The building height restriction — enacted in Washington, D.C. to preserve picturesque views of the United States Capitol Building and the Washington Monument — helps provide clear and exceedingly stunning views of the multitude of construction cranes that currently dot the vertical landscape of the District of Columbia. The majority of these yellow-steeled economic generators are being used to develop new residential and mixed-use projects, ranging from the NoMa district to the southeast Waterfront area and weaving through the neighboring suburbs, including Loudoun, Va., and Bethesda, Md. And, where new residential goes, supporting retail always follows, including the trendiest grocery store chains and hottest fast-casual and dine-in restaurant concepts. In addition, the area’s ever-expanding transportation network that provides a daily lifeline to D.C. and suburban workers is also paving the way for new retail opportunities as our Nation’s Capital continues to retain its reputation as among the most prolific retail locations in the country. Downtown Core Residential-only or mixed-use projects currently underway in the District are too numerous to mention, but here is a glimpse into the frenetic activity as there appears to be a bottomless appetite for new housing, particularly among Millennials. MRP Realty is developing the 1,600-unit Rhode …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A partnership between KeyBank Real Estate Capital and an affiliate of Walton Street Capital LLC has originated a $204.1 million first mortgage loan for The Woodies Building in Washington, D.C.’s East End. The 10-story, 497,000-square-foot property was constructed in 1897 and was fully redeveloped in 2005. Scott Bois of KeyBank’s Commercial Mortgage Group arranged the financing on behalf of the borrower, Douglas Development Corp. The 12-year loan features a 10-year interest only period and a 30-year amortization schedule. KeyBank and Walton Street Capital previously closed a $196.3 million first mortgage loan on behalf of Douglas Development for the Atlantic Building, also in Washington, D.C.
LEESBURG, VA. — Federal Capital Partners and joint venture partner Kettler have sold Fields of Leesburg, a 405-unit garden-style apartment community located at 75 Plaza St. in Leesburg, for $55.3 million. Built in the 1970s, the property participates in a tax credit program that provides affordable residences for renters who qualify. Jeff Kunitz, Brandon Grisham and Jonathan Greenberg of CBRE represented FCP and Kettler in the transaction. The buyer was not disclosed.
ARLINGTON, VA. — Nestle USA, a subsidiary of global food and drink company Nestle S.A., has decided to move its corporate headquarters from Glendale, Calif., to Arlington’s Rosslyn district. The company will invest $39.8 million to relocate to 206,000 square feet of office space at 1812 N. Moore St. beginning in September. The move is expected to create nearly 750 jobs in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., region. As part of the deal, Nestle USA will receive $6 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The grant comprises a $4 million Industrial Development Authority Performance Incentives grant from Arlington County and an additional $2 million from the county for infrastructure purposes. Nestle USA worked closely with Arlington Economic Development in the move.
CONWAY, S.C. — Morgan Construction Co. has been awarded a contract to build its 100th and 101st Aldi stores in the Southeast. The two new stores will be located in Conway. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based contractor has previously built Aldi stores in eight states in the region, including all six Aldi stores in southeast Tennessee and northwest Georgia over the past decade. The German grocer awards contracts one project at a time, according to Morgan Construction.
LAKE WORTH, FLA. — Walker & Dunlop has closed a $20 million Fannie Mae loan for Avesta Costa Del Lago, a Class B garden-style apartment community located in Palm Beach County’s Lake Worth. The borrower, Avesta Communities, will use the proceeds of the loan to refinance the 177,481-square-foot property, which was built in 1972. Community amenities at Avesta Costa Del Lago include a clubhouse, swimming pool, picnic area, lake views, playground, laundry facilities and a pet play area. Since purchasing the asset in 2013, Avesta has invested $1 million in capital improvements. Alison Williams and Matt Baldwin of Walker & Dunlop originated the 10-year Fannie Mae Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage loan with five years of interest-only payments and a 30-year amortization schedule.
PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. — InvenTrust Properties Corp. has acquired Paraiso Parc and Westfork Plaza retail centers in Pembroke Pines for $163 million. The two adjacent centers are located approximately 20 miles north of Miami. Upon completion of an ongoing expansion project in mid-2017, the two centers will total approximately 389,000 square feet. The properties include national tenants such as Publix, Costco, Regal Cinemas, Ross and TJ Maxx. “The acquisition of Paraiso Parc and Westfork Plaza represents a truly unique opportunity to secure an A+ asset in one of South Florida’s strongest retail submarkets,” says Michael E. Podboy, CFO at InvenTrust. InvenTrust is a self-managed REIT that owns and manages 88 retail properties totaling 15.1 million square feet of retail space. —Kristin Hiller
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Meridian Group, a Bethesda, Md.-based real estate investment and development firm, has purchased 1901 L Street, an eight-story office building located in downtown Washington, D.C.’s central business district. Meridian purchased the 132,372-square-foot property from New York Life in an off-market transaction for $75 million. At closing, the building will be 73 percent leased to two retail tenants — Staples and Sweetgreen — and a mix of 15 office tenants. Meridian is planning an extensive renovation of 1901 L that will add three new floors of trophy space to the top of the building. The renovation will also include a new lobby with high-end finishes, new façade and new HVAC and elevator systems, as well as a tenant-only indoor/outdoor penthouse space, fitness center and a conference center. The renovation will increase the size of the building to 206,000 square feet. Meridian selected Fox Architects to design the new building. The purchase is the fifth acquisition for an affiliate of Meridian — Meridian Realty Partners II LP, a $231.6 million discretionary fund.
MIAMI — Berkadia has secured the $25 million refinancing of Carib Villas, a 365-unit apartment community located at 11105 S.W. 200th St. in Miami. Built in 1972, the property features onsite laundry facilities, barbecue areas and a swimming pool with a sundeck. Mitch Sinberg and Matt Robbins of Berkadia’s South Florida office arranged the 10-year loan on behalf of the borrower, The Cornfield Group. The Freddie Mac loan features interest-only payments for the full term and an adjustable interest rate.
MATTHEWS, N.C. — The Memphis office of Financial Federal Bank has arranged a $24.3 million acquisition loan for Legacy Matthews Apartments in Matthews, a suburb of Charlotte. The borrower, a repeat Financial Federal customer, purchased the 288-unit garden-style property, which was 97 percent occupied at the time of closing. Rick Wood and Jon Van Hoozer of Financial Federal Bank arranged the 12-year, fixed-rate loan with three years of interest-only payments and a 30-year amortization schedule through an agency lender.