Scott Baltic
Scott Baltic has been a contributing editor with Commercial Property Executive since 2011 and also wrote for its predecessor, Commercial Property News. He started writing about CRE in 1988 for a group of Chicago-based publications and in 1989 became the editor of Midwest Real Estate News. After moving on from there in 1991, Baltic continued writing occasionally about real estate, for publications like the Chicago Sun-Times, National Real Estate Investor, Urban Land, Shopping Center World and Architect’s Newspaper. He earned a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and has a bachelor’s from North Park University.
Plum Creek-Rockefeller JV Envisions Inland Ports, Manufacturing, Office Uses for 4,700 Acres
Plum Creek Timber Co., of Seattle, and New York’s Rockefeller Group have signed a memorandum of understanding “to evaluate and pursue joint venture development projects” on 4,722 acres of land in the U.S. Southeast. The tracts are intended for commercial development, including manufacturing and distribution facilities, as well as inland ports and office buildings.
Pebblebrook Buys Embassy Suites in Downtown San Diego for $112M
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, of Bethesda, Md., has purchased the Embassy Suites San Diego Bay – Downtown for $112.5 million.
Ivanhoé, TPG JV Buys Trophy London Office for $400M
Ivanhoé Cambridge, of Montreal, and TPG, a leading global private investment firm, have acquired Woolgate Exchange, a trophy office building in London’s business district, for close to $400 million.
Starwood’s Move into Special Servicing Amid Distress Level’s Continued Drop
There were several motivations for the just-announced $1.05 billion purchase of LNR Property by Starwood Property Trust and Starwood Capital Group. The one that seems to have gotten the most attention, though, was the opportunity the acquisition gives Starwood to move into special servicing.
JLL, HSBC Sign Record-Setting Facilities Management Contract
In what reportedly is the largest outsourcing contract of its kind by a financial services firm, Jones Lang LaSalle has been selected by banking giant HSBC as its sole global outsourcing provider of integrated facilities management services.
Berkadia Funds $1.5B M-F Portfolio in Baltimore-D.C. Area
Berkadia Commercial Mortgage has closed a $1.5 billion loan portfolio through Freddie Mac for Southern Management Corp.
Hampshire Properties Sells 450 KSF LIC Office Building for $85M
A venture composed of affiliates of Madison Marquette and certain funds within the Perella Weinberg Partners’ Asset-Based Value strategy has purchased the Center Building, an eight-story, 450,000-square-foot office building in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, New York, for $85 million.
Tishman Speyer Snags 575 KSF Office Lease with French Government
Two French government agencies have signed a lease with Tishman Speyer for the entire 575,000-square-foot, 36-story Tour Esplanade office high-rise in the La Defense district just west of Paris.
Related Breaks Ground on $120M Downtown LA Project
Related California has broken ground on a $120 million, 19-story, 271-unit apartment building in downtown Los Angeles’ Grand Avenue Project.
Berkadia Acquires Hendricks & Partners
Leading commercial real estate lender and servicer Berkadia Commercial Mortgage has acquired Hendricks & Partners, one of the nation’s largest privately held multi-family investment sales entities.