$55,000,000 of Permanent Financing for 218,000 SF, Grocery-Anchored Center; Ventura, CA

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners arranged the cash-out permanent refinance of a 153,726 SF grocery-anchored retail community center in Dardenne Prairie, MO, about 30 miles west of St. Louis. The Subject Property is anchored by Schnucks and Marcus Theater and is also shadow anchored by Target, which is under separate ownership. The loan is sized to 62% LTV, fixed for 5 years with 20 years amortization.

The Sponsor approached GSP to arrange a non-CMBS loan resulting in $4,000,000 cash-out. The proceeds were used to buy-out his partners and lower the debt service from their previous loan. The theater component, along with a decreased appetite for retail lending due to market conditions made it difficult for capital providers to get comfortable with the asset type and cash-out. GSP identified a lender who was willing to provide a higher loan to value and competitive terms that maximize the Sponsor’s cash-out.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed $18,450,000 in permanent financing on a 122,000 SF grocery anchored shopping center located in Northern California amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center is anchored by a 32,000 SF Smart & Final, a 26,000 SF Ross Dress for Less and a 22,000 SF Planet Fitness. Despite tenants demonstrating commitment to the space—with an average lease term of 15 years and consistent renewals—capital markets were cautious of financing retail and were specifically concerned with COVID-19 rent deferrals and closures due to the California directives and mandates. Furthermore, capital providers expressed uncertainty as to how retail centers would be impacted in the long run and the ramifications of the future post-pandemic retail environment. GSP was able to ensure competitive pricing and proceeds based on having a best-in-class sponsor and strong and diverse anchors, despite being in a cautious financial environment hesitant towards retail.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed $30,000,000 in permanent fixed-rate financing for a 230,000 SF infill Southern California retail center amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As a market-leading retail center near local economic and transit hubs, the Property’s mix of need-based and experiential tenants proved resilient. Capital providers continue to be hesitant in financing retail but were specifically concerned with California’s mandates that impacted the operation of non-essential businesses. As non-essential businesses and experiential tenants comprise a significant portion of tenancy, this posed significant challenges. These included the temporary closure of a movie theatre with less than one year of primary lease term remaining and a fitness center that vacated during the pandemic.

George Smith Partners secured 10 years of permanent financing with full-term interest-only in a financial environment that continues to be cautious towards retail. GSP negotiated competitive pricing at the desired level of proceeds and guided the deal to a successful closing.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed $14,000,000 in permanent financing on a Northern California non-credit grocery anchored center amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Capital markets were wary of financing retail in general but were specifically concerned with tertiary markets and the recent bankruptcy of Chuck E. Cheese. Although tenant sales information was not required to be reported, they were anecdotally strong for the diverse arrangement of large tenants including Chuck E. Cheese. They affirmed their lease, even as COVID-19 was at its peak. Two tenants were closed due to the California directives and mandates. Capital providers were uncertain of what the post-pandemic environment would look like and how retail centers would be impacted in the long run.

GSP was able to ensure competitive pricing and proceeds based on having a best-in-class sponsor and strong and diverse anchors. Although interest rates climbed over 60 basis points during the diligence, the Capital Provider did not change loan proceeds.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged $7,600,000 in permanent financing for a non-traditional anchored shopping center in Northern California. The Big Lots and Dollar Tree anchors had short terms remaining on their primary leases and they both had exceptional health ratios (occupancy cost/total sales). The other two non-credit anchors are doing well. During the Covid-19 pandemic, our Sponsor lost a restaurant tenant and provided rent relief for some of the other tenants. Today, all the tenants are currently paying their rents in full.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners arranged two loans totaling $6,790,000 in permanent financing with over $1,500,000 cash out for a freestanding Walgreens and Jack in the Box located in Antelope Square Shopping Center in Murrieta, California. Both loans are fixed for 5 years at 2.87%, which is one of the lowest fixed rate financings ever closed by GSP. Just as GSP went into application the impacts of Covid-19 resulted in Jack in the Box ceasing rent payments and many capital providers putting a pause on new deals. GSP was able to negotiate a high leverage, cash out refinance with no warm body for carve-outs. The Sponsor also agreed to hold back principal and interest reserves on the Jack in the Box.