ATLANTA—RentPath released Apartment Guide, the first mobile search engine that takes consumers inside dozens of communities with a single tap on their phones. The visual search experience aims to drive more leads and, the company claims, functionality increases the likelihood that a user will favorite a property by 200% and the number of taps to call a community by 13%. More than 84% of today's renters are searching for apartments on their mobile phone and the visual experience matters.

DEAL TRACKER

ATLANTA—JLL sold Warner Robins Place, an open-air shopping center in Warner Robins, to Integris Ventures. Warner Robins Place spans 107,941 square feet and is anchored by TJ Maxx, PetSmart and Beall's Outlet and shadow anchored by Walmart Supercenter and Lowe's Home Improvement. JLL managing director Margaret Caldwell and vice president Margaret Jones led the transaction for the seller, DDR.

ATLANTA—Conlon Capital, formed by the merger of Aries Capital and Conlon & Co's commercial mortgage and capital markets divisions, has arranged an $11.85 million, non-recourse CMBS permanent loan for the refinance of the Ivy Walk Shoppes. The 42,499-square-foot retail property is located within a class A, mixed-use development close to Atlanta's SunTrust Park, the new home of the Atlanta Braves. Structured by Conlon Capital CEO and principal Rushi Shah, the loan was completed at 75% loan-to-value and is interest-only for 18 months. With a maturity date just months away, borrower MRE-Ivy, LLC contacted Conlon after a quote for a loan through a national bank came up short on proceeds.

ATLANTA—John Dixon & Associates making a way for more banks and other institutions—as well as individuals—to sell real estate at simulcast auction. “We analyzed the whole auction marketplace and found that real estate owners of all types and sizes needed a more efficient and cost-effective way to sell in live auctions,” says company president John Dixon. “Our enhanced Multi-Seller program provides the excitement of a live auction and the broader reach of online bidding.” The demand for such an approach is reflected in the company's upcoming auction, set for May 22 in Jacksonville, Florida, and May 24 in Atlanta. Sellers include several banks, six major Real Estate Investment Trusts, and about 30 individuals, according to Dixon. “We're getting a big response because you can't beat the excitement of live bidders in a room, along with online bidders who are bidding right along with them during the auction,” he says. “We've made that approach easier and more cost-effective, and it's paying off for everybody. More sellers can use the live auction method, and bidders have more to choose from.”

BUILDING BLOCKS

LAKE CHARLES, LA—Dunkin' Donuts signed a multi-unit store development agreement with new franchise group SWLA Delights to develop four Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Lake Charles, including one multi-brand location with Baskin-Robbins, the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. The group's first restaurant is planned to open in 2018. SWLA Delights is led by brothers Gul and Vick Awan who have more than 20 years of combined experience operating QSR concepts and gas and convenience locations throughout Lake Charles and Lafayette. The duo will hire and manage a team to oversee the operations for each new restaurant it opens in Lake Charles.

Early this week in the Southeast was light on commercial real estate market activity. Atlanta saw the bulk of the news, notable and deals.

BY THE NUMBERS

Atlanta saw 6.27 million square feet of industrial completions in the first quarter of 2017. That's the fourth-most ever recorded. (Source: Cushman & Wakefield)

NEWS & NOTABLES

ATLANTA—RentPath released Apartment Guide, the first mobile search engine that takes consumers inside dozens of communities with a single tap on their phones. The visual search experience aims to drive more leads and, the company claims, functionality increases the likelihood that a user will favorite a property by 200% and the number of taps to call a community by 13%. More than 84% of today's renters are searching for apartments on their mobile phone and the visual experience matters.

DEAL TRACKER

ATLANTA—JLL sold Warner Robins Place, an open-air shopping center in Warner Robins, to Integris Ventures. Warner Robins Place spans 107,941 square feet and is anchored by TJ Maxx, PetSmart and Beall's Outlet and shadow anchored by Walmart Supercenter and Lowe's Home Improvement. JLL managing director Margaret Caldwell and vice president Margaret Jones led the transaction for the seller, DDR.

ATLANTA—Conlon Capital, formed by the merger of Aries Capital and Conlon & Co's commercial mortgage and capital markets divisions, has arranged an $11.85 million, non-recourse CMBS permanent loan for the refinance of the Ivy Walk Shoppes. The 42,499-square-foot retail property is located within a class A, mixed-use development close to Atlanta's SunTrust Park, the new home of the Atlanta Braves. Structured by Conlon Capital CEO and principal Rushi Shah, the loan was completed at 75% loan-to-value and is interest-only for 18 months. With a maturity date just months away, borrower MRE-Ivy, LLC contacted Conlon after a quote for a loan through a national bank came up short on proceeds.

ATLANTA—John Dixon & Associates making a way for more banks and other institutions—as well as individuals—to sell real estate at simulcast auction. “We analyzed the whole auction marketplace and found that real estate owners of all types and sizes needed a more efficient and cost-effective way to sell in live auctions,” says company president John Dixon. “Our enhanced Multi-Seller program provides the excitement of a live auction and the broader reach of online bidding.” The demand for such an approach is reflected in the company's upcoming auction, set for May 22 in Jacksonville, Florida, and May 24 in Atlanta. Sellers include several banks, six major Real Estate Investment Trusts, and about 30 individuals, according to Dixon. “We're getting a big response because you can't beat the excitement of live bidders in a room, along with online bidders who are bidding right along with them during the auction,” he says. “We've made that approach easier and more cost-effective, and it's paying off for everybody. More sellers can use the live auction method, and bidders have more to choose from.”

BUILDING BLOCKS

LAKE CHARLES, LA—Dunkin' Donuts signed a multi-unit store development agreement with new franchise group SWLA Delights to develop four Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Lake Charles, including one multi-brand location with Baskin-Robbins, the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. The group's first restaurant is planned to open in 2018. SWLA Delights is led by brothers Gul and Vick Awan who have more than 20 years of combined experience operating QSR concepts and gas and convenience locations throughout Lake Charles and Lafayette. The duo will hire and manage a team to oversee the operations for each new restaurant it opens in Lake Charles.