Reviving Malls: Shifting Perspectives on Retail's Potential
Is mall still a four letter word? Retail, including malls is experiencing strong leasing momentum, but to be successful, retail investors need to consider these tips.
Commercial Mortgage Alert: Peachtree Group Backs Multifamily Project
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This article is republished with permission from Green Street News.
The developer of an apartment complex in northwest Washington state has lined up $57.5 million of senior debt from Peachtree Group, including $29 million of commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing.
Grandview North is on track to complete the 350-unit Harrington Place, in Ferndale, by January 2026. Atlanta-based Peachtree funded $13 million of the debt at closing on Jan. 28.
The fixed-rate C-PACE loan has a 30-year term. The rest of the senior financing package, brokered by CapNorth, was structured as a $28.5 million, floating-rate construction loan with an initial term of 18 months, plus extension options.
As part of the deal, the term of an outstanding $20 million mezzanine loan from Hickory CRE Lending was adjusted to match that of the Peachtree floater. The project is expected to cost $90 million, which pegs the overall loan-to-cost ratio at roughly 86%.
New York-based Hickory originated its fully funded subordinate loan as part of a $77 million debt package that Arlington, Wash.-based Grandview lined up in April 2023. The package also included a $57 million senior-debt commitment from Bayview Asset Management of Coral Gables, Fla. Bayview’s portion, which never funded because construction was postponed due to permitting delays, was split between a $45 million construction loan from its Oceanview Life and Annuity affiliate and $12 million of C-PACE financing from its Bayview PACE unit.
Developers can use C-PACE loans, which are repaid via assessments collected with property taxes, to help finance commercial buildings that meet certain standards for energy efficiency and sustainability. For its part, Peachtree offers borrowers debt throughout the capital stack by providing such financing in conjunction with traditional construction and bridge loans, president Daniel Siegel said.
Harrington Place will comprise 11 buildings on an 18-acre site that Grandview has owned since late 2020. The 101 studios and 150 one-bedroom, 63 two-bedroom and 36 three-bedroom units will have quartz counters, stainless-steel appliances and full-size washer/dryers.
Amenities will include fitness, game and party rooms, a lounge, a playground, indoor and outdoor athletic courts, and a patio with grills. The property is at 6276 Portal Way, a half-mile west of the Nooksack River and 10 miles northwest of Bellingham, a growing city between Vancouver, Canada, to the north and Seattle to the south.
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In today’s highly competitive and constantly evolving real estate market, sponsors of retail commercial properties need a reliable financial partner to help them navigate the complexities of this space. There is a perception that capital is non-existent for this sector, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Peachtree Group Credit has emerged as an industry leader – ranking as the 16thlargest U.S. commercial real estate retail lender ranking as the 16th largest U.S. commercial real estate retail lender – providing creative financing solutions to help clients realize their vision for maximizing return on investment.
The fact is retail, including malls, is experiencing strong leasing momentum with increased foot traffic allowing sponsors to stabilize cash flow levels, which took a hit during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brick-and-mortar retail locations are a necessary and growing component of a retailer’s multi-channel strategy. While traditional retail struggled before COVID, the pandemic has brought greater appreciation for in-store experiences for certain shopping items. This trend bodes well for retail as an investment.
To remain competitive, retail investors must accelerate their plans and expand their thinking to find ways to keep their retail locations relevant in a changing landscape.
Retail investors are looking at this sector with compelling strategies, including reimagining portions of the property to bring in new tenants, densifying the property by spinning off excess parking into pad sites or value-add components with a plan for re-leasing and some potential redevelopment opportunities.
Peachtree provides needed liquidity for maturing loans, new acquisitions and construction projects.
Some of the recent coast-to-coast mall transactions completed, include:
- Bellis Fair Mall – Originating a$24.0 million first mortgage loan for the 774,264 square-foot shopping mall in Bellingham, Washington.
- Cumberland Mall – Originating a$28.8 million first mortgage loan for the 953,313 square-foot shopping mall in Vineland, New Jersey.
- Greenwood Mall – Originating a$42.3 million first mortgage loan for the 970,523 square-foot shopping mall in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
- The Mall at Robinson – Originating a$25.5 million first mortgage loan for the 874,000 square-foot shopping mall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- TownCenter at Cobb – Originating a $42.0million first mortgage for a 1,200,000 square-foot shopping mall in Kennesaw, GA
- Fairlane Town Center – Originating a $28.0million first mortgage for a 1,450,000 square foot shopping mall in Dearborn, MI
Peachtree actively collaborates with sponsors from the initial concept stage until closing, offering expedited financing explicitly tailored for their business, allowing all parties to achieve a best-in-class financial outcome. Throughout the process, Peachtree keeps up regular touchpoints, ensuring the transactions go smoothly. This further demonstrates Stonehill’s commitment to supporting sponsor capital strategies with execution certainty amid a highly unpredictable funding landscape, increasingly a critical variable impacting retail real estate acquisition competition outcomes.
Having access to an experienced lender can provide valuable expertise and guidance to help you with your investment. With specific retail knowledge, Peachtree can provide insights into effective strategies for success. At Peachtree, we have the expertise to guide you through your options.
Greg Koenig is a senior vice president at Peachtree Group Credit. Before joining Peachtree, he was an executive director at A large private equity firm, focusing on debt originations in all asset classes. Prior to that, Greg was a senior vice president at Newport RE, a German-based real estate investment company, focusing on acquisitions and asset management for its U.S. portfolio. Previously, he was a vice president at Rialto Capital, where he helped underwrite and asset-manage loan portfolios. Before joining Rialto, Greg worked at TriMont Real Estate Advisors facilitating loan workouts and maximizing returns on distressed assets. Greg holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut, where he majored in Real Estate and UrbanEconomics.
Contact Greg at gkoenig@peachtreegroup.com or 1-860-833-2285.
Foster Affordable Housing with Adaptive Reuse Financing
Explore how adaptive reuse is transforming urban landscapes by repurposing existing buildings into affordable housing. Learn about financing challenges, the benefits of sustainability, heritage preservation, and revitalizing communities.
As cities grapple with limited resources and urban revitalization, one innovative approach gaining traction is adaptive reuse. By repurposing existing structures, such as warehouses, factories and office buildings, adaptive reuse offers a sustainable solution to create affordable housing. However, financing these projects can pose a significant challenge.
The priority of financing an adaptive reuse project is finding an experienced lender, which will increase the chances of a smooth funding process.
The challenges and risks associated with repurposing existing structures can make traditional lenders hesitant to provide financing. In such cases, alternative lenders like, who specializes in adaptive reuse and has a track record of working with these projects, can be a valuable resource.
Stonehill has a deep understanding of the unique considerations involved in adaptive reuse, such as the complexities of assessing the property’s value, estimating renovation costs, and managing potential environmental or structural issues. As a result, Stonehill is usually more willing to provide flexible terms and agreements to accommodate the specific needs and challenges of adaptive reuse projects.
Hotel to Multi-family Conversion Case Study
Stonehill recently financed $11 million for the conversion of a former 195-key conference hotel into 195 affordable studio apartment units. The hotel’s conference space was transitioned to resident amenities including a fitness center, common laundry facilities, lounge areas, large outdoor courtyard and co-working space.
In addition to the sponsor’s experience in workforce housing, the business plan was attractive to Stonehill because of the strong traditional apartment market and demonstrated population growth in the area. And, once complete, the development offers new apartment product at affordable rents for the market.
Benefits of Adaptive Reuse for Affordable Housing
Adaptive reuse provides various benefits, making it an attractive option for affordable housing development.
- Cost-effectiveness: Repurposing existing buildings for affordable housing can significantly reduce development costs compared to constructing new buildings. Existing structures often have solid foundations, basic infrastructure and utilities in place, which can save both time and money during the renovation process. This cost-effectiveness makes adaptive reuse an attractive option for affordable housing initiatives, as it maximizes available resources.
- Preservation of heritage: Adaptive reuse projects offer the opportunity to preserve and celebrate a city’s architectural heritage and historic landmarks. By repurposing buildings with historical significance, communities can retain their cultural identity and architectural character while addressing the pressing need for affordable housing. This approach promotes a sense of pride, connects residents with their city’s history, and contributes to the overall cultural fabric of the community.
- Sustainable solution: Utilizing existing structures through adaptive reuse aligns with sustainable development goals. It reduces the demand for new construction, which requires additional resources, energy, and land. Adaptive reuse minimizes waste generation and environmental impact associated with demolition and new construction by repurposing and renovating existing buildings. This approach promotes resource efficiency and contributes to the overall sustainability of urban development.
- Revitalization of neighborhoods: Converting vacant or underutilized buildings into affordable housing has the potential to revitalize neighborhoods. Adaptive reuse projects can attract residents, businesses, and investments to previously neglected areas by breathing new life into these spaces. This revitalization enhances economic growth, improves community aesthetics, and fosters a sense of pride and ownership among residents. It also supports community development by providing affordable housing options and improving the overall quality of life in the neighborhood.
Considering these benefits, adaptive reuse is a multifaceted approach that addresses the affordable housing crisis and promotes sustainability, heritage preservation and community revitalization. It is an innovative solution that leverages existing resources to create positive social and environmental impacts in urban areas.
Working with Peachtree Group in financing adaptive reuse into affordable housing can increase the chances of securing the necessary funding, navigating the process’s complexities, and ensuring a higher likelihood of project success. Contact me today to discuss your project dsiegel@peachtreegroup.com.
Daniel Siegel is principal and president of Peachtree’s commercial real estate lending group overseeing the group’s expansion into commercial real estate lending. Before joining Peachtree, he was managing director at a large private equity firm and the head of high-yield investments. Prior to joining that firm, Siegel was vice president of acquisitions at Rialto Capital, overseeing the distressed loan acquisitions platform. During his tenure at Rialto, Siegel directly oversaw the acquisition of commercial real estate loans on both domestic and international opportunities. Additionally, he developed the firm’s small balance loan acquisition platform and led the company’s first European acquisition. Siegel has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Tulane University.
Contact Daniel at dsiegel@peachtreegroup.com.
Peachtree Group Lending Explosion
Peachtree Group has capitalized on maturing debt, deploying $556M in loans and $526M in hotel acquisitions and developments, including recent deals such as a $48M construction loan for a hotel in Huntsville and a $42M mortgage for the acquisition of Town Center at Cobb mall.
A wave of maturing debt has been a boon to business for Atlanta-based Peachtree Group. Peachtree Group, through its Peachtree Group Credit division, has deployed $556M in loans and another $526M to buy five hotels and develop another three projects. Recent deals include a $48M construction loan for a 215-room Autograph Collection hotel in Huntsville, Alabama, a $42.2M first mortgage loan to refinance the 133-room Motif on Music Row hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, and a $42M mortgage loan for the acquisition of Town Center at Cobb mall in Kennesaw.