ATLANTA-Atlanta’s retail market is rivaling South Florida and Washington, DC, evidenced by back-to-back grocery-anchored shopping centers in the region. The properties span 235,286 square feet in Alpharetta.

HFF marketed the assets on behalf of the seller, LaSalle Investment Management. AEW Capital Management purchased both properties for $43.15 million free and clear of debt. HFF directors Jim Hamilton and Richard Reid lead the sale of Crabapple Shopping Center and Saddlebrook Shopping Center.

“There is a limited supply of core product in the market and there is a tremendous amount of capital seeking that kind of product,” Hamilton tells GlobeSt.com. “I don’t see a lot of core product hitting the market unless there are specific reasons to sell. So when you do have a core asset that’s available it’s going to be extremely competitive.”