Monday, July 5, 2021

EPIcenter Revisits Conversation with Global Advisors in Panel Discussion: What’s Next 365 Days Later…

Kimberly Britton

  SAN ANTONIO, TX — As part of its Global Lecture Series (GLS), EPIcenter, a nonprofit energy innovation hub, welcomes its Global Advisors back to the stage with EPIcenter CEO Kimberly Britton to revisit their statements, prognostications, and predictions from GLS VII held on July 15, 2020.   

 On July 15, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. CDT, Britton will sit down for GLS X – What’s Next 365 Days Later… with EPIcenter global advisors to revisit and discuss the panel’s individual perspectives as business leaders on the cutting edge of their professions one year following GLS VII - The New Normal: What Comes Next


  Lynn Abramson 

At that time, the pandemic was about four months along and there was no end in sight.   

 

The reflections, lessons learned, and projections will be shared by: 

·         Lynn Abramson (Clean Energy Business Network)  

o        Policy expert and clean energy professional association leader  

 Dirk Elmendorf 

·         Dirk and Brett Elmendorf (Jobward)  

o        Brothers, entrepreneurs, techies, angel investors  

·         Cris Eugster (NAES)  

o        Performance optimization energy services company CEO and PhD engineer  

·         Brett Perlman (Center for Houston’s Future) 

o        Former utility regulator, academician, futurist  

·         Les Shepherd (Retired) 

o        Academician, energy expert, humanitarian  

 

Brett Elmendorf


"It is remarkable. Our Global Advisors’ perspectives shared then are uncannily sound one year later,” Britton said.

 

“We will touch on managing risk amid uncertainty, ways to explore new business models, how to keep major strategies moving forward, the implications of our ever-more-connected world, humanitarian issues and many other impacts.


Brett Pearlman

 

"Many of the lessons learned reach far beyond the energy industry and I expect the conversation to be quite robust." 

 

The event is virtual and free to attend, but registration is required. To register, please visit bit.ly/EPIcenterGLSX. 

 

 

Cris Eugster


About EPIcenter: 

 

EPIcenter propels energy innovation and thought for our global future with a think tank, incubator and accelerator, strategic partnerships, advisory engagements and critical conversations about energy.


  Les Shepherd

 

The nonprofit organization, established in 2015, speeds innovation to make the production and consumption of energy smarter, cleaner, more resilient, and more efficient.

 

To learn more visit epicenterus.org, and follow us on FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn and YouTube

CONTACT:

Jill Byrd 

Creative Noggin 

Senior PR Account Supervisor jill@creativenoggin.com 

  15618 Gray Oak  |  Helotes, TX 78023

phone: 210.501.4288

 www.creativenoggin.com

JLL Capital Markets secures $56 million construction financing loan on behalf of SMA Equities for the planned 108-unit, 90,000-square-foot, mixed-use residential building in Manhattan

Rendering of planned
202 E. 23rd Street,
mixed-use project,
 Gramercy Park section,
Manhattan, New York
 

 NEW YORK, NY — JLL Capital Markets announced it has secured $56 million in construction financing for the development of 202 E. 23rd Street, a mixed-use, passive house designed, multi-housing property consisting of 108 units, located on the corner of Third Avenue and 23rd Street in the Gramercy Park submarket of Manhattan.

 JLL represented the sponsor, SMA Equities, to place the construction loan with Bank Leumi USASenior Managing Director Evan Pariser with JLL represented the borrower.

Evan Pariser

 202 E. 23rd St. is a 20-story, 90,000-square-foot, mixed-use residential building that will consist of 80 market-rate units and 28 affordable housing units.

 “We are thrilled to be developing an environmentally friendly project in the heart of the most prestigious neighborhood in New York City, Gramercy," said Samy Mahfar, co-principal of SMA Equities.

Samy Mahfar

 "We believe passive house and environmentally conscious developments are the way of the future. This is our fourth residential ground up project consisting of an affordable component in New York but the first Eco-friendly to passive house standard.”

 “This project highlights SMA Equities’ success, diligence and resilience throughout the battle of the pandemic,” said Pariser.

“This property combines distinct architectural elements and passive house features that will prove to be remarkably comfortable for residents in addition to being highly energy efficient.”

 For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit our newsroom.

 CONTACT:


Cierra Lacasse

PR, Capital Markets

JLL

T +1 602 648 8701

M +1 408 318 8021

JLL.com

Global Digital Company PMG Marks its Growth on Austin’s Skyline with a Class A Office Tower Lease Including Building Signage and Deck Access

515 Congress located at 515 Congress Avenue
 Austin, TX

AUSTIN, TX – KBS, one of the largest investors in premier commercial real estate, has signed a new lease agreement with PMG Worldwide, one of the fastest-growing global digital businesses, no. 1 among Ad Age’s Best Places to Work and Adweek’s 2021 Breakthrough media agency of the year, at 515 Congress, a 263,058 square-foot Class A office tower in Austin, Texas.

Giovanni (Gio) Cordoves


The 14,082 square-foot lease agreement is for the entire 18th floor, building top signage and access to the property’s new deck. 515 Congress is owned by KBS Real Estate Investment Trust III.

 The transaction demonstrates companies’ appetite for a prominent presence at premier office properties in high growth markets, according to Giovanni (Gio) Cordoves, Western regional president for KBS.

 “Through KBS’ strategy of investing in the top 25 markets in the country, we have identified strong growth markets in the Sun Belt region,” says Cordoves.

 “Austin, which has been named the hottest market in the country for commercial real estate investment, is attracting high-profile corporations such as Tesla, which is building a new Gigafactory in East Austin.

Brett Merz
 “515 Congress is one of the best options in the city of Austin for companies seeking top-quality office space,” says Brett Merz, asset manager for 515 Congress and senior vice president for KBS.

“In addition to being located near transportation, shopping, entertainment, dining and hospitality options, this asset features a host of in-demand on-site amenities including parking, bike storage, a cafĂ©, coffee bar, fitness center, tenant lounge, electric vehicle charging station, carwash/detail service, and much more. It offers virtually anything a discerning office tenant could want either at the building or a short walk away.”

Built in 1974 and extensively renovated over the last few years by KBS, 515 Congress is a WiredScore Silver and Energy Star–certified, 26-story building with approximately 12,000 square feet of retail at the street level and the recently completed outdoor patio.

 Located on the corner of 6th Street and Congress Avenue in the heart of Austin’s downtown business district, the property is within walking distance of the Texas State Capitol, Austin Convention Center, 6th Street Entertainment District and Lady Bird Lake.

George Popstefanov

The property’s superior location was a major factor that attracted PMG to 515 Congress, according to George Popstefanov, CEO of PMG.

 “Austin is a critical market for attracting and retaining top talent as we accelerate our global growth,” said Popstefanov.

“We want our offices to be places people want to come to work every day, and 515 Congress’ close proximity to daily needs and conveniences, in addition to its impressive list of on-site amenities, made it the top choice for us to establish ourselves as a leading business partner and employer in Austin.”

 Brad Philp, managing director, and Connor Atchley, senior associate, of Stream Realty handled the lease transaction on behalf of KBS.

 “515 Congress is on the short list for companies seeking high-end office space in Downtown Austin,” says Philp.

Brad Philp
 “PMG is one of many firms that have expressed interest in locating their offices at this property. 

"Beyond the building’s numerous attributes, KBS’ expertise in managing the asset to exceed tenants’ expectations makes it one of the most desirable properties in the market.”

 In addition to 515 Congress, KBS owns two other premier assets in the Austin market: Domain Gateway, a 183,911 square-foot office tower owned by KBS Real Estate Investment Trust III, and SouthTech Business Center, a 260,112 square-foot light industrial and office/flex property owned by a KBS affiliate.

 

 

CONTACT:


Micaela Fehrenbach 

mfehrenbach@brower-group.com

www.kbs.com.

Stan Johnson Co. Announces Sale of Two Texas Dollar General Stores

Dollar General stores sold in Livelland, TX and Lubbock, TX
 

 DALLAS, TX -- Stan Johnson Company, one of commercial real estate’s leading investment sales brokerage firms, has arranged the sale of two single-tenant Dollar General stores located at 111 College Avenue in Levelland, Texas and 1815 Milwaukee Avenue in Lubbock, Texas.

  Combined, the properties totaled more than 18,000 square feet. In both transactions, Chris Adams of Stan Johnson Company represented the seller, a private investor based in Dubuque, Iowa.

Chris Adams
 The Lubbock asset traded at a 6.60 percent cap rate and was acquired by an institutional investor based in California.

 A private investor from Texas purchased the Levelland asset at a 6.42 percent cap rate. Sale prices were not disclosed.

 “These transactions are two of many examples where we have experienced targeted cap rate compression within the essential retail market,” said Adams, Associate Director in Stan Johnson Company’s Dallas, Texas office.

 “Double net Dollar General stores have historically attracted a more limited buyer pool, but the current demand for these assets from all buyer types, particularly in Texas, is very high, and our recent pricing levels have reflected this trend.”

 The properties were built in 2005 and 2006, and both feature double net lease structures. At the time of sale, there were approximately seven years of lease term remaining at each site.

 CONTACT:


David Ebeling

Ebeling Communications

949.861.8351

949.278.7851 (Cell)

david@ebelingcomm.com

Member of the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE)

“PR Strategist for the Commercial Real Estate Industry"

 www.stanjohnsonco.com.

 

JLL Capital Markets arranges $44.5 million CMBS loan for Meritus Realty Ventures’s newly redeveloped The Landing at Woodyard shopping center in Clinton, MD

The Landing at Woodyar is home to an estimated
 recession-resistant tenant roster including
Aldi, Chick-fil-A, Marshalls, Popeyes,
 Ross Dress for Less, Burlington
 and Panera.
 

 WASHINGTON, DC– JLL Capital Markets announced it has arranged a $44.5 million refinancing of The Landing at Woodyard, a newly redeveloped 210,000-square-foot shopping center located in the suburban Washington, D.C. community of Clinton, Maryland.

 JLL worked on behalf of the borrower, Meritus Realty Ventures, to place the 10-year, fixed-rate CMBS loan with Morgan Stanley Real Estate. Loan proceeds were used to repay the existing bridge loan and fund remaining tenant improvements for the tenants who recently signed new leases.


Max Herzog 
Meritus acquired The Landing in 2016 and transformed the asset into a premier retail center. 

Currently 95 percent leased, the center is home to a recession-resistant tenant roster including Aldi, Chick-fil-A, Marshalls, Popeyes, Ross Dress for Less, Burlington and Panera.

 Situated at 8801 Woodyard Road, The Landing is located at the intersection of Branch Avenue and Woodyard Road, a highly trafficked intersection that exposes the property to more than 130,000 cars per day.

 

  The center is well-situated within Prince George’s County, an affluent Washington, D.C.-area community. The project was renamed The Landing at Woodyard partially due to its proximity to Andrews Air Force base, which is just two miles away, providing additional traffic to the center.


Marko Kazanjian
The JLL Capital Markets team representing the borrower was led by Senior Managing Director Max Herzog and Senior Director Marko Kazanjian along with Senior Director Daniel McIntyre.

 

“Despite the challenging retail lending market due to the pandemic, there was intense competition among lenders for this permanent loan due to the incredible work Meritus did to redevelop the center into a highly desirable location for retail tenants and consumers,” Herzog said.

 

“The property now boasts strong sales, a waiting list for prospective tenants and brand name retailers, and Morgan Stanley, who was excellent to work with, saw all this and beat the competition to provide really strong permanent loan terms.”


Daniel McIntyre.

JLL Capital Markets is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers. 


The firm's in-depth local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients — whether investment sales advisory, debt placement, equity placement or a recapitalization. 


The firm has more than 3,700 Capital Markets specialists worldwide with offices in nearly 50 countries.

 

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit our newsroom.

 

About Meritus Realty Ventures


Meritus Realty Ventures acquires, repositions, and manages necessity-driven retail shopping centers and medical buildings throughout the eastern United States.

 

CONTACT:

Kimberly Steele

PR, Capital Markets,

 Agency Leasing and Valuation Advisory 

JLL

T +1 713 852 3420

M +1 832 244 9994

JLL.com

 

JLL Capital Markets completed the sale of a dominant shopping center anchored by Publix and Total Wine & More in Jacksonville, FL

St. John’s Town Center North anchored
by Publix and Total Wine & More
in Jacksonville, FL
  

MIAMI, FL JLL Capital Markets announced it has closed the sale of St. John’s Town Center North, a fully leased, 113,139-square-foot, dominant shopping center anchored by Publix and Total Wine & More in Jacksonville, Florida.

 JLL represented the seller, the core portfolio of American Realty Advisors, LLC. An affiliate of Core Investment Management acquired the property.

 St. John’s Town Center North is situated on 14.19 acres at 4413-4507 Town Center Parkway North adjacent to St. John’s Town Center.

Daniel (Danny) Finkle

The JLL Capital Markets Investment Sales Advisory team that represented the seller was led by Senior Managing Director Danny Finkle and Senior Director Eric Williams.

 “St. John’s Town Center North is a unique asset, given its combination of strong traffic generating anchors in Publix and Total Wine, a number of highly desirable small shop tenants and a prime location within one of the Southeast’s strongest retail submarkets,” Finkle said.

 “Grocery-anchored centers of this scale and quality are rare, and St. John’s Town Center North was a coveted acquisition opportunity.”  


Eric Williams

 Constructed between 2006 and 2007, St. John’s Town Center North is fully leased to anchors Publix, the most sought-after grocery anchor in the Southeast, and Total Wine & More.

Additionally, the property also has three outparcel pads occupied by a Tropea Dental Care, 145-degree Seafood Boil and a national bank.

 For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit our newsroom.

CONTACT:

Kimberly Steele

PR, Capital Markets,

 Agency Leasing and Valuation Advisory 

JLL

T +1 713 852 3420

M +1 832 244 9994

JLL.com


aracapital.com.