Top Stories

Ford to Break Ground on $3.5B Electric Vehicle Battery Plant in Marshall, Michigan

by Katie Sloan February 14, 2023

MARSHALL, MICH. — Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) has unveiled plans for BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, a $3.5 billion lithium iron phosphate (LFP) electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall, a small city of about 7,000 residents located approximately 100 miles west of Detroit. The development will be the first automaker-backed LFP battery plant in the U.S., according to Ford, and will initially employ 2,500 workers upon completion in 2026. The site offers opportunity for further development, despite the fact that 245 acres of land along the Kalamazoo River will be placed into a conservation easement and protected against future industrial development. The plant will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford in partnership with global battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL). Under terms of the arrangement, Ford will manufacture its LFP battery cells utilizing services and knowledge from CATL. The company’s current roster of electric vehicles run on nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries. By offering a second, lower-cost battery chemistry, the company will be able to expand its offering of electric vehicles with a variety of affordable new models. “Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) lineup has generated huge demand,” says Jim Farley, the company’s president and CEO. “To …

February 14, 2023

Acquisitions California Retail Top Stories Western

Bridge Group Investments, Steerpoint Capital Acquire 1.3 MSF North County Mall in Escondido, California

by Kristin Harlow February 13, 2023

ESCONDIDO, CALIF. — Bridge Group Investments and Steerpoint Capital have acquired North County Mall in Escondido, about 30 miles north of San Diego. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) was the seller, according to the Escondido Times-Advocate. The sales price was undisclosed. Situated on almost 83 acres, North County Mall totals nearly 1.3 million square feet. Tenants include Target, Macy’s, JC Penney, 24 Hour Fitness, Forever 21, H&M, Apple, Cheesecake Factory, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Black Angus Steakhouse, On the Border and more. The mall opened in 1986. Although no plans were released for changes under the new ownership, a press release from the City of Escondido — which owns most of the land on which the mall rests — said the buyers “are eager to bring new investment and retail opportunities to the mall and are committed to working with and supporting the local community.” The property is the fourth mall that Bridge Group Investments and affiliates have acquired in California over the past six months with support from Steerpoint Capital. Previous acquisitions include The Shops at Montebello in Montebello, Antelope Valley Mall in Palmdale and Northridge Mall in Salinas. Bridge Group Investments is the family office for the Mersho family, led by …

February 13, 2023

Affordable Housing California Development Multifamily Top Stories Western

ASD Breaks Ground on Four Affordable Housing Projects in Los Angeles

by Amy Works February 10, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Alliant Strategic Development (ASD) has broken ground on four transit-oriented multifamily communities, totaling 727 income-restricted rental units, in the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Canoga Park, Van Nuys and North Hollywood. Upon completion, which is slated to occur in the fourth quarter of 2024 and first quarter of 2025, the portfolio will offer units geared to households throughout the affordable spectrum — on average earning up to 90 percent of the area median income (AMI), with 144 of the units designated for households making 50 percent or less of AMI. The four projects include: Sync on Canoga, featuring 220 one-bedroom units at 7019 Canoga Ave. in Canoga Park. Pendant on Topanga, totaling 149 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments at 7322 Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Canoga Park. Vose, offering 332 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments at 7050 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys. Candence at Noho, featuring 26 one- and two-bedroom units at 5633 Farmdale Ave. in North Hollywood. The interiors of the 727 units will include energy-efficient stainless steel kitchen appliances, in-unit washers/dryers and stone countertops. Community amenities across the portfolio include fitness centers, rooftop decks, electric vehicle charging stations, pools, spas, outdoor lounge areas and dog parks …

February 10, 2023

Development Mixed-Use Southeast Tennessee Top Stories

Chartwell Hospitality, Southstar Break Ground on $500M Aureum Mixed-Use Development Near Nashville

by John Nelson February 9, 2023

FRANKLIN, TENN. — A joint venture between locally based developers Chartwell Hospitality and Southstar has broken ground on Aureum, a $500 million mixed-use development located in the Nashville suburb of Franklin. Situated in the city’s Cool Springs district, the 22-acre development will feature residences, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, offices and two hotels, as well as five acres of open space featuring parks and trails. “We are the first to market with an all-in-one entertainment, hospitality and residential community that hasn’t been seen before in this area,” says Rob Schaedle, president of Chartwell Cos. “Studies done by the city predict Cool Springs will be the gateway to a popular and highly accessible submarket of Franklin, and we expect Aureum to be a popular choice for residents.” Aureum, which is Latin for “golden,” was originally announced in summer 2019. No construction timeline was given for the development, which will be completed in phases. Aureum will be situated at the southwest corner of Carothers Parkway and McEwen Drive, a site the co-developers are calling the “golden corner” of Cool Springs. The vertically integrated mixed-use project will reach 12 stories and contain housing, commercial office space and entertainment venues. Phase I will feature 355 …

February 9, 2023

Acquisitions Healthcare Illinois Midwest Northeast Rhode Island Top Stories

CVS Agrees to Acquire Oak Street Health in $10.6B Deal

by Kristin Harlow February 8, 2023

WOONSOCKET, R.I., AND CHICAGO — CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) has agreed to acquire Oak Street Health (NYSE: OSH) in an all-cash transaction at $39 per share, representing a total purchase price of roughly $10.6 billion. The price represents a premium of approximately 11.9 percent over Oak Street’s opening price per share this morning. Chicago-based Oak Street Health is a network of primary care centers for adults on Medicare. The company employs approximately 600 primary care providers and maintains 169 medical centers across 21 states. By 2026, Oak Street Health plans to grow to more than 300 centers. Oak Street Health’s technology solution, Canopy, is fully integrated with its operations and utilized when determining the appropriate type and level of care for each patient. That care will be enhanced by CVS Health’s community, home and digital offerings, according to the companies. Bringing CVS Health and Oak Street Health together can significantly benefit patients’ long-term health by reducing care costs and improving outcomes, particularly for those in underserved communities, according to a news release. Oak Street Health centers are located where healthcare services are needed most; more than 50 percent of Oak Street Health’s patients have a housing, food or isolation risk …

February 8, 2023

Development Life Sciences Texas Top Stories

NexPoint Plans 200-Acre TxS District Life Sciences Project in Plano, Texas

by Jeff Shaw February 7, 2023

PLANO, TEXAS — NexPoint, a Dallas-based alternative investment firm, has announced plans for TxS District, a 200-acre life sciences development in Plano. The project, named to signify ‘Technology x Science,’ centers on a 91-acre main campus, which previously served as headquarters for Electronic Data Systems. The district would incorporate 109 additional acres in the Legacy neighborhood. In total, the project would create over 4 million square feet of lab, office and production space across four phases of construction. NexPoint purchased the main campus in 2018 and has been acquiring the additional acreage since that time. Phases I and II of the project propose to transform two existing buildings on the main campus into 970,000 square feet of lab and office space and 120,000 square feet of amenity space. Initial site improvement plans also include a public park, amphitheater and connectivity to the nearby Legacy retail development. The developer plans to break ground on Phase I before the end of the year. NexPoint has proposed that the project be achieved through a public-private partnership. The firm is working with the City of Plano on development plans and the project’s impact on the surrounding area. “Not only would this project be a …

February 7, 2023

Acquisitions Florida Hospitality Southeast Top Stories

JLL Arranges $835M Sale of Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida

by Taylor Williams February 6, 2023

HOLLYWOOD, FLA. — JLL has arranged the sale of Diplomat Beach Resort, a 1,000-room hotel located in the South Florida community of Hollywood. Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) sold the beachfront property for $835 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. Diplomat Beach Resort is a twin-spired, 33-story hotel that sits on a 10-acre site. The property houses 200,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a 14,000-square-foot spa, eight restaurants and bars and multiple pools and cascading waterfalls. Guests also have access to kayak, paddleboard and jet ski rental services. The buyer, a joint venture between Credit Suisse Asset Management and Honolulu-based Trinity Fund Advisors, has entered into an agreement with Hilton Hotels & Resorts to operate the hotel under the chain’s Curio Collection by Hilton family of brands. According to the brokerage team, the deal marks the third-largest single-asset hotel sale in U.S. history by price. Diplomat Beach Resort underwent a $90 million capital improvement program in 2018. The Journal reports that the new ownership plans to make additional renovations and improvements to enhance the guest experience. Jeffrey Davis, Gregory Rumpel, Kevin Davis and Gilda Perez-Alvarado of JLL brokered the deal on behalf of the seller. The team …

February 6, 2023

Development Midwest Office Top Stories Wisconsin

Northwestern Mutual Plans $500M Renovation of Downtown Milwaukee Headquarters Campus

by John Nelson February 3, 2023

MILWAUKEE — Northwestern Mutual, an American financial services and insurance organization, has announced plans to invest $500 million to improve its downtown Milwaukee headquarters. The principal part of the investment will go to the overhaul of its North Office Building, a 540,000-square-foot building located at 818 E. Mason St. overlooking Milwaukee Bay. As part of the company’s plans, employees will be relocated from Northwestern Mutual’s suburban campus in nearby Franklin over the next three to five years. Nearly 2,000 employees will transition to the reimagined downtown campus, which is designed to accommodate planned company growth. “We are doubling down on our Milwaukee campus by investing in the future of the workplace for Northwestern Mutual and a thriving downtown community,” says John Schlifske, chairman, president and CEO of Northwestern Mutual. “Our strategic investment will further our goal of creating an unparalleled campus experience, fostering connection and collaboration across employees, financial representatives and the community while attracting and retaining the next generation of talent right here in southeast Wisconsin.” Northwestern Mutual’s improvements include full interior and exterior renovations to mirror the company’s adjacent Tower and Commons building. The North Office Building was delivered in 1990 whereas Tower and Commons debuted in 2017. …

February 3, 2023

California Development Hospitality Mixed-Use Restaurant Retail Top Stories Western

LRE & Cos., American Hospitality Services Unveil Plans for 11-Acre Mixed-Use Development in Roseville, California

by Jeff Shaw February 2, 2023

ROSEVILLE, CALIF. — LRE & Cos. and American Hospitality Services have unveiled full plans for Roseville Junction, a new mixed-use development in Roseville. The property will feature two hotels, three restaurants, an entertainment and sports complex and an outdoor gathering space. Roseville Junction will be built on an 11-acre site that is 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. The site is adjacent to Highway 65 near Interstate 80, and is located nearby many of the area’s vineyards and wineries, as well as new retail and shopping amenities such as the Roseville Galleria. A timeline for completion was not disclosed. The family- and pet-friendly outdoor gathering space will be called Social Connection and will offer guests a variety of food and beverage options, including craft brewery Fieldwork Brewing Co. The restaurants leases are currently under negotiation. The project’s entertainment and sports complex, The Electric Pickle, will include a bocce ball court and 10 pickleball courts. The Electric Pickle will also offer food options such as wood-fired pizzas, tacos, burgers and more. Guests will be able to place food and beverage orders through an app and have their food delivered by “food ambassadors” moving throughout the property. The two five-story, select-service hotels will be …

February 2, 2023

Development Life Sciences Northeast Pennsylvania Top Stories

SkyREM to Redevelop Philadelphia’s Historic Quartermaster Site into $250M Life Sciences Project

by Kristin Harlow February 1, 2023

PHILADELPHIA — SkyREM has unveiled plans to redevelop Philadelphia’s historic Quartermaster site into the Quartermaster Science + Technology Park, a $250 million life sciences project. The development will include wet and dry lab space for both life sciences startups and established companies to conduct full-scale research and development, and bio-manufacturing. Plans also call for retail and restaurant space, a hotel and other amenities. Named the Schuylkill Arsenal when it was first built in 1800, the Quartermaster site provided the U.S. military with supplies and outfitted the Lewis and Clark expedition. Around the time of World War I, the facility was expanded to meet demand for uniforms and gear and was renamed Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot. The campus was again expanded during World War II. The clothing factory at the Quartermaster site officially closed in 1994 after operations were transferred to Northeast Philadelphia. The demolition of five original World War I warehouses took place in 1999. SkyREM purchased the campus in 2001 and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. Currently, the property serves as the headquarters for Indego bicycle transit and is home to other tenants in the healthcare and security sectors. The Quartermaster Science + …

February 1, 2023

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