Monday, September 8, 2014

CBRE Global Investors Announces Two New Office Tenants at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, GA

             
Nicole Goldsmith
 ATLANTA, GA  – CBRE Global Investors, the global real estate investment firm, announced the addition of two office tenants at 201 17th Street in Atlantic Station.

YuMe, Inc. (NYSE:YUME), a leading provider of digital video brand advertising solutions, signed a lease for 1,071 square feet and moved into its space in late August. Emery Cresswell of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank represented the tenant.

 Acclaro signed a 2,042-square-foot lease and moved into its space in August. Leigh Cofer of CBRE Inc. represented the tenant, a marketing and advertising firm with a strong tradeshow component.

“CBRE helped us design an open, collaborative environment which supports our diverse workforce,” said Ryan St. John, president of Acclaro. “The 201 17th Street office serves as a base camp for our healthcare technology business.”

Jeff Keppen
 “Both YuMe and Acclaro are tech-driven companies that are highly regarded in their respective industries,” said John Gilb, principal at CBRE Global Investors. “They are ideal tenants for 201 17th Street, as we provide office space that is specifically tailored to meet the needs of technology, creative and professional services firms.”

 The two newly executed leases bring the current total of office space leased at 201 17th Street for 2014 to 15,386 square feet.
  
Jeff Keppen, a senior vice president at CBRE, and Nicole Goldsmith, an associate at CBRE, represented the landlord, CBRE Global Investors, in the transactions.

 “We are excited to welcome Acclaro and YuMe to 201 17th Street,” Keppen said. “Our new tech suites and signature 5-Star Worldwide tenant services have helped us attract new tenants, and we look forward to continuing this strong showing as we head into the fourth quarter.”

Emery Cresswell
 CBRE Global Investors also recently completed two new spec suites at the building; the suites feature high-end and creative finishes and are 4,391 and 4,785 square feet respectively.

 Owned and managed by CBRE Global Investors, one of the world's largest and most stable owners, and leased by CBRE, 201 17th Street is 17 stories and features 350,000 square feet of Class A office space.

CBRE Global Investors also owns and manages the 25-story 271 17th Street, which comprises 550,000 square feet of Class A office space.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Suong Nguyen
The Wilbert Group
404 343 0637


Waterton Enters Connecticut with the Acquisition of 75 Tresser Apartments in Stamford


Max Peek

 CHICAGO, IL – Waterton Associates LLC, a U.S. real estate investor and operator, is pleased to announce the acquisition of 75 Tresser Apartments, a 344-unit community located in downtown Stamford, Conn. 75 Tresser is the fourth property purchased by Waterton in 2014.

 Waterton purchased the community on behalf of its institutional investors and in conjunction with Clal US, a co-investment partner.

Clal US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Clal Insurance (CLIS:IT), a publicly traded insurance company, pension fund manager and one of Israel’s largest financial institutions.

Waterton Residential, Waterton’s property management division, will assume lease up and management of the property in 90 days.

 “We are happy to be entering the dynamic Stamford market with the purchase of 75 Tresser,” said Max Peek, senior vice president, East Coast acquisitions, at Waterton Associates. “It is a well-constructed, luxury building in an excellent location.”

 75 Tresser is a Class-A midrise community with 344 apartments consisting of studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. 
  
For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Abe Tekippe, atekippe@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4528
Virginia Love, vlove@wallc.com, (404) 937-2061


John Crossman Mentoring Future Business Professionals at Florida State University


John Crossman
ORLANDO, FL -- John Crossman, President of Crossman & Company, is a lifelong member of the Florida State University Alumni Association.  This year, Crossman raised $55,000 for the ICSC Foundation to benefit Florida State students majoring in real estate.

At the request of Florida State University, about 15 years ago, John Crossman created a program called "If I Were 21" to help train students in developing a career in real estate. 

Training includes conference preparation, networking tips, resume building, choosing a specialty and career building among others.  This presentation is part of the FSU Trends Conference in November where over 120 students and 30 real estate executives are involved in the presentation.

"I tell students to see me as their big brother, Crossman says. “I welcome them to ask me any question and encourage them to connect to me through social media.  I hope to help them to take their careers to the next level.”

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Sydnie Cobb
Crossman & Company
407.423.5400

Tampa Publix-Anchored Shopping Center Closes at $14.7 Million


Mark Thompson
TEMPLE TERRACE, FL –Terrace Ridge Plaza, a 66,527 square-foot Publix-anchored Shopping Center has been sold for $14.7 million ($220/SF). 

Built in 1987 the plaza was in its renewal periods for the anchor lease.  Terrace Ridge was a highly desired asset due to its anchor sales volume, proximity to the University of South Florida and its limited exposure to shop space; having less than 12,000 total square-feet to lease. 

The property is 12 miles North of Downtown Tampa and held an occupancy percentage at 97.5%. 

 Crossman & Company’s Investment Sales Team worked alongside the Seller, Centurion Realty of New York, NY to close the deal.

 “We are fortunate to continue to work with great clients on both sides of the table” said Mark Thompson, Managing Director of Crossman & Company.  “This was a highly coveted asset for a number of reasons and thus the process was both quick and seamless,” he added. 

Terrace Ridge Plaza, Temple Terrace, FL
 Year to date Mark Thompson’s team has facilitated the closing of ten Publix-Anchored Shopping Centers in three states and currently has three additional Publix deals under contract.


For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Sydnie Cobb
Crossman & Company
407.423.5400

Lodging Econometrics Reports Europe’s Construction Pipeline Sluggish as Development in the Middle East Picks Up


PORTSMOUTH, NH -- At the end of Q2 Europe’s Construction Pipeline stood at 807 Projects/ 132,187 Rooms, a scant Year-Over-Year (YOY) increase of 8% by Projects and 1% by Rooms.

 Overall Pipeline growth has been lackluster since the cyclical bottom established in 2010. Both Projects Under Construction and Annualized Construction Starts experienced a brief peak in Q3 2012 when projects previously stalled in the Pipeline during the Great Recession migrated forward towards construction as lending first became available.

However, since that peak, both metrics have trended downward for seven consecutive quarters.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Jennifer McLynch
Marketing Communications Manager
Lodging Econometrics
P: +1 603.431.8740, ext. 16
F: +1 603.431.4418

Cousins Properties Announces New Leasing at One Ninety One Peachtree Tower in Downtown Atlanta, GA


One Ninety-One Peachtree Tower, Downtown Atlanta, GA
ATLANTA, GA -- Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE: CUZ) has signed three leases totaling 77,302 square feet, at One Ninety One Peachtree Tower.

The building, located in downtown Atlanta, is now 92 percent leased, the highest level since Cousins acquired the building in 2006.

The Company completed the leases with Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP, one of the leading CPA firms based in the Southern U.S., Association County Commissioners of Georgia, a nonprofit instrumentality of Georgia's county governments, and Hall Booth Smith, P.C., a full-service law firm serving the Southeast since 1980.

"We appreciate the vote of confidence from these well-respected companies and are thrilled to announce their addition to an already outstanding tenant roster at One Ninety One Peachtree," said Larry Gellerstedt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cousins. "Our recent leasing activity truly demonstrates how One Ninety One Peachtree continues to be the office location of choice in our vibrant downtown community."

Larry Gellerstedt
Additional information on these leases:

Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP leased 51,066 square feet and was represented by John Shlesinger and Ellen Stern with CBRE, Inc.

Association County Commissioners of Georgia leased 17,956 square feet and was represented by Addison Meriwether and Allison Bittel with Cushman & Wakefield.

Hall Booth Smith, P.C., a customer at One Ninety One Peachtree since 2009, expanded by 8,100 square feet and now leases a total of 64,359 square feet. They were represented by Addison Meriwether of Cushman & Wakefield.

One Ninety One Peachtree Tower is a 50-story, 1.2 million square-foot Class A office tower located in downtown Atlanta. Leasing at the trophy asset now stands at 92 percent, up from 87 percent at the end of 2013. Approximately 96,000 square feet is still available for lease.


For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Cousins Properties Incorporated
Marli Quesinberry, 404-407-1898
Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications


HFF arranges $22.7 million sale of New Jersey retail power center


Jose Cruz
FLORHAM PARK, NJ – HFF announced it has closed the $22.7 million sale of Greenwich Center, a 182,583-square-foot retail power center located in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

               HFF marketed the property on behalf of Retail Properties of America, Inc.  An affiliate of Northeast Capital Group and BHN Associates purchased the asset for $22.7 million free and clear of existing debt in an all cash transaction.

               Greenwich Center is located at 1200-1208 New Brunswick Avenue in Phillipsburg, which is 73 miles north of Philadelphia and 70 miles west of New York City. 

The property is situated at the intersection of New Brunswick Avenue and Route 22, which is just off of Interstate 78 by the Pennsylvania border.  Developed in two stages, Center I was completed in 2002, and Center II was finished in 2006.


Andrew Scandalios
 The shopping center is 93.25 percent leased to national and regional tenants including Staples, Best Buy, Pier 1 Imports, Petco, Dollar Tree, Sleepy’s, Michaels, Ashley Furniture, Five Below and Famous Footwear, and is shadow anchored by Target and Lowe’s Home Improvement.  

The HFF investment sales team representing the sellers was led by senior managing directors Jose Cruz and Andrew Scandalios, managing directors Kevin O’Hearn, Jeffrey Julien and Chris Munley and senior real estate analyst Marc Duval.

               “This property was very attractive to us due to it being the only anchored center in town situated directly off the Interstate exit with strong visibility, thereby promising the center continued dominance in the market for years to come,” said Joel Kiss CEO of NECG.

Retail Properties of America, Inc. is a REIT and is one of the largest owners and operators of high quality, strategically located shopping centers in the United States.  As of March 31, 2014, the company owned 227 retail operating properties representing 31.2 million square feet, including its pro rata share of unconsolidated joint ventures.  The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RPAI.

Kevin O'Hearn
 Additional information about the company is available at www.rpai.com.

Northeast Capital Group (NECG) is a private equity investment group which is based in NY’s Rockland County.  NECG looks to invest in stable and value-add Commercial and Residential Real Estate with an emphasis on well-located Anchored Shopping Centers in primary and secondary markets around the Country. 


For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
tel (main) 617-338-0990 | (direct) 617-848-1572 | cel 617.543.4873 | www.hfflp.com

HFF closes sale of six-property industrial portfolio in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Market


Randy Baird
DALLAS, TX – HFF announced it has closed the sale of a six-property, 16-building industrial portfolio totaling 462,618 square feet in the north Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, AEW Capital Management, L.P., who sold the property for one of its institutional clients.  Red Tail Acquisitions purchased the assets for an undisclosed amount. 

The portfolio consists of 1360-1420 Presidential Drive and 850-890 North Dorothy Drive in Richardson, Texas and 1420 Halsey Way, 1406 Halsey Way, 2122 Country Club Drive and 2855 Trinity Square Drive in Carrolton, Texas. 

Located in infill, established industrial submarkets, the properties are all near major transportation arteries, including Interstates 35 and 635 and Highway 75. 

The properties are 87 percent leased overall to 41 tenants, including NOW Specialties, Inc.; Optex Systems, Inc.; Laboratory Corporations of America; SKH Beauty, Inc.; All Sorts Mailing Services; Circuitco Electronics LLC; Advanced Environmental Concepts; Select Cabinet Co.; Milestone Construction; TraStar, Inc.; and Gym Ratz Basketball Club, LLC.

Jud Clements
The HFF investment sales team representing the seller was led by senior managing director Randy Baird, managing director Jud Clements, director Robby Rieke and real estate analyst Justin Kundrak.

The buyer, Red Tail Acquisitions (RTA), is a value and core-plus investor that seeks office, industrial and retail properties that normally have leasing or construction issues.

 Over the last 25 years, the group has purchased more than 10 million square feet of commercial property in the western United States. 

The acquisitions team was led by Sean Miller, executive vice president.  Ryan Rubenkoenig, executive vice president, also contributed to the acquisition.

“This acquisition not only represents an exciting opportunity for Red Tail Acquisitions to expand its DFW holdings, but is also a prime example of the types of investments we hope to make throughout Texas,” Miller said.  “RTA would like to thank AEW and HFF, who were great transaction partners.”

Robby Rieke
Founded in 1981, AEW Capital Management, L.P. (AEW) provides real estate investment management services to investors worldwide.  

One of the world’s leading real estate investment advisors, AEW and its affiliates manage over $52 billion of property and securities in North America, Europe and Asia (as of June 30, 2014).

  Grounded in research and experienced in the complexities of the real estate and capital markets, AEW actively manages portfolios in both the public and private property markets and across the risk/return spectrum.

 AEW and its affiliates have offices in Boston, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as additional offices in eight European cities.  For more information please visit www.aew.com.



For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
tel (main) 617-338-0990 | (direct) 617-848-1572 | cel 617.543.4873 | www.hfflp.com

HFF adds NYC commercial real estate pro Erik Storz to its debt placement team


Erik Storz
NEW YORK, NY – HFF announced it has hired Erik Storz as a director in its New York office.  Erik will focus on debt and equity placement transactions with a particular focus on multi-housing properties. 

               Erik has more than 14 years of commercial real estate experience in the New York metropolitan area and has financed more than $650 million of commercial real estate debt through balance sheet, correspondent and agency lenders.

 He joins HFF from Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, where he was the vice president of the Mortgage Banking Group – Originations, since 2006.  Prior to that, he worked as an office leasing broker in New York at The Staubach Company. 

Preceding his commercial real estate career, Erik played for three seasons as a linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League (NFL).

 He obtained his Masters in Real Estate Finance and Investments from New York University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Boston College. 

Mike Tepedino
Erik is a licensed real estate salesperson in the State of New York and is affiliated with the Real Estate Lenders Association (RELA), NFL Players Association and the Boston College Wall Street Council.

               “HFF New York looks forward to having Erik as a valuable member of our debt placement team.

" He has strong relationships with a large network of real estate borrowers, brokers and lenders in the New York market, which will be of great value to our current and future clients,” said Mike Tepedino, senior managing director and co-head of HFF’s New York office.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
tel (main) 617-338-0990 | (direct) 617-848-1572 | cel 617.543.4873 | www.hfflp.com
krmurphy@hfflp.com

HFF arranges $15.66 million financing for Market Place Square in Jensen Beach, FL


Cecily Nazario
MIAMI, FL – HFF announced it has arranged $15.66 million in acquisition financing for Marketplace Square, a 173,292-square-foot Hobby Lobby-anchored retail center in Jensen Beach, Florida.

                HFF worked on behalf of the borrower, Leon Capital, to secure the floating-rate loan through Prime Finance. 

Marketplace Square is located on approximately 20.35 acres at the southeastern corner of US 1 and Jensen Beach Boulevard in the Port St. Lucie Metropolitan Area of Jensen Beach. 

Travis Anderson
The property is directly opposite Treasure Coast Square Mall, the only enclosed regional mall within 30 miles.  Marketplace Square is leased to 20 tenants, including Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree, and Bank of America.

The HFF team representing the borrower was led by senior managing director Travis Anderson, director Chris Drew and senior analysts Jose Carrazana and Cecily Nazario.

Through the second quarter of 2014, HFF’s debt placement team has secured more than $1.5 billion in loan placements for retail assets nationally.  In Florida, HFF has closed more than $539 million in retail transactions across all capital markets platforms over the same period.  

“Market conditions are extremely competitive and HFF continues to see significant demand from investors and lenders for quality assets in secondary markets throughout Florida,” Drew said.   

Chris Drew
Leon Capital Group acquires and develops real estate on behalf of family offices and institutional investors seeking superior risk adjusted returns in a diversified real estate investment portfolio.  

The company has made 82 investments in the four years following the financial crisis. Leon Capital and its affiliates oversee assets with a total capitalization of more than $2 billion. 

Their investment disciplines encompass four principal lines: bridge lending, multi-family value-add acquisition and new development, retail net lease and shopping center acquisition and development and special situations including land, distressed debt, Joint Venture Equity and recapitalizations.

Prime Finance is a private commercial real estate finance company with discretionary capital which directly originates mortgage, mezzanine and preferred equity financing and also acquires performing, sub-performing and distressed debt.  

They offer a variety of non-recourse loans above $10 million on office, retail, hotel, industrial, multifamily, mobile home, self-storage and mixed use properties in all markets around the United States.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | One Post Office Square, Suite 3500 | Boston, MA 02109
tel (main) 617-338-0990 | (direct) 617-848-1572 | cel 617.543.4873 | www.hfflp.com