Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Banyan Investment Group Completes $50 Million Acquisition of Three-Hotel Portfolio in Madison, WI


Kat Lash-Williams

MADISON, WI, July 24, 2019--Banyan Investment Group, an Inc. 5000 recognized hotel investment and management company that acquires and manages select-service hotels in the United States, today announced that it completed the acquisition of a three-hotel portfolio of Marriott- and Hilton-branded hotels located in Madison, Wis., for approximately $50 million. 

Additionally, the company announced that it will operate the portfolio, comprised of the 127-Room Courtyard by Marriott Madison East, 130-Room Fairfield Inn & Suites Madison East and 115-Room Hampton Inn Madison East Towne Mall Area.

Andy Chopra
                “In addition to expanding our footprint into the Great Lakes region, this portfolio aligns perfectly with our strategy of targeting strong markets with multiple demand generators that are well positioned to weather all phases of the economic cycle,” said Andy Chopra, founding principal and chief investment officer, Banyan Investment Group. 

“All three hotels benefit from their location near Fortune 500 companies, including the American Family Insurance headquarters, located in nearby office parks and downtown Madison, as well as their proximity to Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago. 

Courtyard by Marriott Madison East

"Wisconsin’s state capital is the ideal Big 10 college town, home to the University of Wisconsin’s main campus.  This creates year-round demand from students, families, government, business and leisure travelers to the area.”

“Due to the strength of our partners, we were able to complete this complicated transaction in just over two months,” said Kat Lash-Williams, hotel analyst, Banyan Investment Group. 

Fairfield Inn & Suites Madison East
 “From the lenders to the franchisors, everyone was well motivated to move quickly and precisely.  As we grow across the United States, we will continue to target strong submarkets that allow us to have more predictable cash flow for our investors.”

  Courtyard by Marriott Madison East

                Located at 2502 Crossroads Drive , the four-story hotel is situated directly off Interstate 90.  Guest room amenities include flat screen HD television, mini-refrigerator, work desk, microwave, coffee maker, iron with ironing board and complimentary, high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access. 


Hampton Inn Madison East Towne Mall Area
 The hotel also provides approximately 1,080 square feet of meeting space capable of accommodating up to 80 people.  Additional hotel amenities include a heated indoor swimming pool and whirlpool tub, business center, guest laundry facilities, 24/7 fitness center, sundry shop, and complimentary airport shuttle.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Madison East

                Directly across the parking lot from the Courtyard by Marriott Madison East, the four-story hotel recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation to improve public spaces and guest rooms. 

Guest rooms and suites are equipped with flat screen HD television, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access, work desk, mini-refrigerator, iron with ironing board and coffee maker. 

Hampton Inn Madison East Towne Mall Area

                Nestled across the street from the East Towne Mall, home to more than 120 shops and restaurants, the four-story hotel offers a heated indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, fitness center, business center, valet laundry and complimentary, high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access. 


 CONTACT:

Chris Daly,
(703) 864-5553


Skyline Exhibit Craft Relocates All South Florida Operations to Miramar Park of Commerce in Miramar, FL


Maridee Bell
MIRAMAR, FL, July 24, 2019 – Skyline Exhibit Craft, an independently-owned dealer for Skyline Exhibits, LLC, a worldwide manufacturer of trade show displays, signed a new lease for 34,471 sq. ft. of space at the Miramar Park of Commerce.

Owned and operated by Sunbeam Properties & Development, the Miramar Park of Commerce is the largest locally-owned and managed business park in South Florida.

Lauren Pace
Located at 3900 Executive Way, Skyline Exhibit Craft’s new facility at the Park is the result of the company’s decision to consolidate its three locations in South Florida into one contiguous space.

“In order to continue our fast-paced growth, we needed a warehouse and office space large enough to accommodate our inventory and workforce under one roof,” said Wayne Litsky, owner of Skyline Exhibit Craft.

Wayne Litsky
“The central location for our employees, the proximity to major roadways and the reputation of Sunbeam all played major roles in our final decision to relocate to the Miramar Park of Commerce.”

One of Skyline Exhibits’ 80 international dealers, Skyline Exhibit Craft plans to use its new warehouse space for the storage of its clients’ trade show assets and maintenance of its large inventory of trade show rental products.

“We’re happy to welcome Skyline to the Park and provide them with an attractive solution to their real estate needs,” said Sunbeam Properties Vice President Maridee Bell, who along with Leasing Associate Lauren Pace, represented the Park in the transaction.


Carlos Velasquez
“Tenants that consolidate and relocate to the Park often experience more streamlined and cost-effective operations, paving the way for future growth and expansion.

"That’s why the Park’s availability of large-scale contiguous space, flexible layouts and enhanced accessibility often prove more beneficial in the long run compared to rigid existing inventory elsewhere.”



Donte Aleman
In addition to Bell and Pace, Sunbeam was represented by Carlos Velasquez of Vivo Real Estate Group in the transaction.

Skyline Exhibit Craft was represented by Donte Aleman of Kaizen Realty Partners, LLC.


 CONTACTS:

Lexi Robinson
954-776-1999, ext. 255

Lauren Pace

 Maridee Bell
10212 USA Today Way, Miramar, FL 33025
or call 954-450-7900
  

SKYLINE EXHIBIT CRAFT CONTACT:

Wayne Litsky, 
Skyline Exhibit Craft, 
3900 Executive Way, MPC-7C, 
Miramar, FL 33025, 
954-963-0002, ext. 215
 wayne@skylineexhibitcraft.com  

Patti A. Sedlacek Named Vice President of Revenue Management at Hostmark Hospitality Group



Patti A. Sedlacek

SCHAUMBURG, IL,  July 24, 2019—Officials of Hostmark Hospitality Group, an award-winning hotel management company specializing in unique lifestyle hotels and resorts as well as branded properties, today announced that Patti A. Sedlacek has been named vice-president of revenue management. 
 In her new role, Sedlacek will work closely with the company’s hotel general managers and sales teams to improve business planning and pricing.

                “Patti has spent the past two decades honing and perfecting her revenue management skills, and her hotels’ bottom lines have benefitted from her expertise,” said Jerome F. Cataldo, president & CEO, Hostmark Hospitality Group. 

“She worked hand-in-hand with our recently named COO, Ron Vlasic, as they helped grow Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants into a nationally recognized hospitality platform.”

Jerome F. Cataldo

                Previously, Sedlacek held numerous increasingly important positions with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, culminating in a regional director of revenue management title. 

In that role, she oversaw a team of 10 revenue management specialists servicing 10 hotels in Ill., Wis., Minn., Texas and Ariz. 

 Prior to that, she served as director of revenue management for the Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago, Ill., where she improved hotel revenues by eight percent.  Additionally, Sedlacek received the 2012 Bill Kimpton Award for Revenue Management.

Ron Vlasic
                “I enjoy the challenges associated with companies growing from smaller, regional entities into national powerhouses,” Sedlacek noted.  

“Hostmark already is a well-respected name within the hospitality industry, and the company clearly is eager to move to the next level with its recently announced internal and external growth plans.  I look forward to helping Hostmark meet and exceed its business objectives.”


CONTACT:

Chris Daly
(703) 435-6293



Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Levin Johnston Directs $13.5 Million Acquisition of Medical Surgery Center in San Jose, CA



Forest Surgery Center, 2110 Forest Avenue, San Jose, CA

BAY AREA, CA – Levin Johnston of Marcus and Millichap, one of the top multifamily brokerage teams in the U.S. specializing in wealth management through commercial real estate investments, has successfully directed the $13.5 million acquisition of Forest Surgery Center, a state-of-the-art medical office facility in San Jose, California.

Adam Levin, Executive Managing Director and Robert Johnston, Senior Managing Director of Levin Johnston represented the buyer, a private investor, in the transaction.

Adam Levin
The acquisition was part of a successful 1031 exchange through which Levin Johnston identified an opportunity for the buyer to transition from long-term ownership in a management-intensive multifamily property in Redwood City into a stable, higher-yielding medical office property, according to Johnston.

“This acquisition demonstrates our firm’s ability to go beyond a transactional mindset and serve as wealth and investment advisors for our clients,” Johnston explains.

 “By remaining attuned to the market and to our client’s needs, we were able to recognize the opportunity for the client to diversify into another asset class to reduce management responsibilities while significantly increasing cash flow.

"This trade also gives the buyer a stable asset in a superior location that is posed to perform extremely well for years to come.”
Levin explains,

“San Jose is widely recognized as ‘The Capital of Silicon Valley.’  As the market’s economic growth continues, the buyer will benefit from continued tenant demand.

"All doctors in the building signed new five- to 10-year leases at the close of escrow. Additionally, the medical office is situated in a premier location within a medical hub directly across from O’Connor Hospital, which was recently acquired by Santa Clara County.”

Robert Johnston
Forest Surgery Center is located at 2110 Forest Avenue, in close proximity to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center as well as a wide variety of recreational, retail and entertainment options.

The medical office is also in close proximity to I-880 and I-280, providing direct access to all major Bay Area destinations.

The 1031 property exchange began with the $10 million sale of a 33-unit multifamily community in Redwood City, and culminated with this new acquisition.

Levin Johnston has completed over $300 million in sales in 2019 to date, demonstrating continued health in the commercial real estate market in this region.

For more information about the firm’s $100 million in available properties, please visit www.levinjohnston.com.


CONTACTS:

Alex Caswell/Lexi Astfalk
Brower Group
(949) 438-6262


MetroGroup Realty Finance Provides Acquisition Financing for Four Triple-Net Lease Properties in Illinois and Texas


J.D. Blashaw
NEWPORT BEACH, CA  MetroGroup Realty Finance, a private commercial mortgage banking firm based in Newport Beach, California, recently provided a total of $11.75 million in financing to private investors for three separate 1031-exchange transactions involving the acquisition of four single-tenant triple-net lease assets in Illinois and Texas.

 The transactions represent a rising trend of local investors looking outside of California for this asset class, according to J.D. Blashaw, Vice President of MetroGroup Realty Finance.

“Cap rates have compressed and, consequently, yields have declined significantly in California, so we are increasingly seeing local credit tenant net lease investors seeking higher cap rates and yields on their investments,” says Blashaw.

“This search has taken them away from their backyards into other states and sometimes secondary markets, and the passive nature of triple-net leases matches well with these investors desire to own properties with little or no management obligations.”


Ivan Kustic

The credit tenant net lease market has perennially been attractive to 1031 exchange buyers seeking safe, long-term and passive investments for their capital, Blashaw says.

The firm arranged financing for the following properties:

5001 N. Big Hollow Road, Peoria, Illinois

            MetroGroup Realty Finance provided $5.8 million in permanent financing to a private investor for the acquisition of a 46,432 square-foot stand-alone retail building at 5001 N. Big Hollow Road in Peoria, Illinois, as part of a 1031 exchange transaction. The property is fully occupied by a Best Buy retail store.

The 6.25-year fixed rate recourse loan at 75% loan-to-value features a 25-year amortization and a flexible prepayment provision that expires after three years.

The financing was arranged by J.D. Blashaw and Ivan Kustic, also Vice President at MetroGroup Realty Finance.

Best Buy retail store, 5001 North Big Hollow Road, Peoria, IL
4160 S. Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, and 601 N. Harlem Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois

MetroGroup Realty Finance provided $3.4 million in permanent financing to a long-time private investor client for the purchase of two TCF Bank branches in the Chicago market: $1.825 million for a 2,542 square-foot property at 4160 S. Archer Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, and $1.575 million for a 2,700 square-foot property at 601 N. Harlem Avenue in Oak Park, Illinois.

Part of a 1031 exchange transaction, the properties, which are 100 percent occupied by TCF Bank, were sold by Chicago-based Clark Street Real Estate.

The loans were a combined 47% loan-to-value and feature a 10-year fixed rate and 30-year amortization. The financing was arranged by J.D. Blashaw and Ivan Kustic at MetroGroup Realty Finance.



1006 E. Interstate 2, McAllen, Texas

            MetroGroup Realty Finance also provided $2.55 million in permanent financing to a private investor for the purchase of a 10,050 square-foot medical office building at 1006 E. Interstate 2 in McAllen, Texas as part of a 1031 exchange transaction.

The property was developed in 2017 by the seller, DaVita Inc., the real estate division of the tenant, and is fully occupied by DaVita Dialysis in the sale/leaseback arrangement.


The 10-year fixed rate loan at 70% loan-to-value features a 25-year amortization and limited recourse. The loan was arranged by J.D. Blashaw and Ivan Kustic of MetroGroup Realty Finance.


CONTACTS:

Alex Caswell/Lexi Astfalk
Brower Group
(949) 438-6262



The Journey of the Humpback Whales in Mozambique

A remarkable migration to the Bazaruto Archipelago



Submitted by:

Hwee Peng Yeo
Executive Vice President
Glodow Nead Communications
San Francisco • New York • Singapore • Shanghai


杨慧萍
执行副总裁
博德纳公关咨询公司
Centennial Tower 21层,Temasek Avenue 3号, 新加坡邮区039190
上海湖滨路222号企业天地一号15层,中国邮编20021



Bazaruto Island, MOZAMBIQUE -- According  to  Fernando Costa, Activities Manager at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort,the islands that speckle Mozambique’s coastline are a welcome vision of paradise for every guest. 

Seamlessly blending in with the natural beauty that surrounds them, Bazaruto Island is an ideal destination for marine adventurers. Equally as breath taking as the stunning ocean views offered along the 2,500km of Mozambique’s coastline are the extraordinary sights that lie just below the surface.

Falling within the protective border of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is a private island resort that offers extraordinary oceanic adventures in pristine, unspoilt waters. 



Now that Mozambique’s whale-watching season is here, wildlife lovers can enjoy front row seats for the annual migration from the island resort. Every winter, pods of whales embark on their annual migration from Antarctica to Africa, one of the longest migrations in the world. They can be seen passing through the waters of Mozambique between June and December.

The whale-watching season offers an exciting opportunity to witness these majestic creatures during their migration, as well as a chance to explore the turquoise Indian Ocean waters, spot dolphins and whales, and swim with sea turtles too. 

The most common whale species spotted are humpback and southern right. The whales migrate to cold waters in high latitudes for feeding, before moving on to warmer waters for mating and giving birth.

“From vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, to some of the world’s largest populations of dolphins, whales, sharks, turtles and dugong, it is these remarkable ecosystems and the surrounding crystal-clear waters that make Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort a premier whale watching destination”, says Fernando Costa, Activities Manager at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort.

Southern right whales are best seen close to shore in the southern part of the Mozambique Channel from June to December, close to Anantara Bazaruto. 

Between July and October, the humpback whales showcase their acrobatic skills in the waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago. These creatures can propel their upper bodies as high as ten metres above the surface. 

Their friendly and curious personalities allow them to approach whale-watching boats or spend a few minutes within close range of the boats. They often swim peacefully alongside passing boats, arch gracefully over the waves and expel air from their blowholes, thrilling guests with a truly magical experience.




Guests at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort set off in the morning on their whale watching expedition on a 36 ft GulfCraft Tourer, with a choice of two trips: a three-hour excursion or a half-day tour in search of whales and snorkelling amongst spectacular vibrant coral reefs and bountiful marine at Two Mile Reef. 

A half day tour is followed by a picnic lunch at Pansy Island. The picnic offers a tailored menu of barbeque delights and salad with beverages, served by a personal waiter and chef at a shady table on the beach.

The whale watching trips are guided by Anantara’s expert guides who are knowledgeable about marine life and Mozambique’s ocean.  Whale watching can be combined with dolphin watching, which is possible all year round. 

An excellent alternative to diving, dolphin watching gives guests the opportunity to go on an ocean safari and get up close with the dolphins in their natural element, not to mention other marine life, such as whale sharks and turtles.



The Journey of the Whales experience at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is available from USD 1,259 per night and includes:

  • Accommodation for two people in a Beach Villa 
  • Three-hour whale watching excursion
  • A picnic lunch at Pansy Island with a snorkelling experience
  • Complimentary non-motorised water sports
  • Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner for every night stayed
  • Complimentary in-room minibar
  • One dhow cruise per stay
  • Return boat transfers between Vilanculos and Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort


Editor’s Notes submitted by:
 Hwee Peng Yeo (hweepeng@glodownead.com)

Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. 

The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.

From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. 

The portfolio currently boasts over 35 stunning hotel and properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Portugal, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Middle East, Africa and South America. 

The brand’s premier vacation ownership programme, Anantara Vacation Club, extends the opportunity to own a share in the Anantara experience with a portfolio of eight luxurious Club Resorts as well as travel privileges at partner resorts and hotels worldwide.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/anantara; Twitter and Instagram: @anantara_hotels

Anantara is a member of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands.


CONTACT:

Hwee Peng Yeo
Executive Vice President
Glodow Nead Communications
San Francisco • New York • Singapore • Shanghai
Level 21, Centennial Tower, 3 Temasek Avenue, Singapore 039190
Level 15, One Corporate Avenue, 222 Hubin Road, Shanghai China, 200021
79 Madison Ave (WeWork), 27 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016
1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 203, San Francisco, CA 94111
US:415.394.6500  Asia: 65.9768.6087  E: hweepeng@glodownead.com

杨慧萍
执行副总裁
博德纳公关咨询公司
Centennial Tower 21层,Temasek Avenue 3号, 新加坡邮区039190
上海湖滨路222号企业天地一号15层,中国邮编20021

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