(Save the date: RealShare Apartments comes to the Westin Bonaventure, Los Angeles, October 24.)

SAN DIEGO-Industry sources report that Broadway Lofts, a mixed-use property at 1007 5th Ave. downtown has been sold by Watt Lofts LLC to Denver-based AIMCO Properties LLC for $19.7 million. The 12-story property was extravagantly transformed into 84 luxury apartments over 7,200 square feet of retail space in 2005.

The buyer assumed a $9.6 million loan at a 5.5% interest rate and put down a $1 million deposit, removing all contingencies after a five-day due diligence. Kitty Wallace, based in Colliers International’s West Los Angeles office, along with Rita Lancaster-Hannah and Savvas Marinos, based in the firm's San Diego office, represented both sides in the transaction.

The Colliers team garnered 12 offers for the property, which is situated at the corner of Broadway and 5th Ave. at the border of the Civic Center District and the thriving Gaslamp District. It is within walking distance to more than 5,000 businesses, 85,000 jobs, 400 restaurants and numerous attractions such as Horton Plaza, the San Diego Convention Center and Petco Park. It is also a block from San Diego’s trolley line and a short cab ride to San Diego’s International Airport and the Santa Fe Train Depot. Numerous other modes of transportation are within reach of the property, including the I-5, 163 and 94 freeways, and 30 bus routes pass through the downtown area.

Broadway Lofts is also one of the only luxury adaptive re-use properties in the city. The western portion of the property was first built in 1909 as the American National Bank and was one of San Diego’s first skyscrapers. After the 2005 renovation, it was transformed into an elegant residential tower with retail on the ground floor.

The unit mix breaks down to 82 lofts and two one-bedroom, one-bathroom penthouse units. The New York-style apartments have unique historical details like original columns, floors and wood paneling. The kitchens feature granite slab countertops, stainless-steel GE appliances, maple cabinets, stacked washers and dryers, central air conditioning and heat. Select units have 10.5-ft. ceilings, walk-in closets, track lighting, exposed brick walls, balconies and impressive skyline views.

Common-area amenities include two elevators, secured entrances, a spacious leasing office and a grand lobby with original marble flooring. Commercial tenants include a 7-Eleven convenience store and the Crab Hut.

Members of Colliers International’s sales team involved in the transaction were unable to comment to GlobeSt.com on the deal or the property prior to deadline.

In June 2010, GlobeSt.com reported that the Watt Cos. and joint-venture partner Barrow Street Capital had acquired the note on Broadway Lofts and recapitalized the property. At that time, Watt and Barrow replaced bridge financing on the property with seven]year non]recourse financing from Freddie Mac.

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Carrie Rossenfeld

Carrie Rossenfeld is a reporter for the San Diego and Orange County markets on GlobeSt.com and a contributor to Real Estate Forum. She was a trade-magazine and newsletter editor in New York City before moving to Southern California to become a freelance writer and editor for magazines, books and websites. Rossenfeld has written extensively on topics including commercial real estate, running a medical practice, intellectual-property licensing and giftware. She has edited books about profiting from real estate and has ghostwritten a book about starting a home-based business.