The watchwords for D.C. tenants in fourth quarter, and throughout 2011, were efficiency and flexibility. While many companies opted to renew leases and maintain existing footprints, others relocated and took the opportunity to streamline their operations. This “doing more with less” approach has proven particularly appealing in the face of political uncertainty and economic headwinds and firms are finding they’re able to save significantly on occupancy costs along the way. Writ large, these actions are contributing to an upward trend in availability and are likely to lower the aggregate demand for office space in D.C. for a long time to come. At the height of the economic downturn, companies were forced to reorganize their operations and create leaner organizations in an effort to reduce financial commitments. This heightened efficiency is now being implemented as a long-term cost-savings strategy and tenants are not eager to alter this new model. The real estate decisions made by law firms, in particular, have been demonstrative of this trend as recent leases have resulted in a net decrease in firms’ occupied space. This is especially telling since new leases typically account for both today’s space needs as well as room for expansion during the lease …
BRANDON, FLA. — Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap, has negotiated the $24.5 million sale of the 300-unit Charleston Landings, located at 902 Delaney Cir. in Brandon. Amenities include a resort-style pool, a fitness center and a recently renovated two-story clubhouse with a business center and a theater. Jamie May of IPA's Tampa office represented the seller, Denver-based Apartment Investment and Management Co., in the transaction and procured the buyer, Minneapolis-based Dorvidor Management Co.
FORT MYERS, FLA. — The Fort Myers Preparatory & Fitness Academy has signed a 65,190-square-foot lease at a former Robb & Stucky warehouse and showroom, located at 4740 S. Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. The charter school will move from its temporary location at 10676 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers, and convert the space into 33 classrooms, office space, a cafeteria and athletic facilities. Jim Garinger of Colliers International's Fort Myers office represented the landlord, Normark Investments, in the 10-year lease transaction. John Paulich, IV, of Jassy Real Estate Investments represented the tenant.
MEMPHIS, TENN. — Chris Avery of AESOP Memphis has signed a 30,000-square-foot lease at an industrial building, located at 5355 Distriplex Farms Dr. in Memphis, for a Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park. Charles Sevier of Memphis-based Crump Commercial/CORFAC International, along with Aleks Trifunovic of The Klabin Co./CORFAC International's Los Angeles office represented the tenant in the lease transaction. Hank Martin of Memphis-based NAI Saig represented the landlord, Net Magan Property Owner One LP.
GREENVILLE, S.C. — NorthMarq Capital has arranged $24.8 million in first mortgage refinancing for the 562-unit The Plantations, located at 135 Haywood Crossing Dr. in Greenville. Marty Meagher of NorthMarq's San Diego office arranged the 3-year loan with a fixed dollar amount monthly amortization schedule through Prime Finance on behalf of the borrower, Plantations at Haywood O, LLC.
WEST MONROE, LA. — Love Funding has secured a $2.4 million loan for the 40-unit Rosemont Assisted Living Community, located at 110 Regency Pl. in West Monroe. Brian Robertson of Love Funding's St. Louis office arraned the 27-year loan with a low interest rate through HUD's 232/223(a)(7) LEAN loan program on behalf of the borrow, Barron Management.
CELEBRATION, FLA. — The 120,000-square-foot Water Tower Shoppes, located at 6070 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy. in Celebration, has been sold for $18.3 million. Clarion Partners purchased the center, which currently includes SunTrust, Exxon and Chick-fil-A. Clarion, along with Crossman & Co., the development manager and leasing agent for the property, plans to redevelop the center, beginning with the addition of Publix as an anchor tenant.
TAMPA, FLA. — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the $5.55 million sale of the 193-unit Treesdale Condominiums, a condominium community located at 1818 9th Ave. E. in Tampa. Michael Regan and Francesco Carriera of Marcus & Millichap's Tampa office represented the seller, a Quebec, Canada-based private investor, in the transaction and procured the buyer, a private investor.
RICHMOND, VA, — Morgan Property Group (MPG) has acquired two tracts of land totaling 1.6 acres, located at the intersection of Broad Street and Pouncey Tract Road in Richmond, for $4 million to build a 12,144-square-foot Walgreens. The sellers were Breez-In Associates and John J. and Ima M. Liesfeld Family LLC. Phillips-Hall represented John J. and Ima M. Liesfeld Family LLC, in the transaction. The buyer was represented by Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Partners, along with Jones Realty and Construction. Demolition of the current structures on the sites are scheduled to begin this month.
DECATUR, GA. — A 10,125-square-foot CVS/pharmacy, located at 4037 Glenwood Dr. in Decatur, has sold for $2.84 million. CVS/pharmacy recently extended its lease on the property for 25 years. Randy Blankstein and Jimmy Goodman of Northbrook, Ill.-based The Boulder Group represented the seller, a Texas-based investment firm, in the transaction and procured the buyer, an East Coast-based investor.