SAN MARCOS AND LUBBOCK, TEXAS — Vesper Holdings has purchased two student housing properties in Texas. The properties include Wildwood San Marcos in San Marcos and University Fountains in Lubbock. Wildwood San Marcos is a 132-unit, 528-bed student housing community located near Texas State University. Wildwood includes 11 three-story residential buildings and a clubhouse. Built in 2013, Wildwood currently maintains a 99 percent occupancy rate. Vesper is allocating $250,000 toward property improvements at Wildwood. These funds will be used to improve curb appeal, renovate the clubhouse and pool, and upgrade the amenities.
WACO, TEXAS — Waco City Council has unanimously approved the zoning and design of a 702-bed student housing project in the former Speight Avenue H-E-B grocery location near Baylor University in Waco. The five-story, $40 million project, which American Campus Communities is developing, would join two other nearby complexes of the same size, the View on 10th and a proposed complex, Park7, according to the Waco Tribune. The City Plan Commission recommended and approved the project, which ACC will own, by a 7-3 vote.
IRVING, TEXAS — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the sale of Pioneer House and Executive Apartments, a 146-unit apartment portfolio located in Irving. William Jarnagin and Michael Ware of Marcus & Millichap’s Dallas office marketed the property on behalf of the seller, a private investor. Ware and Jarnagin also procured the buyer, a local private investor. The seller plans to utilize the sale of the portfolio to acquire a larger asset with additional cash flow. The buyer intends to make minor improvements to the stabilized asset and improve upon the existing cash flow. Old Capital arranged financing with a Fannie Mae loan from Arbor Commercial Mortgage. Pioneer House is located at 2851 W. Pioneer Drive. Executive Apartments is located at 2700 W. Grauwyler Road. The Class C multifamily communities include 15 buildings with nine efficiency, 66 one-bedroom/one-bath, 36 two-bedroom/one-bath, 34 two-bedroom/two-bath, and one three-bedroom/two-bath floor plans. At the time of listing, both properties reported 99 percent occupancy rates.
DALLAS — Hilton Worldwide and Dallas-based Centurion American Development have signed a franchise license agreement to open The Statler Hotel & Residences in Dallas. Opening in October 2016, the refurbished hotel will be part of Curio by Hilton, a brand of upscale and luxury hotels for travelers. The original Dallas Statler Hilton was located at 1914 Commerce St. in downtown Dallas. Centurion American Development Group’s master plan includes 161 hotel rooms on the lower five floors and 219 residences on the top 11 floors. The building will include meeting space, retail and office space, four restaurants and a hotel lounge. A new music venue is also planned in the 14,500-square-foot ballroom. Development of the building is set to start at the beginning of May. Plano-based Aimbridge Hospitality will manage the hotel.
HARLINGEN, TEXAS — The Harlingen Aerotropolis at Valley International Airport has been designated as a Certified Site by McCallum-Sweeney Consultants, a selection and economic development consulting firm. American Electric Power hired McCallum-Sweeny Consulting Services to help develop and manage the process. After the applicant completes certification requirements, McCallum-Sweeney certifies that the property is ready for development, enhancing the marketability of the site. Harlingen Aerotropolis at Valley International Airport (formerly Harlingen Industrial Airpark) includes 479.5 acres.
HOUSTON —Larry Peters and Adam Unger of Q10 Kinghorn, Driver, Hough & Co. have arranged financing for a 100-unit seniors housing apartment community in Houston. The garden-style property is currently 97 percent occupied. The loan included a 70 percent loan-to-value ratio and an initial interest rate below 3 percent. The floating rate can be converted to fixed rate during the seven-year term at no cost. With this loan, the borrower also secured cash out for capital improvements.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — HFF has arranged financing for Vineyard Hills Apartments, a 202-unit apartment community in Austin. HFF worked on behalf of the borrower to secure the 10-year, 3.58 percent fixed-rate loan through a life insurance company lender. Proceeds were used to refinance existing debt on the property. The loan was structured as a forward loan with the rate locked five months prior to closing. Vineyard Hills Apartments is located at 7631 U.S. Highway 290 W. near State Highway 71 in the Oak Hill area of southwest Austin. Completed in 2000, the property features one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans ranging between 640 and 1,315 square feet. Amenities include a swimming pool, heated spa, clubroom and business center. The property is 96 percent leased. Robert Wooten led the HFF debt placement team representing the borrower.
CEDAR HILL, TEXAS — Trademark Property Co., the operating partner for Uptown Village at Cedar Hill, has announced the 610,000-square-foot shopping center will be rebranded as Hillside Village. The new name and corresponding new brand were selected to reflect the garden-like look and feel planned as part of a multi-million dollar property renovation to attract a broader trade area, and to pay homage to the community in which it lies. Planned improvements to Hillside Village include enhanced entrances, public spaces and vehicular access, upgraded landscaping, façade improvements, a new children’s play area, new amenities for adults and children, and new signage throughout the property. Hillside Village currently includes 350,000 square feet of specialty stores and restaurants. Anchor retailers are Barnes & Noble, Dillard’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods along with 31,000 square feet of office space. The center features more than 65 tenants including Charming Charlie, Chico’s, H&M (opening this fall) Hollister, James Avery, Old Navy, Papaya, The Children’s Place and Victoria’s Secret.
LONGVIEW, TEXAS — Brian Gramlich of BMC Capital’s Dallas office has arranged a $2 million purchase loan for a 100-unit apartment complex located in Longview. The seven-year loan includes a 4.35 percent interest rate and a 25-year amortization schedule. The loan was arranged through one of BMC Capital’s correspondent bank relationships.
ROWLETT, TEXAS — Huffines Communities has broken ground on a 650-unit apartment community in Rowlett. Harmony Hill, which will open in two phases, is located at the intersection of Merritt Road and the President George Bush Turnpike. Pre-leasing for the 326 apartments in Harmony Hill’s Phase I will begin in spring 2016. Harmony Hill will include one- and two-bedroom apartment homes in multiple floor plans ranging from 560 to 1,263 square feet. Planned amenities include a 7,000-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center, business center, swimming pool and pavilion. JHP Architecture / Urban Design designed the buildings and Moore Design Group developed the interior design.