a separate transaction, Kimco recently acquired Kentlands Market Square, a 251,000-square-foot, open-air shopping center located in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Gaithersburg, Md., for $95 million. Whole Foods Market anchors the …

September 6, 2016

Fountain Square Commerce Center, Chicago

Features Heartland Feature Archive Industrial Top Stories

Midwest Industrial Business Parks Evolve in Pursuit of E-Commerce

by Jeff Shaw September 6, 2016

There’s a reason why warehouse facilities and fulfillment centers ranked No. 1 and 2 for 2016 investment and development prospects. In addition to the annual commercial real estate survey findings by PwC and the Urban Land Institute, the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF) is reporting that the Midwest posted the strongest industrial income return among all U.S. regions in second quarter 2016. “E-commerce is affecting more than just the industrial real estate business park. It is the most significant driver of demand in industrial products across the county right now,” says Ryan O’Leary, regional senior vice president at Duke Realty. “Business parks are obviously a big beneficiary of that.” O’Leary, who oversees the Chicago, Minneapolis and St. Louis markets for the Indianapolis-based REIT, estimates that e-commerce drove 35 to 40 percent of the approximately 8 million square feet of industrial absorption in the Windy City during the second quarter. Business parks with very good infrastructure, access to major thoroughfares and easy flow for heavy truck and auto traffic have a huge advantage in securing that tenant demand, which usually requires a quick turnaround on building delivery. Unlike development costs for a garden-variety warehouse space 15 years ago, …

September 6, 2016

Midwest Missouri Retail Top Stories

BIG Shopping Centers, RED Development Acquire 516,268 SF Shopping Center Near Kansas City

by Christina Cannon September 2, 2016

LEE’S SUMMIT, MO. — A joint venture between BIG Shopping Centers USA and RED Development has acquired Summit Fair, a 516,268-square-foot shopping center, for an undisclosed price. Located 25 miles southeast of Kansas City in Lee’s Summit, Summit Fair is anchored by Macy’s and JCPenney. Other tenants in the open-air lifestyle center include Victoria’s Secret, Chico’s, Francesca’s and LOFT. Summit Fair boasts approximately 50 tenants. Along with the news of the acquisition, the joint venture also announced a 50,000-square-foot DICK’S Sporting Goods and a 20,000-square-foot H&M will open at Summit Fair in spring 2017. DICK’S Sporting Goods will relocate to Summit Fair from its existing store currently open at RED’s sister property, SummitWoods Crossing. An additional 5,000 square feet of space is available in the H&M building. “Summit Fair is already a dynamic, high-performing retail property serving a vibrant market, and the addition of DICK’S Sporting Goods, H&M and other top-drawing retail concepts sets the stage for continued success,” says Mike Ebert, managing partner at RED Development. The joint venture, known as BIG RED Portfolio LLC, has a portfolio consisting of 10 retail assets totaling over 3.5 million square feet in four states. Within the joint venture, BIG USA, acts primarily as a co-investment …

September 2, 2016

California Office Top Stories Western

Kilroy Sells Minority Stake in Two Office Towers in San Francisco for $452.9M

by John Nelson September 1, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO — Kilroy Realty LP, the operating arm of Kilroy Realty Corp. (NYSE: KRC), has agreed to sell minority interests in two Class A office towers in San Francisco to Norges Bank Real Estate Management for $452.9 million. Norges Bank is the real estate investment arm of the government pension fund of Norway. Under the terms of the agreement, Norges Bank will invest in a 44 percent common equity interest in two existing companies that own the towers, which are located at 100 First St. and 303 Second St. in San Francisco’s SOMA district. The sales price is based on an appraisal value of $1.16 billion for both assets and includes Norges Bank’s proportionate assumption of the existing mortgage debt, or $55.3 million. Kilroy will remain the majority owner of the two office towers and will continue to provide property management, leasing and construction management services for the properties. The two office towers span approximately 1.2 million square feet combined. The assets were 96.4 percent leased as of July 31. The transaction was structured with a staggered closing, whereby the 100 First St. venture closed on Aug. 30 with a contribution by Norges Bank of $191.4 million. The 303 …

September 1, 2016

Illinois Midwest Mixed-Use Office Top Stories

CIM Group to Buy Tribune Tower in Chicago for $205M

by Haisten Willis August 31, 2016

CHICAGO — Tribune Media Co. (NYSE: TRCO) has agreed to sell the iconic Tribune Tower in downtown Chicago to Los Angeles-based CIM group for $205 million in cash at closing. The buyer could pay up to an additional $35 million based on contingencies and conditions, which could bring the total up to $240 million. The sale is expected to close by the end of September. Built in 1925, the building features 35 stories and nearly 740,000 square feet. The sale also includes a 36,000-square-foot development site located directly to the east of Tribune Tower, fronting Cityfront Plaza. “Tribune Tower has been a unique part of Chicago’s skyline since the 1920s,” says Peter Liguori, Tribune Media’s president and CEO. “It is a gem of architectural and structural accomplishment and a constant reminder of the important role that Tribune has played in the development of the city itself.” Since the beginning of the year, Tribune Media has sold several smaller properties in markets ranging from South Florida to Seattle for gross proceeds of approximately $89 million. Earlier this year, the company agreed to sell the north block of the Los Angeles Times Square property and the nearby Olympic printing plant, both in Los …

August 31, 2016

Conference Coverage Features Georgia Seniors Housing Southeast Southeast Feature Archive Top Stories

Should Seniors Housing Developers Focus More on Hospitality or Healthcare?

by John Nelson August 31, 2016

ATLANTA — Seniors housing by design has both elements of hospitality and healthcare. But which is more important to developers trying to build the next wave of senior facilities? Each developer has a different opinion, based on a development panel at the third-annual InterFace Seniors Housing Southeast conference, held Aug. 25 at the Westin Buckhead in Atlanta. The all-day event drew approximately 315 industry professionals. Zach Bowyer, managing director of CBRE, moderated the panel entitled “The Outlook for Seniors Housing Development: What’s Being Built, Where, and are Supply and Demand in Balance?” Jeff Arnold, chief operating officer of The United Group of Cos., mostly develops independent living assets in New York, Florida and Georgia. Arnold’s main concern is with the hospitality side of the business, as his projects tend to be lower acuity than some of his counterparts on the stage. “From a design standpoint, we’re trying to drive our age down as much as we can. Right now we trend at about 78 years old. If we could push that under 75, that will give us longevity,” said Arnold. “We try to design more active communities, focusing on things that are more modern.” The independent living sector has legs …

August 31, 2016

Georgia Southeast Top Stories

The Atlanta Falcons Secure $850 Million Financing for New Stadium

by Katie Sloan August 30, 2016

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons organization has received $850 million in permanent financing for the team’s new $1.2 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium, scheduled to open next year. Bank of America, SunTrust Banks and 18 institutional investors provided the financing, which will convert the stadium’s construction loans to long-term financing, according to reports by The Atlanta Journal Constitution. The Falcons will repay the institutional investors — which provided roughly two-thirds of the financing — over 26 years, with the banks receiving payment over a shorter term. The 2 million-square-foot development — designed through a collaboration between HOK, tvsdesign, Goode Van Slyke Architecture and Stanley Beaman & Sears — will have the capacity to seat up to 71,000 for NFL games. The stadium will also be home to the city’s new MLS soccer team, Atlanta United. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium will feature a retractable roof designed in the shape of a Falcon’s wing; a 360-degree, HD halo video board built into the stadium’s roof; a technology lounge; a 100-yard bar; an exterior fan plaza; and a floor-to-ceiling window offering views of downtown Atlanta. Developers are seeking LEED Platinum certification for the project. — Katie Sloan

August 30, 2016

Features Multifamily Student Housing Top Stories

Student Housing Sees Robust Deals, Investment Sales, Development Numbers

by Christina Cannon August 30, 2016

As we pass the mid-year point of 2016, the student housing industry is again poised to have a strong year. Favorable market conditions, chief among them low interest rates, have pressed development and acquisitions forward during 2016. Pre-leasing for fall 2016 was strong through the summer, though slightly down from fall 2015 for many owners, while a number of owners reported rent growth for the upcoming year. The industry has seen a lot of activity in buying and selling during the first half of the year. In addition to smaller portfolios and one-off transactions, the sector saw two of its largest M&A transactions to date close during the first half of this year. Harrison Street Real Estate Capital closed on the $1.9 billion acquisition of Campus Crest Communities, adding more than 30,000 beds to its portfolio. In June, The Scion Group, GIC and CPPIB closed on their $1.4 billion acquisition of the assets of University House Communities from InvenTrust Properties, adding more than 10,000 beds to Scion’s portfolio. In addition, movers and shakers like The Preiss Company, Vesper Holdings and Pierce Education Properties have been acquiring a number of properties in 2016. Many properties came to market in January and …

August 30, 2016

Indiana Midwest Office Top Stories

Hertz Investment Group Buys Midwest Office Portfolio for $416.9M

by Nellie Day August 29, 2016

CHICAGO — Hertz Investment Group has purchased four office buildings in the Midwest for $416.9 million. Equity Commonwealth sold the 3.1 million-square-foot portfolio. The transaction includes 111 Monument Circle and 101-115 West Washington Street in Indianapolis, North Point Office Complex in Cleveland, and 100 East Wisconsin in Milwaukee. The portfolio was 86.5 percent leased at closing. Formerly known as Chase Tower, 111 Monument Circle is now referred to as Salesforce Tower in honor of its newest tenant. At 48 stories high, it is the tallest building in Indianapolis. The PNC Center sits at 101-115 W. Washington St. It features a 16-story atrium. The center houses the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis hotel, along with PNC Bank. North Point Office Complex includes a five-story and a 19-story office building connected through a nine-story atrium. It is home to Jones Day law firm, among other tenants. The Faison Building sits at 100 East Wisconsin Ave. The 37-story tower is the second highest building in Wisconsin, behind the U.S. Bank Center. It’s home to Wells Fargo Bank, Michael Best & Friedrich, Marcus Corp. and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Equity Commonwealth, a Chicago-based REIT, also sold a 121,901-square-foot office property at 8701 North Mopac in Austin, Texas, earlier this …

August 29, 2016

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