Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Arbor Realty Trust Funds Freddie Mac SBL deal in Capitol Heights, MD.


Sam Schwass
UNIONDALE, NY – Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) a leading multifamily and commercial mortgage lender, recently funded a Freddie Mac SBL deal in Capitol Heights, MD. 

Crest Apartments, a 44-unit multifamily property, received $5M in funding through the program. The deal features a 10-year hybrid term with one year of interest only and a 30-year amortization schedule.

Sam Schwass of Arbor’s New York City office originated the loans.

Crest Apartments, Capital Heights, MD

“This deal was a prime example of Arbor’s ability to execute on any loan,” Schwass said. “Our team overcame many hurdles and was driven by our expertise in the agency space.

 "In the end, we were able to successfully create a package that perfectly fit our sponsor’s request. Now we look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with an experienced investor in the DC market!”

Built in 1972, Crest Apartments are located in Prince George's County near Route 4 and the Capital Beltway (I-495). The property offers 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom residences, on-site parking, air conditioning and wheelchair accessibility.

Contacts: 

Bina Handa
Tel: 516.506.4229

Dan Israeli
DIsraeli@arbor.com

Cerami Integrates Acoustical Engineering into Future Design of Commercial Buildings


Victoria Cerami

NEW YORK, NY -- Today’s real estate developers are becoming more innovative as buildings continue to be built over subways and railroads, next to elevated highways and adjacent to airport runways.

Hudson Yards built its platform and three residential towers over 30 active railroad tracks.  MCR and Morse Development are about to open the TWA Hotel in a JFK airport terminal and predicting it will be one of the world’s quietest hotels.

When the Four Seasons Restaurant moved to its new location directly above the Metro North train station, a sound-engineered walkway was created to produce an aural experience that put the sounds of the seasons into the Four Seasons. 

Hudson Yards, Manhattan, NY
But for these new developments to be successful, Cerami Associates had to assess what the buildings would sound like to the tenants, residents, diners, and guests, well before the architectural designs were set.

As buildings are being designed, Cerami Associates’ team of experts rely on their acoustical engineering expertise to help navigate the design process to create environments that encompass the full spectrum of sensory engagement.

The elements of acoustical design play a critical role in the overall functionality of a space, and ultimately impact the experience of its users. Cerami combines the science of sound into the art of design from the perspective of the occupant.  In other words, they have a holistic approach to design that starts with people – an inside out approach opposed to outside in. 
     
TWA  Hotel, JFK Airport Terminal
New York, NY
“Cerami has been in the business of acoustic design for over 50 years, consulting with developers and architects on skyscrapers and supertalls, hospitals, museums, restaurants and every building that wants a signature sound,” says Victoria Cerami, CEO of Cerami Associates.

“The Cerami approach is based on fundamental design principles, while keeping pace with unbounded technology to optimize the space for its intended use.”

In an office space, a successful design means that an employee cannot understand the conversation in the office next door, ensuring speech privacy.

 In a hospital setting, a successful design means that the integrity of an MRI scan is not compromised by a trembling floor caused by doctors walking through the halls.

 In a lecture hall, a successful design means that the professor’s voice can be heard as clearly by the students in the last row of seats as the students in the first row of seats, promoting speech intelligibility.

Four Seasons Restaurant, New York, NY

Noise and vibration can have a negative impact on people and must be controlled and monitored in order to produce more beneficial and productive working and living environments.

Noise is a serious problem and one that can literally make you sick. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), noise is the second largest environmental cause of health problems, just after the impact of air quality.

Cerami Associates, the largest women-owned acoustics and technology consultancy in the U.S., provides expert services in integrated Acoustic and Vibration Design; Audio Visual; Technology and Security; and Site Assessments utilized in creating optimized spaces conducive to evolving workplace, residential, medical, hospitality, leisure and learning environments.

For more information, please visit www.ceramiassociates.com.

 CONTACT:

Jill Cohen
Cathy Callegari Public Relations Inc.
212 721 4720
cell 201 615 9036


Theresa Johnson Joins The Dowd Cos. as Partner

Theresa Johnson
After four successful years at Avison Young I am happy to announce my new position as Partner at:

The Dowd Companies

In this new position I will be continuing my focus on Commercial Real Estate Investment Sales, Consulting and Development. 

 My experience over the past 19 years includes the disposition of all asset classes with a concentration in the retail sector including multi-asset portfolios, anchored shopping centers, power centers, malls, NNN assets, CBD office buildings and large development land parcels.

  In addition, I have successfully worked with special servicers on the disposition of distressed assets with involvement in over $1 billion in commercial real estate transactions.  

I enjoy a strong network of professional relationships that extend nationwide to include the top private and institutional clients and look forward to assisting owners in the successful acquisition and disposition of a wide range of properties.

The companies combined experience encompasses involvement in over 5.2 million square feet of ground up development and over $2 billion in investment sales. 

 I look forward to bringing this experience to our clients to assist you in accomplishing your commercial real estate objectives. 

Please let me know how I may be of service to you with any Commercial Real Estate Brokerage, Investment, Development, or Consulting needs. 

If you would like some more information on my background and experience, please contact me or visit our website where you can learn more about the firm.

CONTACT:

Theresa Johnson
Partner
The Dowd Companies
770-329-9330

HFF closes sale and arranges financing for 3-property office portfolio adjacent to Houston’s Tanglewood and Memorial Villages neighborhoods

7500 San Felipe, Houston, TX

HOUSTON, TX –– HFF announces that it has closed the sale of a three-property office portfolio totaling 544,291 square feet in an urban infill location adjacent to some of Houston’s most prestigious residential neighborhoods, including Tanglewood and Memorial Villages.

7500 San Felipe front view
HFF marketed the property on behalf of the seller, a partnership led by Unilev Capital Corporation, and procured the buyer, CapRidge Partners, LLC.  


Craig McKenna
 Additionally, HFF worked on behalf of the buyer to secure the four-year, floating-rate acquisition/bridge financing through New York Life Real Estate Investors on behalf of New York Life Insurance Company.


The portfolio comprises 1616 Voss, 7500 San Felipe and 6363 Woodway, which are positioned  west of Houston’s Galleria area.

  The three assets are walkable to an abundance of retail amenities, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Trader Joes and numerous dining options. 

 Additionally, the portfolio is proximate to Houston Country Club, one of Houston’s oldest and most prestigious country clubs.

Matthew Asvestas
The portfolio will go through an extensive renovation and repositioning with roughly $15 million allocated across the three buildings.  These improvements will include significant upgrades to building systems, comprehensive common area improvements and innovative tenant-centric amenities.  

The portfolio will be leased by Craig McKenna and Matthew Asvestas with Stream Realty Partners.

Dan Terpening, director at CapRidge Partners, said, “We are excited to expand CapRidge Partners’ presence in the dynamic Houston market.  The portfolio provides a great opportunity to add value by utilizing our disciplined investment experience and operational excellence.”

The HFF investment advisory team representing the seller included senior managing director H. Dan Miller, senior director Martin Hogan and analyst Johnny Kight.

Dan Terpening
HFF’s debt placement team representing the new owner was led by managing director Jim Curtin and senior managing director Andy Scott.

Holliday GP Corp. ("HFF") is a Texas licensed real estate broker.

About Unilev Capital Corporation

Unilev Capital Corporation is a privately held real estate investment organization that also invests with a select, limited group of private and institutional partners to acquire well-located, income-producing commercial properties with both a short-term opportunistic strategy and a long-term, low-risk investment horizon. 

 Unilev’s Houston portfolio includes Galleria Towers I and II, Galleria Financial Center, One and Three Riverway and other office and retail properties.

Jim Curtin

About CapRidge Partners

CapRidge Partners is a fully integrated investment management and operating company focused on value-add office properties in nine select U.S. markets, including Houston.  

Their strategy is to acquire well-located assets, below replacement cost, that offer opportunities to add value by providing proactive management, delivering enhanced customer service and wellness amenities, leasing to stabilized occupancies, marking-to-market expiring leases, and completing capital projects.  Since 2012, CapRidge has purchased 33 office buildings.

About New York Life Real Estate Investors

New York Life Real Estate Investors is a division of NYL Investors LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.  Please visit New York Life Real Estate Investors’ website at http://www.newyorklife.com/realestateinvestors for more information.


Andy Scott

CONTACTS:


H. DAN MILLER, CCIM, SIOR
TX Lic. #0289851
HFF Senior Managing Director
(713) 852-3500

JIM CURTIN
HFF Managing Director
(214) 265-0880

OLIVIA HENNESSEY
HFF Public Relations Specialist
(713) 852-3403

ALLISON SCOTT
New York Life Insurance Company
212-576-4517
allison_scott@nylim.com

HFF announces $10.375 million financing for office and parking portfolio in Cleveland, OH


Mark Katz
DENVER, CO –– Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) announces it has arranged $10.375 million in financing for a vacant 106,390-rentable-square-foot office building along with two structured parking garages on Bolivar Road in Cleveland, Ohio.

 HFF worked on behalf of the borrower, Somera Road Inc., to secure the three-year, floating-rate acquisition bridge loan.  The property was acquired by Somera Road Inc. in an off market transaction. 

Leon McBroom
 In addition to funding the acquisition, loan proceeds will be used to renovate and reposition the property to modern, creative office space with a new lobby and roof deck overlooking Progressive Field.

 The office building, which is located at 1020 Bolivar Road, was formerly leased by an Ohio employment agency on a long-term basis.
 
Originally constructed in 1919, 1020 Bolivar Road also has 85 parking stalls on the ground level.  

The structured parking component includes 1060 Bolivar Road, a three-story parking garage with 208 stalls, and 1124 Bolivar Road, a single-story parking garage with 75 spaces. 

The portfolio’s 368 parking stalls are utilized around the clock given the proximity to Progressive Field (one block southwest), Quicken Loans Arena (five blocks southwest) and numerous nearby restaurant and entertainment destinations in the Cleveland CBD.

 The HFF debt placement team representing the borrower included senior managing director Mark Katz and director Leon McBroom.

CONTACTS:

MARK KATZ
HFF Senior Managing Director
(303) 515-8000

LEON MCBROOM
HFF Director
(303) 515-8000

OLIVIA HENNESSEY
HFF Public Relations Specialist
(713) 852-3403