NEWS & NOTABLES

ATLANTA—AFA Protective Systems, a New York-based super regional fire safety and security systems integrator, appointed Mike Putman as the regional sales and business development manager in Atlanta. Putman will be responsible for expanding AFA's business in the southeast territory. Putman brings more than 25 years of experience to AFA, which includes a degree in forensic science and working in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff at the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. He furthered his career with Senior Management positions held at high profile security companies and is a true veteran in the security industry.

ATLANTA—HFF closed the sale of and arranged acquisition financing for Shops of Forest Hill, a 343,855-square-foot community center located in Germantown, TN. HFF marketed the center on behalf of the seller, Boyle Investment Company and Milton Schaeffer. Epic Real Estate Partners purchased the asset free and clear of existing debt. Working on behalf of the new owners, HFF placed the five-year acquisition loan with Wells Fargo Bank. Shops of Forest Hill is a community center located in Germantown, the most affluent suburb of Memphis, and is anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market, Marshalls, Malco Cinemas and Target. The property is located on the “going home” side of Poplar Avenue, Germantown's main east-west corridor, and the average household income within a one-mile radius of the property exceeds $170,000.

NEW ORLEANS—CMA CGM announced new direct-to-Asia container service from the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal at the Port of New Orleans. The French company's inaugural vessel is scheduled to arrive Jan. 31 for service by terminal operator Ports America. CMA is the world's third-largest container carrier and is based in Marseille, France, with US headquarters in Norfolk, VA. The direct weekly service to Asia will shave significant transit time off alternate routes, allowing container shipments to and from China, South Korea and Singapore to reach their destinations sooner. “Louisiana is an international gateway for goods bound to and from America's industrial heartland, and having this new direct service for shippers to vital Asian markets will create greater value for our economy,” says Gov. John Bel Edwards. “As we see billions of dollars of new industrial investments being made in Louisiana, strategic shipping services by CMA CGM and others will enhance existing import-export operations while making our state even more desirable for foreign direct investment projects.”

ATLANTA—La Fête Chocolat, one of South America's largest high-end chocolate manufacturers, opened its first US retail location at Lenox Square Mall. Lenox Square Mall is home to nearly 250 specialty stores. JLL's retail team, led by senior vice president Sarah Williams and senior associate Logan Elder, represented La Fête. La Fête Chocolat, based in Santiago, Chile, currently operates 35 stores across Chile. The company selected Atlanta for its first US outpost to capitalize on the city's established distribution channels. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport offers direct flights to Santiago, a critical factor for La Fête. The chocolatier is currently considering expansion opportunities throughout the Southeast, including potential retail locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. “Atlanta's accessibility and sophisticated distribution network were instrumental to La Fête's US expansion strategy,” says John Bemis, senior director of retail for JLL. “Atlanta is truly emerging as a destination for global business.”

BUILDING BLOCKS

DUNWOODY, GA—The new Residence Inn by Marriott Atlanta Perimeter Center Dunwoody, owned by Atlanta-based Hotel Development Partners and managed by Atlanta-based Hotel Equities, recently topped off in Dunwoody. The seven-story extended stay hotel, under construction by Atlanta-based Winter Construction, will include 124 rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. Joe Fallis serves as the general manager of the hotel with Susan Zuppardo as the director of sales.

The Southeast is closing the year strong. Atlanta's office numbers look good, the promotions continue, the acquisitions on the retail front are still inking, and Louisiana continues to win big on the logistics and industrial front.

BY THE NUMBERS

Atlanta employers will expand the workforce by 2.9% in 2016 with 75,000 workers after increasing the employment base 2.8% the previous year. Office-using payrolls will register a 1.9% rise this year with nearly 14,000 new positions. (Source: Marcus & Millichap)

After completing approximately 1 million square feet of office space in 2015, builders are on track to deliver 954,000 square feet of space this year. The majority of development will be located within the Buckhead, Midtown and Northwest Atlanta submarkets. (Source: Marcus & Millichap)

NEWS & NOTABLES

ATLANTA—AFA Protective Systems, a New York-based super regional fire safety and security systems integrator, appointed Mike Putman as the regional sales and business development manager in Atlanta. Putman will be responsible for expanding AFA's business in the southeast territory. Putman brings more than 25 years of experience to AFA, which includes a degree in forensic science and working in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff at the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. He furthered his career with Senior Management positions held at high profile security companies and is a true veteran in the security industry.

ATLANTA—HFF closed the sale of and arranged acquisition financing for Shops of Forest Hill, a 343,855-square-foot community center located in Germantown, TN. HFF marketed the center on behalf of the seller, Boyle Investment Company and Milton Schaeffer. Epic Real Estate Partners purchased the asset free and clear of existing debt. Working on behalf of the new owners, HFF placed the five-year acquisition loan with Wells Fargo Bank. Shops of Forest Hill is a community center located in Germantown, the most affluent suburb of Memphis, and is anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market, Marshalls, Malco Cinemas and Target. The property is located on the “going home” side of Poplar Avenue, Germantown's main east-west corridor, and the average household income within a one-mile radius of the property exceeds $170,000.

NEW ORLEANS—CMA CGM announced new direct-to-Asia container service from the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal at the Port of New Orleans. The French company's inaugural vessel is scheduled to arrive Jan. 31 for service by terminal operator Ports America. CMA is the world's third-largest container carrier and is based in Marseille, France, with US headquarters in Norfolk, VA. The direct weekly service to Asia will shave significant transit time off alternate routes, allowing container shipments to and from China, South Korea and Singapore to reach their destinations sooner. “Louisiana is an international gateway for goods bound to and from America's industrial heartland, and having this new direct service for shippers to vital Asian markets will create greater value for our economy,” says Gov. John Bel Edwards. “As we see billions of dollars of new industrial investments being made in Louisiana, strategic shipping services by CMA CGM and others will enhance existing import-export operations while making our state even more desirable for foreign direct investment projects.”

ATLANTA—La Fête Chocolat, one of South America's largest high-end chocolate manufacturers, opened its first US retail location at Lenox Square Mall. Lenox Square Mall is home to nearly 250 specialty stores. JLL's retail team, led by senior vice president Sarah Williams and senior associate Logan Elder, represented La Fête. La Fête Chocolat, based in Santiago, Chile, currently operates 35 stores across Chile. The company selected Atlanta for its first US outpost to capitalize on the city's established distribution channels. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport offers direct flights to Santiago, a critical factor for La Fête. The chocolatier is currently considering expansion opportunities throughout the Southeast, including potential retail locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. “Atlanta's accessibility and sophisticated distribution network were instrumental to La Fête's US expansion strategy,” says John Bemis, senior director of retail for JLL. “Atlanta is truly emerging as a destination for global business.”

BUILDING BLOCKS

DUNWOODY, GA—The new Residence Inn by Marriott Atlanta Perimeter Center Dunwoody, owned by Atlanta-based Hotel Development Partners and managed by Atlanta-based Hotel Equities, recently topped off in Dunwoody. The seven-story extended stay hotel, under construction by Atlanta-based Winter Construction, will include 124 rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. Joe Fallis serves as the general manager of the hotel with Susan Zuppardo as the director of sales.