Neiman Marcus To Close Worth Avenue Location After Filing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

COVID-19 continues to shake the commercial real estate industry, especially when it comes to retail. The Dallas-based Neiman Marcus Group has announced that they will be will be closing their Worth Avenue location in Palm Beach amid the luxury retailer’s Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection Proceedings. Neiman Marcus is actively working with A&G Real Estate to find someone to take over their 48,661 SF lease at 151 Worth Avenue which runs through May 31, 2026 and has options available to the tenant through 2051. 151 Worth Avenue is owned by the New York-based O’Connor Real Estate Advisors who acquired the property in January 2014 for $40 million.

"Real estate is a long-term play. These leases represent an incredible opportunity for retailers and investors to gain a foothold in markets that, under normal conditions, are renowned for their traffic and sales – as well as for their high barriers to entry," said A&G Real Estate Co-President Emilio Amendola. "Additionally, some of these locations are particularly promising for conversion to hotel, office or residential use." 

The Worth Avenue, Palm Beach store currently remains open for curbside pickup and appointments only. Neiman Marcus first filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in May 7, 2020, amid the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.

Owner of Bâoli, Massa Investment Group, Acquires Miami Beach's Paris Theater For $13 Million

Massa Investment Group has acquired Miami Beach’s Paris Theater, located at 550 Washington Ave., for $13 million; $508 per square foot. The Art Deco building, which was first built in 1935, spans 25,589 SF. The building was designed by architect Henry Hohauser and has operated over time as a cinema, adult movie house, nightclub and film studio. U2, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin have all shot music videos at the theater. Big Time Productions was the seller after acquiring the Paris Theater for $975,000 in 1992 and first listing the property for $23 million in 2015. The transaction was financed with a $15.2 million loan provided by IberiaBank. Massa Investment Group is led by Mathieu Massa who is also the owner of Mr. Hospitality, the firm behind some of Miami’s most exclusive venues including Bâoli, Marion and El Tucan.

Image via Paris Theater

NNN Leased Pollo Tropical Building on Biscayne Blvd. in MiMo Trades For 4.61% CA

A NNN leased Pollo Tropical stand-alone restaurant building located on Biscayne Blvd/ US-1 in Miami’s MiMo district, has traded for $2.275 million, equating to a 4.61% CAP rate. The 1,754 SF restaurant building sits on a 12,800 SF lot located at 7501 Biscayne Blvd in Miami, FL. The asset was renovated in 2017 and had a 15-year corporate NNN lease with Pollo Tropical. The transfer development rights (TDR’s) were not included in the sale. This Pollo Tropical restaurant is interesting because it is a drive-thru only location and contains no indoor seating. This made it especially attractive during the current pandemic as the tenant was able to operate without any interruption during the recent City of Miami shutdown.

“This acquisition was driven by the buyer’s concern for the unknown long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and future possible shutdowns. We are seeing a large portion of our client base shift their focus to seeking out assets that have proven resilient against down markets.” said Jason Abitbol, Apex Capital Realty.

Jason Abitbol, Apex Capital Realty’s Commercial Advisor, represented the buyer, 995 Holdings LLC., in the acquisition which represented a 1031 Exchange. The Seller of the property was 7501 Biscayne LLC. which is controlled by Alex Karakhanian from LNDMRK Development. The seller was represented by Alex Zylberglait, Scott Sandelin, and Jonathan De La Rosa from Marcus and Millichap. 

International Materials Signs 20K SF Lease In Delray Beach To Relocate HQ

International Materials, Inc. (IMI), an international trading and logistics provider, has signed a 20,052-square-foot lease with Samuels & Associates to relocate and expand its corporate headquarters from Boca Raton to the Offices at 4th & 5th Delray. Located in Delray Beach’s central business district, IMI’s new headquarters will settle into nearly two-thirds of the mixed-use building’s third-floor Class A office space at 25 SE 4th Ave.

The 144,733-square-foot, four-story mixed-use project, newly developed in a joint venture between Samuels & Associates and American Realty Advisors, sits in the heart of Delray Beach where there is both a high demand for office spaces and limited Class A office development. The relocation of IMI’s headquarters into the expansive office space will aid in the company’s accommodation of the existing HQ roster of 45 full-time professionals and doubling its team’s numbers by finding talent in line with its anticipated growth trajectory. 

“As a locally owned and managed business, we are thrilled to move back to downtown Delray Beach where many of us have been residents for years,” said Robert Walsh, President of IMI. “The prospect of locating our headquarters in this state-of-the-art building, steps away from Atlantic Avenue, is a dream scenario that will allow us to grow our business and make room for the future. We are grateful for the support we have received from the City and from Samuels & Associates.”

In the transaction, Samuels & Associates was represented by Keith O’Donnell and Gary Gottlieb of Avison Young, while IMI was represented by Ingrid Kennemer of Coastal Commercial Group.

“Samuels & Associates is delighted to welcome IMI to its new space in the Offices at 4th & 5th Delray,” said Peter Sougarides, Principal, Samuels & Associates. “As we continue to implement a thoughtful placemaking process in the dynamic downtown Delray Beach neighborhood, we look forward to welcoming companies and employees who will enliven the local downtown economy.”

Approximately 6,181 square feet of office space now remains on the third floor of the Offices at 4th & 5th Delray. It is only a few steps away from Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue, which is composed of 9,000 square feet of boutique retail, lively dining options, green space, and public beachfront. The project also features a dedicated entryway, a flexible floor plan, experiential office design which will allow for a variety of work settings, more than 8,600 square feet of spacious terraces that allow for views of downtown Delray Beach, a 326-space parking garage, an onsite iPic theater, and a restaurant, all of which IMI will have access to.

“This IMI corporate headquarters relocation to the Delray Beach central business district is a testament to the strength of our city and evidence that the investments in our public-private partnerships strategically located for economic development are beginning to pay off,” said Stephanie Immelman, President & CEO of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.

“There is no denying the staying power and increasing vibrancy of Delray Beach's downtown as a corporate destination. We were able to attract a corporate headquarters relocation during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Shelly Petrolia. “We are excited to welcome IMI’s headquarters into the City of Delray Beach and look forward to helping IMI grow in our city.”

By Isabella Zimmermann

Triple Five Group Completes Land Swap For Final Portion of 174 Acre Assemblage Needed To Develop American Dream Miami

American Dream Miami has moved closer to its expected 2021 groundbreaking after Triple Five Group completed a land swap with Graham Companies for the final 25 acre needed to develop the mega mall. The land is located south of NW 178th Street and east of 97th Avenue in unincorporated northwest Miami-Dade County, just west of Miami Gardens and Miami Lakes. The land will be incorporated in a 336-acre plan to build 2,000 apartment units, retail and office space.

The two parcels acquired by Triple Five Group were valued at $12.7 million while the three parcels acquired by Graham were also valued at $12.7 million. No money was exchanged as part of the deal but CIBC Bank USA reportedly increased its mortgage on Triple Five Group’s holdings from $15.35 million to $19.65 million.

First proposed in 2015, American Dream Miami would be the biggest mall in the United States when completed. The malls is expected to span over 5 million SF and will feature a retail component with an entertainment component consisting of a theme park, indoor ski complex, ice skating complex, aquarium and a submarine lake. The mall would cost between $4.5 billion to $5 billion with completion expected in 2025.

The Miami-Dade City Commission approved zoning changes in May 2018 and the developers and city will need to work together to build a highway interchange between the Ronald Raegan Turnpike, I-75 and NW 170th St. required to make the project possible. American Dream Miami will also require a $15 million sewer extension. Triple Five Worldwide plans to submit a final design by the end of 2020 and the group is currently reviewing the site to finalize the mix of entertainment and retail.

Brickell City Centre Announces New Retailers And Restaurants Opening In 2020 Despite COVID-19

Brickell City Centre (BCC), an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties in Miami’s financial district, Brickell, has announced new retailers and first-of-its-kind restaurants which will be opening this summer (2020) despite the COVID-19 shutdown. The tenants will occupy a combined 44,500 SF and the news comes on the heels of the 500,000 SF shopping center’s recent reopening May 22. The mix of new tenants includes coal-fired Cuban cuisine concept Marabú, Latin and Asian fusion restaurant Los Chinos, menswear brand Indochino, brewery and restaurant EST.33 - Craft Brewery and Kitchen and American automotive electric car company, Lucid Motors. Puttshack, the high-tech mini-golf concept that was announced earlier this year, is still on schedule to open next year. 

“Miami is a destination, and we’ve always wanted BCC to feel like an extension of that experience. Shoppers want more from their retail centers than a place to purchase products, even more so after Covid has furthered the ease of online shopping,” said David Martin, VP of Retail for Swire Properties, the developer of BCC. “These new tenants speak to the experience, connection and tech-savviness that will define the future of retail.”

New-to-market concepts such as EST. 33, Puttshack and Lucid Motors, selected Brickell City Centre as their first U.S. or East Coast opening location, while local Miami-based restaurant groups, such as the teams behind Marabu and Los Chinos, will be launching brand new concepts at BCC. Marabu has already opened, Indochino and EST.33 will open in July 2020, Los Chinos in later summer 2020 and Lucid Motors for the Holiday season as they gear up to launch the company’s first car, the Lucid Air.

An Iconic Lincoln Road Book Store and Cafe Is Closing After 30 Years

Lincoln Road has been hit by yet another closure as Books & Books has shut its doors after more than 30 years. Located at 927 Lincoln Road in The Sterling Building, the asking rents were too high for the independent bookstore which also has several other locations including Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Downtown and Bal Harbour. Owner Mitchell Kaplan reportedly said that in addition tot he rising rents, the impact of COVID-19 contributed to his decision to permanently close the store. Over the past 10 years Books & Books had already moved to a smaller space within The Sterling Building and stopped operating the outdoor cafe. Books & Books will reportedly look for a new Miami Beach location.

Other retailers to vacate their Lincoln Road locations include Steve Madden from Thor Equities’ 663 Lincoln Road, Kiehl’s at 540 Lincoln Road. This month Books & Books’s landlord Sam Herzberg sued to evict both Diesel USA and Perry Ellis/ Original Penguin from The Sterling Building for failing to pay April and May rent. Herzberg is also planning a 144-key hotel addition to the building after the City of Miami Beach recently changed zoning to allow hotels on parts of Lincoln Road.

A Major Retailer Just Vacated Thor Equities' 663 Lincoln Road

COVID-19’s impact on commercial real estate is beginning to show its ugly wake. In late April Steve Madden reportedly notified Thor Equities, led by founder and CEO Joseph Sitt, that they would not be renewing their 2,269 SF lease at 663 Lincoln Road, which represents roughly 45% of the building. The vacancy is being marketed for a replacement tenant and the building is also listed for sale asking $17.5 million with Tony Arellano and Devlin Marinoff of DWNTWN Realty Advisors.

Thor Equities is reportedly working towards relief after falling delinquent on payments for a $7.3 million CMBS loan which is backed by the building. In 2012 Thor Equities paid $15 million for the 5,000 SF Lincoln Road-fronting retail building which was built in 1935. Pizza Rustica leases 1,700 SF in the building at the 667 Lincoln Road address.

Thor Equities’ Miami portfolio also includes the ground-floor retail space at 605 Lincoln Road as well as several properties in Wynwood and Miami Design District.

Apex Capital Realty Oversees Acquisition of Former Midas Retail Site On Le Jeune Road

Apex Capital Realty’s Miguel Pinto acted as the sole broker in the 5,718 SF retail building deal at 900 S Le Jeune Rd. in Miami, FL which closed for $1,575,000 on Friday. Coral 900 LLC. which controlled by Christian Vasquez, purchased the 5,718 Square Foot retail site from the HAROLD NOORDHOEK Revocable Trust.

“Appetite for investment of retail buildings that house essential businesses continues to be strong! Investors are migrating from high yield restaurants to and shifting their strategy to investing in real estate that house pharmacies, automotive real estate, medical use and drive thru restaurant buildings. “said Miguel Pinto.

The 2-parcel site which formerly was being operated as a Midas, is located on Le Jeune Road which serves as the west artery to Coral Gables, makes it a desirable site for all retail uses. The site is visible to over 34,000 vehicles per day and is shadow anchored by a CVS and a McDonald’s.

Malls Across Miami Are Reopening Today As Miami Enters Phase 1 Of Reopening From The COVID-19 Shutdown

“Although we live in a city without seasons, this feels like Spring,” said Miami Design District visionary Craig Robins as Miami enters Phase 1 of its reopening plan. As per approval by Governor Ron DeSantis, Miami-Dade and Broward County can begin to reopen as of today, May 18, 2020, following the COVID-19 lockdown that has marred the United States since early March. Golf courses and marinas opened several weeks ago with restrictions, and now retail, restaurants, barbershops and salons may open - with restrictions. Bars, nightclubs, movie theaters and beaches are not part of the Phase 1 reopening plan and have no set reopen date.

Following the opening of Palm Beach County over the past several weeks, malls in Miami are welcoming back patrons in Miami Design District, Brickell City Centre, Bal Harbour Shops and Aventura Mall, in addition to Broward County’s Sawgrass Mills mall leading the charge. While the malls may be open, individual businesses within them are making their own decisions as to which day and how they will relaunch operations. Robins indicated that Miami Design District will see most of their tenants open by Wednesday, May 20 along with parking, public art and centralized services. Shoppers will also be able to pick up a mask at any MDD information desk. Bal Harbour Shops and Brickell City Centre opened May 18.

Restaurant openings have been a hot topic of discussion as they begin opening their dine-in services back up at 50% capacity and with six foot social distancing between parties. Bar counters are closed to seating and a maximum of four people can be seated at a table unless they are members of the same household, which are capped at six. Patrons must wear face masks when they are not at their table and employees must wear masks at all times. All menus must be single use and restrooms must limit their capacity to one person at a time. Retail has similar restrictions limiting capacity to 50% and requiring all customers and employees to wear a mask at all times.

Authorities will monitor and assess how Phase 1 of reopening progresses over the next several weeks before approving a move to Phase 2 or instituting new restrictions to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.