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

Midwest Missouri Mixed-Use Top Stories

Lawrence Group Breaks Ground on $340M City Foundry Saint Louis Development

by Christina Cannon August 26, 2016

ST. LOUIS — Lawrence Group has started construction of City Foundry Saint Louis at Cortex, a $340 million mixed-use redevelopment. The building was the former site of the Federal Mogul Foundry in St. Louis, and environmental remediation work on the property is underway. The first phase of the project will include 48,000 square feet of restaurant and food hall space with approximately 20 food stalls and up to four full-service restaurants; 124,000 square feet of creative office space; 133,000 square feet of retail space accommodating up to 45 retailers; a 511-car parking garage in addition to surface spaces; a connector trail to the Great Rivers Greenway Trail System; and amenities such as public plaza spaces, bike sharing, electric recharging stations and a dedicated ride sharing drop-off. The Cortex District is a 200-acre section of Midtown St. Louis centered around several research and technology buildings. A nonprofit joint venture between Washington University in St. Louis, BJC Healthcare, University of Missouri – St. Louis, St. Louis University, and the Missouri Botanical Garden operates the district. “The City Foundry Saint Louis redevelopment represents another example of the continued investment and expansion of the Cortex brand. This will be a tremendous amenity to the …

August 26, 2016

Features Top Stories

How To Ensure Brick and Mortar Stores Stay Relevant

by Katie Sloan August 26, 2016

With increasing pressure from online retailing, traditional retail environments must strive to remain at the forefront of innovation and reinvention. While some may feel brick and mortar retailing is facing extinction, the data say otherwise. Petrie Richardson Ventures (PRV), founded in 2000 by Chairman Walt Petrie, recently commissioned a large-scale survey that examined the influence of evolving social, lifestyle, entertainment and technology developments on shopping habits across the US. The more than 75 question online survey of a demographic representative of 1,018 shoppers 18 years of age and older was conducted by ORC International, one of the American Marketing Association’s Top 50 Research Firms. It’s all about the experience The critical takeaway from our results is that Americans — especially millennials — place a high value on the total shopping experience. Specifically, the survey showed that what shoppers value most about retail experiences at malls and shopping centers versus online shopping is the physical experience of the actual brick and mortar retail environment — with 85 percent of respondents reporting that holding products or trying on clothing is key to their shopping experience. It’s simple: experiential retail environments are what online retailers simply cannot offer. Online retailing may seem to be …

August 26, 2016

District of Columbia Mixed-Use Southeast Top Stories

Balfour Beatty to Build $196M North Block Phase of D.C.’s Capitol Crossing Development

by Christina Cannon August 25, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Balfour Beatty has been awarded a $196 million contract to build the North Block phase of Property Group Partners’ Capitol Crossing development in Washington, D.C. The North Block phase will include the construction of two 12-story, mixed-use office buildings totaling 960,000 square feet that will be connected by a glass connector bridge. Capitol Crossing is a 2.2 million-square-foot project that will span three blocks and seven acres once complete. The project will include 70,000 square feet of retail space, garden promenades, 1,100 parking spaces, a fitness center and 440 bicycle spaces. The average floor plate at Capitol Crossing will be 30,000 square feet. “Property Group Partners has a strong belief in reimagining cityscapes and revitalizing neighborhoods through sustainable building and innovative engineering,” says Leon Blondin, president of Balfour Beatty’s Mid-Atlantic division. “We’re honored to be their construction partner in building this truly historic development in the downtown core that will reconnect long-divided Capitol Hill to the East End. Having already managed the preconstruction, utility relocation and platform construction phases, it’s very gratifying to continue our work to take this project vertical and deliver its first two mixed-use buildings.” Work is scheduled to first begin on the building …

August 25, 2016

New York Northeast Office Retail Top Stories

Qatar Investment Authority Buys 10% Stake in Empire State Realty Trust for $622M

by Haisten Willis August 24, 2016

NEW YORK CITY — An affiliate of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has acquired a 9.9 percent interest in New York-based office/retail REIT Empire State Realty Trust (NYSE: ESRT) for $622 million. QIA purchased 29.6 million newly issued Class A common shares of ESRT at $21 per share. The interest was acquired on a fully diluted basis, which is currently 19.4 percent ownership of Class A shares. Darcy Stacom of CBRE Group introduced QIA to ESRT. Goldman Sachs and Eastdil Secured acted as financial advisors. Goodwin Procter, Proskauer Rose and Clifford Chance U.S. acted as counsel. White & Case acted as QIA’s legal counsel. Empire State Realty Trust owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions office and retail properties across New York City, including the Empire State Building. The company’s office and retail portfolio covers 10.1 million rentable square feet, consisting of 9.4 million rentable square feet in 14 office properties and 720,000 rentable square feet of retail. ESRT’s stock price closed at $20.52 per share on Tuesday, Aug. 23, up from $16.41 one year ago. The State of Qatar founded Qatar Investment Authority in 2005 to strengthen the country’s economy by diversifying into new asset classes. QIA is headquartered in Doha …

August 24, 2016

Hospitality Louisiana Southeast Top Stories

Laguna Development Corp., Eagle Holdings to Acquire Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles in Louisiana for $134.5M

by Katie Sloan August 23, 2016

WESTLAKE, LA. — Kicks Entertainment LLC, a newly formed entity owned by Albuquerque, N.M.-based Laguna Development Corp. and Eagle Holdings LLLP, has agreed to acquire Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles in Westlake for $134.5 million. The casino is located in Southwest Louisiana, approximately midway between New Orleans and Houston, Texas. The property — to be acquired from Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE) — includes a 50,000-square-foot riverboat casino, a 493-room hotel, a variety of dining and beverage outlets and covered parking, according to reports by Albuquerque Business First. Isle of Capri Casinos has owned and operated the Lake Charles location for over 20 years. The sale is expected to close in late 2017 or early 2018. Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles features 1,150 slot machines, 35 table games, 13 poker tables, two hotels totaling 490 rooms, three restaurants, 14,000 square feet of meeting/banquet space, an RV park and a concert venue. Laguna Development Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pueblo of Laguna. The Native American Pueblo also owns Dancing Eagle Casino, Route 66 Casino and Casino Xpress in New Mexico. Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. owns or operates a portfolio of 14 casinos …

August 23, 2016

Features Top Stories

Why Multifamily Owners and Operators Should Care About Online Shopping

by Katie Sloan August 23, 2016

The e-commerce revolution has changed consumers’ shopping patterns and generated downstream repercussions that business leaders like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett were out in front of early on. These e-commerce icons, of course, are early adopters of new technology who made fortunes by anticipating the opportunities associated with e-commerce. Back in 1996, Steve Jobs said, “The heart of the web will be commerce.” Warren Buffett sees online retailing as a massive growth opportunity, as evidenced by Berkshire’s recent acquisition of online retailer, Oriental Trading. Jeff Bezos, a founding father of e-commerce said this: “Your margin is my opportunity,” meaning his goals are to flood the marketplace with as many online purchases as possible (increasing package deliveries as a ripple effect). Is it working? In the United States, of all e-commerce growth in 2014 and 2015, Amazon accounted for 60 percent. The explosion of online purchases seems easily predictable in hindsight. This year, consumers and businesses will make more purchases online than in brick and mortar stores. However, many businesses and consumers are bumping into a bothersome bottleneck that occurs at the back end: package delivery and acceptance. Naturally enough, with their embrace of online purchasing, consumers have grown …

August 23, 2016

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