Avison Young continues aggressive U.S. expansion, opens new office in Irvine, CA

  

Mark E. Rose

 TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Mark E. Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young, Canada's largest independently-owned commercial real estate services company, announced today the opening of a newly-formed office in

Irvine, California.

Alan Pekarcik

 The newest American office marks Avison Young's 20th market outside of Canada and an additional step in the firm's ongoing aggressive growth and expansion strategy.

Over the past three and a half years, Avison Young has grown from 11 to 42 offices in 34 markets and from 300 to more than 1,100 real

estate professionals across Canada and the U.S.

Daniel Vittone

Effective immediately, Alan Pekarcik and Daniel Vittone join as Principals and will focus on further expanding Avison Young's brand in the Orange County market. Also joining Avison Young is John Pianta as Senior Financial Analyst.

John Pianta

All three members were most recently with Newport Beach, CA-based Voit Real Estate Services,working out of the company's Irvine, CA office. The full-service real estate firm operates as a real estate owner, operator, broker, property

manager, contractor and developer.

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

Media Relations:

Sherry Quan

(604) 647-5098 or

 (604) 726-0959 cell

email: sherry.quan@avisonyoung.com

Arbor Appoints Zachary Rechler as Director in New York Office

Zachary Rechler

UNIONDALE, NY (Nov. 19, 2012) - Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC (“Arbor”) today announced the appointment of Zachary Rechler as Director in the company’s New York City office.

Mr. Rechler is responsible for originating loans under all of Arbor’s multifamily and commercial product lines, including Fannie Mae, FHA, Bridge and Mezzanine loans. Mr. Rechler reports to Ken Fazio, Senior Vice President, National Production Manager.

 Prior to joining Arbor, Mr. Rechler served as Vice President at NorthMarq Capital, where he was responsible for debt and equity placement for insurance companies and pension fund investors. 

Ken Fazio

He also provided oversight of a regional servicing portfolio, including the review and processing of regular servicing requests and annual lender collateral reviews. Previous to that role, Mr. Rechler served as Investment Analyst and an Associate Producer at NorthMarq Capital.

 Mr. Rechler received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Tulane University. He is currently enrolled at New York University as a candidate for a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Finance. He resides in New York City.

Contact:

Chris Ostrowski

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

 Tel: (516) 506-4255

333 Earle Ovington Blvd., Suite 900

costrowski@arbor.com

Colliers International's Canadian Real Estate Management Services Division Introduces Innovative Products Containing Non-Tree, Alternative Fiber from Kimberly-Clark Professional

Ken Scott

 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada  /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with its longstanding commitment to sustainability, Colliers International's (Colliers) Canadian Real Estate Management Services division announced an agreement to purchase towel and tissue products containing alternative, non-tree fiber for its managed properties wherever possible.

Distributed by Unisource Canada, Inc., the products will be provided by Kimberly-Clark Professional, which boasts the largest portfolio of Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) certified towel and tissue products in North America as well as offerings that include alternative, non-tree fibers.

Andrew Gustyn

"As one of Canada's premier commercial real estate management services providers, we feel it is our responsibility to provide sustainability leadership for our clients and their properties," said Ken Scott, Director of Vendor Management for Colliers' Canadian Real Estate Management Services division. "We are deeply committed to sustainable business practices, environments and workplaces. This announcement is an exciting step forward in this journey."  

"We are pleased to support Colliers in these efforts," said Andrew Gustyn, Director of Sustainability - North America for Unisource Worldwide. "One of our overriding commitments is to help lead our industry into a sustainable future. Our partnership with Kimberly-Clark Professional and the promotion of products containing rapidly renewable, non-tree fiber demonstrate Unisource's commitment to providing innovative solutions that help our customers foster more sustainable development." 

Howard Connell

Kimberly-Clark Professional is the first major tissue manufacturer to introduce products that contain alternative, non-tree fiber content to the North American market. Available exclusively to the business-to-business marketplace, these products are part of an ambitious corporate-wide initiative aimed at accelerating the use of rapidly renewable, non-tree sources of fiber in Kimberly-Clark products.

Colliers' Canadian Real Estate Management Services division will be purchasing Kleenex and Scott brand towel and tissue products that include alternative fiber content. Initially, these products will contain 20 percent non-tree fibers, including wheat straw and bamboo.

These fibers both meet the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) definition of "rapidly renewable" fibers, meaning the materials regenerate themselves in less than 10 years.

"As global demand for the world's natural resources increases, it is critical that we find innovative ways to meet our customers' needs while reducing our Forest Fiber Footprint," said Howard Connell, Global Sustainability Leader for Kimberly-Clark Professional.

"Discovering new fiber streams and shifting the way we think about resource consumption, while delivering the same quality, performance and value, is one more step in these efforts. We applaud Colliers' decision to join us on this journey." 

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

 Amy Vuong,

Colliers International,

+1-416-305-9297,

amy.vuong@colliers.com;

Dave Lipson,

Schwartz MSL Boston,

+1-781-684-0770,

 KCPRF@SCHWARTZMSL.COM;

Kara Herron,

 Kimberly-Clark Professional,

+1-770-587-8049, kara.herron@kcc.com

 Web Site: http://www.kcprofessional.com

Wyndham Hotel Group and Riyada Launch Days Inn Brand in Saudi Arabia

Rui Barros (left) and Muhammad Al-Amir

 RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA  – Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with over 7,260 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN),  announced the signing of an exclusive development agreement for the Days Inn® brand in Saudi Arabia with Riyada International Hotels and Resorts, currently the master franchisee for Ramada® hotels in the Kingdom.

 The signing of the exclusive development agreement for 10 hotels was recently announced at the headquarters of the prestigious Saudi Commission of Tourism and Antiquities in Riyadh.  Invited guests heard how development of the Days Inn portfolio in Saudi Arabia will be spread over the next seven years.

Rui Barros, Wyndham Hotel Group’s senior vice president and managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa said, “We are delighted to expand our relationship with Riyada International Hotels and Resorts through this deal to launch and grow the Days Inn brand, our largest brand globally with 147,224 rooms, in Saudi Arabia. This brand has exceptional growth potential in this market as it is perfectly suited to the growing number of travelers seeking comfort and quality accommodation without a mid-market or upscale price tag.”

 This was Barros’ first visit to Saudi Arabia as Wyndham Hotel Group’s newly appointed SVP and managing director of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Previously, he was brand senior vice president for the Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham® hotel brands and has served Wyndham Hotel Group in a variety of leadership roles since 1998.

Muhammad Al-Amir, founder and managing director of Riyada International Hotel and Resorts said, “We have worked in partnership with Wyndham Hotel Group for the last seven years to successfully build the Ramada brand within the Kingdom. 

"To now work together to launch Days Inn, another leading global brand, represents a significant milestone for us. With Wyndham providing us with up to date global hospitality know-how, coupled with our local knowledge of the market, we have an unparalleled competitive edge in the country’s hotel development sector.”

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

Joy Gulledge

Public Relations Manager

Wyndham Hotel Group

22 Sylvan Way

Parsippany, NJ 07054

+1 (973) 753-6590

joy.gulledge@wyn.com

DoubleTree by Hilton Opens Second Hotel in Rochester, NY

McLean,VA – DoubleTree by Hilton announced the opening of a newly renovated, all-suite upscale full-service hotel in historic Rochester, N.Y.

 The 155-suite The Strathallan– a DoubleTree by Hilton, is located in the heart of Rochester’s East End, a cultural and historic district, just 10 minutes away from the Greater Rochester International Airport. 

 The hotel is owned and operated by 550 East Ave, LLC, under a franchise license agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide. 

 Over the past year each of the hotel’s guest suites was completely renovated to meet DoubleTree by Hilton standards and now include the brand’s signature Sweet Dreams sleep system, Wolfgang Puck in-room gourmet coffee and tea service; and Crabtree & Evelyn Citron bath and body products new carpets, drapery, furnishing and wall coverings.  Renovations to the public spaces make the transformation complete.

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

Maggie Giddens

Director, Global Brand Public Relations

DoubleTree by Hilton

+1 703 883 5346

Maggie.Giddens@Hilton.com

Lauralee Dobbins

Daly Gray Public Relations

+1 703 435 6293

Lauralee@dalygray.com

ARA Announces Sale of Prime Multifamily Development Site in Plantation, FL

Midtown Phase II aerial of development site, Plantation, FL

Plantation, FL — The Boca Raton office of Atlanta-headquartered ARA, the largest privately held, full-service investment advisory brokerage firm in the nation focusing exclusively on the multi-housing industry, has arranged the land sale of 2.42 acresš for the development of the 227-unit Midtown Phase II multifamily project.

Troy Ballard

ARA’s South Florida Land Division represented Miami-based American Land Ventures in the sale to Camden Realty Trust. Land Division Vice President Troy Ballard was supported by ARA Principals, Avery Klann and Dick Donnellan in marketing the property.

 “Midtown Phase II offers Camden an incredible opportunity to build a trophy asset located in one of South Florida’s most coveted locations,” noted Troy Ballard, lead broker on the deal.

 “Midtown Phase II is within walking distance to major employment, high-end shopping, dining and entertainment choices within the 860-acre Plantation Midtown District. This type of location is what every multifamily developer and institutional owner is looking for in today’s development environment.”

Avery Klann

Midtown Phase II is a 2.42-acre site that is planned for 227 multifamily units, with a height of 12 stories, and a self-contained parking garage. The site is part of a larger tract located in the northwestern quadrant of the Midtown District Town Center. ARA previously sold the existing 236-unit Phase I Midtown 24 apartment complex, built in 2010, for over $290,000 per unit.

 Midtown Phase II enjoys a strategic location within the visionary Plantation Midtown District, a master-planned development consisting of 860 acres with 2.5 million square feet of retail and three million square feet of office. The District is home to over 50 Fortune 500 companies, such as American Express, DHL and Tradestation, employing approximately 20,500 people.

Dick Donnellan

This Class “AAA” development’s high barrier-to-entry location in the heart of Broward County is superbly positioned only one mile from I-595, one of the area’s major highways, as well as within minutes from Fort Lauderdale International Airport, I-95, I-75, the Sawgrass Expressway and Florida’s Turnpike.

For more information about ARA nationally, please contact:

Lisa Robinson at lrobinson@ARAusa.com, 678.553.9360 

 Amy Morris at amorris@ARAusa.com, 678.553.9366;

 Marti Zenor at mzenor@ARAusa.com or 561.988.8800.

Beech Street Capital Closes $15.2 Million Fannie Mae Loan to Acquire Naples, FL Apartments

Meadow Brook Preserve Apartments, Naples, FL

 BETHESDA, MD – Beech Street Capital, LLC, announced it closed a $15.2 million Fannie Mae conventional loan used to acquire Meadow Brook Preserve Apartments, a 268-unit multifamily complex in Naples, Florida.

Mitch Sinberg and Michael Wallace, senior vice presidents in Beech Street’s Florida offices, originated the transaction.

 The transaction represents Sinberg and Wallace’s third closing since they joined Beech Street in May of this year and Beech Street’s fourth deal with the borrower, Atlas Real Estate Partners, an entrepreneurial real estate investment firm with a specific focus on multifamily acquisitions in Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.

Mitch Sinberg

In just six months, Sinberg and Wallace, who head up the Florida offices, have closed close to $100 million in agency debt for new acquisitions. “Our experience in the Florida market, as well as our knowledge of the agencies has helped us to get off to a strong start,” states Wallace.

Sinberg adds, “Everyone at Beech Street goes into every transaction determined to exceed client expectations. That’s the way you generate repeat business.” And it’s repeat business that’s behind Beech Street’s strong run in Florida and nationwide.

Michael Wallace

Since October 2010 the property has undergone over $1 million in renovations and is in excellent condition. The borrower plans to complete additional renovations upon acquisition.

The property is located in North Naples within Collier County, approximately 11 miles from downtown Naples. Conveniently situated, the property is a half mile from Route 41, the major commercial thoroughfare through Naples, and four miles from Interstate 75 which provides access throughout Florida.

  The neighborhood is a new and growing area of Naples that consists of a mixture of single family homes, apartment properties, retail, and nature preserves, as well as a Greyhound race track and numerous golf courses.  Amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, swimming pool, soccer field, and dog park.  

 The fixed-rate loan has a 10-year term and five years of interest-only.

Contact

Courtney Lewis

 240-507-1948

 Jenifer Bernardi

240-507-1946.

Colliers Brings on Two Veteran Industrial/Office Brokers

Ronald A. Schagrin

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Colliers International South Florida is pleased to announce that Ronald A. Schagrin, SIOR and Elias Porras, CCIM, SIOR have joined the firm as Senior Vice Presidents. Schagrin and Porras have both been in the business for over 25 years and have worked as a team representing industrial and office landlords and tenants throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.

"Ron and Elias are game changers for Colliers South Florida," says Stephen Nostrand, CEO. "Their experience and track record of memorable client service and expertise in the field of both industrial and office leasing is a perfect fit with our existing team."

Elias Porras

Prior to joining Colliers, Schagrin was a co-founding partner along with Porras of Commercial Property Realty Advisors, a full service real estate firm that operated for nine years, which later became Commercial Property Realty Group.

 He served as Senior Vice President at Prudential CRES Commercial Real Estate South Florida. His commercial real estate career began at Colliers International South Florida where when he left in 2001 he served as Senior Director.

He is a founding Board Member of Gilda's Club South Florida and has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Currently Schagrin serves as President for the Georgina Dieter Dennis Foundation which provides scholarships to vocal majors attending Florida universities and colleges.

Stephen Nostrand

"With the menu of services Colliers is able to provide, combined with my experience of understanding market trends, our clients and our prospects will receive world class commercial real estate options," says Schagrin. 

Porras partnered with Schagrin in the operation of Commercial Property Realty Advisors, LLC (CPRA). He also acted as Vice President/Broker with Prudential CRES Commercial Real Estate South Florida.

 He began his brokerage career back in the 1980s with Colliers International. Porras is on the National Recruitment Committee with SIOR. He is a member of the South Florida Office Broker's Association, the Society of Commercial Realtors, National Association of Realtors and Industrial Brokers of South Florida.

 "Having vast experience in real estate market trends, relocation services, stabilization and disposition of distressed or underperforming properties, Colliers International's global offerings will provide my clients with an array of solutions, as well as the ability to tap in to the strength of over 12,300 professionals around the world," says Porras.

  

 Contact:

Crystal Proenza

Vice President of Marketing

Colliers International South Florida

Commercial Real Estate Services

Tel: 305 476 7138

Email: crystal.proenza@colliers.com

www.colliers.com

SMP Now Managing 10,000 Multifamily Units; New Atlanta, GA Firm, Launched Two Years Ago, Expands Portfolio

Cindy Batey

Atlanta, GA – Strategic Management Partners (SMP), which launched just two years ago, is now managing more than 10,000 apartment units across the Southeast and in Texas.

Co-founded by experienced executives Cindy Batey and Angela Smith, the multifamily property management firm specializes in communities where its individualized focus can add value, improve profitability and increase occupancy.

"When we launched, we focused on distressed ‘C-class’ assets,” Smith said. “We’ve now moved into the management of A and B assets with potential added value or upside potential. We believe this approach – and the three ‘Rs’: Results, Responsiveness and Referrals – will continue to carry us forward as the economy improves.”

Angela Smith

The SMP team focuses on stabilizing multifamily properties, recommending improvements and repositioning them. The firm’s innovative, cost-effective solutions are designed to increase occupancy, net operating income (NOI) and property values for clients such as equity owners and special servicers, including banks and other financial institutions in the U.S. and overseas.

 “We pride ourselves on customizing a unique strategy for every asset, then exceeding expectations,” Batey added. “Our ability to turn around underperforming, value-add and distressed properties has led to a number of repeat clients and word-of-mouth referrals. We’re extremely grateful to the clients and contacts who entrust us with their assets.”

 SMP also has a strong commitment to helping the community as a whole. Its unique Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program includes giving employees a paid day off each year to work with the nonprofit of their choice. Batey and Smith also devote tremendous time and resources to individual nonprofit causes.

Atlanta-based Strategic Management Partners (http://www.SMPmgt.com) manages multifamily properties for owners, lenders and special servicers. It provides innovative, cost-effective solutions to increase occupancy and asset values.

 The company, which is especially adept at serving distressed and foreclosed properties, offers clients a diverse range of property management and turnaround services including third party partnerships, receiverships, lease-up, asset management, renovation and due diligence. Its mission statement, “Profitability Through Innovation,” reflects the company’s unique approach to third-party management.

Media Contact:

Terri Thornton,

Thornton Communications

 404-932-4347

 Terri@TerriThornton.com

Global Cyber Security Experts Lease 21,000-SF office in Clearwater, FL

Alan Feldshue

CLEARWATER, FL – International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc., also known as (ISC)2, is expanding and moving its global headquarters to a larger office in Clearwater.

 The non-profit company specializes in educating and certifying information security professionals throughout their careers to handle the latest technology and issues, such as emerging security threats.

Melanie Jackson

Alan Feldshue and Melanie Jackson of Colliers International Tampa Bay represented the landlord, Glenborough Park Place, LLC, in the 21,000-square-foot lease transaction. Mike Barger, Kim Barger and Judy Humbarger of K. Barger Realty, LLC, represented (ISC)2.

Working out a lease that fit the company’s timetable initially presented a challenge. Though the space was vacant, it was under a lease contract with Wells Fargo that wasn’t set to expire until February 2013. Colliers and Glenborough were able to work out a deal to terminate Wells Fargo’s lease and make the space available for (ISC)²’s occupancy requirement. 

“We were able to overcome a significant obstacle for (ISC)2 to have the opportunity to lease the space they preferred,” said Colliers’ Feldshue. “It’s also ideal that the company saw benefits to keeping its global headquarters in Clearwater.”

(ISC)2 has more than 85,000 certified members, who are information security experts that work to improve the cyber security of governments, citizens and businesses around the world.

The company is moving from its office at 33920 U.S. 19 for more space, a better facility and for the convenience of the office being on one floor. The new office is approximately 8,000 square feet larger than the space they currently occupy. (ISC)2 will be renovating the entire fourth floor at 311 Park Place Blvd. and rebuilding it for its 85 employees.

Contact:

Kyle Parks

Bayview Public Relations

(727) 895-4030, #101

(813) 352-1325

Kyle@bayviewpr.com

Greystone Closes $4.08 Million Fannie Mae Loan for Multifamily Acquisition in Illinois

Spring Grove Apartments, Carpentersville, IL

Chicago, IL – Greystone, a leading national provider of multifamily and commercial mortgage loans, announced the origination of a $4.08 million Fannie Mae Small Loan for a multifamily property located in Carpentersville, IL.

 The loan was used toward the acquisition of Spring Grove Apartments, a 108-unit community consisting of one- and two-bedroom apartments and 181 parking spaces, situated on 5.211 acres. Spring Grove Apartments is located at 170 Golfview Lane in the Northwest suburb of Carpentersville, Illinois. The property was acquired for a total of $5.1 million and is currently 95% occupied.

Billy Posey

 “The Greystone team was thorough and expedient, and the firm quickly provided us with the financing we needed for the acquisition of Spring Grove Apartments,” said Virender Bedi, Principal of MCJ Spring Grove, LLC. “If my family ever decides to acquire another multifamily building, Greystone will be my lender of choice.” 

 Sujal Parikh and Clint Darby, of Greystone’s Chicago office, arranged financing for the buyer at a 4.24% interest rate, on a 10-year, non-recourse loan with a 30-year amortization.

Clint Darby

“We were very pleased to work with all parties associated with this sale and Fannie Mae in order to secure financing for this acquisition,” said Billy Posey, Executive Vice President of Greystone Servicing Corporation.

 “Our team’s extensive knowledge of the local real estate market, combined with a good working relationship with Fannie Mae, allowed us to close the loan and successfully meet the borrowers’ time frame.”

Contact:

Jessica Kleinman

Cognito

+1 646 395 6314

Ackerman & Co. Sells Net Lease Walgreens Property in West Palm Beach, FL for $4.6 Million.

Walgreens, West Palm Beach, FL

 Atlanta, GA – Ackerman & Co. has brokered the sale of a 15,120-square-foot single tenant, net-leased Walgreens in West Palm Beach, Fla. for $4,635,000. The West Palm Beach Walgreens, built in 2001, is located at a highly traveled corner site adjacent to the Palm Beach International Airport. 

Jason Powell

The Ackerman & Co. investment sales team of Jason Powell and Sean Patrick represented the seller, a Washington D.C. private investor, in the transaction. The property was purchased by an affiliate of BMD Management out of Pompano Beach, Fla.  The buyer was represented by Mark Myers of Park Place Realty, also located in Pompano Beach. 

Headquartered in Atlanta, Ackerman & Co. is a privately held, full-service commercial real estate firm focused on providing quality investment, brokerage, management and development services in the Southeast.

Sean Patrick

The company, founded in 1967, retains an expert team of more than 100 real estate professionals.

 To date, Ackerman & Co.  has developed and acquired more than 30 million square feet of office, medical, retail and mixed-use space, has nearly 4 million square feet under management, and maintains an investment portfolio valued at $750 million.

The company’s Investment Sales and Retail team provide unsurpassed institutional underwriting and marketing that ensure optimum financial results. Our clients trust us with more than $300 million of active listings.

Contact:

Fara Wilson,

VP of Marketing

770. 913.3904 

 fwilson@ackermanco.net

www.ackermanco.com

HC Real Estate Capital Arranges $4.3 Million in Financing for Office and Retail Property in Boca Raton, FL

Boca Pier Plaza, Boca Raton, FL

           

Boca Raton, FL --  Kurt Hoffmann and Chris Caveglia of HC Real Estate Capital have arranged $4,300,000 in financing for Boca Pier Plaza (“BPP”).

BPP is made up of two retail buildings and one office building totaling 30,114 SF.  Financing was arranged through a correspondent Life Insurance Company relationship.

 The non-recourse loan carries a 12 term and a 25-year amortization schedule at a competitive fixed interest rate that replaced a maturing facility on the property.  The properties are situated on approximately 4 acres of land located approximately one mile west of the Florida Turnpike. 

Kurt Hoffmann, Principal at HC Real Estate Capital stated, “The borrower is taking advantage of the long term low interest rate environment we are currently in.”

HC Real Estate Capital, LLC is a privately owned mortgage-banking firm founded by Kurt Hoffmann and Chris Caveglia.  Based in Delray Beach, Florida, HC Real Estate Capital arranges permanent and bridge commercial and multifamily real estate loans.  The company has a broad capital provider base that includes insurance companies, CMBS lenders, pension fund advisors, and commercial banks.

Contact:

Chris Caveglia

HC Real Estate Capital, LLC

660 Linton Blvd. Ste 200 EX5

Delray Beach, FL 33444

Direct: 561-266-3273

Mobile: 561-376-3176

ccaveglia@hcrecapital.com

www.HCREcapital.com

U.S. Retail Sector Showing Definite Signs of Progress

Dan Fasulo

 ATLANTA, GA– Although its recent performance has generally been regarded as trailing the other U.S. commercial real estate sectors, the retail real estate market continues to show unmistakable signs of improvement, particularly in urban infill areas.

 The most recent episode of Michael Bull’s “America’s Commercial Real Estate Show” provided an enlightening update on the sector. Bull and his guests discussed transaction volume, consumer spending, active tenants and the types of properties sought by investors.

Michael Bull

Investments sales of U.S. retail properties totaled $9billion in third-quarter 2012, up slightly from the same period last year, said Dan Fasulo, managing director of Real Capital Analytics. Through the first nine months of 2012, retail investment sales totaled $35 billion, an increase o fabout 5 percent from the first three quarters of 2011, Fasulo added.

 Fasulo also predicted the fourth quarter to be a busy one in terms of investment sales, in part because continuing concerns about potential future tax increases will motivate owners to sell before higher rates might kick in. “I think there’s going to be a flurry of closings by year end,” he said.

Michael Niemira

Meanwhile, holiday retail sales should increase this year by about 3 percent when compared with last year, said Michael Niemira, chief economist for the International Council of Shopping Centers. “That’s a little bit slower [growth] than the year before but still not a bad performance historically,” he said.

 Mixed-use properties in centrally located urban areas are prospering, while their suburban counterparts continue to struggle, noted Michael Cohn, executive vice president for Cousins Properties. “Urban markets are seeing rent escalation, healthy absorption, a tremendous inflow of new retailers and expansion,” he said. “If you’re still in it with a mostly suburban portfolio, your portfolio is probably lagging somewhat and still a bit of a victim of the last cycle.”

Michael I. Cohn

Quick-serve restaurants and healthcare firms are two of the more active tenants in today’s marketplace, Cohn added.

REITs and institutional buyers are exhibiting a healthy appetite for core properties in gateway markets, said John Harrison, a broker in Bull Realty’s National Retail Group. Private equity firms also have significant interest in value-add and Class-B properties.

John Harrison

“There is money to invest in the distressed retail segment, and buyers are courageous and tackling opportunities that require a lot of imagination,” Harrison said.

 The entire “U.S. Retail Market Update” episode is available for download at www.CREshow.com.

Contact:

Stephen Ursery

Wilbert Public Relations

E-mail: sursery@wnspr.com

Office: (404) 965-5026

Cell: (404) 405-2354

www.wnspr.com

HFF secures $54 million in financing for Portland, OR multi-housing community

RiverPlaceSquare Apartments, Portland, OR

SAN DIEGO, CA – HFF announced it has arranged $54 million in financing for RiverPlace Square Apartments, a 290-unit, Class A multi-housing community in Portland, Oregon.

                Working on behalf of a joint venture between Cardinal Group Investments LLC and Fundamental Advisors LP, HFF placed a $44.5 million loan with a national bank and also arranged a $9.5 million mezzanine loan with a mortgage REIT.  Loan proceeds were used to acquire the property.

                RiverPlace Square Apartments is located at 2083 SW River Drive, close to Interstates 5 and 405 and the Tom McCall Waterfront Park in southern Portland. 

Pat Burger

Completed in 1991 and 1995, the property has 13 residential buildings with studio, one- and two-bedroom flats and multi-level townhomes with attached one- and two-car garages. 

The community also features 13,444 square feet of street level retail and a 302-stall public parking garage.  Community amenities for residents include a fitness center, cyber café and dog park.  The sponsors renovation plan includes both exterior and interior improvements as part of its rebranding of the property under its urban multifamily platform, Mint Urban™. 

Tim Wright

The HFF team representing the borrower was led by Pat Burger, Tim Wright and Tom Wilson.

                Cardinal Group is a fully-integrated real estate investment, development and management firm specializing in opportunistic and value-added investments throughout the United States. 

  The firm acts as a sponsor of private equity real estate partnerships and provides asset management services through its investment company Cardinal Group Investments, LLC ("CGI").  

Tom Wilson

CGI's affiliate management company, Cardinal Group Management, LLC ("CGM"), provides property and construction management services to all of CGI's owned assets as well as to outside owners on a third-party basis.

                Fundamental Advisors was formed in July 2007 to invest in special situations related to the municipal revenue bond market, seeking to revitalize distressed assets in such sectors as senior care, affordable housing, student housing, infrastructure and hospitality. 

  Co-founders Laurence Gottlieb, who previously co-headed Citigroup's Municipal Distressed & Special Situations proprietary trading desk, and Dana Fusaris, who led Madison Capital Management's distressed and defaulted municipal bond effort, have worked together as industry colleagues or partners for over a decade.

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

Kristen M. Murphy

Associate Director

HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046

tel 713.852.3500 | cel 617.543.4873 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com

krmurphy@hfflp.com