CHICAGO — Hilco Real Estate LLC, in a joint venture with Peter Westmeyer and Kevin Purcell, both of whom are senior executives with MB Real Estate Services Inc. (MBRE), has acquired One North LaSalle, a historic office building located in Chicago’s Central Loop. No terms of the transaction were disclosed. Built in 1929, the 500,000-square-foot office building is situated on the northeast corner of LaSalle and Madison streets, and offers easy access to public transportation and highways, as well as a variety of hotels, restaurants and retail. The most recent building renovation included restoration of the Art Deco detailing and installing new elevators, HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems. The 47-story property is set to undergo an extensive redevelopment under its new ownership, which will include high-end tenant amenities, the addition of spec suites and remodeling the building’s interior. Once complete, the property will feature a renovated lobby, tenant corridors and restrooms, and first-class tenant amenities including a rooftop deck, tenant lounge, conference facility, fitness center and bike room. A multi-million dollar capital budget is being put forth by the new ownership group, and MBRE has been contracted to provide ongoing management, leasing and construction oversight for the property. MBRE’s Mark …
LOS ANGELES — The net lease market has, by and large, enjoyed a steady run post-recession. But many investors are entering 2016 with a sentiment that an uncertain future may lie ahead, according to panelists at InterFace Conference Group’s Net Lease West conference, held March 1 at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. This sobering reality was inspired by a few factors, including a likely hike in interest rates, a bulk of CMBS loans coming due, a discrepancy in pricing between buyers and sellers, rising cap rates, the possible dissolution of 1031 exchange transactions and a bull market that has lasted longer than average. CMBS Wall Creates Opportunities for Buyers Gordon Whiting, managing director at Angelo, Gordon & Co. and a “State of the Industry and 2016 Outlook” panelist, believes now is a good time for buyers to begin infiltrating the market due to the girth of CMBS loans coming due. More than $300 billion is set to mature between 2015 and 2017, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Rather than refinancing, panelists noted some borrowers were choosing to sell ahead of maturity. “I have clients who have chosen to put their properties on the market because the debt is …
LOS ANGELES — Taubman Centers Inc. (NYSE: TCO) has unveiled plans for a $500 million renovation at Beverly Center, an 886,000-square-foot shopping mall located on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles. Renovations will include new skylights, a new exterior with a perforated steel façade, a state-of-the-art smart parking system and a new streetscape with refreshed landscaping. Taubman also plans to develop a row of street-level restaurants along West Third Street with an additional valet for quick access to the new dining options. Upon completion, the center will also feature a refreshed tenant mix and a flexible center court featuring a large LED screen, places to sit and room for exhibitions and installations. “In re-envisioning Beverly Center, we are looking to create LA’s signature urban shopping and dining experience, as well as an exciting, pedestrian-friendly anchor to one of the most creative and diverse neighborhoods in the world,” says Robert Taubman, CEO and president of Taubman Centers. “The center is a key asset in our portfolio, and after renovation we believe it will become one of the top ten retail centers in the nation.” The shopping mall opened March 31, 1982, according to Taubman. Sheldon Gordon and E. Philip Lyon originated the …
LITTLETON, COLO. — Vestar has acquired Bowles Crossing, a 409,457-square-foot regional shopping center in the Denver suburb of Littleton, for $76.1 million. The 53.8-acre Bowles Crossing is one of the area’s top regional shopping destinations in the southwest Denver metro area. Tenants at the center include Trader Joe’s, DSW Warehouse, Ross Dress for Less, Gordmans and a newly renovated AMC Theatre. The center is located at 8055 W. Bowles Ave., at the northeast corner of Wadsworth Boulevard and Bowles Avenue. Vestar plans expand the shopping center, adding new retail, restaurants and a multifamily component. “Over the past 12 months, Vestar has acquired five retail centers valued at $670 million throughout the Western states,” says Clint Marchuk, the firm’s vice president of acquisitions. “Our goal is to continue acquiring strategic centers in key markets with strong demographics.” Vestar also recently acquired the 623,205-square-foot, open-air retail and entertainment portion of The Gateway, a retail, residential and office complex in downtown Salt Lake City. Phoenix-based Vestar is a privately held real estate company that specializes in the acquisition, management and development of commercial real estate, particularly retail. The company owns and manages more than 25 million square feet of retail assets in the …
ENGLEWOOD, COLO. — Englewood-based Sports Authority Inc. has made public a list of 140 stores it plans to close in conjunction with the retailer’s move to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Sports Authority has received access to up to $595 million in debtor-in-possession financing in conjunction with the Chapter 11 filing in the District of Delaware. The company has received court approval to begin liquidating stores with a portion of its $595 million bankruptcy loan. The decision to close stores follows a comprehensive review of the Sports Authority portfolio in light of the increasing amount of shopping that is occurring online, the company stated in a March 2 press release. “As a result of these changes in consumer buying patterns, Sports Authority determined that it needs fewer stores as part of its long-term business model,” according to the press release. (For more on what ultimately led the sporting goods retailer to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, click here.) The following store locations are set to close in the coming months based on a review of the court filing by REBusinessonine.com State City Address Arizona Casa Grande 1004 N Promenade Parkway, Ste 159 Arizona Mesa 1812 W Rio …
LEAWOOD, KAN. — In a blockbuster merger, AMC Theatres (NYSE: AMC) has agreed to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Carmike Cinemas Inc. (NASDAQ: CKEC) for $30 per share in cash. The transaction — valued at approximately $1.1 billion including the assumption of debt — creates the largest chain of movie theaters in the United States and the world. The purchase price per share represents an approximate 19.5 percent premium to Carmike’s closing stock price on Thursday, March 3. The purchase price per screen is approximately $376,000. AMC currently has 5,426 screens at 387 theaters, located primarily in the United Sates, including many in the nation’s top markets. Carmike has 2,954 screens at 276 theaters, primarily located in mid-size, non-urban communities. Together, AMC and Carmike will have well over 600 theater locations in 45 states across the country, including the District of Columbia. The deal, which has been approved by the board of directors at both AMC and Carmike is expected to close by the end of this year. “By broadening AMC’s geographic and demographic base for delivering our groundbreaking guest experience innovations in comfort and convenience — such as plush power-recliners, enhanced food and beverage, premium sight and …
PHILADELPHIA — Drexel University and Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE: BDN) will co-develop the Schuylkill Yards mixed-use community on a 14-acre site in Philadelphia. The development costs weren’t disclosed, but the Philadelphia Business Journal estimates total costs will reach $3.5 billion. Initial phases of the projected 20-year innovation development plan will consist of 5 million square feet of mixed-use real estate on a 10-acre site next to Drexel’s main campus and adjacent to Amtrak’s 30th Street Station. The master-planned neighborhood within Philadelphia’s University City submarket will feature entrepreneurial spaces, educational facilities and research laboratories, corporate offices, residential and retail spaces, hospitality, cultural venues and public open spaces. “Drexel University and Brandywine’s shared vision for the continued renaissance of University City provides a strong foundation for a long-term partnership. Together, we will create a dynamic and world-class innovation hub to attract the brightest minds to our region,” says Gerard Sweeney, president and CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust. “Schuylkill Yards will transform Philadelphia’s skyline as new towers rise on the west side of the Schuylkill River,” he continues. “Brandywine’s existing Cira Centre, EVO and FMC Tower at Cira Centre South projects in University City will provide a synergistic connection to Schuylkill Yards, creating …
LOS ANGELES — Healthcare providers are taking cues from the retail and hospitality industries and keeping an open mind. That’s according to panelists at InterFace Conference Group’s Healthcare Real Estate West conference, held March 2 at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. The biggest lessons the healthcare industry has internalized, panelists noted, was making the customer king, remaining flexible and embracing technology — even if the future of that technology is uncertain. “The buzzword today is omnichannel,” said Andy Hoover, real estate manager for the California region of Providence Health and Services and a participant in the “Impact of Consolidation and Changing Healthcare Delivery” panel. “It’s more like retail today. It’s a customer-focused delivery model — essentially a retail delivery model. It’s a blend of physical and digital components. It’s really not what you put into it. It’s what the customer gets out of it and what they’ll pay for.” The healthcare system of the future is looking to integrate mobile apps that allow customers to refill prescriptions, make appointments, view test results and potentially even hold virtual visits with their physicians. Healthcare systems are also moving away from hospitals and campuses with long-held, negative stigmas surrounding them. “The medical office …
ENGLEWOOD, COLO. — Facing stiff competition on the retail playing field, particularly online, Englewood-based Sports Authority Inc. announced today that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company plans to sell or close about 140 stores, or nearly one-third of its locations. The store closing process is expected to take up to three months. “We are taking this action so that we can continue to adapt our business to meet the changing dynamics in the retail industry,” said Michael Foss, CEO of Sports Authority, in a press release. “We intend to use the Chapter 11 process to streamline and strengthen our business, both operationally and financially, so that we have the financial flexibility to continue to make necessary investments in our operations.” The decision follows a comprehensive review of the Sports Authority portfolio in light of the increasing amount of shopping that is occurring online, the company stated. “As a result of these changes in consumer buying patterns, Sports Authority determined that it needs fewer stores as part of its long-term business model,” according to the press release. All Sports Authority stores nationwide remain open at this point and continue to operate on normal schedules, the company emphasized. …
MIAMI — Construction has begun on Miami Worldcenter, one of the largest urban mixed-use projects in the country, and its signature residential tower, Paramount Miami Worldcenter. This marks the start of the $1.7 billion, 27-acre development’s retail component. “You are literally going to see six blocks being developed all at the same time. This is basically step one of multiple steps in which you are going to see six buildings going vertical,” says Daniel Kodsi, developer and CEO of Paramount Miami Worldcenter. Miami Worldcenter will include Paramount and six other residential and office buildings, an 1,800-room Marriott Marquis and convention center, an intermodal hub and a retail and restaurant promenade. CoastalTishman, a joint venture between Miami-based Coastal Construction and New York-based Tishman Construction, is close to completing the installation of 400 pilings that will support the glass-clad tower designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects in collaboration with Paramount Miami Worldcenter’s in-house design team. Upon completion of the pilings, CoastalTishman will start building the tower’s foundation. The first phase of construction will focus on Paramount Miami Worldcenter, a 700-foot, 60-story residential skyscraper. The $500 million tower will feature one of the largest amenity decks in the country, spanning 90 feet above downtown …