Navigating the changing landscape for multifamily financing in 2017, By Bryan Shaffer, NREIOnline.com
“While multifamily remains one of the most desirable asset classes to finance, a number of new factors have emerged that are making it more challenging to secure competitive financing now than before. The question is: will we continue to see strong fundamentals drive lender appetite for multifamily, or will investors and lenders pull back in response to potential over-construction and uncertainty as to whether the market can sustain this growth?”
How innovative retailers stay ahead of what customers want, By Josh Cohen, Urban Land Institute
“Over time, it is unlikely that people will continue to make 90 percent of purchases in physical stores, as McCauley cited. But McGrath and Bombacie are confident that innovative retailers can adapt to rapidly changing customer expectations and technologies, while also staying ahead of the curve to predict what customers will want before they start asking for it.”
City greenlights transformative Atlanta project, By Gail Kalinoski, Commercial Property Executive
“The Grant Park Gateway Project, slated for completion in late 2018, will feature 1,000 parking spaces along with a rooftop park and restaurant. The facility is expected to earn LEED certification and will plant vegetation to reduce storm water runoff and improve air quality. The project will implement an intelligent parking system designed to guide patrons to vacant spots and surveillance cameras to promote safety.”
Decatur Whole Foods project gets big investor, By David Allison, Atlanta Business Chronicle
“Armada Hoffler Properties Inc. (NYSE: AHH) reported Tuesday it’s entered into an agreement to invest in the development of a $34 million Whole Foods-anchored center in Decatur. The Virginia Beach, Va.-based real estate investment trust did not disclose other details of its investment.”
Despite lost tenants, Highwoods remains bullish on growing Buckhead rents, By Jarred Schenke, Bisnow
“Highwoods plans to backfill two tenant spaces in Buckhead and achieve rents 10 percent higher than what the REIT is earning now, Klinck said Thursday during an earnings call with stock analysts. CEO Ed Fritsch later in the call identified those tenants as human resources consulting firm Towers Watson, vacating Two Alliance Center, and Morgan Stanley, moving out of Monarch Tower.”