WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gunnar Branson will join the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE) as CEO following the September retirement of the organization’s long-time head, James Fetgatter. Branson joins AFIRE following seven years as CEO of the National Association of Real Estate Managers (NAREIM). Previously, Branson held leadership positions at GE Capital Real Estate and Heller Financial, and has consulted with companies including JLL, Wells Fargo, Wrightwood Capital, CIBC and Fidelity Investments. “I am excited to begin work with AFIRE and to continue the high-level relationships fostered by Jim Fetgatter for so many years,” said Branson. “AFIRE is an essential forum for navigating the unique challenges of global institutional real estate investing, and I look forward to participating in that discussion.” Founded in 1988, Washington, D.C.-based AFIRE provides a platform for investors to communicate through global meetings in key cities around the world, including in the United States and Europe. Two former U.S. presidents, four former secretaries of state, four former secretaries of defense and former prime ministers from the UK, Ireland, Spain and Australia have addressed AFIRE conferences.
ATLANTA — Cushman & Wakefield has secured $37.8 million in construction financing for the development of Vue at the Quarter, a 271-unit multifamily community that will be located at 2048 Bolton Drive N.W. in Atlanta’s Upper Westside submarket. Mike Ryan, Brian Linnihan, Richard Henry and Blake Cohen of Cushman & Wakefield arranged a $32.8 million senior loan through Ameris Bank and $5 million in preferred equity through RSE Capital Partners on behalf of the project developer, GJ Enterprises Acquisitions. The 359,000-square-foot community will include five four- and five-story buildings. GJ Enterprises expects to wrap up construction on the project in May 2020.
ORLANDO, FLA. — Federal Capital Partners (FCP) has acquired Royal Isles, a 264-unit multifamily community in Orlando, for $23.6 million. The community includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units and features a 24-hour fitness center, swimming pool with sundeck, playground, picnic area with grills and an onsite laundry center. Evan Kristol and Felipe Echarte of Marcus & Millichap’s The Kristol Group arranged the transaction on behalf of the undisclosed seller. Berkadia arranged the assumption of the existing Fannie Mae mortgage.
OWINGS MILLS, MD. — Kimco Realty Corp. has signed five new tenants to Mill Station, a $108 million open-air retail development in Owings Mills, located roughly 20 miles northwest of Baltimore. Lowe’s Home Improvement, Marshalls, HomeSense, Burlington and Five Below will join the anchor lineup at the development, located at the site of the former Owings Mills Mall. With the addition of the new retailers, the project is 75 percent preleased. Previously announced tenants include AMC Theatre and Costco, which is expected to open later this year. The other announced tenants are scheduled to open throughout the first half of 2019. At full build-out, Mill Station will total 620,000 square feet and will house up to 30 retailers and restaurants.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s been nine years since the Great Recession ended, and if the economy can make it to June 2019 without suffering a relapse, it will be the longest business cycle in U.S. history. Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist of Wells Fargo Securities, believes that will happen because of how broad-based the recovery has been. “For the most part, over the last nine months to a year all 50 states have been growing, which is something that hasn’t happened before,” says Vitner, who is based in Wells Fargo’s Charlotte office. “Typically, when the economy broadens it makes for a more durable expansion. When the strength of the economy begins to narrow, with fewer industries and states expanding, that’s usually a sign that a recession is a year to 18 months ahead.” Vitner’s commentary came during his keynote address at the ninth annual Carolinas InterFace conference. The half-day event, which took place on Thursday, May 31 at the Hilton Charlotte City Center hotel in Uptown Charlotte, drew 212 attendees from across the commercial real estate industry in North and South Carolina. The veteran economist says that the United States is currently at full employment with a majority …
MEMPHIS, TENN. — HFF has brokered the $50 million sale of Memphis Depot, a 43-building industrial portfolio located one mile from Memphis International Airport. Adam Herrin, Stephen Bailey and Jason Nettles of HFF arranged the transaction on behalf of the seller, Mayfield Properties LP. Brian Carlton, David Wheless and Nielsen Keopfgen of HFF arranged a seven-year, $32.5 million acquisition loan through Allegiant Real Estate Capital on behalf of the buyer, a partnership between Diamond Properties and funds managed by Ares Management LP. The industrial property was originally constructed in 1942 as a military supply base for use in World War II. The military used the buildings until 1997, when it was redeveloped into an industrial park by the City of Memphis and Shelby County. The portfolio is 91 percent leased and totals 4.2 million square feet of distribution and warehouse facilities. The buildings are divided into three groups: North Park, which includes 25 buildings with clear heights ranging from 14 to 16 feet; South Park, which comprises 14 buildings with an average clear height of 20 feet; and Interior Park, which includes four buildings with an average clear height of 25 feet.
LAKELAND, FLA. — Dallas-based developer Xebec has acquired 60 acres in the Central Florida community of Lakeland with plans to develop a $39.3 million regional bulk logistics facility. The 533,000-square-foot building will be designed to meet demand from retailers, distributors and third-party logistics providers. Users will be able to reach 19 million consumers within a 200-mile radius of the project and be within an hour drive from three international airports. The facility will feature 40-foot clear heights, a 185-foot truck court with 114 docks, 367 car parking spaces and 102 container parking spaces. Xebec plans to break ground on the building in the fourth quarter, and wrap up construction in the third quarter of 2019.
HANAHAN, S.C. — Stockbridge Capital Group has acquired a newly constructed industrial facility in the north Charleston suburb of Hanahan for $30.5 million. The 350,856-square-foot facility is located at 1025 N. Pointe Industrial Road, five miles from the Port of Charleston’s North Charleston terminal and nine miles from Charleston International Airport. The building features an ESFR sprinkler system, 32-foot clear heights, LED lighting, 180-foot truck courts and on-site trailer storage. The facility is fully leased to AmerCare and ManTech International. Chris Norvell and Patrick Nally of HFF arranged the transaction on behalf of the seller, SunCap Property Group and WestRock, which developed the facility in 2016.
JACKSONVILLE AND ORLANDO, FLA. — Carroll Organization has sold ARIUM Town Center in Jacksonville and Knightsbridge at Stoneybrook in Orlando for an undisclosed price. Carroll Multifamily Real Estate Fund III LP originally acquired ARIUM Town Center in June 2014. The 320-unit community is located within walking distance to St. Johns Town Center, a 1.5 million-square-foot outdoor shopping center. Community amenities include screened-in patios, a newly renovated swimming pool with barbecue grills, 24-hour fitness center, business center and a gated dog park. Knightsbridge at Stoneybrook in Orlando was acquired in 2015 as part of both Carroll Multifamily Real Estate Fund III LP and Carroll Multifamily Real Estate Fund IV LP. The 396-unit community features resort-style pools, a 24-hour fitness center, tennis and volleyball courts and a gated dog park. The name of the buyer was not disclosed.
LILBURN, GA. — Sterling Organization has acquired Five Forks Crossing, a 73,910-square-foot shopping center located at the intersection of Five Forks Trickum and Oak roads in Lilburn, roughly 20 miles northeast of Atlanta. Kimco Realty sold the asset for $10.5 million, or $142 per square foot. A 62,000-square-foot Kroger anchors the center. Additional tenants include Great Clips, The UPS Store and Coast Dental. Five Forks Crossing is Palm Beach, Fla.-based Sterling Organization’s seventh property in Georgia.