About Hawkins Commercial Realty

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Hawkins Commercial Realty is an entrepreneurial boutique commercial real estate brokerage helping business owners and investors in the Miami, Florida area navigate the processes of buying, selling, and leasing property, and providing M&A/business brokerage services. The company’s guiding principles are to always be responsive, to be effectively, steadily assertive, to continuously develop and utilize competency, to be sensibly creative, and to seek to add value to the process. The company was founded and is owned by a seasoned entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate as a broker or principal… (more)

James Hawkins lic. Real Estate Broker

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May 20, 2020

Video: Moody’s Senior Economist Ermengarde Jabir Provides Industrial Real Estate Outlook

In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the spotlight was on industrial real estate nationally with a deep dive into the current trends, challenges, and future outlooks impacting the sector in 2024. Featuring insights from Ermengarde Jabir, a senior economist at Moody’s Analytics who also publishes articles at NAIOP, the discussion offered valuable takeaways for investors, brokers, and stakeholders in the industry. Given the national scope of the conversation, observations can apply less, if at all, to Miami or other South Florida area industrial properties.

Overview of Industrial Market Performance
Ermengarde Jabir (more posts here) noted that the industrial real estate sector had experienced remarkable growth over the past few years, especially during 2021 and 2022, when demand was at an all-time high. However, a shift occurred by late 2023, indicating a cooling period. Despite this, 2024 has shown a modest uptick, particularly in rent growth for warehouse and distribution spaces, with rents up by approximately 7% in Q3—a marked rebound from the early part of the year.

Vacancy Rates and Market Stabilization
Jabir discussed an increase in vacancy rates, with distribution warehouses now at around 6.7%, compared to record lows of around 4% in previous years. However, she emphasized that this rate remains below the historical average, pointing to a healthy market contextually. The forecast for the end of 2024 suggests a vacancy rate of about 6.8%, with further stabilization expected as the market recalibrates to sustainable growth rates.

E-commerce and Inventory Shifts Drive Demand
E-commerce remains a significant demand driver for industrial space, especially for storage, shipping, and distribution functions. With a shift towards “just-in-time” inventory systems—where businesses stock only what is immediately needed—some large retailers, such as Home Depot, are adjusting their logistics strategies, impacting demand in specific areas of industrial real estate.

Reshoring and Nearshoring: Shifting Dynamics
The pandemic and global supply chain issues initially sparked a movement towards reshoring and nearshoring manufacturing back to the U.S. However, this enthusiasm has cooled as the logistical and financial challenges of relocating production have tempered expectations. Jabir suggested that while reshoring may have long-term benefits, its short-term impact on industrial demand is now less robust than anticipated.

Industrial Supply: A Slowdown in New Construction
Responding to a slowdown in demand, developers have pulled back on new construction projects. This reduction in supply has helped prevent a spike in vacancy rates and has supported rent stability. Bull noted that while industrial properties remain in high demand, especially in high-growth markets, new projects are now being approached with caution, aligning with more normalized growth.

Transaction Volume and Cap Rates: Modest Improvement
Transaction activity in the industrial sector is picking up, especially in the Southeast, though it hasn’t fully rebounded to pre-interest rate hike levels. Properties continue to attract interest and fair market pricing, underscoring the strong demand fundamentals within industrial real estate. Cap rates have also seen a slight dip due to recent Federal Reserve rate cuts, which help support property valuations and lending conditions.

The Role of Federal Policy and Economic Conditions
Both the show host and Jabir discussed potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in upcoming months, with Jabir noting that positive economic indicators, like GDP growth and low unemployment, suggest that any further cuts are likely to be gradual. Lower rates could aid industrial real estate by easing refinancing pressures and supporting further investment.

The Election Impact: Minimal Yet Notable
Jabir suggested that the 2024 elections could impact specific commercial real estate policies, including the 1031 exchange rule, which has been a staple for nearly a century but periodically faces political scrutiny. Other factors, like trade policies, could affect warehouse demand by altering supply chain dynamics, but overall, Jabir anticipates minimal disruption to the core industrial market fundamentals.

Geographic Trends and Future Outlook
According to Jabir, high-demand areas like Phoenix and Houston are performing exceptionally well, while Southern California faces some challenges due to increased supply. Long-term, she expects vacancy rates to trend lower and rent growth to stabilize between 3-4% annually.

Key Takeaways
The industrial real estate sector, though adjusting from its peak, continues to offer attractive opportunities, especially in e-commerce-driven areas and high-demand markets in the Southeast. Both demand and supply dynamics are stabilizing, suggesting a “new normal” with steady, if less dramatic, growth.

In summary, the show host and Jabir emphasized that while the rapid expansion in industrial real estate is cooling, the sector’s fundamentals remain strong, presenting both challenges and opportunities for savvy investors and industry professionals.

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November 4, 2024

Miami Commercial Real Estate News October 31, 2024: W South Beach Sells for $400M+; Amazon Seeks 80k sf in Wynwood; $2B Project Planned for Fort Lauderdale; More…

Amazon Reportedly In Talks To Lease Large Office Space In Wywnood

Amazon could become the latest tech giant to move to Wynwood. The company is reportedly in talks to lease between 60,000 and 80,000 square feet at the under-construction Wynwood Plaza, according to Commercial Observer. At the time of writing, the talks were for about 75,000 square feet of space, the report said. About a year ago, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced he…

Amazon in advanced talks to lease as much as 80K sf at Wynwood Plaza

Amazon is getting closer to signing an office lease at the Wynwood Plaza project that’s under construction in Miami. The e-commerce behemoth is in advanced talks to take about 75,000 square feet at the development, with the final space still being determined, possibly ranging from 60,000 square feet to 80,000 square feet, Commercial Observer reported, citing anonymous…

Auto dealers Ali and Faisal Ahmed jump into South Florida’s industrial market, buying Miami Lakes warehouse for $38M

Auto dealers Ali and Faisal Ahmed are revved up for South Florida’s industrial market, dropping $38.2 million for a Miami Lakes warehouse. An entity managed by the Miami Lakes-based car moguls acquired a 190,707-square-foot industrial facility at 14100 Northwest 60th Avenue, records and real estate database Vizzda show. Completed in 1971, the two-story…

Graham adds to portfolio, pays $69M for 448-unit Miami Lakes apartment complex

Graham Companies, led by the family that developed Miami Lakes, expanded its empire with a $69 million purchase of a 448-unit apartment complex. The firm bought the ground lease for the Courtyards at Miami Lakes at 6431 Cow Pen Road from Village Oaks Associates, led by Ariel and Oded Meltzer, according to records and real estate database Vizzda.

Simon and David Reuben plant flag in Miami Beach, complete $400M-plus purchase of W-branded hotel

Billionaires Simon and David Reuben are officially entering the Miami Beach hospitality game, acquiring the W South Beach for more than $400 million. Reuben Brothers, the siblings’ eponymous London-based global investment arm, bought the hotel at 2201 Collins Avenue from Aby Rosen and David Edelstein, who lead New York-based firms, RFR Realty and Tricap…

Reuben Brothers Buy W South Beach From RFR, Tricap For More Than $400M

British billionaire investors the Reuben Brothers have acquired the W South Beach hotel for nearly a half-billion dollars. The London-based Reuben Brothers bought the building and its 348 hotel rooms and managed condo units from New York-based developers RFR and Tricap, which opened the building in 2009 after acquiring the 3.5-acre site at 2201 Collins Ave. in 2004.

420-Foot Luxury Residential Tower Proposed In South Beach

A developer wants to build a 420-foot luxury condo tower in South Beach. An existing 286-unit building on the site allowing short term rentals would be demolished. The new tower would have a more compact footprint but rise to a taller height of 29 stories. It would include 100 long-term residential units, with short term rentals prohibited. Units will be larger, at over 2,000 square…

Edgewater Whole Foods Under Construction, Apartments Available Above

Whole Foods has filed a Notice of Commencement for its new store in Edgewater, near Midtown Miami and Wynwood. The filing was recorded in county records on October 9. It states that tenant build out of the grocery store was commencing. Miami’s Building Department issued a construction permit for the large new supermarket in August. According to the permit…

329-Unit NoMad Residences Wynwood Tops Off

NoMad Residences Wynwood has topped off at nine stories. A ceremony was held at the construction site in mid-October to celebrate the milestone. Completion is slated for Q4 2025. NoMad Residences will include 329 condos delivered finished and furnished, and allowing flexible rentals. More than 80% of units are in contract. A rooftop restaurant and NoMad Bar is planned…

Brickell’s Tallest Office Tower Is Now Open

830 Brickell is now officially complete. The Class A+ office building received its full Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, and the first tenants have moved in. Banco Santander, which took 95,000 square feet, is said to have been the first tenant to move in. As of mid-October, around 20% of the building was occupied and operational, with the remainder expected to be built out…

Downtown Miami’s 14 ROC Gets FAA Approval, Utilities; Tree Permit Submitted

The 14 ROC tower planned in downtown Miami has received FAA height approval, and a utilities deal has been completed. A tree permit has also been applied for. The Federal Aviation Administration approval was issued on October 5. It allows a permanent building height of 395 feet above ground, or 407 feet above sea level. Miami-Dade County completed a deal with the developer…

Target Is Now Open In Downtown Miami (Parking Is Free)

Target has opened its store at a new retail complex in downtown Miami near the Brightline station. The new 50,000-square-foot Target is part of the 1.5 million Sawyer’s Walk development in Overtown, which includes multiple levels of retail, office, and residential. Target Miami Downtown offers free parking, reviewers wrote on Google Maps. The store website says it also offers…

Total Demolition Permit Issued At Edgewater Property Where 3 Towers Planned

Miami’s Building Department has issued a total demolition permit for a former Wendy’s Restaurant at the 3333 Biscayne property where a major redevelopment is planned. Multiple other demolition permits for residential properties on the same block were also issued on the same day, October 25. Those properties make up part of the new development site. The Wendy’s permit had…

Esplanade at Aventura Expands Retail Offerings With Eight New Tenants in 2024

Esplanade at Aventura is enhancing its shopping and dining offerings by adding eight new-to-market tenants throughout 2024. Since its launch in December 2023, the modern destination in Aventura has drawn visitors with its unique blend of upscale eateries, wellness boutiques, and Class A office spaces. The newly introduced tenants span luxury retail to fitness and specialty…

US vows $390 million to build Miami-Dade county’s Northeast rail corridor

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Homeowners’ secret deal to support Barry Sternlicht and partners’ plan to redevelop Standard Miami Beach creates ethical dilemma

A secret $1.2 million deal between a star-studded roster of investors and a homeowner’s group for supporting a $61 million redevelopment of the Standard Miami Beach may violate the city’s ethics code. A partnership featuring billionaire Barry Sternlicht, architect Bjarke Ingels, lawyer and singer Shakira’s ex-boyfriend Anthonio de la Rúa and hospitality CEO…

Michael Stern’s JDS plans luxury condo next to Monad Terrace in Miami Beach

Michael Stern’s JDS Development Group plans to develop a luxury condo tower next to its Monad Terrace project, The Real Deal has learned. An affiliate of JDS plans a buyout of the 238-unit Bay Garden Manor condo building at 1250 West Avenue, according to a source. The firm has started closing on units, and so far six sales have been recorded since June, ranging from $215,000…

Meet Michael Stern’s new partner, Italian entrepreneur Gianluca Vacchi

Italian entrepreneur Gianluca Vacchi is partnering with developer Michael Stern, taking his marketing chops and wellness expertise to work on a $4 billion pipeline of new real estate projects, starting in South Florida. Vacchi, who has a combined 45 million followers on Instagram and TikTok, formed a joint venture through his GV Development Group and Stern’s JDS…

Faced with Sears site fallout, Miami appeals to the state

City officials are urging the state to reconsider the Live Local Act, which overrides local zoning for affordable housing, in order to limit the scale of a planned project near Miami’s Coral Gate neighborhood that has raised resident concerns. Coral Gate residents filled city hall on Oct. 24, voicing strong support during the commission’s comment period for limiting the size of a three-building…

JV Scores Miami Dade’s First Permit for IOS Purpose Built Facility

Timber Hill’s special purpose firm Coconut Palm TH LLC, and Champion Realty Advisors have scored a permit for their IOS facility project in Homestead, Florida. The move has allowed the joint venture to finally break the ground on the project at South Dade Truck Parking Overlay after the process took months. This marks the first time a purpose-built IOS facility was granted…

Air taxi flights targeting Miami’s skies by 2026

Air taxis could be cruising the skyline as soon as summer 2026, as UrbanLink is progressing with plans to launch an all-electric fleet geared to transform transportation in Miami. A South Florida-based startup, UrbanLink is an advanced air mobility (AAM) company working to revolutionize aerial and maritime transit through cutting-edge, zero-emission solutions. It plans…

Cipriani Residences Miami Completes Brickell’s Largest Foundation Pour of the Year

Developer Mast Capital has completed the largest mat foundation concrete pour in Brickell this year for Cipriani Residences Miami, marking a significant milestone in constructing the brand’s first North American ground-up residential project. The pour, spanning approximately 16 hours, involved 11,500 cubic yards of concrete and 2,500 tons of reinforcing steel, making…

Twin 60-Story Residential Towers Planned Inside New Faena District

Plans have been announced for two 60-story towers called Faena Residences Miami, along with a new cultural district, Faena District Miami River. The buildings will include 440 residential condos. At the top, the towers will be connected by a two-story 45,000-square-foot “cultural epicenter.” Rafael Viñoly Architects is designing the towers. It is one of the last works by the late…

Developers Plan 48-Story Jean-Georges Miami Tropic Residences near Design District

Sales are now underway for Jean-Georges Miami Tropic Residences. It is the first foray into residential development by Michelin-Star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Jean-Georges’ abc kitchens, a blend of his popular plant-forward restaurant abcV, Latin concept abc cocina, and abc kitchen will be located on the ground floor of the new development. There will also be a private…

$927M Miami-Aventura Train Service Approved For Engineering Phase With More Funding

Miami-Dade’s planned Northeast Corridor train service has received Federal Transit Administration approval to move to the engineering phase. The FTA issued a pre-award with a maximum of $389m towards the project (Miami-Dade was requesting $454m), according to a letter issued October 23. The county will fund an additional $338m, while the State of Florida will provide $200m.

Brickell Supertall Tower Submitted To FAA At 1049 Feet

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Weekend Foundation Pour For 80-Story Brickell Tower

A foundation pour took place over the past weekend for the 80-story Cipriani Residences in Brickell (a video of the pour can be seen here). It was planned as Brickell’s largest concrete pour year to date, with over 750 truckloads brought in beginning on Friday evening. The tower will become the first-ever ground-up Cipriani residences in North America, with 397 luxury condos.

Pre-Application Filed For 50-Story Tower North Of Signature Bridge

A pre-application meeting request has been filed with county planners for a new 50-story tower in Miami. According to the filing, the new tower is planned to be built at 1315 NE Miami Ct, just north of Miami’s under-construction Signature Bridge. The approval process is planned through Miami-Dade’s Rapid Transit Zoning area, rather than through the City of Miami. 1315 NE Miami Ct…

Prologis To Ramp Up Warehouse Purchases With Global Demand Expected To Climb

Executives at the world’s largest warehouse owner and developer expect to ramp up property acquisitions in coming months in a bet that industrial real estate demand will accelerate next year after a period of rising vacancies and subdued rent growth. Prologis raised its projected spending on acquisitions to between $1.75 billion and $2.25 billion for the full year — up…

Aman Miami Beach Residences Gets FAA Clearance, Approved for Heights Up to 252 Feet Above Ground

OKO Group and Access Industries have secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the Aman Miami Beach Residences at 3425 Collins Avenue. The FAA issued two determinations, each specifying height clearances for different points of the building to ensure compliance with airspace regulations. The primary clearance permits a maximum height of 252 feet above…

Notable Retail Leases Signed in South Florida Q3 2024

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the top retail leases signed by square footage in South Florida during 2023. This past quarter was busy overall, and there were a few big box leases signed and sealed. Despite the sentiment that the traditional retail market is taking a hit due to several factors, particularly e-commerce and several retail store closures nationwide, this quarter’s lease…

Cayon, Easton ring up $17M Walmart-anchored shopping center purchase in Homestead

Cayon Development Group and Easton Group are joining the wave of buyers snatching up South Florida shopping centers, paying $16.8 million for a Homestead retail site anchored by a Walmart Neighborhood Market. The joint venture acquired a four-building retail complex at 14325 Southwest 268th Street, records and real estate database Vizzda show. Miami-based Cayon…

ASPR Filed for 600-Unit Apartment Development at Pullman Miami Airport Hotel Parking Lot

London + Regional Properties submitted an Administrative Site Plan Review (ASPR) application with Miami-Dade County on October 24 to develop two eight-story mixed-use buildings on the Pullman Miami Airport hotel site at 5800 Blue Lagoon Drive. The proposal outlines plans for 600 new residential units spread across two buildings on the hotel’s existing parking lot. The 10-acre site…

Swire Properties Announces 11 New Tenants at Brickell City Centre in Miami

Swire Properties has announced 11 new tenants as part of the North Block expansion at Brickell City Centre, a mixed-use development located at 701 S. Miami Ave. in Miami’s Brickell district. The new deals total 65,800 square feet and feature a mix of recent openings and openings for later this year and 2025. The new tenants joining Brickell City Centre include an anchor store…

Easton Group Acquires JCPenney-Leased Department Store at Miami International Mall for $12M

An affiliate of The Easton Group has acquired a single-tenant department store and adjacent parking lot in the Miami suburb of Doral for $12 million. Situated on a 10-acre site within Miami International Mall, the property totals 150,108 square feet of big box retail space. JCPenney currently occupies the building. Edward Easton, CEO and chairman of Easton Group, says that the…

Easton drops $17M for Miami International Mall’s closed Sears, plans up to 500 apartments

Easton Group bought Miami International Mall’s shuttered Sears for $17.1 million, with plans to develop up to 500 apartments on the site. The firm joins a growing number of investors that are seizing on floundering shopping centers in South Florida. Their plans include revamping the retail, as well as building new mixed-use projects on parking lots or on the site…

Faena Unveils a New Cultural District in Miami with a Landmark Riverfront Residential Project

Faena, in partnership with Fortune International Group and KAR Properties, is expanding its renowned brand to the heart of Miami by creating the Faena District Miami River. Set at 90 Southwest 3rd Street, this multi-phase cultural district will be located within the only 14-acre private park along the Miami River. Anchored by Faena Residences Miami, this transformative…

Think smaller: LD&D, partners relaunch sales for Surf Row in Surfside

The developers are relaunching sales of their planned Surf Row, a luxury condo project in Surfside, with smaller units and lower starting prices, according to a press release. Miami-based LD&D, led by Diego and Alejandro Bonet, partnered with George Samarjian’s IGEQ and Daniel de la Vega’s One Capital to first launch Surf Row in 2022 as an eight-unit townhouse development…

1950s-Era Silver Sands Beach Resort to be Replaced With 13-Story High-Rise at 301 Ocean Drive in Key Biscayne

Silver Sands Beach Resort in Key Biscayne, FL, will soon be replaced with a luxury condominium. Miami-based Terra recently secured approval from city officials, greenlighting a project that would replace the 1950s-era hotel with a 13-story tower. The high-rise would require 288,163 square feet of new construction, comprising 56 condos. The South Florida Business Journal…

David Martin’s Terra plans beachfront Key Biscayne condo development

Developer David Martin plans a luxury condominium in Key Biscayne, on the site of the Silver Sands Beach Resort. Martin’s Coconut Grove-based Terra is under contract to purchase the waterfront hotel at 301 Ocean Drive, according to an application submitted to the village of Key Biscayne. The Key Biscayne Council approved ordinances tied to the planned redevelopment…

South Florida industrial landlords are seeing pockets of softness as vacancies creep up

South Florida’s industrial market, the region’s bellwether commercial sector, is showing signs of softness as vacancy rates crept up across the region in the third quarter, a recent Colliers report shows. In Miami-Dade County, landlords dropped the average asking rent for a second consecutive quarter, after record highs in early 2024 and late 2023. Yet, institutional investors…

Lease roundup: Aldi, Ross Dress for Less on tap at Swerdlow’s Overtown project, Brickell City Centre lands Marc Jacobs, Anthropologie and more

Retailers are starting to open at developer Michael Swerdlow’s Sawyer’s Walk project in Miami’s Overtown. Already open are Target’s 50,000-square-foot store and Burlington’s 38,000-square-foot store, according to the developers’ news release. Next, Aldi will open in a 25,000-square-foot space and Five Below in a 10,000-square-foot space. In March, Ross Dress for Less will…

Redev Pipeline: Prices Have Collapsed For South Florida Condos 30 Years Or Older as Year End Regs Loom

A wave of aging condos are flooding the market amid looming year-end regulations that could prompt six-figure special assessments. Condo listings rose 60% in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in the third quarter, and 85% of all listings are condos 30 years or older, according to a new study by real estate brokerage ISG World. Average sale prices for these older…

39-Unit Apartment Building Proposed for 2306 Van Buren Street in Hollywood

A 1940s-era apartment near Hollywood Circle could be demolished to make way for a four-story residential building. The unnamed development would offer 39 apartments, measuring 666 to 1,281 square feet each. The South Florida Business Journal reports that layout plans span one-bedroom to three-bedroom designs, with the average home measuring 824 square feet. Plans call…

PMG acquires development site for waterfront Fort Lauderdale condo project

PMG paid $19.2 million for a waterfront co-op building on Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway, as the firm moves forward with plans for a condo tower on the site. The New York and Miami-based firm secured approval from the city’s planning and zoning board for its planned project in October, according to a press release. The developer plans to build Sage Intracoastal Residences…

Bahia Mar developers unveil plans for St. Regis Resort and Residences in Fort Lauderdale

Another St. Regis-branded development is coming to South Florida, planned for Related Group, Tate Capital and Rok Acquisitions’ phased Bahia Mar project. The developers launched sales of the St. Regis Resort and Residences, Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, according to a press release. The 40-acre Bahia Mar hosts…

Developers Launch $2B Monaco-Inspired Bahia Mar Redevelopment

To kick off this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show at Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale, the developers who control the property announced a $2B redevelopment they hope will catch the eyes of the superyacht shoppers descending on the area. Related Group, Tate Capital and Rok Acquisitions rolled out their plans Wednesday for a 40-acre luxury resort and residential…

Joint Venture Unveils Plans for $2B Waterfront Mixed-Use Development in Fort Lauderdale

A joint venture between Related Group, Tate Capital and Rok Acquisitions has unveiled plans for Bahia Mar, a $2 billion waterfront mixed-use development located in Fort Lauderdale. The joint venture is developing the 40-acre project in collaboration with Marriott International. Bahia Mar will be anchored by two 23-story condominium towers and a 197-room luxury hotel…

Plans Unveiled for The St. Regis Resort and Residences, Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale

Developers Related Group, Tate Capital, and Rok Acquisitions, in partnership with Marriott International, have unveiled plans for The St. Regis Resort and Residences, Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale. This extensive project marks a transformative step for the renowned Bahia Mar Yachting Center, a major marina and host of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS)…

Link lightens South Florida portfolio, sells Fort Lauderdale mixed-use building for $19M

Link Real Estate’s South Florida portfolio just got a little lighter after the Miami-based firm sold a Fort Lauderdale building for $19 million. A Link affiliate sold The Glass Shop, a three-story office and retail building at 105 North Federal Highway, to North Miami Beach-based Jewish Culture High School, records and real estate database Vizzda show. The buyer obtained a $12.9 million…

Dependable Equities launches condo sales of massive Fort Lauderdale project

A Brooklyn developer is launching sales of a 775-unit luxury condo project in Fort Lauderdale, marking one of the biggest new developments planned in the city. Dependable Equities, led by Isaac Schlesinger and Rabsky Group co-owner Simon Dushinsky, tapped Douglas Elliman to lead sales of Ombelle Fort Lauderdale, which is set to rise at 300 Northeast Third Avenue…

La dolce vita: Vertical, GCF launch sales for Italian yacht-branded Fort Lauderdale condos

Vertical Developments, GCF Development and WellDuo are launching sales for a planned luxury condominium in Fort Lauderdale branded by the Italian yacht maker Riva. Prices for the 20-story, 36-unit Riva Residenze building planned for 3019 Harbor Drive start at $3.5 million, according to a press release. Fortune Development Sales is leading sales and marketing…

Italian Yacht Maker Riva The Latest To Lend Brand To Luxury South Florida Condos

A new yacht-branded tower is sailing into Fort Lauderdale. Italian yacht manufacturer Riva will lend its brand to a 20-story luxury condominium building at 3019 Harbor Drive, developers Vertical Developments, WellDuo, and GCF Development announced Wednesday at a press conference during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Named Riva Residenze, the tower…

Morgan, Carlyle land $67M loan for multifamily redevelopment of Pompano Beach Macy’s and parking lot

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Construction Begins on Mosaic Palms Apartments at 7376 Lyons Road near Boynton Beach

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Construction Starts on ‘Mosaic Palms’ at 7376 Lyons Road in Boynton Beach

Construction has started on the Mosaic Palms apartments in Palm Beach County. Delray Beach-based Akel Homes is operating as both the developer and general contractor. Scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026, the luxury venture will yield five three-story buildings. In total, the Mosaic Palms apartments will offer 187 homes, with floorplans spanning one-bedroom…

Two Downtown West Palm Beach Properties Acquired for Mixed-Use Redevelopment and Revitalization

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Vanderbilt scores approval for $520M West Palm Beach campus

“Welcome to Palm Beach County,” county Mayor Maria Sachs said, as the room erupted in applause. Sachs had just presided over the unanimous approval of Vanderbilt University’s proposed $520 million graduate school campus in West Palm Beach during the Palm Beach County commission meeting on Tuesday. All seven county commissioners agreed to gift the…

Lowenstein family’s Lionstone buys Pearl condo dev site in Palm Beach Shores

The Lowenstein family’s Lionstone Development bought the site for a planned condo project in Palm Beach Shores. Records show a Lionstone affiliate bought the site at 123 Ocean Avenue from Kannega Glades LLC, a Florida entity managed by developer Deepak Khosa. Lionstone paid $13 million for the property and financed the purchase with a $7.5 million mortgage…

Mark Bellissimo, partners buy back Wellington International showgrounds

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Industrial Market Outlook: E-Commerce Resumes Growth

E-commerce, which slowed in 2023 after its pandemic-driven peak, is showing signs of recovery in 2024. According to the latest CommercialEdge national industrial market report, online sales reached $291.6 billion in the second quarter, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous quarter and a 6.7% rise year-over-year. With that, e-commerce now accounts for 18.8% of core…

Will This Market Have the Highest Rent Growth in 2025?

Last week, I commented on the New Residential Construction Report in 5 Graphs for September 2024. For this week’s article, I’ve kept the focus on the multifamily sector and given the recent release of our Q3 2024 Preliminary Trend Announcement, let’s take a look at our latest forecast and explore which regions and metros are poised to experience the highest rent growth…

Emerging Trends Report Predicts Rebound in Transaction Volume in 2025 as Capital Markets Are ‘Poised for Recovery’

At the September meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate by 50 basis points, which is the first easing of monetary policy in four years. This move lowered the short-term interest rate to a target range of 4.75 to 5 percent. Elevated borrowing costs have stifled commercial real estate transaction volumes the past couple…

No One Likes a Re-Trader in the M&A World

In the world of M&A, one of the quickest ways to damage your reputation and derail a deal is through what’s known as a “re-trade”—attempting to renegotiate the key business terms that were already agreed to in the letter of intent (LOI). While some people might think the LOI is just a non-binding starting point, treating it casually can be a huge mistake, both for…

Video: Joe Sarachek Discusses Distressed Real Estate Investing Playbook

Exploring Distress Investing in the Current Real Estate Market In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the show host and guest Joe Sarachek, a managing partner of the Sarachek Law Firm, author of Distress Investing Playbook, and Adjunct Professor at NYU, explored the world of distressed commercial real estate investing. The conversation centered on the…

Report: Absorption Is Positive Across All Property Types According to Third-Quarter Report

Perhaps the most salient information within Lee & Associates’ 2024 Q3 North America Market Report pertains to the office market. The third quarter of 2024 ended nine continuous quarters of negative net absorption in the office sector. However, additional occupancy losses may be on the horizon for the office market, even as supply pressures ease for this property type.

Supersizing retail sales : The growth of large-scale retail

Our previous FRED Blog post covered declining sales at electronics and appliances stores that may be due to consumers’ increased online shopping and diverted foot traffic. Today, we examine those expenditure patterns more closely by comparing recent US Census data on retail sales at general merchandise stores. The FRED graph above shows the value of inflation-adjusted retail…

Retail sales of electronics and appliances : Is online shopping replacing foot traffic?

The US Census reports the monthly value of retail sales grouped into 12 kinds of business activity. The terms for those activities, or industries, come from the outlets where the goods are sold. Think, gasoline stations, sporting goods stores, and home furnishings stores. But when consumers change where they go to purchase these products, the value of retail sales by industry…

If Florida Legalizes Weed On Election Day, CRE Could Feel The Effects ‘Right Away’

Commercial real estate might be the last thing on the minds of Florida voters on Election Day, but when they cast their ballots and vote on the state’s Amendment 3 referendum, which would legalize recreational marijuana, the outcome will have direct impacts on the industry. Amendment 3 needs 60% approval to pass, at which point state lawmakers, many of whom oppose legalization…

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October 31, 2024

Video: Joe Sarachek Discusses Distressed Real Estate Investing Playbook

Exploring Distress Investing in the Current Real Estate Market

In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the show host and guest Joe Sarachek, a managing partner of the Sarachek Law Firm, author of Distress Investing Playbook, and Adjunct Professor at NYU, explored the world of distressed commercial real estate investing. The conversation centered on the current state of the market, key strategies for investing in distressed properties, and the nuances of due diligence in this high-stakes field.

Interest Rates and Market Conditions Fueling Distress

The discussion opened with an analysis of how rapid interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve have impacted the economy and, by extension, the commercial real estate sector. As borrowing becomes more expensive, some property owners are struggling to service their debts, creating opportunities for distressed investors to acquire properties at a discount. Sarachek noted that while opportunities for distressed investing seem to loom on the horizon, there is a prevailing sentiment among investors that the market’s most significant distress phase is yet to come.

Location-Specific Factors Contributing to Distress

The podcast touched on specific urban areas experiencing elevated levels of distress, such as New York City’s multifamily market, which has been hit hard by unique regulations and high property taxes. These factors have created conditions where many properties are underwater relative to their loan values. Sarachek mentioned that New York City judges are overloaded with real estate bankruptcy cases, especially in outer boroughs. On the West Coast, San Francisco faces its own set of challenges, with both markets presenting different kinds of opportunities and risks for distressed investors.

Key Principles for Successful Distress Investing

Sarachek highlighted the importance of careful consideration when entering the distressed real estate market, especially in terms of understanding market cycles, timing, and strategy. He emphasized that, in distressed investing, “it’s all in the buy.” Investors must evaluate potential exits and ensure the property is acquired at a price that offers the potential for substantial returns, typically targeting a 30% or higher ROI within a relatively short time frame.

He also underscored the critical distinction between active and passive investors. Active investors seek hands-on involvement, often overseeing property management and asset improvements, while passive investors prefer to partner with reliable operators who handle the day-to-day operations. For those less experienced or without local knowledge, passive investing may be a safer route.

Sourcing Distressed Properties

When it comes to finding distressed investment opportunities, Sarachek encouraged investors to leverage their personal expertise. Whether one has specialized knowledge in hospitality, healthcare, or retail, understanding an industry provides a competitive edge in spotting underpriced or mismanaged properties. The host added that partnering with knowledgeable brokers can provide access to valuable resources and insight into viable distressed properties.

The Importance of Due Diligence

Sarachek emphasized that due diligence is crucial when purchasing distressed assets, particularly when acquiring notes rather than physical properties. Evaluating these notes requires a deep dive into property histories, tenant quality, and the legal framework. Experienced investors look at every document and consider various potential obstacles, such as liens, code violations, and management issues.

The conversation included a real-world example involving a note purchase on a popular wedding venue in New York. Despite initially appearing as an attractive distressed asset, the venue’s owner was entrenched in complex litigation, significantly complicating the acquisition process. Sarachek’s story illustrates the need for thorough due diligence before any investment, as not all deals lead to ownership or immediate returns.

The Role of Legal and Advisory Support

For those entering distressed markets, building a solid team of brokers, legal advisors, and other professionals is essential. Sarachek emphasized that legal complexities in distressed properties can range from state-specific foreclosure laws to bankruptcy proceedings, each of which has implications for recovery timelines and final ownership outcomes. Having advisors who understand both the market and legal landscape can help investors avoid costly mistakes.

Final Thoughts

The episode concluded with a reminder that distressed investing offers unique opportunities for those willing to navigate its complexities, but it is not without significant risk. With interest rates potentially stabilizing and distressed properties presenting opportunities in key urban markets, the time may be right for some investors to start exploring this investment strategy.

As the conversation underscored, knowledge, patience, and professional support are indispensable for navigating the distressed real estate market successfully. Whether an investor’s goal is property acquisition or note-buying, understanding the underlying challenges—and being prepared to face them—will ultimately determine success in this specialized area of real estate.

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October 28, 2024

Miami Commercial Real Estate News October 23, 2024: 505K sf Hialeah Industrial Trades; Record High Miami Industrial Deliveries; Overtown MXU Delivers Retail; More…

Target Opens 50,000 SF Store at Sawyer’s Walk in Miami’s Overtown Neighborhood

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Sawyer’s Walk Brings New Retail Era to Miami’s Overtown, Featuring Downtown’s First Target Store and More

Sawyer’s Walk (Block 55), the largest mixed-use development in the historic community of Overtown, announces the delivery of the retail component. A brand new Target just opened, and other major retailers are set to open over the coming weeks and months, including a Burlington, Five Below, Aldi supermarket, and Ross Dress for Less, which will serve the immediate…

13-Story ‘Traditional Condo’ Could Replace Closed Truist Bank at 2501 Galiano Street in Coral Gables

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Race to the top: Developer proposes 1,000-foot-plus mixed-use Brickell supertall

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Melo submits $35M stalking horse bid for 16-acre former trailer park in El Portal

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Review targets many changes in Flagler housing project

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OK of 51-story Brickell office tower to fund transit

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County OK’s $75 million grant to get convention center hotel going

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41-Story ‘Flow House’ Planned for 2025 Unveiling at 697 N Miami Ave in Miami’s CBD

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Tate proposes 348-unit apartment project on its North Miami HQ site, as redevelopment in city’s western side ramps up

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OKO Group, Cain International Deliver 57-Story Office Tower in Miami

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Alan Faena heads to the Miami River: Fortune, KAR to launch Faena-branded condos

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JEM Sky Villas with Interiors by FENDI Casa Unveiled at JEM Private Residences in Downtown Miami

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FPL drops $60M for 350 acres in south Miami-Dade. Could a solar farm be in store?

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Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami expanding show space, pays $25M for building on same block

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Industrial Supply in Miami-Dade Outpaces Absorption for First Time in 4 Years

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Miami’s Industrial Sector Sees Record High Deliveries

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Sale of New 505,518 SF Industrial Property Miami Midway Park in Hialeah Arranged

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Yes, chef: Terra, Lion Development launch sales of Jean-Georges condo tower Near Midtown Miami

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Developers Hold Topping-Off Ceremony for NoMad Residences Wynwood

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New Jersey Developer Squeezes 378 Apartments Into Downtown Miami Proposal

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Thousands of new apartments are here in South Florida (and more are coming)

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Lease roundup: Korean restaurant Bonchon on tap at Moxy South Beach; More…

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Brazilian Firms Target South Florida

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Miami’s Office Leasing Is At A 4-Year Low As Pandemic-Era Deals Dry Up

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Plans Filed for 5-Story Condominium Development at 90 Isle of Venice Drive in Fort Lauderdale

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Eight-Story Affordable Housing Venture Could Replace Walgreens at 6105 W Sunrise Blvd in Sunrise

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Developer Revises Plans for Mixed-Use ‘University Village’, Located at 555 Northwest Spanish River Road in Boca Raton

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$75M Construction Loan Secured for 201-Room Hotel in West Palm Beach’s NORA District

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Richard Born lands $75M construction loan for Nora hotel

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BH, Related add West Palm Beach dev site to growing portfolio

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West Palm Beach board approves BH, Related’s Ritz-Carlton Residences project

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Integra picks up 317-unit West Palm apartment complex for $56M

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Palm Beach County to vote on Vanderbilt campus

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Silverstone sells Palm Beach County senior living facility for $24M in deed in lieu of foreclosure deal

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Video: First American Economics Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist Xander Snyder Discusses Retail Property Outlook, Expectations for 2025

In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the discussion delved into the evolving state of the retail real estate market. The featured guest, Xander Snyder, Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist at First American Economics, provided valuable insights into the trends shaping the retail sector, which remains a crucial part of the U.S. economy.

Workforce Stress, Insurance and Resilience Innovations are Key Themes from Climate Week 2024 

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Regional Economy Cooling Slightly, Beige Book Shows

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Protected: Financial Losses of the Florida “Self-Insured” May Be Near a Tenth of State’s GDP

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Florida Industrial Still Hasn’t Run Out of Gas

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Measuring labor market tightness with FRED

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New Residential Construction Nationally in 5 Graphs

Table 1: Monthly New Residential Construction, September 2024 Last Friday, the Census Bureau released it New Residential Construction report for September 2024. For today’s article, I pulled together five charts (and one table) to help explain what’s going on in the housing market. In Table 1, you can see that permits, starts, and completions all softened during…

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October 23, 2024

Video: First American Economics Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist Xander Snyder Discusses Retail Property Outlook, Expectations for 2025

In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the discussion delved into the evolving state of the retail real estate market. The featured guest, Xander Snyder, Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist at First American Economics, provided valuable insights into the trends shaping the retail sector, which remains a crucial part of the U.S. economy.

Retail’s Resilience and Consumer Spending
The conversation began with an overview of the retail real estate market’s resilience. Contrary to predictions of retail’s decline during the pandemic, the sector has made a strong recovery in many areas, although challenges persist for certain shopping centers. Snyder emphasized that consumer spending continues to drive the retail sector, but inflation-adjusted figures paint a different picture. When adjusted for inflation, retail sales growth has stagnated, signaling potential headwinds for the future.

Snyder highlighted the importance of separating nominal retail sales from real, inflation-adjusted sales. While nominal sales figures suggest growth, inflation has eroded much of this growth, leaving retail sales flat or even declining in real terms. He pointed out that rising credit card debt and increasing delinquency rates indicate that consumers may face challenges sustaining their current spending levels, especially in light of higher interest rates.

Retail Vacancy and Supply-Demand Dynamics
A critical point in the discussion was the impact of rising interest rates on the retail real estate market. While interest rates have affected all asset classes, Snyder noted that retail has been somewhat insulated due to limited new supply. The lack of new retail space, combined with demolitions of outdated properties, has helped keep vacancy rates low in many markets. Shopping malls, however, remain an exception, with vacancy rates steadily increasing since 2017.

Retail vacancy rates currently range between 2% and 5.5%, which is lower than many other asset classes. The limited availability of retail space has put upward pressure on rents, as tenants have fewer options. This dynamic has helped stabilize retail property prices, even as other commercial real estate sectors have faced more significant price declines.

Future Performance and Investor Opportunities
Looking ahead, Snyder predicted that retail rents might face pressure due to stagnating consumer spending, but the ongoing supply shortage will likely limit any significant declines. He expressed optimism for certain types of retail, particularly experiential retail—businesses that provide services or experiences that cannot be replicated online. These types of properties have proven resilient, and Snyder expects them to continue performing well in the face of consumer spending challenges.

Snyder also discussed geographic variations in retail performance, pointing out that suburban, car-dependent retail locations have fared better than urban core retail properties. He sees potential opportunities for investors in urban retail spaces, where prices have declined, creating opportunities for value-add investments.

Transaction Volume and Cap Rates
As for transaction volume, Snyder noted that retail, like most commercial real estate sectors, has seen a slowdown in recent years due to rising interest rates. However, he expects transaction activity to pick up as interest rates stabilize and buyers gain confidence in their underwriting. The show host and Snyder both observed that sellers have become more realistic about property values, recognizing that the low-interest-rate environment of recent years had inflated prices.

In terms of cap rates, Snyder expressed cautious optimism. He believes cap rates for retail properties are stabilizing and could even begin to decline as the market reaches an inflection point. This stabilization would provide a boost to property values, offering investors renewed confidence in the retail sector’s potential.

Distress and Development Opportunities
The discussion also touched on distress opportunities in the retail market, particularly in the shopping mall sub-sector. While Snyder doesn’t foresee widespread distress across the retail landscape, he does see potential for creative investors to capitalize on struggling mall properties by converting them into mixed-use developments or other innovative uses.

For new development, Snyder acknowledged that the high cost of financing and construction has limited new retail supply, but he sees potential for new projects in the future as the supply-demand imbalance continues. Developers who can navigate these challenges may find opportunities in markets with strong demand and limited retail space.

Conclusion
The episode concluded with a reminder that retail real estate remains a fascinating and resilient sector. Despite the challenges posed by inflation, rising interest rates, and shifting consumer behavior, opportunities abound for investors, developers, and tenants who can adapt to the evolving landscape. Whether through creative reuse of mall spaces or investments in well-located retail properties, the retail real estate market offers a dynamic and promising future.

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October 18, 2024

Miami Commercial Real Estate News October 16, 2024: Miami Lakes Industrial Sold for $147M; Hamilton Tower Multifamily to Sell for $190M; More…

Ares cements top ranking for pricey purchases in South Florida, paying $147M for Miami Lakes industrial complex

Ares Management paid $147 million for a recently completed Miami Lakes warehouse complex, notching the biggest industrial purchase so far this year. It’s also the third time in less than a year that Los Angeles-based Ares dropped nine figures for a South Florida commercial property. An affiliate of the private equity firm acquired Midway Miami Park, a collection…

Bridge Industrial expands warehouse portfolio near Miami International Airport with $45M purchase

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Work On 40-Story Edgewater Tower To Begin Q1 2025

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Ricardo Dunin’s Oak Capital, Edifica propose 832-key Brickell hotel, boosting their development in Miami’s financial district

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Demolition Permit For One Brickell City Centre Supertall Site Back In Review

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Doral Gateway East project adds 330 residences, removes hotel

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Miami Office Leasing on Track For Slowest Activity Since Pandemic

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10 Story Apartment Towers with 1,426 Units Proposed for Miami Springs

The Miami Springs City Council discussed plans that were circulating at Miami-Dade County to develop three parcels of Miami Springs land currently owned by Miami-Dade County Aviation. According to an article by Theo Karantsalis and published in The Miami Herald, those plans include three (3) 10-story towers with 1,426 apartment units. I’m sure you’ve noticed some…

Aimco under contract to sell Hamilton multifamily tower, nearby Edgewater dev site for $204M combined

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Buyer revealed: Kushner purchasing Hamilton apartment tower in Miami’s Edgewater for $190M

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This Week’s South Florida Deal Sheet: Aimco To Sell 2 Edgewater Properties For $204M

Apartment Investment and Management Co. has reached two all-cash deals for a combined $204M to sell the Hamilton apartments and a nearby Edgewater development site. The apartment REIT declined to name the buyer of the 276-unit, 28-story Hamilton, but it said the property is under contract for $190M with the buyer committing to a nonrefundable deposit.

Aimco Strikes $204M Deal to Sell Miami Assets

Aimco has struck a deal to sell its equity in two real estate properties in Miami, Florida for $204 million. One of them is for The Hamilton, a 276-unit apartment building. The other is for a development at 3333 Biscayne Boulevard, which sits on 2.8 acres. For the latter sale, the real estate firm said its unnamed joint venture partner purchased its stake for $13.8 million, with the gross…

Tri-Rail express to downtown Miami booms; daily passengers up 54% in 4 weeks

Tri-Rail’s one-seat weekday express, launched July 1, has been regularly achieving a 100% on-time performance and ridership is growing, reports Victor Garcia, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority public affairs director. The express leaves West Palm Beach at 6:30 a.m., stopping at Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale Airport and Metrorail Transfer, arriving at MiamiCentral…

Miami International Airport terminal upgrade advances

County commissioners were expected this week to approve a seven-year, $40 million contract for architectural and engineering services as part of a far larger expenditure to upgrade Miami International Airport’s Central Terminal. “The Central Terminal is a key part of MIA’s infrastructure,” a mayor’s report to commissioners says. “It houses various essential services and facilities…

Two projects spring from Miami’s deal with Adler Group

Fences surround the formerly proposed location for Miami’s administration offices downtown as construction begins at the site where a 36-story apartment tower will rise instead, with the municipal building breaking ground in the first quarter of 2025 near the airport. Miami-based Adler Group is developing the two projects as part of a public-private partnership…

Miami-Dade Aviation Department CEO Ralph Cutié: Piloting airport’s improvements as passenger traffic soars

Since being appointed director and chief executive officer of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department about three years ago, Ralph Cutié has led an unprecedented investment of $7 billion in capital improvements and $1.7 billion in maintenance upgrades. Over the next 10 years, Miami International Airport flyers will see upgraded restrooms, new passenger boarding bridges…

Terra, Turnberry score $75M grant for Miami Beach Convention Center hotel project

Terra and Turnberry are getting a $75 million taxpayer infusion for the joint venture’s convention center hotel project in Miami Beach. Despite securing more than $500 million in private financing for the Grand Hyatt-branded development at the intersection of 17th Street and Convention Center Drive, Terra and Turnberry need to plug a funding gap in construction costs…

Meta Development Plans 36-Unit Luxury Condo at 1888 Brickell Avenue in Miami

International firm Meta Development has plans to demolish the five-unit Houses of Brickell Condominium and replace it with a luxury development. The new venture would offer 36 residences with the cost of ownership hovering around $2.5 million each. The Real Deal reports that the project’s scope calls for two five-story buildings that would be connected by a rooftop pool…

Värde seeks $77M foreclosure against Coral Gables office complex owner

Värde Partners is foreclosing on the owner of a Coral Gables office complex for allegedly defaulting on a $68.9 million mortgage. Since August, the amount owed ballooned to $77.4 million, including accrued interest and late fees, according to a foreclosure complaint filed this week in Miami-Dade County…  buildings at 1 Alhambra Plaza. It is owned by an affiliate of…

Affinius Capital Faces Foreclosure On $69M Coral Gables Office Loan

A 262K SF Coral Gables office tower could be headed to foreclosure as it struggles with occupancy despite the neighborhood’s rising profile as a destination for Miami’s office users. The foreclosure suit was filed against San Antonio-based Affinius Capital regarding a $69M mortgage backed by Columbus Center, a 14-story office building located at 1 Alhambra Plaza.

Final cut: Cachita Universal Studios could lose Doral production facility to foreclosure

Cachita Universal Studios near Doral could be entering its final filming season after a lender filed a foreclosure complaint against the owner of the television production facility. An affiliate of Miami-based Altamar Financial Group is suing Alain Piedra-Hernandez, president of HH Coffee Group, which owns the 81,765-square-foot building at 7355 Northwest 41st Street…

Recently Delivered 500,000 SF Logistics Park – Miami Midway Park – Sells

CBRE has arranged the sale of Miami Midway Park, a four-building distribution business park totaling 505,518 sq. ft. on… The four buildings included in the sale were: 9695 NW 174th Street: 71,708 sq. ft.; 100% occupied; 9675 NW 174th Street: 71,708 sq. ft.; 76% occupied; 9575 NW 174th Street: 181,051 sq. ft.; 100% occupied; 9535 NW 174th Street: 181,051 sf…

Pre-Application Filed for 600-Unit Apartment Development at Pullman Miami Airport Hotel Parking Lot

London + Regional Properties, the Pullman Miami Airport hotel owner at 5800 Blue Lagoon Drive, has filed a pre-application with Miami-Dade County to develop two eight-story apartment buildings on the hotel’s parking lot. The proposed project would introduce 600 new apartments to the 10-acre site, which currently houses the 281-room, 13-story hotel built in 1986.

120-Unit ‘Courtside II’ to Break Ground at 1698 NW Third Avenue and 1501 NW Fourth Avenue in Miami

The second and final phase of an affordable housing development will soon break ground in Miami-Dade County. Courtside II is the second phase of Courtside, the first phase of which opened in 2016. The $58 million venture will comprise 120 residences in two seven-story buildings. Multi-Housing News reports that Courtside II will require 161,000 square feet of new…

Mapping the five proposed Live Local Act projects in Miami’s Wynwood

On the corner of Northwest Sixth Avenue and Northwest 26th Street in Miami’s Wynwood, a developer wants to replace the one-story Austin Burke menswear store with an apartment tower of up to 20 stories. The project would jut out above the surrounding one-story and two-story warehouses retrofitted into businesses, as well as above a 10-story building to the east.

MG Developer’s pipeline grows after landing $15M for Coral Gables condo project

MG Developer nabbed a $14.5 million loan for pre-development costs associated with a planned Coral Gables boutique condominium project. Three New Tork-based lenders, H Equities, 141 Funding and Maxim Capital Group, provided the financing for Alhambra Parc, a planned 11-story building with 78 condos at 33 Alhambra Circle, a press release states. A Colliers team led…

HTG Begins Construction on $58M Affordable Housing Community in Miami’s Overtown Neighborhood

Housing Trust Group (HTG) has begun construction on Courtside Apartments II, a $58 million affordable housing community project located in the Overtown neighborhood of Miami. Upon completion, the property will total 120 units in one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts. This marks the second and final phase of a two-phase development that began with the opening…

HTG teams up with Alonzo Mourning’s nonprofit on Overtown affordable housing project

Housing Trust Group and NBA Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning’s nonprofit plan a 120-unit affordable housing project in Overtown, as development of below-market rate rentals booms in South Florida. Coconut Grove-based Housing Trust Group and AM Affordable Housing will develop the $58 million Courtside Apartments II with a pair of seven-story buildings…

HTG, AM Affordable Housing Build in Miami

Construction has begun on Housing Trust Group and AM Affordable Housing’s Courtside Apartments II, a $58 million affordable community in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. Comprised of 120 units, Courtside Apartments II marks the second part of a comprehensive two-phase development. Funding for the project included a $30 million construction…

Site Work Permit Issued for 67-Story JEM Private Residences at Miami Worldcenter

Miami’s Building Department has issued a site work permit for JEM Private Residences, a 67-story mixed-use development at 1016 Northeast 2nd Avenue in Miami Worldcenter. Valued at $3 million, the permit was granted on October 3, with Coastal Construction as the contractor. The building will feature 259 condominium units on the upper floors and 530 multi-family…

Discount shopping: Easton nabs JCPenney store at Miami International Mall

Easton Group bought a JCPenney store at Miami International Mall, and the struggling retailer will stay on as the tenant. Ed Easton, chairman of his Doral-based eponymous firm, told The Real Deal that he has no immediate plans to redevelop the 10.3-acre site at 1603 Northwest 107th Avenue in his home city. Other developers like Electra America and Codina Partners…

Brickell Office Building Sold For Record-Breaking $443M

The 701 Brickell office tower has been sold for $443M – the most ever for an office building in Brickell. It is also the second highest price for an office building in Florida, trailing only the $540 million sale of the 1.2 million square foot Southeast Financial Center in 2016. 701 Brickell last sold in 2002 for $172m, property records show. The 32-story building has 685,279 square feet…

40-Story, 466-Unit Flow House Launches Sales At Worldcenter

Flow House is launching sales at Miami Worldcenter. The new property will offer the same amenities and community events as Flow’s existing rental towers. Flow House will rise 40-stories, and include 466-units. Units will be delivered finished and furnished, with studios starting at $450,000 and one bedrooms starting at $600,000. Units will include sustainably sourced…

Developer Plans Condo Building At 1870 Brickell

Miami-based META Development says it has acquired the property at 1870 Brickell Avenue, with plans to build a condo building. The company is also in contract to buy the adjoining 1880 Brickell Avenue, which will be merged to form the development site. The combined purchase price is $21m. The new condo building will rise 5 stories, with 36 units. Prices will start at $2.5m…

Brooklyn developer launches sales for second Bay Harbor Islands condo project

Brooklyn-based developer Redhoek+ is launching sales for its second planned condo project in Bay Harbor Islands. The planned seven-story, 18-unit Pool Haus at 1130 100th Street is intended to be a “sister building” to Solina Bay Harbor, the first South Florida condo project that Redhoek+ launched, said CEO Lee Cohen. Redhoek+ tapped Alyssa Soto Brody and Alyssa…

Closings underway at Fort Partners’ Seaway at the Surf Club luxury condo project

Fort Partners completed a boutique condo project next to its record-setting Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at the Surf Club in Surfside, newly recorded closings show. An affiliate of Fort Lauderdale-based Fort Partners, led by Nadim Ashi, has so far sold 13 luxury condos at Seaway at the Surf Club, a 34-unit, two-building development at 9149 Collins Avenue. The oceanfront…

UBS Is Sounding The Alarm About Miami Real Estate – Is It Overpriced?

Miami, Florida, has been one of the real estate industry’s biggest success stories over the last several decades. A combination of great weather, development, and a bustling job market has turned Miami into one of America’s top real estate destinations. However, recent concerns have emerged. Analysts at UBS are expressing concerns that the Miami real estate…

New Interior Renderings Revealed For ELLE Residences Miami

ELLE Residences Miami has revealed a fresh set of interior renderings, giving a detailed look into the design aesthetic of its 25-story residential tower, set to bring Parisian elegance to Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood. The project will feature 180 residences, each reflecting ELLE’s iconic design ethos, rooted in the chic sophistication of Paris. The interiors…

Renderings: Public Park Proposed On Watson Island In Exchange For Condos

A new website has been created showing conceptual images of a park on Watson Island (to see all 16 images, click here). Developers Terra and ESJ Capital, the owner of Jungle Island want to develop hundreds of condos on the north side of the island. In exchange, they would buy or lease the Jungle Island property, cancel the theme park and hotel lease, build a 13-acre park…

Lender seeks $13M foreclosure against Hollywood warehouse owner

A Hollywood warehouse owner is in danger of losing the building to foreclosure. Nearly a dozen entities managed by David Frank in Miami allegedly failed to repay a $1.8 million loan and a $10.8 revolving line of credit secured by a single-story, 8,640-square-foot industrial building at 1980 Grant Street, court records show. The lender, Woodlands, Texas-based…

City of Miramar to Review Plans for “The Park Miramar” Mixed-Use Development at October 16 Commission Meeting

The City Commission of Miramar will review a proposed large-scale mixed-use development named The Park Miramar, designed by 505Design, on October 16, 2024. The project, planned for a 125.8-acre site at the northeast corner of Red Road and Miramar Parkway, will include various residential, commercial, and recreational components. The development will consist…

Dual-Branded Fairfield Inn & TownePlace Suites Proposed for Miramar Park of Commerce

A dual-branded Marriott hotel is being proposed just off Florida’s Turnpike in Miramar, marking another significant development in the growing area. The City Commission is set to review the site plan for the Fairfield Inn & TownePlace Suites on October 16. The project is being developed by Miramar Park Hotels, led by Sanjaykumar Patel, Sadhanaben Patel, and Akesha Sanjay…

First Look: Interiors at 23-Story Residential Tower ‘Lumaire’ in Downtown West Palm Beach

Lumaire, rising 23 stories at 201 Clearwater Drive in Downtown West Palm Beach, offers a first glimpse of its interiors, marking a significant debut for CetraRuddy’s first interior design project in the area. In partnership with DesignBAR, the firm has crafted 457 residences featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, wide plank flooring, European-inspired kitchens…

Wheelock lists The Ben West Palm Beach for $208M

Wheelock Street Capital is accepting bids for a 208-key hotel along West Palm Beach’s waterfront, starting at $1 million per room. Greenwich, Connecticut-based Wheelock recently put The Ben West Palm Beach at 251 North Narcissus Avenue on the market with an asking price of $208 million, according to an online listing. CBRE is marketing the property.

Industrial On Pace To Absorb More Than 100M SF This Year

https://www.globest.com/2024/10/09/industrial-on-pace-to-absorb-more-than-100m-sf-this-year/ Fueled by unleased speculative deliveries, the national industrial vacancy rate has climbed by 30 basis points during the third quarter to reach 6.4%, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest industrial segment research. This represents the lowest quarterly…

Office Submarkets Bucking the Trend Through Mid-Year

Highlights: As of the second quarter of 2024, our top 82 primary office markets were evaluated based on their year-to-date change in effective revenue. Among our five regions, while the Northeast was the top ranked region for the multifamily and retail sectors, its office sector performance ranked last given its effective revenue declined by 129-bps over the first half of the year.

Video: Deloitte Real Estate Solutions Leader John D’Angelo Presents 2025 Commercial Real Estate Outlook

On the latest episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the show host sat down with John D’Angelo, Real Estate Solutions leader at Deloitte, to discuss Deloitte’s 2025 Commercial Real Estate Outlook. The conversation covered crucial national market trends and predictions, bringing insights that resonate across the industry, especially as we close out…

Video: The Counselors of Real Estate Chair Anthony DellaPelle Discusses Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate 2025

In a recent episode of *America’s Commercial Real Estate Show*, the show’s host welcomed Anthony DellaPelle, chair of The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) and also a lawyer with the New Jersey based firm of McKirdy, Riskin, Olson & DellaPelle, to discuss the Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate for 2025. This annual report, developed by the CRE through extensive polling…

CMBS Troubled Loan Tracker: Office Delinquencies Accelerate to Nearly 5X the Level of Early 2023

Conduit & fusion loan delinquencies continue to creep up toward the pandemic high of 8.3% after increasing for the eleventh consecutive month to 7.0% and show no signs of slowing down. Although the Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates by 50 bps and many have priced in another 25 to 50 bps cut by the end of the year, the elevated maturities and lack of debt…

Commercial Real Estate Nationally: Moody’s Q3 2024 Preliminary Trend Announcement

Multifamily Performance Steadied, Office Stress Continued to Manifest, Retail Vacancy Declined, And Industrial Cooled Down The commercial real estate (CRE) industry received welcome news in September as the FOMC lowered the target federal funds rate by 50 basis points (bps) bringing expectations of continued relief in meetings ahead. The period of…

Rent burden may not hinge on the election result

Summary: Housing Affordability Crisis: The United States is facing a significant housing affordability crisis, with homeownership rates dropping and a large percentage of renters being cost-burdened.Impact of the Pandemic: The pandemic exacerbated the housing burden by accelerating household formation and deepening pre-existing housing shortages due to a tight labor…

With Pandemic-Era Excess Savings Depleted, What Lies Ahead for the Hotel Sector?

Highlights: Although excess pandemic-era savings have been fully depleted as of March 2024, Moody’s expects the Federal Reserve will navigate a soft landing for the U.S. economy with real GDP expected to increase by the mid-2% area in 2024 and the low-2% area in 2025.With non-financial assets such as real estate holdings and vehicles accounting for a larger share…

Hurricane Helene data story: 161,849 commercial properties in direct path of hurricane

Hurricane Helene’s projected track across Florida’s panhandle and the South has potential implications for public safety and business continuity. Nearly 162,000 commercial real estate properties in the state have a greater than 50% probability of being exposed to wind speeds of at least 50 mph — the wind speed at which some damage is likely. The total estimated value…

Hurricane Milton’s destruction: crane collapse, tornado damage, flooding

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, developers and contractors in the Tampa Bay area are evaluating damage at project sites, calling insurers and preparing to resume construction work. Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm with winds of 120 miles per hour on Wednesday night in Siesta Key in Sarasota County, flooding streets and homes, and spawning tornadoes…

What is the gross rent multiplier?

There are many factors to consider when evaluating multifamily investment properties. The gross rent multiplier (GRM) is one tool that can help investors quickly estimate a property’s value. What is the GRM in real estate? The GRM is the ratio of an investment property’s market value to the annual gross rent it generates. The lower the GRM, the better the estimated…

The What and the When Matter for the Losses of Real-Estate Lenders

Not every commercial-real-estate lender in the U.S. is at risk following the sharp downturn in prices since 2022. The timing of loan originations and the type of properties used as collateral are key factors in estimating losses. Lenders who originated loans late in the cycle, such as debt funds, tended to have larger unrealized losses on the underlying collateral.

Updated RealPage Forecast Indicates Strong Multifamily Demand, More Mild Rent Growth

After starting the quarter below its long-term average, employment ended September on a high note, with an increase of nearly 254,000 jobs. This brings the total number of jobs created in the first nine months of the year to 1.8 million, which is 24% below the level seen during the same period last year. As inflation has been on a downward trajectory for some time now…

Office Loan Maturity Monitor: Maturities Picked Back up in August

Highlights: $2.5 billion CMBS office loans reached fully extended maturity in August, the highest monthly total since we started tracking in January 2023. The payoff rate was strong, at 56.9%. Maturities with debt yield above 8% and limited lease rollover continued to exhibit the strongest performance Although several large loans paid off in August, smaller loans continue to pay…

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October 16, 2024

Video: Deloitte Real Estate Solutions Leader John D’Angelo Presents 2025 Commercial Real Estate Outlook

On the latest episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the show host sat down with John D’Angelo, Real Estate Solutions leader at Deloitte, to discuss Deloitte’s 2025 Commercial Real Estate Outlook. The conversation covered crucial national market trends and predictions, bringing insights that resonate across the industry, especially as we close out a turbulent few years in the real estate market.

2025 Outlook: Turning the Corner

Deloitte’s latest report titled *2025 Commercial Real Estate Outlook* indicates a cautiously optimistic sentiment within the industry. According to D’Angelo, the theme of the report is aptly described as “turning the corner.” This follows two years of low transaction volumes and uncertainty in the market. The report’s respondents—including 900 C-suite executives from 13 countries—indicate that the next 12 to 15 months could see an uptick in transaction activity as optimism returns to the market.

The host emphasized that he is already seeing increased interest in listings, with four times as much activity in recent months. This growth reflects the tightening of the bid-ask spread, which is narrowing as sellers become more realistic and buyers regain confidence, believing that market valuations have stabilized.

Interest Rates and Capital Costs

Interest rates are a significant factor in the future of commercial real estate, and D’Angelo noted that the cost of capital appears to be on the decline. According to their July 2024 survey, many respondents expect further rate cuts before the end of the year. This potential reduction in rates is expected to reignite investment activity, especially in sectors that have been waiting for cost efficiency to return to the marketplace.

Sector Focus: Where Will Capital Flow?

The conversation highlighted several real estate sectors poised to receive increased investment. At the top of the list are digital real estate assets like data centers, which D’Angelo noted are moving from “alternative” to “core” asset status. Multifamily properties and manufacturing facilities are also expected to attract significant capital, especially given the incentives provided by initiatives like the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

On the flip side, certain sectors, such as senior housing and student housing, appear to be seeing less interest from investors. This surprised the host, who mentioned that senior housing activity has recently picked up in his own brokerage experience, though the broader market may take more time to see a significant shift.

Geographic Trends and Sustainability

One of the more surprising findings in the report is that cross-border capital flows appear to be stagnating, with most investors choosing to keep their money within their home regions. Additionally, sustainability, while still on the radar for many companies, is being viewed through a cost-efficient lens. D’Angelo mentioned that the focus has shifted toward projects with a near-term ROI, and interest in sustainability retrofits has waned due to concerns about profitability.

Challenges: Inflation, Construction Costs, and AI

Inflation and construction costs remain top concerns for respondents, especially given the rising costs of goods, labor, and materials. However, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly seen as a solution for operational efficiency in the industry. The adoption of AI, D’Angelo noted, is helping companies automate processes and shift employee focus to more value-added tasks. This shift is crucial, especially as the commercial real estate industry faces a retirement cliff, with 40% of the workforce expected to retire in the next decade.

Office Market: Optimism or Overvaluation?

One of the more debated topics was the future of the office market. While office real estate has struggled post-pandemic, the host shared his contrarian view that office demand could rebound faster than many expect. He predicts that certain office buildings may be repurposed or demolished, leading to a reduction in supply, while companies gradually increase their physical office presence.

D’Angelo agreed that the industry could see stabilization as businesses adapt to hybrid work models. However, the jury is still out, and much will depend on how quickly municipalities and developers can innovate in response to changing demand.

Some Final Thoughts

The episode ended on a note of optimism. As the market stabilizes and capital returns to commercial real estate, industry leaders like D’Angelo and the show host are hopeful that 2025 will mark a turning point for many sectors. While challenges remain, from inflation to geopolitical concerns, there is a growing sense that the worst is behind us and that commercial real estate could experience a revival in the coming year.

For professionals in the industry, this episode serves as a reminder to stay adaptive, as technological advancements and market shifts continue to reshape the landscape of commercial real estate. It delivers valuable insights from two industry veterans, providing a glimpse into the potential for growth and transformation as we approach 2025.

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October 14, 2024

Helene/Milton Losses of the Florida “Self-Insured” May Be Near a Tenth of State’s GDP

Insurance is an issue in Florida. As a commercial real estate broker, I run into it all the time. It is either decreasing net operating income for an investor or increasing association fees on an industrial condo for an owner user or something. Its effect is everywhere.

I’ve found owners can look at insurance as an expense, a requirement with no perceived benefit. I don’t view it this way, however. Instead, I view insurance as roughly the annualization of the calculated actuarial value of the risk. If a loss of $1,000,000 was expected every 20 years, this would be $50,000. This does not take into account investments earnings for an insurer, which should reduce this somewhat, or administrative costs and profits of an insurer, which of course increase this. It also doesn’t take into account government subsidies, which would suppress pricing. Regardless, the cost of the insurance is representative of the annualized actuarial risk as practically available in the market.

I find myself wondering about the large numbers of “self-insured” owners. A recent article, Damage from hurricanes Helene, Milton could top $200B, stated that “the total insured wind and flood losses are estimated at between $10.5 billion and $17.5 billion, according to CoreLogic.” Those considering the impact on insurance may be pleased to read this. Those worried about the economy, however, and particularly those absorbing those losses, may find this news less comforting.

If one assumes the high end of that covered losses range, it leaves $183 billion not covered. Thus, one could view this as a decrease in the asset side of the personal balance sheets of those affected. Much of that is surely in Florida. If one assumed 2/3, then the losses in Florida would be $122 billion, a sizeable 9.5% of Florida’s $1.28 trillion GDP. If so, what this means for Florida, particularly those affected areas, remains to be seen. I think any economist would tell you, however, that a 9.5% drop on a national basis would slam the country into a nasty recession.

I recall Andrew and its aftereffects. It was a different time. There was not the steady parade of major hurricanes we have today; the percent of hurricanes that are major storms has increased considerably since then. There was a hot minute in South Florida where the effect on the economy was expected to be very negative. Then, the insurance money started flowing it. Economically, it turned out to be a boost, which seems obvious now. Losses were largely covered by insurance, however. What seems different with Helene and Milton is that there will be little insurance money parachuting in to rescue people. Instead, property owners experienced these losses.

I see people on the news declaring they plan to rebuild and stay put. We’ll see. I instead expect that these storms will accelerate climate gentrification. Resale values in these areas will plummet such that any rebuild will be upside down versus the cost of construction. That may happen for some properties, but I suspect it will be far less that all. Any property in an area at risk really should only be developed to withstand such storms. Practically speaking, that will be multistory properties, as the cost to do this is prohibitive for most.

I believe it would be a good time for the state to pass a Live Local Act type bill for such at-risk locales, however defined, but with only the density benefits, not the development slowing requirements for affordability. This would increase supply, and more supply is the price suppressing side of the supply demand ratio. Plus, the Live Local Act has the affordable housing development stimulus well-covered.

Governor?

~

Dear Reader, This article is nothing more than the product of articles read, related thoughts, and simple arithmetic. Reader, if you see anything that seems incorrect in the above, contact me.

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October 10, 2024

Miami Commercial Real Estate News October 9, 2024: Brickell Office Tower Trades for $443M, Miami Lakes Industrial for $147M; Pre App Filed for Another Miami Supertall; More…

$443M Sale of 701 Brickell Office Tower in Downtown Miami Arranged

JLL Capital Markets has arranged the $443 million sale of 701 Brickell, a trophy office building totaling 685,279 square feet in the heart of downtown Miami’s Brickell financial district. The sale marks the second-largest office transaction in Florida history, according to JLL. Morning Calm Management and its partner purchased the asset from Nuveen Real Estate.

Nuveen Sells Miami Trophy Tower for $443M

The newly-sold tower (pictured in the center) rises inside Miami’s financial district. Image courtesy of JLL Nuveen Real Estate has sold 701 Brickell, a 685,279-square-foot trophy office tower in Miami. Morning Calm Management and its partner acquired the Class AA asset for $443 million in an all-cash deal. JLL represented the seller and procured the buyer. The deal marks…

Elliott completes Brickell office tower purchase for $443M, solidifying the hedge fund’s position as major South Florida player

Paul Singer’s Elliott Investment Management completed its purchase of a Brickell office tower for $443 million. The deal, billed as the second largest office deal in state history by the brokers involved, makes Singer’s hedge fund a major player in one of South Florida’s most active office submarkets. Elliott, which is now based in downtown West Palm Beach after moving from New York…

Nuveen Closes On Sale Of Brickell Office Tower For $443M

Nuveen sold the 685K SF office tower at 701 Brickell Ave. in Miami’s financial district for $443M, more than twice what it paid for the property two decades ago. The deal shows that there is still big investor appetite for prime office buildings in desirable markets. Boca Raton-based Morning Calm Management and an unnamed partner purchased the 33-story tower in an all-cash…

Miami Trophy Office Trades for $443M

Morning Calm Management and its partner has acquired a trophy Class AA office building in the heart of Miami’s financial district for $443 million. The sale of the 685,279 square foot building, owned by Nuveen Real Estate, was structured as an all-cash transaction and represents the second largest office transaction in Florida history, just behind the $540 million sale…

Multiple Permits Filed for 38-Story Mixed-Use Tower at 401 Northeast 29th Street

Construction permits for 2900 Terrace, a 38-story mixed-use tower planned at 401 Northeast 29th Street in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood, are advancing through the approval process. Three permits are under review: a phased vertical permit and a tree removal permit, filed on October 4, and a site work permit for foundation work submitted on October 7.

Banyan Street Capital Requests Modification for 8750 NW 36th Street and 3787 NW 87th Avenue in Doral

An affiliate of Miami-based Banyan Street Capital hopes to get a modification request granted for a mixed-use project in Doral. City records list the project’s name as “Gateway DMU MDA & Pattern Book Modification”, and it concerns 12.4 acres of a larger 25.2-acre site. When the project was originally approved in 2014, developers sought to construct 150 hotel rooms…

FDOT Planning Street Realignment In Front Of Brickell City Centre

Plans are underway for a project that will see a street realignment and a new crosswalk in front of Brickell City Centre. The area is among the busiest for both pedestrians and vehicles in Miami. The street planned for realignment is the north leg of South Miami Avenue. It runs between an existing Brickell City Centre block, and the former Tobacco Road property, where a future phase…

Miami-Dade legislation seeks way to add major new airport

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava would have to detail within 90 days how to handle the Herculean task of creating another major Miami-Dade airport under legislation a committee faces this week. That airport must handle cargo, commercial passengers and general aviation within the county’s system, according to Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera’s resolution. He cites rapid passenger…

Should Miami Build New Airport? County To Discuss

Miami-Dade commissioners are set to vote on a resolution that would authorize a feasibility study on building a new airport. Miami-Dade’s Airport and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to have a hearing on October 9 where the resolution is on the agenda. Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera sponsored the resolution. The resolution notes that the county…

Metromover To South Beach Moving ‘Expeditiously’

Miami-Dade is advancing with plans to extend the Metromover to South Beach, according to Miami Today. The county plans to move forward “expeditiously” with the project, according to Josiel Ferrer-Diaz, who is the Deputy Director of Miami-Dade’s Department of Transportation and Public Works. The comments were made at a meeting of the Citizens’ Independent…

New passenger rail in play for East-West Smart Plan corridor

A county measure to be discussed this week would order Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to report in 90 days on the feasibility of alternate modes of transportation, including passenger rail, instead of an earlier bus solution for the East-West Corridor of the long-awaited Smart transportation effort. The vote would direct the mayor to “take all necessary actions in order to provide…

Hotusa checks into Miami Beach, pays $20M for Art Deco hotel

Grupo Hotusa is booking into Miami Beach, acquiring an Art Deco hotel for $19.7 million. An affiliate of Barcelona-based Hotusa, led by President Amancio Lòpez Seijas, bought the Eurostars Winter Haven, a 71-room property completed in 1939 at 1400 Ocean Drive, records and real estate database Vizzda show. Hotusa also owns Eurostars, the brand that operates the hotel.

Undaunted By Prior Rejections, Continuum Co. Offers $141M For Surfside Condo Buyout

The Four Winds condominium building is prime real estate in the heart of Surfside, and it has become a sort of white whale for developers chasing beachfront property. Ian Bruce Eichner’s Continuum Co. is trying for a third time to buy out the condo units at the building at 9225 Collins Ave., offering $141M, Commercial Observer reports. The developer offered $125M last year…

Little Havana mixed-use project has ‘a little art deco feel’

A developer is proposing a new mixed-use residential project for Little Havana, offering ground floor retail and a parking garage with dedicated electric vehicle charging outlets. WR Flagler LLC plans the project, 2157 Flagler Residences, for property on West Flagler Street and Northwest 22nd Avenue. The eight-story building will have 197 residential units, more than 4,500 sf…

Eric Carpenter: Miami Beach’s city manager looks for workforce housing

Eric Carpenter, a public servant with over 20 years of experience, was appointed Miami Beach city manager in July. With a decade in various senior roles within the city, Mr. Carpenter replaces Alina T. Hudak, who became the first woman to hold the role in 2021 before retiring from government this year. A licensed professional engineer, Mr. Carpenter’s introduction…

Resia Sells New 390-Unit Resia Old Cutler Apartment Community in Goulds Neighborhood of Miami-Dade

Resia has sold Resia Old Cutler, a 390-unit apartment community located at 22555 S.W. 107th Ave. in Goulds, roughly 30 miles southwest of Miami. Kayne Anderson Real Estate acquired the property — which was completed in 2023 and offers one-, two- and three-bedroom residences — for an undisclosed price. Amenities at Resia Old Cutler include a multipurpose room…

Resia Sells Miami Area Property

Resia has sold Resia Old Cutler, a 390-unit community in Goulds, Fla., just south of Miami. Kayne Anderson Real Estate bought the property, marking its first acquisition from Resia. The seller will continue to manage the property. Completed last year, the pet-friendly property came online with help from a $60.3 million construction loan originated..

Meta Development plans Brickell boutique condominium

Meta Development is planning a boutique lowrise condominium with 36 units in Miami’s Brickell, once it completes its acquisition of an assemblage for a total of $21 million. The Miami-based firm, which launched late last year, is under contract to purchase a small apartment building at 1880 Brickell Avenue for $10.7 million, Meta President Andrew Rasken told The…

Sushi Garage Joins the Culinary Lineup at The Standard Residences in Midtown Miami

Rosso Development, Standard International, and Midtown Development have announced that Sushi Garage, a popular Miami eatery, will open at The Standard Residences, Midtown Miami. This restaurant, founded by the Juvia Group’s Jonas and Alexandra Millán, is known for its modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine and will be a central dining venue at the highly…

Northwood dips into South Florida’s industrial market with $47M Doral warehouse purchase

Northwood Investors is wading into South Florida’s booming industrial market after paying $46.5 million for a Doral warehouse. An affiliate of Northwood, a Denver-based real estate investment firm, purchased a 201,827-square-foot facility at 10000 Northwest 15th Terrace, records and real estate database Vizzda show. The deal breaks down to $230 a square foot.

Massive Mixed-Use ‘HueHub’ Planned for 8400 NW 25th Avenue in Miami

27th Ave HollandPark EcoreResidences LLC has plans for a massive mixed-use project in Miami-Dade County. If approved by city officials, HueHub would comprise five high-rise buildings, measuring 26 to 37 stories above grade. Plans call for 3,233 residences and 57,260 square feet of retail. There would also be a one-story amenity center and two parking garages…

SmartStop adds fourth self-storage facility to South Florida portfolio, paying $31M for North Miami site

SmartStop beefed up its South Florida self-storage portfolio, buying a recently completed North Miami facility for $30.8 million. An affiliate of Ladera Ranch, California-based SmartStop, led by CEO H. Michael Schwartz, acquired a three-story 99,280-square-foot self-storage building at 250 Northeast 135th Street, records and real estate database Vizzda show.

FAA Permits Filed for 28-Story Residential Tower in Miami’s Little River Neighborhood

Developers 8038 and 165 Owner LLC, an affiliate of Infinity Collective and MVW Partners, have submitted FAA permits for a new residential tower planned for Miami’s Little River neighborhood. Filed on September 17, 2024, the request asks for approval to construct a 360-foot-tall building, or 368 feet above mean sea level. The application is currently under review by the…

MG Developer, Prosper pay $31M for North Bay Village condo dev site

MG Developer teamed up with Prosper Group to acquire a waterfront condo development site in North Bay Village for $30.9 million, The Real Deal has learned. Miami Beach-based Prosper, a development firm led by Jay Roberts, has been in contract to buy the 1-acre assemblage at 1681 North Bay Causeway and 1725 79th Street Causeway. Coral Gables-based MG Developer…

The EcoTech Visions Foundation Moves Closer to Project Construction at 2090 Ali Baba Avenue in Opa-locka

The EcoTech Visions Foundation has secured a rezoning change to make its affordable housing development possible. A new ruling has released the 15,625-square-foot property from the Infill Housing Initiative Program, which did not allow for the development of multi-family communities. Now, the Miami Gardens-based organization can proceed with an eight-story…

‘Exceptional Response’: Already Nearly $500M In Contracts For New Brickell Tower

Swire Properties has announced that it is experiencing an “exceptional” sales response for its planned Brickell towers, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Nearly $500 million in contracts were signed in the first 60 days of sales, out of nearly $1 billion in reservations, the developer said. A 7,000-square-foot sales pavilion opened at the development site…

Pre-Application Filed For Another Brickell Avenue Supertall

There could be another supertall tower coming to Brickell Avenue. A pre-application for the new tower at 1414 Brickell was submitted to Miami-Dade planners on October 2. The tower is proposed to rise 81 floors, or 1,010 feet. Elevations submitted as part of the filing show that it is the maximum height limit allowed by the FAA for the property. 1414 Brickell is proposed to include…

P6 enters Miami-Dade market after paying $16M for dev site near Aventura Mall

P6 Group expanded its pipeline into Miami-Dade County, paying $16 million for a development site near Aventura Mall. The Boca Raton-based developer is planning The Gateway, an 18-story mixed-use project with 210 apartments and 13,185 square feet of office space. A P6 affiliate acquired a 1.4-acre assemblage at 2600 and 2630 Northeast Ives Dairy Road in Ojus…

Ares cements top ranking for pricey purchases in South Florida, paying $147M for Miami Lakes industrial complex

Ares Management paid $147 million for a recently completed Miami Lakes warehouse complex, notching the biggest industrial purchase so far this year. It’s also the third time in less than a year that Los Angeles-based Ares dropped nine figures for a South Florida commercial property. An affiliate of the private equity firm acquired Midway Miami Park, a collection…

East Capital’s Miami-Dade industrial buying binge continues with $48M purchase near Aventura

East Capital Partners is amassing industrial properties in Miami-Dade County, buying its third warehouse complex this year. An affiliate of Darien, Connecticut-based East Capital, led by co-founders Drew DeWitt and David Archibald, paid $48 million for Skylake Executive Industrial Park at 19501-19599 Northeast 10th Avenue near Aventura, records and real estate database…

South Miami grants initial approval to Sunset Place development agreement

South Miami commissioners unanimously approved a development agreement with Alex Vadia’s firm for the Shops at Sunset Place mixed-use project, the largest redevelopment planned in the city. The resolution will return to the South Miami commission for a second reading vote on Oct. 15. Commissioners will also take up site plan approval at the meeting later this month.

More Details Revealed for Summit Brickell, Highlighting Building Program and Public Benefits

More details on the building program for Summit Brickell have been revealed from a recent filing, highlighting key aspects of the project and its contributions to the community. The 65-story, 750-foot tower at 1015 Southwest 1st Avenue (alternatively addressed as 88 SW 10th Street) in Miami’s Brickell Financial District is set to include 505 residential units, with 1,933 sf…

Domus Brickell Park Begins Vertical Ascent at 1611 SW 2nd Avenue in Miami’s Brickell Financial District

Following several months of foundational work, Domus Brickell Park, a short-term-rental-friendly condominium tower at 1611 Southwest 2nd Avenue, is beginning its vertical ascent in the heart of the Brickell Financial District. The 12-story, 171-unit development from North Development is set to redefine the traditional condo-hotel market, with progress moving swiftly since…

New Renderings Unveil Amenities and Living Spaces for ‘Cassia’ at 4011 Salzedo Street in Coral Gables

Alta Developers has unveiled new renderings of Cassia, a 12-story luxury condominium development designed by Behar Font & Partners at 4011 Salzedo Street in Coral Gables’ Merrick Park District. These renderings provide a glimpse into the Grand Lobby, Wellness Lounge, Spa Indoor Pool, Executive Business Center, and Social Club. The images also showcase the thoughtfully…

Developers File Pre-Application for Wellness Hotel at 132 SW 98th Street in Miami

Developers have filed a pre-application for the House of Wellness Hotel in Miami-Dade County. The hotel, measuring 43 stories above grade, would occupy a 0.6-acre site. Upon completion, it would offer 823 units, spanning levels 11 to 42. The South Florida Business Journal reports that the high-rise tower will have 339 parking spots on floors two through nine.

La Baia North Breaks Ground at 9481 E Bay Harbor Drive in Bay Harbor Islands

The Continuum Company has officially broken ground on La Baia North, the second of two planned boutique bayfront condominiums in Miami’s Bay Harbor Islands. This milestone follows the company’s success with La Baia South, which secured a $90 million construction loan and sold out all units. La Baia North, located at 9481 E Bay Harbor Drive, is an eight-story building…

Javier Cervera bulks up retail portfolio with $18M Kendall shopping center purchase

Javier Cervera now has a dozen retail buildings and shopping centers in his Miami-Dade commercial portfolio, after paying $18.2 million for a Kendall shopping center anchored by a Firestone tire and car repair shop. An affiliate of his Coral Gables-based firm, Cervera Real Estate Ventures, or C-Rev, acquired Miller Plaza at 5801 Southwest 137th Avenue, records show.

Jason Talbot and Monceau settle lawsuit over workforce housing dev site in Goulds

Jason Talbot has made peace with Monceau Real Estate after the Miami Beach-based firm’s owners agreed to buy out his minority interest in a Goulds development site. Talbot, principal of Miami-based Workforce Housing Partners, settled his recent lawsuit against Monceau and its principals, siblings Adrian, Julien and Sarah Haccoun, court records show.

Bluenest buys Homestead site for 219 townhouses, as south Miami-Dade resi development keeps surging

Bluenest Development bought a Homestead site with plans for 219 townhouses, as residential construction in south Miami-Dade County continues to surge. The Miami-based firm scooped up the 20-acre vacant property on the southeast corner of Tower Road and Lucy Street in three deals for a combined $12.5 million, according to records. In the biggest purchase, Bluenest bought…

Growing Pains Weigh On Miami’s Ascension As A Global Capital

The dust is settling after the pandemic upended work life, logistics, retail strategies, migration patterns and more. In Miami — one of the biggest winners of new business, people and capital during the coronavirus era — commercial real estate professionals are doubling down, convinced that the city’s rapid growth was more of a turning point than a flash in the pan. The city…

Morgan and Carlyle pay $19M for Pompano Beach dev site that includes closed Macy’s store

Morgan Group and Carlyle Group are moving ahead with plans for a new garden-style apartment complex in Pompano Beach after paying $18.8 million for a redevelopment site that includes a shuttered Macy’s store. The New York-based department store chain sold a 150,353-square-foot retail building at 1200 Northeast 12th Street within the Pompano Beach Citi Centre open-air…

US Development lands $68M additional construction financing for Pompano Beach condos

U.S. Development has secured a total of $73.8 million in construction financing for its planned Salato Residences in Pompano Beach. Records show the Philadelphia-based developer secured a $67.8 million loan from Maxim Capital Group last week, in addition to the initial $6 million loan Maxim provided in 2022, bringing the total construction financing to $73.8 million.

Site Centers offloads another South Florida retail property, selling Boynton Beach shopping center for $31M

Less than a month after selling a Midtown Miami building anchored by Target, Site Centers offloaded a Boynton Beach shopping center. An affiliate of Beachwood, Ohio-based Site Centers sold The Village Square at Golf for $31.1 million to an affiliate of New York-based DRA Advisors, records and real estate database Vizzda show. Anchored by kosher grocery store KC Market…

Germany’s Largest Pension Fund Investigated By Bavarian Parliament For Risky U.S. Real Estate Bets; Including Miami Beach Property

Pension fund Bayerische Versorgungskammer, after being named as a defendant in a lawsuit against developer Michael Shvo, is under fire in the Bavarian State Parliament for its real estate investments. BVK, Germany’s largest pension fund, has been one of the top German investors in American real estate over the past few years as part of a push in global investment that began…

The decline in the US international investment position

Net international investment position (NIIP) captures the difference between two large numbers: the value of US-owned assets abroad (foreign assets) and the value of foreign-owned assets in the US (foreign liabilities). The NIPP determines whether a country is a net creditor (positive position) or a net debtor (negative position) and is an important indicator of a country’s…

How Multifamily Owners Can Guard Against Renter Fraud

Scammers lurk in the background of virtually every industry, and the multifamily sector is no exception. Some renters will leap at the chance to exploit loopholes in the system and take advantage of unprepared landlords. “As a baseline definition, we classify rent fraud as any act of intentional deception by a renter to deceive the property owners to gain financial or personal benefit…”

How CDFIs can protect against fraud

CDFIs can be susceptible to fraud for many reasons. While they share vulnerabilities with other businesses and financial institutions, CDFIs’ mission-driven focus and community-oriented goals can amplify certain risk factors.Volume: Like all financial institutions, CDFIs possess a significant amount of capital, assets and data, naturally making them targets for bad actors.

Strong Apartment Demand Persists Nationally in 3rd Quarter as Supply Hits 50-Year High

Apartment demand again looked quite remarkable in 2024’s 3rd quarter, even as a record number of deliveries hit the market. In turn, rent growth remained quite muted nationwide, as has been the case for several months. The U.S. apartment market absorbed 192,649 market rate apartment units in the July to September time frame. Concurrently, the U.S. delivered 162,595…

Damage from hurricanes Helene, Milton could top $200B

As Florida’s Tampa Bay region braces for Hurricane Milton to make landfall on Wednesday, many in the storm’s path are still reeling from Hurricane Helene’s destruction. Both hurricanes could result in damage topping $200 billion, estimates show. The storms are expected to affect insurance premiums, along with commercial and residential property owners across the state. For years…

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October 9, 2024

Video: The Counselors of Real Estate Chair Anthony DellaPelle Discusses Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate 2025

In a recent episode of *America’s Commercial Real Estate Show*, the show’s host welcomed Anthony DellaPelle, chair of The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) and also a lawyer with the New Jersey based firm of McKirdy, Riskin, Olson & DellaPelle, to discuss the Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate for 2025. This annual report, developed by the CRE through extensive polling and discussions among its 1,000 industry advisors, provides a forward-looking analysis of critical trends shaping the market. The committee for development of this was led by Timothy H Savage, Clinical Assistant Professor at the NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate, and Maureen Ehrenberg, FRICS, CRE, co-founder and CEO of Blue Skyre IBE, a Colliers Strategic Partner based in Chicago. This discussion is national in scope, this portions may apply less to commercial real estate in the Miami area.

Key topics included, in reverse order of importance/impact:

10. Price Expectation Gaps: The ongoing disconnect between buyer and seller expectations has been narrowing as market conditions adjust to the end of ultra-low interest rates. Debt maturities and economic shifts may force sellers to lower their asking prices, creating buying opportunities.

9. Office Vacancies and Tax Impact: With national office vacancies hovering around 20%, the declining property values of office buildings threaten the tax base of local economies. DellaPelle stressed the importance of understanding how urban office vacancies can affect everything from municipal budgets to surrounding businesses.

8. Sustainability: The demand for environmentally friendly real estate continues to grow, but implementing sustainable practices can be costly. In some regions, government regulations are pushing the shift towards more energy-efficient buildings, and investors increasingly favor green-certified properties.

7. Artificial Intelligence: While AI’s full impact on the real estate industry is still evolving, early applications in areas like market pricing for multifamily properties show promise. However, the quality of data input remains critical—AI’s effectiveness depends on reliable, accurate information.

6. Housing Affordability: The nation remains short about 4.5 million housing units, particularly affecting low- and middle-income earners. Solving this crisis will require creative collaboration between the public and private sectors, with opportunities in micro-apartments, co-living spaces, and adaptive reuse projects.

5. Insurance Costs: With rising insurance premiums—driven by increasing natural disasters and economic pressures—property owners face growing operational challenges. DellaPelle emphasized the need for creative solutions within the insurance industry, as well as possible public sector interventions.

4. Geopolitical Conflicts: Global conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East, have direct effects on U.S. real estate. These disruptions impact supply chains, shipping costs, and the broader economic environment, all of which trickle down to real estate markets.

3. Loan Maturities and Debt: A looming $2 trillion in commercial real estate loans set to mature over the next two years has raised concerns about how property owners will handle refinancing at higher interest rates. DellaPelle noted that many loans have been extended, but the long-term impact remains uncertain.

2. Cost of Financing: Although interest rates may eventually decrease, DellaPelle pointed out that borrowing costs are unlikely to return to the historic lows of recent years. Investors and developers will need to adapt to a more normalized rate environment.

1. Global and U.S. Elections: Political changes at both the national and local levels can significantly impact real estate markets, from potential shifts in tax policies (like the 1031 exchange) to rent control legislation. DellaPelle highlighted the importance of staying informed and engaging with policymakers on these issues.

The report emphasizes the interconnectedness of these factors, underscoring the importance of strategic foresight and adaptability in navigating the ever-changing real estate landscape. Whether dealing with environmental regulations, AI, or geopolitical risks, the next few years promise both challenges and opportunities for real estate professionals.

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October 9, 2024

Miami Commercial Real Estate News October 2, 2024: Shops at Midtown Miami Sells for $84M, Pair of Doral Office Buildings for $71M; Miami Top Destination for Those with $100M+; More…

Shops at Midtown Miami Sold, Has Over 3.4 million Annual Visitors

Benderson Development has completed the purchase of the Shops at Midtown Miami. JLL Capital Markets said it worked on behalf of the seller to complete the transaction. The property has a leasing rate of 98.3%, and attracts 3.4 million annual visitors. It opened in 2006. Tenants include Target, Ross Dress for Less, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Marshalls and HomeGoods.

With Purchase of The Shops at Midtown Miami, Benderson Again Grows South Florida Footprint

A Target store anchors The Shops at Midtown Miami. Image courtesy of JLL Benderson Development has purchased The Shops at Midtown Miami, a 347,740-square-foot, grocery-anchored retail center in Miami. SITE Centers sold the asset for $83.8 million in a transaction arranged by JLL. It was only a few days prior to this transaction that Benderson acquired…

Benderson bulks up South Florida retail portfolio with $84M Midtown Miami purchase

Benderson Development added a third South Florida retail property to its national portfolio, acquiring a big box center in Midtown Miami for $83.7 million. An affiliate of New York-based Benderson, led by President Randy Benderson, acquired Shops at Midtown Miami, a 347,740-square-foot building with a garage at 3401 North Miami Avenue, a press release states.

Benderson Development Acquires 347,740 SF Shops at Midtown Miami

Benderson Development has purchased Shops at Midtown Miami, a 347,740-square-foot infill power shopping center located at 3401 N. Miami Ave. in Miami. Danny Finkle, Eric Williams, Jorge Portela and Kim Flores of JLL represented the seller in the transaction. The seller and sales price were not disclosed, but South Florida Business Journal reports that SITE Centers Corp…

Construction Begins on La Maré Signature Collection at 9781 East Bay Harbor Drive in Bay Harbor Islands

Chicago-based Regency Development Group has officially broken ground on the first building of the La Maré Brand Collection, a residential development located at 9781 East Bay Harbor Drive in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. This project was designed by renowned architect Kobi Karp, and its interiors were designed by the acclaimed Debora Aguiar Arquitetos.

Vertical Construction Now Underway At 606-Unit Worldcenter Tower

Vertical construction is now underway at 600 Miami Worldcenter, according to photos taken by Ryan RC Rea. Groundbreaking for the 32-story tower took place in March, when a site work permit was issued. A phased vertical permit was issued in May. The 606-unit tower is 100% sold, and the developers obtained a $95M construction loan earlier this year. All 606 residential units…

Okan Tower ‘Averaging Floor Per Week Vertical Rise’

Okan Tower is now “averaging a floor a week vertical rise,” according to contractor Jacob Companies. A photo posted to social media showed a line of concrete trucks ready for a pour, which took place at 4AM. The 70-story Okan Tower is eventually planned to reach a height of 902 feet in the air. It will be one of Miami’s tallest towers when it reaches completion, which…

Design District Building Approved By FAA At 330 Feet

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a letter stating that a building planned on Biscayne Boulevard does not represent a hazard to air navigation. A description attached to the FAA filing states the proposed building development project is to be located at 3801-3833 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. The approved height is 320 feet above ground, or 330 feet above sea level.

Here’s When Demolition On One Bayfront Plaza Is Expected to Begin

Demolition at One Bayfront Plaza is tentatively expected to get underway in early October, according to a memo posted to social media by @AllThings305. The memo was issued by the manager of an office building across the street. The first phase, which includes demolition of a garage and a portion of the structure closest to the street, is expected to last through December…

Baylink transit linking Miami Beach-Miami rolling ahead

A Baylink transit line between Miami and Miami Beach that has been a 40-year dream has cleared objections of the City of Miami Beach and a National Environmental Policy Act Review for an elevated Metromover on the MacArthur Causeway and is moving ahead. “We plan on moving this project forward expeditiously,” Josiel Ferrer-Diaz, deputy director and chief project delivery…

First new Smart Program rapid transit stuck in slow lane

The first route of the Smart Program to add six Miami-Dade transit legs was not elevated as some had hoped, but much of it sits up in the air as it nears two years past its initial completion date with nobody yet aboard. South Dade Bus Rapid Transit remains in construction, with opening targeted in next year’s second quarter. But the trust that doles out transit tax receipts to help…

Terreno Realty Corporation Announces Development Completion In Hialeah

Terreno Realty Corporation, an acquirer, owner and operator of industrial real estate in six major coastal U.S. markets, announced that it has completed the development and stabilization of Countyline Corporate Park Phase IV Building 39 in Hialeah, Florida effective September 30, 2024. Building 39 is 100% leased to one tenant. Building 39 of Terreno Realty Corporation’s…

New Renderings Of 65-Story Summit Brickell

New renderings and details have been filed for the Summit Brickell tower, which is currently moving through the approval process. Developers are seeking site plan and zoning approval for the tower, and filed a presentation with the county earlier this month highlighting the refined design. The 65-story, 750-foot tower is planned to include 505 residential units…

Elliott Strikes $450M Deal for Miami Office

Elliott Investment Management has struck a contract agreement for roughly $450 million to acquire a Miami office building, according to a report from The Real Deal. The asset, 701 Brickell Avenue, spans 687,000 square feet asset and was first opened in 1985 before undergoing renovation in 2021. The 33-story building now features floor plates, an art conference facility…

Foodmageddon: South Florida restaurant landlords experiencing record tenant turnover

Goat Hospitality Group is giving up on its Miami taco stand while the firm searches for a bigger spot. The Miami-based food and beverage firm recently put on the market its lease for Pilos Tacos at Paseo Brickell, a retail and restaurant center. Prospective restaurateurs interested in taking over a fully built-out 990-square-foot space with a kitchen and furnishings would pay…

43-Story Downtown Miami Tower Near Top Off, Permit Pending For Second

A downtown Miami apartment tower is now about five floors from topping off, new photos by Ryan RC Rea show. The 43-story tower is being built by developer Namdar. It wall have 680 apartments upon completion. Namdar is also now in permitting to build a second tower on the property with an additional 714 units, bring the total apartment count to 1,394 units.

Alliance HP acquires first Miami-Dade industrial site for $24M

Alliance HP made its first foray into Miami-Dade’s industrial submarket with a $24 million warehouse acquisition near Hialeah. An affiliate of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania-based Alliance HP and partner, Southern Star Shipping Co., bought Airport East Business Center, a 101,685-square-foot industrial building at 4201 Northwest 37th Court, records and real estate database…

Three New Retail Tenants Announced for Miami Worldcenter’s Expanding Commercial Space

Three new retail and restaurant concepts are set to open at Miami Worldcenter, the $6 billion, 27-acre mixed-use development reshaping Downtown Miami. The project’s ownership group has finalized leases with Go Greek Yogurt, HŸP, a sneaker and streetwear retailer, and SkinSpirit, a medical aesthetics clinic and spa. These additions are expected to open by early 2025.

Andrew Korge makes $28M offer for Location Ventures Coconut Grove dev site

Andrew Korge is aiming to drop $28.2 million for a former Rishi Kapoor development site in Coconut Grove that ignited the embattled developer’s legal troubles. Bernice Lee, a court-appointed receiver managing the assets of Kapoor’s defunct Coral Gables-based Location Ventures, is seeking a federal judge’s approval to sell a mixed-use building at 31203170 Commodore Plaza

Construction Underway for Bay Harbor Towers at 10141 East Bay Harbor Drive in Bay Harbor Islands

PPG Development and L3C Capital Partners have officially broken ground on Bay Harbor Towers, an eight-story waterfront condominium at 10141 East Bay Harbor Drive in Miami’s Bay Harbor Islands. Designed by renowned architect Kobi Karp, the project offers luxurious living with modern architecture and unparalleled views. The residences’ sales started in late 2023…

Northwood Investors Acquires $160M Industrial Portfolio in Sun Belt, Including Miami

Northwood Investors has acquired a $160 million industrial portfolio located in Georgia, Florida and Texas. Totaling 1.8 million square feet… fully leased at the time of sale. The portfolio comprises three industrial buildings: Home Depot Cedar Port Distribution Center in Baytown, Texas; Havertys Distribution Center in Braselton, Ga.; and 10000 N.W. 15th Terrace in Miami.

The Brits are coming: Billionaires Simon and David Reuben are seeking majority stake in W South Beach for $400M-plus

British billionaires Simon and David Reuben are betting big on Miami Beach’s hospitality market, seeking majority ownership of the W South Beach for close to a half-billion dollars. Reuben Brothers, their eponymous London-based global investment arm, is negotiating a deal with the 395-room hotel’s current owners, Aby Rosen and David Edelstein, who lead New York-based…

West Eleventh Residences Breaks Ground at 18 Northwest 11th Street in Miami’s Park West Neighborhood

Developers Property Markets Group (PMG), Lion Development Group, and Marc Roberts Companies have broken ground on West Eleventh Residences in Miami. This 44-story project will feature 659 fully furnished luxury residences in the Park West neighborhood. It is designed with short-term rental flexibility in mind, allowing owners to host guests year-round…

Miami Beach board approves expanding Standard hotel

A star-studded group that includes billionaire developer Barry Sternlicht, architect Bjarke Ingels and hospitality CEO Miguel Isla Esteve secured approval to expand and renovate the Standard Spa, Miami Beach. Sternlicht, Ingles, Isla Esteve, Anthonio de la Rúa and Sebastian Sas are leading the redevelopment of the waterfront Venetian Islands hotel at 40 Island Avenue in…

Bridge lands $53M construction loan to redevelop ex-Ryder HQ in Miami-Dade, as industrial market chugs along

Bridge Industrial landed a $53 million construction loan to redevelop Ryder System’s former headquarters site in Miami-Dade County with a logistics complex. Chicago-based Bridge plans the 326,400-square-foot Bridge Point Flagler Station with a 128,800-square-foot building and a 197,600-square-foot building at 11690 Northwest 105th Street in an unincorporated area…

Bill Fuller and partners score nearly $13M settlement from city of Miami

Developer Bill Fuller and two partners extracted a $12.5 million settlement from the city of Miami stemming from… The complaint alleged the Miami-based company suffered $27.9 million in damages after its businesses, Ball & Chain bar at 1513 Southwest Eighth Street, and Taquerias El Mexicano restaurant at 521 Southwest Eighth Street, were forced to close due to…

C-III Capital pays $71M, scoring $25M discount for two Doral office buildings

Another South Florida suburban office property sold at a steep discount, as C-III Capital Partners acquired two Doral buildings for $25 million below the previous sale price seven years ago. An affiliate of Irving, Texas-based C-III Capital, led by CEO Andrew Farkas, acquired One Park Square at Doral, a 3-acre campus at 3470 Northwest 82nd Avenue, for $71 million…

Construction Starts on Luxury ‘Bay Harbor Towers’ at 10143 East Bay Harbor Drive

Construction has started on Bay Harbor Towers, an eight-story residential venture in the eponymous Bay Harbor Islands. Led by PPG Development, the community will offer 44 condos, offering two-bedroom to four-bedroom floorplans. According to Miami Residential Group, residences will measure 1,870 to 3,393 square feet, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows…

Adam Neumann’s Flow launches Miami condo sales

Flow, the apartment startup founded by Adam Neumann, is adding condominium ownership to its offerings in South Florida. Neumann is launching sales at Flow House, a 466-unit project in Downtown Miami. The residences at the 40-story development within Miami Worldcenter are expected to be delivered next year. The option for ownership under the Flow umbrella…

One West Twelve Residences in Overtown Gets Quick FAA Approval

Overtown’s One West Twelve Residences has been approved by the FAA, just a few weeks after it was submitted for review. The FAA approval allows the tower to be built at a permanent height of 300 feet above ground, or 314 feet above sea level. Approval was issued on September 23. The application was submitted on September 11. One West Twelve Residences is now also…

New Interior Renderings Released of North Edgewater 25-Story Elle Residences

Elle Residences has released new interior renderings of its residential units The One Atelier is leading interior design in collaboration with Elle. The 25-story development is planned to be built at the north end of Edgewater. It will include 180 residences, delivered move-in ready. Units will range in size from 450 to 845 square feet, with one or two bedrooms, and prices…

From London To Miami, Hedge Funds Are Buying Into Real Estate

Two of the world’s best-known hedge funds are taking on real estate deals in the UK and U.S. as financial investors spot an opportunity in the sector due to asset and share price declines. In the UK, GoldenTree Asset Management agreed to buy a listed property company that was in wind-down mode, and Elliott Management is continuing a London office buying strategy.

Photo: Signature Miami Bridge Arches Under Construction

A photo taken this week shows the Signature Bridge arches under construction in downtown Miami. According to a presentation to stakeholders his month, the project remains on schedule for completion in late 2027. The budget has also not changed recently, and remains at $840m. Photo is by Phillip Pessar.

Take a Tour of SoLé Mia, North Miami’s Mini-City

Situated on 184 acres near Oleta River State Park in North Miami, SoLé Mia is a $4 billion master-planned community that encompasses luxury living, nature, wellness, recreation, shopping, dining and more. The mini-city is rising at the intersection of NE 151 Street and Biscayne Boulevard, with three residential buildings—The Shoreline, Villa SoLé and Villa Laguna—already completed.

Report Names Miami A Top Destination For Those With 100M+

Miami remains a strong draw for individuals with a high net worth, according to a new report. New World Wealth and Henley & Partners listed the top “holiday hotspots,” where those with over $100m liquid investable wealth had primary or secondary homes. Miami was at the top of the list, with over 650 centi-millionaires having either primary or secondary residences.

Lease roundup: Italian restaurant Rosemary’s coming to Wynwood, Miami Worldcenter lands tenants

New York Italian restaurant Rosemary’s will open in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. New York-based hospitality firm Casa Nela leased 7,000 square feet at 310 Northwest 25th Street, where Rosemary’s will open in late fall, according to the tenant’s news release. Carlos Suarez is founder of Casa Nela, and Craig Giunta will be the executive chef at the Wynwood restaurant.

Eight-Story ‘Hollywood Oaks’ Planned for 4220 and 4226 N. 58th Avenue in Hollywood

New York-based Kushner Co. has a 5.7-acre site in Broward County under contract from 58 Oak LLC and 4220 N 58th Avenue Partners LLC. There, it hopes to build Hollywood Oaks, an eight-story mixed-use venture. The South Florida Business Journal reports that the project will feature 470 apartments, along with a seven-story parking garage with 813 spots.

Baptist Health wins approval for 100-bed hospital in Sunrise

Baptist Health South Florida won approval for a seven-story, 100-bed hospital in Sunrise — a city with a population of about 90,000 but no hospital. The Sunrise City Commission on Tuesday approved a site plan for the Baptist Health Sunrise Hospital and a special exception allowing hospital operations on the vacant 25-acre development site at 12401 West Oakland Park Boulevard.

128,550 SF Lake Shore Plaza II Office Building in Sunrise Brokered

CBRE has brokered the sale of Lake Shore Plaza II, a 128,550-square-foot office building located at 1300 Concord Terrace in Sunrise, roughly 19 miles west of Fort Lauderdale. Miami-based Galium Capital purchased the five-story property for an undisclosed price. Christian Lee, Sean Kelly, Amy Julian, Andrew Chilgren, Tom Rappa and Matthew Lee of CBRE represented…

Sunrise OKs density boost for massive Metropica project

Developer Joseph Kavana secured initial approval from Sunrise commissioners this week to increase the density of his long-planned, phased, mixed-use development called Metropica. The 65-acre master-planned project in western Broward County has been in the works for at least a decade. The site at 1800 Northwest 136th Street is sandwiched between the Florida Everglades…

Galium Capital snags Sunrise office building at deep discount, paying $17M

In a sign that office properties in South Florida suburbs are bargain deals, Galium Capital acquired a five-story building in Sunrise for $17 million, roughly half the previous sale price nearly a decade ago. An affiliate of Miami-based Galium, led by managing partners Jacques Bessoudo and Iser Rabinovitz, bought Lake Shore Plaza II at 1300 Concord Terrace, records and real estate…

Miami-Dade warehouse sold for $47M as part of portfolio deal

Northwood Investors acquired a distribution warehouse in Doral for $46.5 million as part of a three-building portfolio deal. UBS Realty Investors affiliate 10000 NW 15th Terrace Industrial Investors sold the 201,827-square-foot warehouse at 10000 N.W. 15th Terrace to NW FL Logistics LLC, part of Denver-based Northwood Investors. The price equated to $230 per square foot.

Tavistock begins closings on Pier Sixty-Six condos in Fort Lauderdale

Tavistock Group began closings on units in its Pier Sixty-Six condo project in Fort Lauderdale this week. The developer completed construction on its two-building, 31-unit Resort Residences this summer. Its 11-story, 29-unit, Azul condos recently received a temporary certificate of occupancy, and its 11-story, 28-unit Indigo building is expected to receive its TCO in the coming…

Suburban Fort Lauderdale Office’s Value Cut In Half In $17M Sale

A less than 20-year-old suburban Fort Lauderdale office building traded for $17M, nearly half the property’s previous $32M purchase price in 2013. Galium Capital purchased the five-story, 129K SF office building at 1300 Concord Terrace in Sunrise from a joint venture of Boston-based Barings and MassMutual Financial Group. North Miami-based New Wave Loans provided…

‘Salato Pompano Beach’ Moves Forward After Construction Loan at 305 Briny Avenue in Pompano Beach

In May 2023, Florida YIMBY reported on Salato Pompano Beach, a nine-story residential venture in Broward County. Now with the acquisition of a $73.8 million construction loan, it’s expected to break ground soon. Located on a 1.33-acre parcel, the high-rise building is slated for completion by the conclusion of 2026. Its 40 condos will measure 2,106 to 3,354 square feet…

Dermot is back in South Florida, scoops up 350-unit Wellington apartment project for $144M

Two years after splashing into South Florida to buy multifamily properties, Dermot Company added a Wellington apartment complex for $144.2 million. An affiliate of Dermot, a New York-based, multifamily-focused real estate investment firm, acquired The Quayle at Lake Circle, records and real estate database Vizzda show. The buyer assumed a $60 million State Farm mortgage.

Dermot Pays $144M for West Palm Beach Property

The Dermot Co. has bought The Quaye at Wellington, a 350-unit luxury community in Wellington, Fla. This acquisition further expands the company’s portfolio in the Sunshine State, where it already owns and manages 1,800 units. Stockbridge Capital Group sold the Class A asset for $144.2 million, according to Yardi Matrix information. In addition, the buyer assumed the outstanding…

Moody’s: Q3 2024 Preliminary Trend Announcement

Multifamily Performance Steadied, Office Stress Continued to Manifest, Retail Vacancy Declined, And Industrial Cooled Down The commercial real estate (CRE) industry received welcome news in September as the FOMC lowered the target federal funds rate by 50 basis points (bps) bringing expectations of continued relief in meetings ahead. The period of ‘higher for longer’ has…

Shortages mere days away as ports strike cripples shipping

A port strike from Maine to Texas that began Tuesday could lead to surcharges and inflation. The ripple effect raises concerns for many. “All of us in the warehousing portion of the business,” said Gary Goldfarb, chief strategy officer of Miami-based Interport Logistics, “have customers’ inventories that may last three, four, five, six days without additional freight, but then afterwards…

Video: LARC President Ryan Meliker Provides Hospitality Real Estate Update; Hotel Performance, Forecast

The dynamic landscape of the U.S. hotel industry was the focus of a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show. The guest, Ryan Meliker, president of Lodging Analytics Research and Consulting (LARC), provided a deep dive into current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the hotel market. This article highlights key insights from their conversation…

With Pandemic-Era Excess Savings Depleted, What Lies Ahead for the Hotel Sector?

Highlights: Although excess pandemic-era savings have been fully depleted as of March 2024, Moody’s expects the Federal Reserve will navigate a soft landing for the U.S. economy with real GDP expected to increase by the mid-2% area in 2024 and the low-2% area in 2025.With non-financial assets such as real estate holdings and vehicles accounting for a larger share…

Office Loan Maturity Monitor: Maturities Picked Back up in August

Highlights: $2.5 billion CMBS office loans reached fully extended maturity in August, the highest monthly total since we started tracking in January 2023. The payoff rate was strong, at 56.9%. Maturities with debt yield above 8% and limited lease rollover continued to exhibit the strongest performance Although several large loans paid off in August, smaller loans continue to pay…

Report: More Than 8 in 10 CEOs Think Hybrid Work Will Be Dead Within 3 Years

Office usage across the 10 largest metro areas is still at roughly 60.5% of prepandemic levels, according to Kastle Systems’ keycard swipe data. But most CEOs think the era of remote work is coming to an end. In a survey of 1,300 global CEOs conducted by KPMG, 83% said they expect their companies will shift back to requiring five days of office attendance sometime in the next…

Vape Shops Caught Fire Nationally. Now Regulations Could Smoke Them Out Of Existence

Cities and towns across the country have watched a proliferation of vape shops waft across the landscape over the past half-decade, and Sugar Land, Texas, is no different. With about a dozen stores primarily selling electronic cigarettes and accessories, the city is part of a fast-moving retail trend that saw the number of electronic cigarette stores grow almost 20% annually…

Sizing up Hurricane Helene’s expected multibillion-dollar damages, effects on insurance market

As Hurricane Helene churned toward Florida, property owners and insurers braced for the impact from another devastating and costly storm. The Category 3 hurricane, which is expected to make landfall Thursday evening in the Big Bend region of Florida as a Category 4, could cause catastrophic storm surge of up to 20 feet above ground in some areas, according to the National…

Despite Helene’s Record Size And Strength, Property Insurance Market May Weather The Storm

Hurricane Helene continued to punch across three states Friday as a weakened tropical storm after making landfall along Florida’s Big Bend region Thursday night. Professionals across the commercial real estate and insurance industries woke up Friday morning to assess the devastation, which is expected to total billions of dollars. As of Friday evening, at least 25 people across…

U.S. Apartment Market Sees Negligible Change in August

Stability continued to be the key storyline in the U.S. apartment market in August. U.S. apartment occupancy remained stable at 94.1% in August, marking the 10th consecutive month of occupancy straying no more than 10 bps in either direction. In fact, the difference between July (94.16%) and August (94.13%) looks to be incorrect when viewing the data on a chart because…

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October 2, 2024

Video: LARC President Ryan Meliker Provides Hospitality Real Estate Update; Hotel Performance, Forecast

The dynamic landscape of the U.S. hotel industry was the focus of a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show. The guest, Ryan Meliker, president of Lodging Analytics Research and Consulting (LARC), provided a deep dive into current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the hotel market. This article highlights key insights from their conversation, offering a detailed look at the performance of different hotel segments, the impact of business travel, the resurgence of conventions, and predictions for market growth and investment.

Winners and Losers in the Hotel Industry

Meliker started by explaining that the hotel industry, like many other real estate sectors, has seen a bifurcation in performance, with clear winners and losers. Certain markets and asset classes are performing exceptionally well, while others are struggling. He pointed out that large group-oriented hotels and properties benefiting from international inbound travel have seen a notable rebound, especially in urban areas. Meanwhile, hotels catering to domestic leisure travel, particularly in beach markets like Myrtle Beach and Virginia Beach, have witnessed a moderation in demand after a strong pandemic recovery.

Business Travel: Recovery Still Lags

A significant topic of discussion was the state of business travel, which has been slow to recover fully. While business travel is better than it was in 2021 and 2022, it remains about 10% below pre-pandemic levels. Meliker emphasized that the shift to remote work has had a profound impact on corporate transient demand, as fewer employees are physically present in offices. This has led to shorter and less frequent business trips, mirroring the lower occupancy rates in office buildings.

Convention Business Booming

In contrast, the convention sector has shown strong growth. Meliker explained that group travel is doing particularly well, in part due to the remote work culture. With employees not spending as much time in offices, conventions and in-person gatherings have become more valuable as opportunities for teams to collaborate and network. Convention bookings across the 30 largest centers in the U.S. are up 4% in 2024 and expected to rise another 3% in 2025. This growth trend is expected to continue over the next five years, providing a positive outlook for urban hotel markets.

Trends in Hotel Rates and Valuations

When it comes to average daily rates (ADR), the hotel sector has seen slow but steady growth. Higher-end hotels have performed better, thanks to the recovery in corporate transient and group segments. However, lower-end hotels have struggled due to the slowdown in domestic leisure demand. Meliker projected a modest uptick in ADR growth of around 3% in 2025, supported by improving consumer confidence and stable demand.

Valuations in the hotel market are also trending upward, driven by modest growth in cash flow and easing cap rates as interest rates stabilize. Meliker pointed out that while transaction volumes were slow in early 2024, they are picking up and could see significant improvement in 2025. However, the ability of buyers and sellers to agree on pricing remains a critical factor for deal completion.

New Hotel Supply Remains Muted

A key takeaway from the conversation was the limited growth in new hotel supply. Over the next five years, hotel supply is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of just 1%, far below the long-term average of nearly 2%. This slower pace of development is a positive factor for existing properties, as demand growth is expected to outpace new supply, giving hotels more pricing power. However, Meliker warned that certain markets, such as Atlanta, could face oversupply challenges if large-scale developments significantly increase hotel room inventory.

Markets to Watch: Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, and Seattle

Meliker highlighted several markets that he believes are poised for strong growth. Las Vegas, long known as a gambling destination, is rapidly transforming into a sports and entertainment hub, with events like Formula 1, the Super Bowl, and a growing roster of professional sports teams driving demand. Puerto Rico also stands out due to substantial federal investment in its energy infrastructure, which is expected to remove significant barriers to real estate investment, including hotels. Lastly, Seattle’s combination of strong convention bookings, international travel, and Amazon’s recent decision to bring employees back to the office full-time makes it an attractive market for hotel investment.

Markets Facing Challenges: Austin

Not every market is experiencing a boom. Austin, a city that has seen rapid growth in recent years, is facing significant headwinds. The closure of its convention center for at least five years is expected to have a substantial negative impact on the local hotel market. In addition, the rising costs associated with union labor in major urban markets like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York are adding pressure on hotel operators, making profitability more challenging.

The Impact of the 2024 Presidential Election

Looking ahead, the upcoming U.S. presidential election is likely to influence hotel demand. Historically, election years have been associated with slower GDP growth, reduced business investment, and lower demand growth in the hotel sector. Meliker pointed out that while the results of the election itself are important, the broader economic policies that follow—such as tax cuts or changes to healthcare subsidies—could significantly impact hotel performance.

Conclusion: Pay Attention to Market-Specific Drivers

Ryan Meliker’s parting advice for hotel investors was to focus on the specific drivers of demand in each market. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work in the hotel industry, as different markets are driven by unique factors such as conventions, business travel, or leisure tourism. Understanding the nuances of each market and asset class is key to making wise investment decisions in this complex and ever-evolving sector.

This episode of *America’s Commercial Real Estate Show* provided a comprehensive look at the trends shaping the hotel industry, offering valuable insights for investors, operators, and anyone with an interest in commercial real estate.

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October 1, 2024

Miami Commercial Real Estate News September 25, 2024: 7,500-Unit Little River MXU with New Tri-Rail Station Plans Advancing; South Miami City Hall to be Redeveloped with 670 Apartments; More…

Developer Moves Forward with Plans for 7,500-Unit Mixed-Use Development and New Tri-Rail Station in Miami’s Little River District

Swerdlow Group, led by veteran developer Michael Swerdlow, is moving forward with plans to transform the Little River District in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood. The proposed development, spanning approximately 63 acres, will include 7,500 residential units, combining affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing. Swerdlow’s vision for the area builds on his…

Developer Planning 7,500 Units In Little River, Will Build New Tri-Rail Station

Swerdlow Group is advancing plans for a massive project in Little River, according to Multi-Housing News. The development will include approximately 7,500 residential units, with a mix of affordable, workforce and market-rate housing. The affordable units will be higher end and look like market rate apartments, similar to Swerdlow’s recently completed Sawyer’s Walk…

$103 Million Loan Secured for Mixed-Use Development ‘The Gardens Residences’ in North Miami

Berkadia has arranged a $103 million construction take-out loan for The Gardens Residences, a mixed-use multifamily project in North Miami being completed in two phases. The financing was secured by Berkadia’s Senior Managing Director Charles J. Foschini, Managing Director Christopher Apone, Vice President-Originations Lourdes Carranza-Alvarez, and Associate Director…

659-Unit Condo Tower West Eleventh Residences Breaks Ground, Nearly 100% Sold (New Renderings)

The 44-story West Eleventh Residences is now officially under construction, and almost the entire building was sold before groundbreaking. The developer told the SFBJ that just nine condo units remain to be sold, out of 659 available. The new 482-foot tower will include: 659 condo units 30,000 square foot, tri-level experiential entertainment venue 4,840 sf…

New Permitting Activity At 41-Story HUB Miami

There is now permitting activity this week for the the 41-story HUB Miami tower site. A site work permit went into prescreening with Miami’s Building Department on September 24. The site work permit was first applied for in May 2023, but later moved to inactive status. It was reactivated on September 20, with a note stating that the soil permit was ready to be submitted.

Commuter Train Service Between MiamiCentral & Aventura To Enter Engineering Phase

Brightline has provided an update on the commuter rail service planned on its tracks, known as the Northeast Corridor. The project is expected to formally move to the engineering phase in October 2024, according to a development update released to investors on September 20. Brightline said it has substantially completed negotiations with Miami-Dade County…

Romero Britto buys his art studio in Miami’s Little River

Brazilian artist and sculptor Romero Britto purchased his biggest gallery piece, his company’s headquarters. Britto paid $11.8 million for the 58,000-square-foot art studio at 795 Northwest 72nd Street in Miami’s Little River neighborhood, according to a press release. Real estate investor Joe Del Vecchio sold the property. The Britto Group creates artwork for consumer goods…

Developer Seeks Funding for ‘Flagler Villas’, Planned for 5215 West Flagler Street in Coral Gables

An affordable housing developer is seeking funding for a 60-unit complex in Miami-Dade County. Flagler Villas would comprise 60 affordable residences, reserved for seniors earning up to 30 percent of the area median income (AMI). At the time of publication, Miami-Dade County reported that a one-person household would have to earn $23,850 a year to qualify.

Citadel Tower Submitted At Taller 1,032′ Height

Citadel’s new supertall headquarters tower has been submitted for site plan review, at a taller height. In late August, the plans were submitted to Miami-Dade for zoning review showing a height of 1,032 feet above sea level. Zoning review is currently in process. With the new site plan filing on September 23, the height has been increased to 1,049 feet above sea level.

You Can Now Watch Live As The 56-Story Casa Bella Tower Rises

A webcam showing construction of the 56-story Casa Bella Residences by B&B Italia tower is now live and available on YouTube. The webcam was created by Ryan RC Rea. You can expect to see lots of activity on the feed. Crews now appear to have reached the typical residential floors, where shell construction typically moves fastest. A groundbreaking ceremony…

Bal Harbour Condo Tower Designed By SOM Breaks Ground

In Bal Harbour, a 24-story condo tower designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is now under construction. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on September 20 to celebrate groundbreaking. It will include 56 ultra-luxury units “Designed to provide a single-family home experience,” with private elevators and garages. Units will range in size from 3,300 to nearly 13,000 sf.

Elliott buying Brickell office tower for $450M, as hedge fund amplifies its South Florida investments

Paul Singer’s Elliott Investment Management is under contract to puvrchase the 701 Brickell office tower in Miami for about $450 million. The deal marks the New York-based hedge fund’s expanding investments in South Florida. Elliott is buying the 33-story tower at 701 Brickell Avenue in Miami from New York-based Nuveen Real Estate, according to a source.

Blackstone subsidiary nabs $95M loan for Medley industrial complex

Link Logistics secured a $95 million loan for a quartet of recently completed warehouses in Medley. An affiliate of New York-based GID provided the loan to Link Logistics, the industrial real estate subsidiary of investment giant Blackstone, led by CEO Stephen Schwarzman. Both firms are headquartered in New York. The mortgage is secured by Palmetto 74 Logistics Center…

Ansin family’s Sunbeam buys North Bay Village condo complex

The billionaire Ansin family’s Sunbeam Properties paid $8 million to complete a bulk purchase of an aging condo complex in North Bay Village. Sunbeam acquired the 24-unit, six-building Treasure Island Cove property at 1631 North Treasure Drive, said Andy Ansin, president and CEO. The acquisition equates to about $333,000 per condo. Treasure Island Cove was built…

Future Of $4B American Dream Miami Clouded Amid Lawsuit Over Land Sale

Nearly a decade after it was first proposed, the American Dream Miami mall remains just a dream, and its future is getting more uncertain. Triple Five Group, the Canadian development firm that proposed the 6M SF retail and entertainment complex outside of Hialeah, recently filed a lawsuit to keep alive its plan to purchase a large segment of the site to make way…

Miami Beach won’t raze Jackie Gleason Theater

Miami Beach has rejected a call to tear down and replace the landmark Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater but now must decide what to do next and who’s going to pay for it. Commissioners this month asked administrators to talk with Live Nation, the theater’s operator, to decide whether to tear out the interior and start over or just renovate what’s there…

283-Unit River District 14 Condo Project Gets $78M Construction Loan

River District 14 has obtained construction financing. Forman Capital granted a $77,805,708 loan to an affiliate of Alta Development. River District 14 will include two 16-story towers with 283 fully furnished condo units, allowing short term rentals. More than 50% of units have been sold. “The new construction condominium market continues to sizzle, and residences…

$77.8 Million Loan Secured for Short-Term Rental Condominium Project in Miami’s River District

Forman Capital, a private direct real estate lender, has provided a $77.8 million loan to finance the construction of River District 14, a short-term rental condominium project in Miami. Developed by Alta Development, the project will be situated on a 1.3-acre site at 1420 NW 14th Ave., near the Miami River. Construction is set to commence before the end of the year….

Developers Propose 42-Unit ‘River Square’ for 2655 N.E. 205th Street in Miami

Two Sunny Isles Beach-based developers have proposed a mid-rise housing complex in Miami-Dade County. The South Florida Business Journal reports that the venture, known as “River Square”, would measure eight stories above grade and offer 42 apartments. The one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences would span 677 to 1,056 square feet. The publication notes that…

Developer proposes 42-unit multifamily project in Ojus, amid record South Florida apartment pipeline

A developer proposes a 42-unit multifamily project in Ojus, amid a record apartment construction pipeline in South Florida. Entities managed by Jacobo and Fortuna Toledano of Sunny Isles Beach want to build the eight-story building on a 0.7-acre assemblage on the southwest corner of the Florida East Coast Railway tracks and Northeast 206th Street in unincorporated…

Solina Bay Harbor Breaks Ground at 1055 93rd Street in Bay Harbor Islands

Solina Bay Harbor, a boutique condominium development by RedHoek+, has officially commenced construction after surpassing the 50% sales milestone within six months. Located at 1055 93rd Street in the heart of Bay Harbor Islands, this exclusive project is set to redefine the standard of luxury living in the area. In partnership with The INSIDE Network, sales and marketing…

Little River Tower Submitted To FAA, Demolition Permit Issued

A tower planned in Little River under Florida’s Live Local act is advancing. Miami’s Building Department issued a total demolition permit for the property on September 9, records show. On September 17, the FAA received a submission showing a proposed structure height of 360 feet above ground, and 368 feet above sea level on the property. The 28-story tower had a hearing before…

South Miami Moves Forward With $309M Transit Oriented Development

South Miami commissioners voted Tuesday to move forward with a redevelopment at its City Hall property. The development will be transit oriented, according to a presentation to commissioners. It is a short distance from a Metrorail station. There will be two phases to the $309m development. Combined it will have: 70,000 square feet of civic space…

13th Floor will redevelop South Miami city hall with 670 apartments, new municipal building

13th Floor Investments will redevelop South Miami’s city hall with a mixed-use project that will include 670 apartments and a new municipal building. On Tuesday, city commissioners voted to select the Coconut Grove-based firm as the developer. The $309 million project, called Link at SoMi, will be on the 4.5-acre site 6130 Sunset Drive. Link at SoMi will include…

Inside Miami’s Milestone Senior Housing Project, Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk

More than 90,000 units are needed in Miami-Dade County for renters earning below 80 percent of the area median income—which is roughly $75,000—according to an analysis released earlier this year by nonprofit Miami Homes for All. And seniors are among the most cost-burdened population. One project that caters to this vulnerable segment recently opened in the Overtown…

“Miami has jumped the shark”: Analyzing South Florida’s office sales slump

South Florida real estate players became giddy in recent years over the influx of businesses and ensuing office leasing spree at record rents. The bonanza prompted an investment sales flurry, with buildings from Brickell to Boca Raton trading at ever-rising prices. But that party ended. The Federal Reserve imposed 11 aggressive interest rate hikes, lenders turned skittish…

Miami Office Deal Volume Increases, Prices Surge

Miami’s office market continued its good performance recorded at the beginning of the year, CommercialEdge data shows. The metro’s significant development pipeline was coupled with heightened investment activity, as assets changed hands at high prices. The Offices at 601 is the most recent office project delivered in Miami as of August. The Offices at 601 is a recently…

Waldorf Astoria’s Miami Supertall Tower Now Several Floors Up

Waldorf Astoria’s 1,049-Foot Miami supertall tower is rising vertically out of the ground, photos by Ryan RC Rea show. Second-level columns appear to have been poured as of early September. A foundation pour for the tower was completed in June, and the developers obtained a record-breaking $668M construction loan that same month. Completion of the tower…

What is happening to Shops at Sunset Place? Future of South Miami mall takes new path

It’s déjà vu for a South Miami landmark on the verge of disappearing and turned into the next big thing. We’ve seen this a few times before on the 10-acre property at Red Road, Sunset Drive and U.S. 1. First, a beloved bakery plant, where Holsum doughnuts and bread sent up the most heavenly of scents, cleared the way for a mixed-use center called Bakery Centre.

Omega scores $103M refi, bridge loan for North Miami apartment project, as South Florida financing flows

A developer scored a $103 million loan for a nearly finished apartment project in North Miami, marking a continuing surge in South Florida lending. Omega Real Estate Management landed the financing, which consists of a construction loan refinancing and a bridge loan, for the 358-unit Gardens Residences at 1155 Northeast 126th Street, according to Berkadia’s Charles…

Lost sizzle: BurgerFi vacates four South Florida restaurants and corporate office as part of bankruptcy strategy

BurgerFi is cutting the fat from its real estate, abandoning leases at four South Florida restaurants and its corporate office in Fort Lauderdale. The fast food chain, which also owns Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, abandoned leases for its headquarters at 200 West Cypress Creek Road, three BurgerFI spots in Pembroke Pines, Jupiter and Delray Beach and a pizzeria in Hallandale…

Lease roundup: Toscana Divino making a comeback in Key Biscayne, Christmas pop-up on tap in Coral Gables

Italian restaurant Toscana Divino, once a staple at Mary Brickell Village, will re-open as a pop-up in Key Biscayne. Toscana Divino Hospitality Group leased retail space at the Towers of Key Biscayne residential condominium at 1121 Crandon Boulevard, according to the tenant’s news release. The pop-up will be open on Fridays and Saturdays starting Oct. 4, Eater Miami…

Nurock Cos. Proposes ‘the Residences at Foxcroft Cove’ for 3300 Foxcroft Road in Miramar

In January 2023, Florida YIMBY reported on a project we knew then as “Foxcraft Estates”. Led by Pinnacle, the venture called for 84 homes on a 2.13-acre site. Yet, the developer didn’t close on the land acquisition, so the project never came to fruition. Now, we have an exciting development regarding this affordable housing venture. The South Florida Business Journal…

Developers plan 500-unit resi project on Fort Lauderdale church property, as religious site redevelopment becomes canon in South Florida

A development partnership proposes a 500-unit residential project on a 3.2-acre assemblage in Fort Lauderdale that includes a church, as redevelopment of religious sites surges in South Florida. Tal Levinson and Eric Malinasky’s preliminary plan is for a pair of six-story buildings with about 400 units to 500 units and ground-floor retail on the southwest corner of Northwest…

Cleared for landing: Patrick Bet-David pays $25M for Broward office building and airplane hangar

Patrick Bet-David is ready for takeoff after paying $25 million for a Fort Lauderdale office building and airplane hangar. An entity tied to Bet-David acquired the mixed-use project at 1200 and 1400 Northwest 62nd Street in a bankruptcy sale, records show. Bet-David is an author and social media influencer with more than 10 million followers on Youtube, X, Instagram…

Related, BH score approval for larger Plantation mixed-use project

Related Group and BH Group are planning a larger mixed-use project in Plantation than the joint venture previously envisioned. On Tuesday, the city’s planning and zoning board approved a site plan for Plantation City Center, a complex featuring 512 apartments and townhomes, 24,970 square feet of retail space and 833 parking spaces. The joint venture had previously…

Urban League advances plan for 469-unit affordable housing development in Oakland Park

The Urban League of Broward County expects to break ground next year on Village at Oakland Park, a 469-unit affordable housing development that will include for-sale townhouses west of I-95 in Oakland Park. The Oakland Park City Commission on Wednesday rezoned the 19.7-acre development site, on the northwest corner of Northwest 21st Street and Northwest 26th…

Sienna Motors expands in Pompano Beach, buys shuttered dealership for $22M

Sienna Motors is expanding in Pompano Beach, acquiring a shuttered dealership less than a block away from its existing auto sales site for $21.9 million. An affiliate of Sienna, led by CEO Claude Senhoreti, acquired the former home of defunct Pompano Ford Lincoln at 2714 North Federal Highway, and an adjacent retail strip plaza at 2860 Northeast 17th Avenue…

Boca Raton Approves Glass House at 280 E Palmetto Park Road in the City’s Downtown Area

The City of Boca Raton has approved Glass House Boca Raton, a luxury residential development and the first modern glass building to be constructed in the city’s downtown area. Situated at 280 East Palmetto Park Road, the 9-story development will feature rooftop amenities on the 10th level and is expected to reach completion by the fourth quarter of 2026. Sales for the 28-unit…

Mill Creek Residential Proposes ‘Modera Boca’ for 400 South Dixie Highway in Boca Raton

Boca Raton-based Mill Creek Residential could replace a mixed-use building with a 12-story residential venture in Palm Beach County. Modera Boca would comprise close to 330,000 square feet of leasable space. The South Florida Business Journal reports that there would be 304 homes in six different floorplans, featuring studios, lofts, and multi-bedroom units.

Boca Raton approves Anthony Perera and ASG’s Glass House condos

Anthony Perera and ASG Development won approval from Boca Raton for their planned Glass House condos. Groundbreaking for the nine-story, 28-unit project at 280 East Palmetto Park Road is slated for early 2025, according to a press release. Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is leading sales for Glass House, which launched in February with prices ranging…

JV buys Delray Beach hotel for $58M, amid resurgence of hospitality investment sales

A joint venture scooped up the Ray Hotel Delray Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton for $57.7 million, marking a resurgence of hospitality investment sales. Tmgoc Ventures and Certares Management bought the four-story, 141-key hotel at 233 Northeast Second Avenue, according to records and real estate database Vizzda. The property’s sale price according to the deed…

Ventas expands South Florida health care portfolio with $37M Riviera Beach hospital purchase

Ventas bulked up its South Florida hospital portfolio after paying $37 million for a 79-bed facility in Palm Beach County. An affiliate of Ventas, a Chicago-based, health care-focused real estate investment trust led by CEO Debra Cafaro, acquired Kindred Hospital The Palm Beaches at 5555 West Blue Heron Boulevard in Riviera Beach, records and real estate database…

CS Ventures buys Worth Avenue luxury storefronts for $30M

Spencer Schlager and Charles Rosenberg’s CS Ventures bought six Worth Avenue luxury storefronts for $30.3 million. The investment firm bought the 8,500-square-foot retail building at 243 Worth Avenue from Middleburg, Virginia-based Greenstone Realty Advisors, records show. The building, built in 1925, is center stage on the island’s luxury shopping corridor.

Senior Housing Asset in Lake Worth Trades for $64M

Focus Healthcare Partners has bought Mariposa, a senior housing community in Lake Worth, Fla. Ventas sold the asset for $63.8 million, and a seven-year, $48 million fixed-rate acquisition loan from Freddie Mac was involved, according to public records. JLL Capital Markets represented the seller and procured the buyer. Arbor Senior Living is the new property manager.

Video: RealPage Director of Research & Analysis Provides Multifamily Market Update; Occupancy, Performance, Wildcard Markets

In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the show’s host engaged with Carl Whitaker, Director of Research & Analysis, Market Analytics at RealPage, to discuss the multifamily housing market. Their conversation explored current trends, market forecasts, and challenges facing multifamily properties in the U.S., offering valuable insights…

America Needs More Affordable Housing, Not Just Class A Inventory

Highlights: After eight consecutive FOMC meetings of holding the federal funds rate steady at a 23-year high, the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark policy rate by 50-bps to the target range of 4.75% to 5.0%.The notion of ‘higher-for-longer’ is well in the rear view mirror as the focus on the Fed’s dual mandate has shifted away from price stability to maximum employment.

How interest rate cuts could impact commercial real estate

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) lowered its benchmark by 50 basis points—the first rate cut in over four years—bringing the target federal funds range to 4.75%–5.25%. The Fed indicated it will continue to decrease interest rates, but the timing and pace of rate decreases will depend on multiple factors, including inflation and other future economic data.

Using bridge loans with agency financing in multifamily

Bridge loans and agency loans can be a powerful combination for multifamily investors. A bridge-to-agency execution pairs flexible short-term capital with competitive long-term financing to help investors implement a business plan with an eye to locking in long-term fixed rates. “Our goal is to provide clients with as many options as possible and let them choose what’s best…

Protect data and residents with multifamily technology

While apartment safety and security is wide ranging, it can be divided into two categories: data security and physical security. Multifamily technology is key to addressing both. Multifamily technology for data security. Multifamily technology can help organizations improve data security by providing real-time visibility into cash flows. The same technology can help prevent rent…

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September 25, 2024

Video: RealPage Director of Research & Analysis Provides Multifamily Market Update; Occupancy, Performance, Wildcard Markets

In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the show’s host engaged with Carl Whitaker, Director of Research & Analysis, Market Analytics at RealPage, to discuss the multifamily housing market. Their conversation explored current trends, market forecasts, and challenges facing multifamily properties in the U.S., offering valuable insights for investors, developers, and industry professionals. The discussion was national in scope, and thus may apply less to the Miami and other South Florida markets.

Multifamily Market Performance: Current Trends

Whitaker pointed out that despite economic uncertainty, demand for multifamily housing remains strong. During the first half of 2024, the number of multifamily units absorbed matched the levels seen in 2021, a year that many considered an exceptional period for housing demand. However, Whitaker noted that while demand remains robust, the U.S. is experiencing a 40- to 50-year peak in new supply. This increase in supply is putting downward pressure on rent growth and keeping occupancy rates in the lower 94% range, which some industry veterans still consider healthy.

The show host and Whitaker also discussed how the high volume of new developments—many initiated in 2021 and 2022 before interest rates surged—could delay a return to historically normal occupancy rates for another 12 to 24 months. This reflects a broader trend of the market adjusting to post-pandemic realities while absorbing the influx of new multifamily units.

Future Forecasts: 2025 and Beyond

Looking ahead, Whitaker predicts that 2025 will bring incremental improvements to rent growth and occupancy rates, though they may remain below historical averages. By 2026, the multifamily market could return to the performance levels seen in 2018-2019, but only after another year of substantial new supply coming online.

One critical factor influencing future supply is the slowdown in new construction. Whitaker noted that multifamily housing starts have dropped significantly, reaching levels not seen since the Great Financial Crisis. With new projects declining by 20-25% from their peak, Whitaker expects this supply-demand imbalance to ease by 2026, creating opportunities for properties to stabilize and for rents to rise again.

Class A vs. Class B and C Properties

Whitaker shed light on the performance of different property classes. Surprisingly, Class A properties, typically the most sensitive to oversupply, have fared better than expected. This resilience can be attributed to the high cost of single-family homes, which has led many renters to renew leases in Class A buildings rather than transition to homeownership. The trend has been further highlighted by a 50% reduction in the number of tenants moving out to purchase homes, as reported by major real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Meanwhile, Class B and C properties face different challenges. Class B properties are starting to recover after lagging behind in recent years, while Class C units are grappling with economic pressures, including job losses and higher delinquencies. Still, Class A properties pulling demand from the Class B market—and Class B from Class C—is contributing to a rebalancing of affordability across the spectrum.

Submarket Performances: Southeast in Focus

Whitaker also highlighted specific markets that have performed exceptionally well despite high levels of new supply. Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, have seen strong demand, driven by their appealing local economies and cultural attractiveness. On the other hand, larger markets like Atlanta and Nashville are underperforming due to an influx of inventory and economic headwinds.

Sales Volume and Cap Rates

The conversation then shifted to sales activity and cap rates. Multifamily sales volume has found its floor in 2024, and Whitaker expects a slight rebound in 2025 as investor confidence grows, bolstered by anticipated interest rate cuts. However, valuations remain a key unknown, with most transactions involving either high-end Class A or discounted Class C properties. The middle ground—Class B—has seen limited trading, a trend that may shift as the market stabilizes.

Cap rates in multifamily properties have remained relatively low compared to other asset classes, which Whitaker attributes to ongoing investor interest in the sector. While cap rates are expected to rise slightly with future interest rate cuts, they are unlikely to return to the extreme lows seen in 2020-2021.

Demographic Trends and Long-Term Outlook

Finally, Whitaker emphasized the long-term demographic drivers of multifamily demand, including household formation, job growth, and wage increases. Even though job growth has slowed, wage growth remains strong, contributing to increased affordability for renters. As roommates decouple and form new households, demand for rental units will continue to rise. This demographic shift, combined with the slowing pace of new supply, will likely lead to a housing shortage by the late 2020s.

Conclusion: A Strong Asset Class with Long-Term Potential

In summary, the multifamily market continues to be a resilient and appealing asset class. While the near-term outlook suggests modest improvements, the market is expected to return to more normal conditions by 2026. Investors who can navigate the current supply glut and capitalize on future demand growth will likely see significant opportunities in the coming years.

September 23, 2024

Miami Commercial Real Estate News September 18, 2024: 124-Key Hotel Approved for Doral as 832-Key Hotel is Proposed for Brickell; $172M Financing Scored for Edgewater Tower; More…

House Of Wellness Hotel Proposed In Brickell, With 832 Lodging Units

A pre-application has been filed with Miami-Dade reviewers for a hotel tower in Brickell called House of Wellness. House of Wellness is proposed to rise 43 stories, and include: 832 lodging units 347 parking spaces A rooftop pool deck is planned on level 43. Approval of the development is planned through Miami-Dade’s Rapid Transit Zone, rather than through the City of Miami…

Mexican firm sells condo dev site in Brickell to partner

A Mexican firm that invested in Brickell development sites over the past two years sold one of the properties. Yet, it still plans to partner on developing the planned condo project, according to a source familiar with the matter. Menesse International sold the 0.4-acre vacant lot at 1870 Brickell Avenue in Miami for $10.3 million, according to records. The purchasing entity ties…

850-Foot Construction Crane Planned To Be Installed At Bentley Residences Site

Two very tall construction cranes are planned for the Bentley Residences Miami site in Sunny Isles, according to a new FAA filing. Tower Crane #1 at Bentley Residences is planned to reach 850 feet above ground, or 857 feet above sea level. Tower Crane #2 is planned to reach 742 feet above ground, or 749 feet above sea level. The work schedule for the cranes is estimated to begin…

Miami Metro Ranks #3 For Job Growth Over The Past Year

The Miami area continues to outpace the rest of the country when it comes to job growth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of July 2024, the metro area job growth was 2.6 percent over the previous year. The U.S. as a whole saw 1.6 percent growth during the same period. The Miami metro added 75,300 nonfarm employees during the period. Only New York…

Developer Aimco Gets Construction Financing For ‘Condo Quality’ Edgewater Apartment Tower

Aimco says it has obtained construction financing for a “condominium quality” luxury apartment tower in Edgewater. Work is already underway, photos taken in August show. The developer secured $56 million of preferred equity from investment firm Sixth Street, and $172 million of senior construction financing from Apollo. Apartments in the 38-story waterfront tower…

Aimco scores $172M construction loan, $56M in equity for Edgewater apartment tower

Aimco scored a $228 million financing package to develop a 114-unit apartment tower in Miami’s Edgewater, as construction loans keep flowing in South Florida. The Denver-based real estate investment trust landed a $172 million senior construction loan from Apollo Global Management, and $56 million in preferred equity from partner Sixth Street, according to news…

FPL Wants To Install Solar At Metrorail Station To Power New Transit Oriented Development

A residential development currently under construction could be powered by solar panels installed at an adjacent Metrorail station. Metro Grande is being built next to the Okeechobee station. Construction is well underway, photos by MiamiSprings.com show. The development planned to have a combined 286 apartments, along with retail, with Cornerstone Group…

Ira Giller’s Miami Beach mixed-use project design gets green light

Miami Beach architect Ira Giller can move forward with plans for a new mixed-use building in his home city’s Mid-Beach neighborhood. Earlier this month, the Miami Beach Design Review Board approved the design for Giller Tower, a planned seven-story building at 976 Arthur Godfrey Road and 3915-3925 Alton Road. The project would include ground-floor retail and restaurants…

Infinity Collective evicts LuxUrban Hotels from South Beach building

Infinity Collective is the latest Miami Beach landlord to give troubled hospitality firm LuxUrban Hotels the boot. Last month, New York-based Infinity, led by Steve Kassin, Etienne Locoh and David Berg, took possession of a five-story short-term rentals building at 1700 Alton Road after winning an eviction lawsuit against Miami-based LuxUrban, court records show.

Rothschild pulls plug on 830 Brickell office, marking third firm to exit South Florida after market boom

Financial services firm Rothschild & Co won’t be opening at the 830 Brickell tower, marking the third company that leased during South Florida’s boom to scrap its planned office. Rothschild, which traces its roots to 18th century Europe when Rothschild family members rose to prominence in banking, had leased 5,000 square feet last year at 830 Brickell in Miami. The deal marked…

Alo Yoga founders expand retail portfolio with $17M South Beach acquisition

Alo Yoga founders Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge expanded their retail portfolio by acquiring a South Beach condominium’s ground-floor retail space. An entity managed by Delaware corporations tied to Harris and DeGeorge, co-CEOs of Beverly Hills-based Alo Yoga, paid $17.3 million for four commercial units on the first floor of The Decoplage, a 16-story condominium…

Victoria’s Secret to Open New Miami Beach Flagship Store on Lincoln Road

Women’s undergarment apparel retailer Victoria’s Secret has signed a lease to occupy 8,000 square feet on Lincoln Road, a high street retail corridor in Miami Beach. Jonathan Carter and Ryan Brodsky of Colliers represented the landlord, ALTO Real Estate Funds, in the long-term lease negotiations. Brandon Nocella of Strategic Retail Advisors represented the tenant.

Multifamily Project Proposed For First Time At 250-Acre Miami Office Park

Apartments could be coming to Waterford Business District, the sprawling office and hotel complex directly south of Miami International Airport. London and Regional Properties is proposing a plan to add up to 600 apartments to the surface parking lot and grounds surrounding the Pullman Miami Airport hotel at 5800 Blue Lagoon Drive. The developer’s plans…

Location Ventures’ receiver seeks to sell Miami Beach dev site for $18M

The receiver managing the assets of defunct firm Location Ventures wants permission to sell a Miami Beach development site for $17.5 million. Receiver Bernice Lee filed a motion on Tuesday seeking an order from U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga to allow the sale of the 0.7-acre assemblage at 1234 and 1260 Washington Avenue. Pakman Miami Beach, a Fort Lauderdale entity…

Miami Urban Development Review Board to Consider ‘2157 Flagler Residences’ for 2157 and 2199 West Flagler Street in Miami

A retail plaza with buildings constructed in the 1960s and 1970s could be replaced with a project dubbed “2157 Flagler Residences”. WR Flagler LLC has proposed an eight-story venture comprising 197 apartments ranging from 524 to 1,056 square feet. The South Florida Business Journal reports that floorplans span studios to two-bedroom layouts. Communal amenities…

Robert Rivani’s Black Lion scores design approval for Miami Beach mixed-use building renovation

A Miami Beach board gave Robert Rivani’s Black Lion the green light to revamp the exterior of a mixed-use building off Lincoln Road. Earlier this month, the Miami Beach Design Review Board unanimously approved the planned renovation of the building at 1691 Michigan Avenue and its garage facades. Miami-based Black Lion is giving the six-story structure…

Second Mercedes Benz Tower Now Under Construction In Brickell

The second tower at Brickell’s Mercedes Benz Places is now under construction. Foundation construction at the first tower is also now nearly complete, according to Serhant, which is handling condo sales. The second tower now underway will be 763 feet, while the first tower will reach 780 feet, according to plans submitted to the county in July. The combined development…

Demolition Underway At Two Small Brickell Properties

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32-Story Tower Planned In Edgewater

Plans have been filed for a 32-story tower in Edgewater. The development is planned to include: 68 lodging units; 57 off-street parking spaces; recreation and amenities on levels 7, 8, 9 and 32. Residential units on levels 10-26 will be 1 bedrooms, ranging from 720 to 750 square feet. On levels 27 through 31, there will be larger units. The top of the tower is planned at 385 feet…

Baywood scores approval for 124-key Hyatt House in Doral, amid uptick in hospitality project proposals

Baywood Hotels scored approval for a 124-key Hyatt House hotel in Doral, amid an uptick in hospitality project proposals across South Florida. The six-story building will rise on the vacant portion of the 3.3-acre site at 10234 Northwest 19th Street, adjacent to an existing 135-key Residence Inn by Marriott. On Wednesday, the town council unanimously approved the project.

South Miami Leaders Consider 13th Floor Investments for $309M City Hall Redevelopment Project

South Miami leaders are considering 13th Floor Investments for a $309 million redevelopment project that would transform the city’s municipal complex. The project’s design is by Miami-based Corwil Architects, with Coral Gables-based RJ Heisenbottle Architects serving as the historic preservation consultant. Known as The Link at SoMi, the mixed-use development would…

Miami-Dade departments getting new offices after $182M acquisition

Miami-Dade County paid $182 million for a 1970s office complex that will house various departments. An affiliate of New York-based Bushburg Properties sold The Current Miami at 9250 West Flagler Street to Miami-Dade, records and real estate database Vizzda show. The 26-acre property includes a six-story building and a one-story building spanning a total of 671,088…

BH, Lennar launch sales for Greenview at Presidential Estates near Aventura

BH Group and Lennar launched sales for a luxury 103-single-family home community near Aventura, nearly 17 years after litigation with neighboring homeowners stalled the project. The joint venture’s Greenview at Presidential Estates will offer six options featuring four-, five- and six-bedroom houses priced between $2.5 million to $3.5 million, according to a price sheet obtained…

Miami and Sunbelt Ranked Among Cheapest Places to Rent Coworking Spaces

For some businesses, rents for offices aren’t worth the cost of admission anymore given the slowdown the CRE asset class has seen with the work-from-home trend picking up since the pandemic. However, the solution to save money might be opting for coworking spaces – with Miami and other Sunbelt areas leading the charge. A report from CoworkingCafe compared the annual…

Construction Starts on ‘Royal Pointe Apartment Homes’ at 11350 Dunbar Drive in Miami

Hollywood-based Cornerstone Group, in partnership with the Martin Memorial AME Church, has started construction on an affordable housing development in Miami-Dade County. The developer first filed the pre-application phase in September 2021. Now, the venture is one step closer to completion. Royal Pointe Apartment Homes will comprise 102 residences, spanning…

$9.1M Sale of Miami Industrial Building Brokered

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Residences at Six Fisher Island Breaks Ground, Expected to Complete in 2026

Related Group, along with partners Teddy Sagi, BH Group, and Wanxiang America RE Group, have officially broken ground on the Residences at Six Fisher Island, a highly anticipated residential tower within the exclusive Fisher Island community. Situated on the last development site of the 216-acre island, the project will feature just 50 bespoke residences spread across…

Construction Permit & Building Heights Submitted For Overtown Condo Development

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Report: Downtown Miami To Aventura Rail Line Sees Costs Increase By 72%

The Northeast Corridor rail line planned between MiamiCentral and Aventura was originally estimated to cost $538M. Now, the estimated cost has increased 72% to $927M, according to the SFBJ. FDOT has agreed to increase funding for the project, the report said. Originally, FDOT had committed $103.5m toward the project, (the remainder was to come from Miami-Dade…

Demolition Of First Building At One Brickell City Centre Site Essentially Complete

Demolition of a building at the One Brickell Citycentre site is now nearly complete, according to Due Italiani a Miami. Work to demolish a second building on the site is still not approved however. The demolished building is at 710 Brickell Avenue. The second building at 799 Brickell Plaza is closer to the Brickell City Centre complex. A demolition permit for 799 Brickell Plaza…

44-Story Lofty Brickell Tower Begins Vertical Construction

Vertical construction is now underway at the 44-story Lofty Brickell tower, according to photos by Ryan RC Rea. The photos show that building columns’ are now rising out of the ground, with cranes in place. The cranes were approved by the FAA in July for heights of 650 feet above ground, or 653 feet above sea level. Lofty Brickell is planned to include 364 residential units…

Related Group JV Closes $527M for Miami Condo Tower

Related Group and Integra Investments have closed $527 million in financing for St. Regis Residences, Miami. The 50-story condominium property on the Biscayne Bay waterfront in the South Brickell neighborhood is on track for completion in 2027. TYKO Capital provided the loan, led by Adi Chugh. Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) designed the property…

Shops at Sunset Place redevelopment scores South Miami approval

Alex Vadia’s Midtown Development is moving forward with plans to redevelop the Shops at Sunset Place in South Miami into a mixed-use project with about 1,500 residential units. The South Miami Planning Board on Wednesday evening unanimously approved a resolution granting initial site plan approval for the site at 5701 Sunset Drive. The resolution next heads to the South Miami…

How ELLE Residences Are Bringing a Touch of Europe to Miami

Miami’s condo market is ripe with luxury high-rise developments that attract a high-profile clientele. After Armani, Fendi and many others, ELLE is the latest European brand that wants a slice of the scrumptious Magic City pie. I believe that developments by European brands will set a new standard in Miami’s condo market, said Nuñez y Lugones.

Lease roundup: Ugo Colombo’s CMC scores bagel shop in Coral Gables, AEW lands four retail tenants in Broward

Bagel Emporium & Grille will move its Coral Gables restaurant to CMC Group’s 4000 Ponce building in the city. The bagel and deli shop leased 9,000 square feet on the ground floor at the office and retail building at 4000 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, according to the landlord’s news release. Bagel Emporium, which now is at 1238 South Dixie Highway, will move next year.

MIA Passenger Count Up 10% In 2024, Breaking New Records

Miami International Airport is setting records for the number of passengers using the facility in 2024. From January through July, a total of 33,840,894 passengers have either departed or landed at MIA, up 9.91% compared to the same period in 2023. If current trends continue, MIA will have broken new passenger records three years in a row. MIA passed 50 million…

Close Flagler Street To Cars On Weekends, City Resolution Urges

Miami commissioners are scheduled to vote on a resolution urging Downtown Miami’s Flagler Street be closed to vehicles at certain times. Miami-Dade County controls the street, so City of Miami commissioners can only pass a resolution urging the county consider the closure request. City commissioners are scheduled to consider whether to adopt the resolution at a meeting…

Vow to pick solid waste plant site goes up in smoke

The only crucial item missing Tuesday from the “who, what, where, when” discussion about a new waste-to-energy facility was the “where.” Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III vowed at the commission’s last full meeting two weeks ago that the “where” would be answered this week. It wasn’t. At Tuesday’s fretful and sometimes contentious…

Surprise Land Swap Offer Upends Miami-Dade Decision On Site For New Incinerator

Facing a packed room of concerned and angry residents, Miami-Dade County commissioners punted on a decision about where to put a new trash incinerator that officials say is needed to ensure that real estate development can continue in the region. After months of consideration — and spirited debate at Tuesday’s meeting — commissioners voted to defer a plan put forward…

Ansin family’s Sunbeam proposes nearly 3,000-unit resi project in Miramar, amid record apartment pipeline

The billionaire Ansin family proposes a massive mixed-use project with more than 2,800 residential units in Miramar, amid a record multifamily construction pipeline in South Florida. The Ansins’ Miramar-based Sunbeam Properties wants to develop Park Miramar on a 125.8-acre vacant site the firm owns on the northeast corner of Miramar Parkway and Red Road, according…

First Look: Newgard Development Group’s Brand-New Renderings of Natiivo Fort Lauderdale

Newgard Development Group has unveiled new renderings for Natiivo Fort Lauderdale, a 40-story residential tower featuring 384 units at 200 West Broward Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The project, designed by Arquitectonica with interiors by IDDI, aims to bring a fresh approach to urban living. These renderings offer a detailed look at the building’s residences…

Maxx scoops up 145-unit apartment complex in Wilton Manors for $47M, amid multifamily investment sales slowdown

Maxx Properties scooped up a 145-unit apartment complex in Wilton Manors for $46.6 million, amid a South Florida multifamily investment sales slowdown. The Purchase, New York-based firm bought the ANKR Wilton Manors complex consisting of 11 three-story rental buildings and a clubhouse at 513 Northeast 21st Court from Gables Residential, according to records…

Construction Starts on Second Phase of Atlantic Crossing at 777 East Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach

In 2021, Florida YIMBY reported on the first phase of Atlantic Crossing, a mixed-use venture that offers apartments, office space, and retail ventures. Now, we’ve learned that Ohio-based Edwards Cos. has broken ground on the venture’s second phase in Delray Beach. The South Florida Business Journal reports that the second phase of Atlantic Crossing will feature three buildings.

Macy’s offloads two South Florida retail properties for a combined $28M

Macy’s offloaded a couple of retail properties in South Florida, selling both for a combined $28 million. Most recently, an affiliate of Columbus, Ohio-based Washington Prime Group paid $15 million for a Macy’s department store at Boynton Beach Mall at 801 North Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach, records and real estate database Vizzda show. Washington Prime…

Focus Healthcare drops $64M for Palm Beach County assisted living facility, as senior care deals continue

Focus Healthcare Partners scooped up a 377-unit assisted living facility in Palm Beach County for $63.8 million, as South Florida senior care facilities continue to trade. The Chicago-based firm bought the Mariposa property consisting of a three-story building and a one-story building at 9130 Hypoluxo Road in an unincorporated area of the county from Ventas, according to records…

West Palm Beach adds hundreds of rentals

Thousands of residential units are in the development pipeline in West Palm Beach, following a rush of post-pandemic investment in the coastal city. While many of those projects are luxury condominiums years out from completion, others are rental buildings beginning to open their doors. In this lease roundup, Related Companies, Tortoise Properties, Hyperion Group…

The first rate cut is here: now what?

Moody’s CRE economists weigh in on the long-awaited Fed move Today’s 50 basis point rate cut from the Federal Reserve is more aggressive than many expected. It marks a crucial step on the road towards recovery for the overall economy, and especially for the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) industry. Economist Twinkle Roy notes that businesses should…

Why Light Industrial Properties Will Continue to Shine

The often-overlooked multi-tenant light industrial subsector has strong fundamentals and will remain solid in a supply-constrained environment, according to a new research study by BKM Capital Partners. The report argues that the light industrial subsector demonstrates particular resilience, especially when compared with other property types, including…

2023 Was Another Challenging Year for Insurance Expenses

Insurance coverage cost and availability has become an increasing pain point for commercial real estate (CRE) market participants. Property insurance expenses traditionally inflated by roughly two to three percent per year, which is a typical expense budgeting target of underwriters, lenders and asset managers. However, year-over-year insurance cost growth has spiked…

Moody’s Mid-Year Multifamily Performance Review

Highlights: As of the second quarter of 2024, our primary 82 multifamily markets were evaluated based on their year-to-date (YTD) change in effective revenue. Two of the top five metros were from the Northeast and two of the bottom five metros were from the Western region. The Northeast was the top-performing region with effective revenue up 125 basis points (bps) YTD…

Video: Costar Director of Office Analytics Provides Office Market Update; Miami Gets a (Bright Spot) Mention

Office Real Estate Sector Shows Signs of Optimism Despite Persistent Challenges The latest episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show featured an insightful discussion about the U.S. office market. Hosted by a seasoned real estate expert, the show welcomed Phil Mobley, National Director of Office Analytics at CoStar. The conversation centered on the state of the office…

The CRE outlook: new normals, the Fed, and the latest performance data

The Commercial Real Estate (CRE) industry has been anxiously awaiting action from Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve for several quarters now. Even though the industry has largely begun to emerge from its most recent lows, the first rate cut is crucial to recovery. The question remains, however: will these cuts be enough to get the CRE market back up to speed?

Unpacking the Menu of Inflation Reduction Act Incentives for Commercial Real Estate

Earlier this week the Urban Land Institute Northwest hosted the first in a series of webinars helping CRE owners identify opportunities to leverage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives and understand how they fit in with other regulatory and financing mechanisms already in place. In this first webinar, “Introduction to IRA Tax Incentives,” Ben Evans at the US Green Building…

Using IRR to evaluate real estate investments

The internal rate of return (IRR) is a powerful tool for assessing a commercial real estate investment’s profitability. IRR can be particularly valuable when comparing potential investment opportunities with varying cash flows over time. What is IRR? IRR measures an investment’s compound annual growth rate, accounting for all cash flows over the life of the investment.

Converting Office To Industrial Space Is Picking Up Steam

One of the growing trends in commercial real estate is converting vacated office space into industrial use. Since the onset of the pandemic, more employees have been working from home. While office vacancies in some markets are recovering, it’s still nowhere close to 2019 levels. Of course, CRE developers have noticed that trend and are getting creative. During the year-to-date…

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September 18, 2024

Video: Costar Director of Office Analytics Provides Office Market Update; Miami Gets a (Bright Spot) Mention

Office Real Estate Sector Shows Signs of Optimism Despite Persistent Challenges

The latest episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show featured an insightful discussion about the U.S. office market. Hosted by a seasoned real estate expert, the show welcomed Phil Mobley, National Director of Office Analytics at CoStar. The conversation centered on the state of the office property sector, from current performance trends to future forecasts, and shed light on the dynamics shaping the market during one of its most challenging periods. Note that though Miami gets a mentioned as a bright spot, this conversation is generally national in scope, thus observations can apply less if at all to Miami and other South Florida Markets.

Positive Absorption—A Sign of Stability?

Phil Mobley began by highlighting a significant development: positive absorption in the office sector for the first time in over two years. While modest at around 2 million square feet, this uptick marked a step toward stability. However, Mobley cautioned that this alone doesn’t signal a full recovery. The national vacancy rate ticked up slightly to 13.8% due to new supply, and CoStar forecasts suggest vacancy may peak around 15.5% before leveling off. Mobley emphasized that not all vacant space is equally competitive, with many older office properties struggling to attract tenants.

Supply Challenges and Conversions

Supply-side dynamics have become more prominent, Mobley noted, as construction slows and building demolitions rise. Interestingly, conversions of office buildings into other uses—such as residential or mixed-use spaces—are also on the rise. While conversions are unlikely to dramatically shift market fundamentals, they are transforming neighborhoods, particularly in cities like Boston.

Mobley also pointed out that new supply deliveries are at historically low levels, which could help ease future vacancy concerns. He projected that annual net new supply could drop to as little as 5 million square feet by 2027. However, he anticipates a rebound in construction activity for specific property types, such as medical offices and owner-occupied campuses.

Geographic and Market Bright Spots – Miami Mentioned as a Bright Spot

The discussion revealed several bright spots in the office market, particularly for smaller tenants and owner-occupants. Professional service firms and locally focused businesses are actively leasing space, driving a surge in smaller lease deals. Additionally, owner-occupiers have become a significant force in the capital markets, accounting for nearly 25% of office sales—a notable increase from historical norms.

When it comes to geographic differences, cities like Houston and Miami stand out. Both markets are seeing higher-than-average leasing activity and have not experienced the same dip in lease size that other cities have seen. Other growth markets, such as Austin and Nashville, continue to perform well, driven by employment growth in knowledge-based industries.

Valuation and Transaction Activity

One of the more striking points Mobley made was the wide range in office property valuations. Buildings in major markets with large vacancies are selling for 25-30% of their pre-pandemic values. However, niche sectors such as medical offices have retained more of their value, with only a 10-15% decrease from their peak. Mobley expects values to continue to adjust downward by another 5-10% in the near future as interest rates stabilize.

Transaction volume has been significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels, with investment sales activity down by about two-thirds. However, the potential for increased distressed sales, particularly in markets with rising delinquency rates, could spur more activity in the coming years.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities Amidst Challenges

While the overall office market may remain subdued for the foreseeable future, Mobley emphasized that there will be opportunities for strategic investors and operators. As demand shifts and vacancy rates stabilize, tactical plays will become increasingly important. Investors focusing on location, tenant needs, and asset management will likely find success, even as the broader market remains challenging.

The show host closed the conversation on a hopeful note, drawing comparisons to other sectors that have rebounded after periods of intense pessimism, such as retail and housing. He suggested that office real estate, though struggling now, could offer significant opportunities for contrarian investors willing to take the plunge.

Conclusion

The U.S. office market is in a state of flux, with performance varying widely based on geography, property type, and tenant demand. While the sector is not expected to fully recover in the short term, the slowdown in new supply and the rise in tactical investment opportunities provide reasons for cautious optimism. As always in commercial real estate, those who can navigate the complexities of the market stand to benefit the most. For users or investors considering office space acquisitions, this may be an ideal time to explore opportunities, particularly in niche markets or for owner-occupants.

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September 16, 2024