In the News

Macy’s is actively reshaping its retail strategy by selling off its department stores in Georgia, notably including the recent sale of its Gwinnett Place Mall location for $16.5 million to Gwinnett County, which plans to transform the area. This move aligns with Macy’s broader initiative to exit traditional mall spaces and focus on smaller-format stores, aiming to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and enhance profitability. The company is leasing back the sold location, allowing it to maintain a presence while reducing its real estate footprint.

Steward Health Care System, once the largest for-profit private U.S. hospital network, is embroiled in a legal dispute with its largest landlord, Medical Properties Trust (MPT), over unpaid rent. MPT, which owns nearly all of Steward’s U.S. hospitals, has demanded that Steward either pay rent or vacate the properties, as Steward navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The dispute, which has sparked legislative debate and led to severe maintenance issues at some hospitals, highlights the financial struggles of both entities. Steward seeks to sell its operations, but MPT claims that Steward is unfairly trying to shift real estate value to its own benefit. The conflict has stalled hospital sales and has broader implications for hospital ownership and real estate investment in healthcare.

U.S. house prices hit a record high in June 2024, marking the fourth consecutive month of increases, with the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index showing a 5.4% annual rise. Despite the historical peak, the growth in home prices has slowed for the third consecutive month, as seen in both national and metropolitan indices. Economists suggest that while inflation and housing have decelerated, home prices remain significantly above historical norms. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s data also indicates a slowdown in house price growth, likely influenced by increasing housing inventory and high mortgage rates. The effects of recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve may be reflected in future reports.

Mortgage applications have surged to their highest level since January 2023 as borrowers take advantage of easing mortgage rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 17% increase in applications for the week ending August 9, driven by a 35% jump in mortgage refinances, which are up 118% from a year ago. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 6.47%, its lowest level since May 2023, sparking renewed interest in both refinancing and new home purchases. Economists expect this trend to continue, especially if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates in the near future.

By Sean McCracken Hotel News Now Summary: Hyatt Hotels Corp. will remain active in the transactions market after completing a $2 billion hotel sales commitment. CEO Mark Hoplamazian highlighted the focus on strategic partnerships and acquisitions of hotel brands or...

Blackstone’s activities have the potential to significantly boost the issuance of commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). Meanwhile, a loan for two high-rise buildings in Chicago has been downgraded, reflecting issues in that market. Additionally, retail property values have experienced the steepest declines among distressed loans, indicating ongoing struggles in the retail sector.

By Tony Wilbert CoStar News Summary: CIM Group adapted its $5 billion development plans for Centennial Yards in downtown Atlanta by shifting focus from office buildings to hospitality, a move deemed essential for success by Brian McGowan, CIM's Centennial Yards Co....

A bidding war for Macy’s, concurrent with the retailer’s plan to close 150 stores, has significant implications for shopping mall owners and the loans financing these centers. While a buyout could be beneficial with a financially strong new owner, closures may spell trouble for malls and lenders. Macy’s anchors numerous malls, totaling over 100 million square feet, with about $24 billion in loans linked to these properties. The potential closure of Macy’s stores could lead to reduced foot traffic, lower sales for neighboring tenants, and decreased revenue for landlords. Weaker-performing malls are likely targets for closures, exacerbating their decline. Co-tenancy clauses triggered by anchor store closures could affect inline tenants, potentially leading to reduced rents or concessions. Overall, these developments indicate possible repercussions for mall viability and associated loans.

In response to the housing needs of the unhoused, refugees, and migrants, over 16,000 hotel rooms in New York City have been repurposed, with 140 hotels no longer available for travelers as of October. Various city and county authorities have secured these accommodations through long-term leases, reducing future hotel room supply. The impact is particularly noticeable in different market segments, with a concentration of projects in major areas like midtown, Queens/Brooklyn, and JFK/Jamaica. The transformation of these hotels, most of which were midscale or economy properties, may have a lasting effect on New York City’s hotel performance, potentially leading to higher average daily rates in the future. Despite ongoing construction, the city’s supply pipeline for new hotels is expected to be limited due to recent zoning and development regulations.

Amazon has vacated over 14 million square feet of distribution space in the U.S. in the past 16 months, constituting about 3% of its U.S. logistics footprint. Most closures occurred in the latter half of 2022 as Amazon focused on shutting down older, less efficient facilities. The company has recently increased its sublease offerings, with the unique aspect being that more of these involve opportunities through 2030 and beyond in larger, newly built distribution properties. Despite these closures, Amazon’s total U.S. logistics square footage appears to remain stable in 2023, with new leases offsetting the volume of closures.

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. declined for the fourth consecutive month, with the University of Michigan’s sentiment index dropping to 60.4 in November, down from 63.8 in October. Concerns about high interest rates, inflation, and global political unrest contributed to the decline, particularly affecting lower-income and younger consumers. Despite retailers adding 3% more jobs in October compared to the previous year in anticipation of the holiday season, transportation and warehousing jobs fell by 27%. Additionally, while initial claims for unemployment insurance remained low at 217,000 for the week ending Nov. 4, continuing claims increased for the seventh consecutive week, suggesting challenges in finding new employment for some individuals.

Fort Myers, in Southwest Florida, has seen significant activity in new industrial development with 3.9 million square feet currently under construction, following the completion of 1.4 million square feet. However, recent completions have surpassed tenant move-ins, leading to a slight increase in vacancy rates to 2.4%, marking the first time the vacancy rate has averaged over 2% in a year. It’s projected that the vacancy rate will continue to rise, potentially peaking at around 6% by the end of 2024. Despite this increase, Fort Myers remains a desirable industrial market with strong tenant interest, particularly for spaces under 50,000 square feet. Vacancy is expected to normalize to 2% to 3% in the long term.

54-Page Guide Outlines Federal Resources Available to Developers and Landlords By Parimal M. Rohit, CoStar News Amid a housing shortage in U.S. cities, various initiatives are looking to convert underused office spaces in central business districts into residential...

Hotels are increasingly offering a range of amenities and services to pamper pet owners and their pet companions. These services go beyond the traditional water bowls and plush beds, with offerings such as nutritious, fresh dog food in hotel restaurants, “Yappy” hours, play areas, dog mini poolside cabanas, and even doggie turn-down service. Some hotels have specific pet packages, including access to telehealth appointments for pets and dedicated pet concierges, catering to both traditional and non-typical emotional support animals and exotic pets. These pet-friendly amenities aim to enhance the guest experience for pet owners and their beloved animals while contributing to a more comfortable environment for all guests.

13th Floor Homes has initiated the construction of Marina Landings, a luxury gated community in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, featuring 34 single-family homes. The project addresses the challenge of scarce available land in South Florida by repurposing infill sites. The development, located near the airport and downtown, offers homes starting in the low 1-millions, with various floor plans, and is expected to be completed in 2024. The demand for single-family homes in the region has led the company to expand its presence into various Florida submarkets.