Friday, October 14, 2011

Central Florida Publix Shopping Center Sells for $9.1 Million



GROVELAND, FL– Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has negotiated the sale of Eagle Ridge Shoppes (top left photo), a 65,751-square foot Publix-anchored shopping center in Groveland. The sales price of $9.1 million represents $138 per square foot.

 Daniel “Sonny” Molloy (middle right photo), a vice president investments in Marcus & Millichap’s Atlanta office, represented the seller, Groveland Associates LLC, a Tampa-based development company. Kirk Olson and Drew A. Kristol, senior associates in the firm’s Miami office, represented the buyer, a private equity group based in Miami.

“Eagle Ridge Shoppes is anchored by Publix, which is performing quite well,” says Molloy. “A Burger King corporate ground lease was also part of the sale.”

 “Eagle Ridge Shoppes is an attractive asset because it has a stable base of tenants and the opportunity to enhance returns through a leasing effort,” Molloy continues.

“The center also possesses a unique geographical location feature that seems to have contributed to the success of Publix. There are many lakes in the surrounding area—several are positioned between Groveland and the nearby town of Clermont—and for many residents of Clermont it is easier to come to the Groveland Publix than it is to shop at one in their own town,” adds Molloy.

 The shopping center is located on the northeast corner of State Road 50 and County Road 565A at 7975 State Road 50 in Groveland. State Road 50 is Groveland’s main artery and connects Orlando, Fla. with Tampa, Fla. The center is approximately 25 miles northwest of downtown Orlando and less than five miles from Clermont, Fla.

 Eagle Ridge Shoppes was built in 2007 on 10.9 acres. The shopping center is 80 percent leased with Publix occupying 70 percent of the space, not including the Burger King outpad. Other notable tenants include Great Clips and Subway.

Publix draws from a trade area beyond the town of Groveland; an area that includes the west side of Clermont. Population growth of approximately 15 percent is projected for the area during the next five years.


Contact: Stacey Corso, Public Relations Manager, (925) 953-1716

HFF closes sale and arranges financing for Orlando grocery-anchored shopping center




MIAMI, FL – HFF announced today that it has closed the sale of Osceola Village (top left photo), a 116,645-square-foot grocery-anchored retail center in Orlando, Florida.

HFF marketed the property exclusively on behalf of the seller, SO Wehren Holding Corp.  Strategic Retail Trust, Inc. a real estate investment trust advised by Thompson National Properties, LLC, purchased the center.

HFF’s debt placement team secured fixed-rate acquisition financing on behalf of Thompson National Properties.

Completed in 2008, Osceola Village is 77 percent leased to anchor tenants Publix and hhgregg, among others.  The property also includes seven undeveloped outparcels totaling 9.5 acres.  Located on 23.7 acres at 304 Dyer Boulevard, Osceola Village is less than seven miles west of the Walt Disney World resort area.

The HFF investment sales team representing the seller was led by managing director Danny Finkle (top right photo), director Luis Castillo (lower left photo) real estate analyst Robert Saracco. 

HFF director Chris Drew and senior managing director Wally Reid represented the borrower in arranging the acquisition financing.

“The combination of long-term leases with Publix and hhgregg, value-add potential in lease-up and outparcel development, and stellar location proximate to the Walt Disney World Resort and across the street from the highly successful LOOP projects made Osceola Village a highly compelling acquisition opportunity,” said Castillo.

Contacts:

Daniel Finkle, HFF Managing Director, (305) 448-1333, dfinkle@hfflp.com                             Luis Castillo, HFF Director, (305) 448-1333, lcastillo@hfflp.com                           
 Kristen Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500

Emerson International Okays McDade Construction to build Interior Improvements at CenterPointe I Office Building in Altamonte Springs, FL


ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL. --- McDade Construction has been awarded a contract by Emerson International to build interior improvements at the CenterPointe I (top left photo) office building at 240 E. Central Parkway in Altamonte Springs.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said the project will total 8,753 square feet of office space.

Emerson International is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Emerson Group, the global corporation that is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies.

For more information, contact
Eric J. Emerson, Vice President and General Manager Emerson International, Inc. 407-834-9560; ejemerson@emerson-us.com;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com.

Mercantile Capital Corp. reports five commercial loan closings in September to finance projects worth nearly $14 million


 ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL. --- Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners, closed five commercial loans in September to finance projects worth more than $13.8 million in total project costs.

Chris Hurn (top right photo), chief executive officer at Mercantile Capital Corporation, said the largest single loan in September was for the $9.8 million refinance of a plastic surgery center in Utah.

Hurn reported Mercantile Capital closed on 19 loans during the third quarter to finance projects totaling more than $55.7 million in total project costs. Through the first three quarters of 2011, the company closed loans worth $124.85 million, a 33.07 percent increase over the same nine-month period last year, Hurn said.

Mercantile Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Old Florida National Bank.

More information can be found at http://www.504experts.com/ and http://www.504blog.com/.

For more information about this press release, contact:

Chris Hurn, Chief Executive Officer, Mercantile Capital Corporation, ChrisHurn@MercantileCC.com, 407-786-5040
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Avison Young acquires property management and leasing portfolio from Atlanta-based Barry Real Estate Companies, Inc.



ATLANTA, GA  /PRNewswire/ - Steve Dils (top right photo), Avison Young Principal and Managing Director of the company's Atlanta office, announced today the expansion of Avison Young's leasing and management platform through an agreement with Atlanta-based Barry Real Estate Companies, Inc. to acquire the majority of its third-party business unit.

The acquisition of the office property management and leasing portfolio
from the local developer will add to Avison Young's approximately 50
million square feet (msf) of retail, industrial and office properties
under management in Canada and the U.S.


 Effective immediately, Avison Young will assume the property management of four buildings in Atlanta totaling nearly 600,000 square feet. The properties are
30 Allen Plaza (top left photo), Lenox Plaza (middle right photo), Lenox Center (middle left photo), and 2045 Peachtree (lower right photo).

Avison Young will also handle the leasing in 30 Allen Plaza and 2045 Peachtree
(totaling 353,000 sf).

Major tenants in 30 Allen Plaza include the Southern Company (headquarters), and the law firm of Balch & Bingham LLP.

"Avison Young has been very successful in strategically growing its platform in the Southeast during the past year. This acquisition expands the office side of our agency platform and is a deliberate step in executing on our growth plan," comments Dils.

 "The expansion is a logical move for us, and we are excited about our new relationship with the owners of these properties and the opportunity to continue our growth."

In conjunction with the acquisition, Avison Young will begin relocation of its Southeastern offices to 30 Allen Plaza immediately.

"Barry Real Estate Companies is one of the leading developers in Atlanta and the Southeastern U.S.," notes Mark Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young.

"This acquisition deepens Avison Young's presence in Atlanta and is in line with the company's strategy to further strengthen our property management platform and capabilities in North America."

Avison Young, which also acquired Atlanta-based Hodges Management and Leasing Company (HMLC) in July 2010, now has in excess of 20 msf under management in Atlanta.

 "Barry Real Estate Companies has created exceptional buildings, and Atlanta is one of the most diverse real estate markets in the country
and the hub of commercial activity in the Southeast U.S.," says Earl Webb, Avison Young's President, U.S. Operations.

 He adds that the company's plans include further acquisitions and partnerships to grow the Avison Young brand internationally.

 For further information/comment/photos:

Sherry Quan, National Director of Communications & Media Relations, Avison Young: (604) 647-5098; cell: (604) 726-0959

Steve Dils, Principal and Managing Director, Atlanta, Avison Young: (404) 865-3666

Mark Rose, Chair and CEO, Avison Young: (416) 673-4028

Earl Webb, President, U.S. Operations, Avison Young: (847) 881-2237
http://www.avisonyoung.com/  Follow Avison Young on Twitter:

For industry news, press releases and market reports: www.twitter.com/avisonyoung

For Avison Young listings and deals: www.twitter.com/AYListingsDealsFollow Avison Young Bloggers: http://blog.avisonyoung.com/


National Retail Properties, Inc. Declares Common Dividend, Marking 22nd Consecutive Annual Increase



 ORLANDO, FL  /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of National Retail Properties, Inc. (NYSE: NNN), a real estate investment trust, declared a quarterly dividend of 38.5 cents per share payable November 15, 2011 to common shareholders of record on October 31, 2011.

 The dividend represents an annualized rate of $1.54 per share and marks the twenty-second consecutive year National Retail Properties has paid increased annual dividends per share. 

National Retail Properties is one of only four publicly traded REITs and 105 publicly traded companies in America to have increased annual dividends for 22 or more consecutive years.

National Retail Properties invests primarily in high-quality retail properties subject generally to long-term, net leases. As of June 30, 2011, the company owned 1,248 Investment Properties in 46 states with a gross leasable area of approximately 13.6 million square feet.

For more information on the company, visit http://www.nnnreit.com/.

 

Fitch: U.S. CREL CDOs Delinquencies Up Slightly

  
NEW YORK, NY -- After  four  consecutive  months  of  decline,  CREL CDO delinquencies rose slightly  last  month,  according  to  the  latest index results from Fitch Ratings. The full results are featured in this week’s U.S. CMBS newsletter.

CREL CDO late-pays rose to 12% from 11.6% in August. ‘Given the instability
in the broader economy, CREL CDOs delinquencies are expected to continue to
seesaw going forward,’ said Director Stacey McGovern.

In  September, asset managers reported 11 new delinquent assets.  Among the newly  delinquent  assets  were three matured balloon loans, six new credit impaired  securities,  and  two term defaults. Partially offsetting the new delinquencies were six removed assets, which included:

--One real estate-owned (REO) asset, which was sold at 38% of par;
--One mezzanine loan that was foreclosed out at a total loss; and
--Four formerly credit impaired CMBS securities.

Ratings  on  the most junior classes remain subject to volatility as losses
continue  to  accumulate.   In  September, CREL CDO asset managers reported
approximately $60 million in realized losses.

Additional  information  is available in Fitch's weekly e-newsletter, 'U.S.
CMBS  Market  Trends',  which  also  contains  recent rating actions and an overview  of  newly  released  CMBS  research, including Fitch presales and Focus  reports.  The  link  below enables market participants to sign up to receive future issues of the E-newsletter:




Contact:
Stacey McGovern
Director
+1-212-908-0722
Fitch Inc., 1 State Street Plaza, New York, NY 10004

Karen Trebach
Senior Director
+1-212-908-0215

Media   Relations:   Sandro   Scenga,   New  York,  Tel:  +1  212-908-0278:

Additional information is available at http://www.fitchratings.com/

Engler Financial Group & Rockwood Real Estate Advisors Offer Cumberland Park, Orlando, FL for Sale


 ATLANTA, GA -- Engler Financial Group, LLC and Rockwood Real Estate Advisors are pleased to offer for sale Cumberland Park (middle centered photo), an upscale 456 unit apartment community built in 2008 in Orlando, Orange County, Florida.

The Property is located along International Drive South, approximately, one-mile north of State Road 536 in the rapidly expanding southwest Orlando submarket. Cumberland Park is being offered for sale on an unpriced basis and represents an excellent opportunity to purchase a well located Class "AA" multifamily asset with strong investment potential.


Cumberland Park offers residents a "Best in Class" asset for southwest Orlando. The Property features "condo quality" finish and energy-efficient "Green" construction.  Cumberland Park includes a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom units. 

Three of the Property’s residential buildings offer elevator floor access which allows for additional rent premiums. The upscale community and unit amenities offered at Cumberland Park clearly separates the Property from the other rental communities in the submarket.

.  In order to schedule a property tour, please contact Greg Engler, Pat Jones, or  Dave Pepe.  We look forward to meeting you at Cumberland Park!

Contacts:
 
Greg Engler
Engler Financial Group, LLC
CEO/President
678/992-2000, ext. 1

Pat Jones
 Engler Financial Group, LLC
Senior Vice President
678/992-2000, ext. 2

 Dave Pepe
Rockwood Real Estate Advisors
Managing Director - Capital Markets
646/871-6034

 

The Lightstone Group Announces Renewal and Expansion at Cloud Springs Plaza in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.


FORT OGLETHORPE, GA  /PRNewswire/ --The Lightstone Group, one of the largest private real estate owners in the country, announced today that a new lease transaction, totaling approximately 5,250 square feet, was recently signed at Cloud Springs Plaza in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.

Tobacco For Less signed a six-year lease amendment for 2,400 square feet of space. The retailer is also expanding into 2,850 square feet of additional space to offer customers a wider variety of tobacco and liquor products.

"Local shoppers have made Tobacco For Less a popular destination at Cloud Springs Plaza," stated David Lichtenstein, chairman of the Lakewood, N.J.-based Lightstone Group. "We're pleased that the tenant has experienced much success at this location, leading them to renew and expand on their lease."

Located at 1503 Lafayette Road, the property is on the southwest corner of Route 27, just across the state line from Chattanooga, Tenn. The tenant roster includes Big Lots, Food Lion and Autozone and W.S. Badcock Corp.

"This shopping center has a diverse mix of stores that attract a wide range of customers," stated Jeffrey Dash, vice president of leasing for The Lightstone Group. "It is also convenient to major local roads."

To learn about leasing opportunities at Cloud Springs Plaza or other retail centers owned by the Lightstone Group, please contact Jeffrey Dash at jdash@lightstonegroup.com or by calling (908) 688-8300.

Contact: Christa Segalini, +1-201-465-8021, csegalini@beckermanpr.com; or Ryan Smith, +1-201-465-8033, rsmith@beckermanpr.com



Thursday, October 13, 2011

China Housing & Land Development Announces Change in Board of Directors




XI'AN, China, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China Housing & Land Development, Inc., ("China Housing" or the "Company," NASDAQ: CHLN) today announced that it has appointed Mr. Yusheng Lin (top right photo)as an Independent Director of the Company, effective October 13, 2011.

 Mr. Lin replaces Mr. Michael Marks (middle left photo), who, for personal reasons, has resigned his position as an Independent Director of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), effective immediately.

Mr. Yusheng Lin is the Deputy General Manager of SZ Kingworld ("SZK") and Executive Director of Kingworld Medicines Group Ltd. (stock code: 01110HK) ("KMG").

He has been the deputy general manager of SZK since June 2006. He is primarily responsible for the capital management and the operations of KMG. He has approximately 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

 From 1999 to 2004, he worked at Xi'an Lijun Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("XLPC"), which is principally engaged in the manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products in the PRC.

XLPC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lijun International Pharmaceutical (Holding) Company Limited (stock code: 2005HK) ("XLPC Parent"), a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange which, together with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the research, development, manufacture and sale of finished medicines and bulk pharmaceutical products to hospitals and distributors.

Mr. Lin held the position of vice president of XLPC Parent from 2004 to 2006. From 2005 to 2006, he also held the position of chairman of Lijun Fang Yuan Pharmaceutical Company. Mr. Lin obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Yanan University in 1989 and his MBA from Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2006.
.

China Housing contacts

Mr. Cangsang Huang
Chief Financial Officer
+86 29 8258 2648 in Xi'an

 Ms. Jing Lu
Chief Operating Officer, Board Secretary, and Investor Relations Officer
+86 29.8258.2639 in Xi'an

Mr. Shuai Luo
Investor Relations
+86 29.8258.2632 in Xi'an

Mr. Bill Zima, ICR
+1 203.682.8233 in United States




$24.6 Million Retail Center Comes to Market in Suburban Philadelphia

  
 WILLOW GROVE, PA – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has retained the exclusive listing for a 123,397-square foot Super Giant Food Store (top left photo) in Willow Grove, a northern suburb of Philadelphia. The sales price of $24,603,317 represents $199 per square foot.

Dean Zang (middle right photo) and Mark Taylor (lower left photo), senior directors of the firm’s National Retail Group (NRG), are representing the seller, an affiliated entity of a northern New Jersey private REIT and developer.

  “There are 20 years remaining on this Super Giant Food Store’s absolute net lease,” says Zang. “Rarely do assets with such a high quality of location come to market in the Northeast with substantial term remaining. The lease is guaranteed by Royal Ahold and has rental increases that certainly add to the attractiveness of the offering,” adds Zang.

The property is located at 315 York Road in Willow Grove, an affluent suburb of Philadelphia.

This Super Giant Food Store was built in 2007 on 12.4 acres after the former Home Depot building was demolished. The store is open 24 hours per day and features a full-service pharmacy, a Wi-Fi cafe and children’s play area.

Giant Food Stores is a subsidiary of Royal Ahold, which operates approximately 1,000 supermarkets throughout the United States. In 2010, Royal Ahold posted revenues of $27.9 billion and a net worth of $5.5 billion. Ahold is rated BBB with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s.

 Contact: Stacey Corso, Public Relations Manager, (925) 953-1716

Marcus & Millichap Sells two drug store properties in south carolina



FT LAUDERDALE, FL, Oct. 13, 2011 – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has announced the sale of a leasehold interest in a 14,560-square foot Walgreens in Columbia, South Carolina for $3.3 million and a 12,278-square foot Rite Aid (middle left photo) in Sumter, South Carolina for $2.7 million, according to Gregory Matus, Vice President/Regional Manager of the firm’s Ft. Lauderdale office.

Senior Vice President Investments Lori Schneider (top right photo) in Marcus & Millichap’s Fort Lauderdale office facilitated the sales of the drug stores.

“Drug stores provide a reliable income at a time with few alternatives and they are often desirable price point investments that offer simplicity of underwriting, acquisition and ownership,” says Schneider who facilitated the sale of five drug store properties (among other retail and single-tenant properties) within the third quarter of 2011.

 Schneider just recently qualified for Marcus & Millichap’s prestigious National Achievement Award.  She was the first investment specialist in the Fort Lauderdale office to receive this honor.

The Walgreens property consists of a leasehold interest in a 14,560-square foot Walgreens on a large 1.76-acre lot in Columbia, South Carolina.  It has 18 years remaining on its absolute net lease and is located at 4469 Devine Street, which is one of the main commercial corridors in Columbia.  The property sold for $3,292,406 on September 12, 2011.

The 12,728-square foot Rite Aid has a double drive-thru and is located on a 1.62 acre lot in Sumter, South Carolina.  It has 11 years remaining on its double net lease and is located at 375 Pinewood Road near several shopping centers.  Sumter is located approximately 45 miles from Columbia.  The property sold for $2,650,000 on September 26, 2011.

Press Contact: Gregory Matus (bottom left photo), Regional Manager / Vice President, Ft. Lauderdale, (954) 245-3400

TNP Strategic Retail Trust Acquires Osceola Village in Kissimmee, FL


IRVINE, CA /PRNewswire/ -- TNP Strategic Retail Trust, Inc. (the "Company"), a publicly registered non-traded REIT that invests in grocery and drug-store anchored, multitenant necessity retail properties, announced the acquisition of Osceola Village (top left photo), a 116,645-square-foot retail center in Kissimmee, Florida. The retail center was purchased directly from the construction lender.

"Rarely does this type of opportunity present itself to purchase the dominant grocery anchor in a growth market like Orlando," said Thompson National Properties' CEO, Anthony W. "Tony" Thompson (middle right photo). "SRT succeeded against stiff competition and closed in under 30 days."

Constructed in 2008, Osceola Village is 77 percent occupied and anchored by Publix with a lease expiration in 2028 and hhgregg with a lease expiration in 2018. The property is located at the intersection of Osceola Parkway and Dyer Boulevard, approximately 6.5 miles from Walt Disney World, on a 23.7 acre site that includes seven fully improved outparcel pads that total 9.5 acres. 

 For more information regarding TNP Strategic Retail Trust, please visit http://www.tnpsrt.com/.

 For more information regarding Thompson National Properties, please visit http://www.tnpre.com/.

CONTACT: Jill Swartz, +1-949-833-8252 ext. 123, js@tnpre.com



Engler Financial Group Presents Alexan Town Brockhaven in Atlanta as Exclusive Offering






ATLANTA, GA -- Engler Financial Group is pleased to offer for sale Alexan Town Brookhaven (above centered photo),  a "Best in Class" Core investment opportunity located in Atlanta’s newest and most desirable mixed-use community - Town Brookhaven.

 This 287 unit Class "AA" asset is being offered for sale "free and clear" of existing financing, allowing buyers the opportunity to take advantage of historically low interest rates. 

The high quality construction of the units at Alexan Town Brookhaven is similar to an upscale single-family home or condominium.  All buildings are controlled-access entry with elevators and air-conditioned interior hallways.

Alexan Town Brookhaven is located within the larger Town Brookhaven mixed-use development (lower right photo by Jonathan Phillips of Atlanta) which offers a highly desirable mix of big box retailers, junior anchors, upscale grocery, as well as “Atlanta centric” restaurants and shopping boutiques.
  
Town Brookhaven was developed by The Sembler Company and consists of approximately 600,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space. Construction was ongoing throughout much of Alexan Town Brookhaven’s initial lease up. Since completion of the surrounding retail, the Property has experienced tremendous rent growth (as much as 25%).

 The Property is currently operating on a net effective pricing model, and signing leases 16% above the current in-place effective figures. Upon renewal, the Property is aggressively pushing residents towards current market rents with renewal increases as high as $300. 

To schedule a property tour, please contact
 
Greg Engler
CEO/President
(678) 992-2000, ext. 1

 Pat Jones
Senior Vice President
(678) 992-2000, ext. 2

 Kris Mikkelsen
Vice President
(678) 992-2000, ext. 4
 

Charles Dunn Co. Names Commercial Real Estate Industry Veteran Tracy Taft as Business Development Account Executive

  

LOS ANGELES, CA Oct. 13, 2011 – Charles Dunn Company, one of the largest full-service regional real estate firms in the Western United States, has named Tracy Taft (top right photo) as business development account executive.

 The 15-year commercial real estate industry veteran will be responsible for outreach to property owners and middle-market investors in order to expand the firm’s brokerage, property management and distressed assets activity.

“Charles Dunn Company is aggressively working to increase its activity and overall client base as we continue to enhance our firm’s full service capabilities,” said Patrick Conn (lower left photo), president of property management at Charles Dunn Company. “Tracy has the hands-on commercial real estate knowledge and experience, as well as the business development skills that will help us meet our short term and long term corporate growth objectives.”

Taft offers a broad background in commercial real estate and most recently served as principal at TARECO Property Management out of Los Angeles. He was also director of real estate for Native Foods Café and carries a wealth of brokerage experience with senior sales executive positions at Colliers International, Lee & Associates and CB Commercial.

“With a property management portfolio in excess of 20 million square feet and a highly successful investment sales team, Charles Dunn Company offers a breadth of full service resources that many clients aren’t fully taking advantage of,” said Taft.

 “I look forward to communicating the firm’s entrepreneurial approach as well as its legacy of treating our clients’ interests as if they were our own, with the goal of taking our service capabilities to the next level.”  

Taft is a licensed California real estate broker and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing from University of Southern California.

 Contact: Darcie Giacchetto, D.G. Communications, Inc., 949.278.6224