Multifamily Investment Following Loop 202 Expansion

The I-10-Loop 202 expansion is energizing multifamily investment activity in Phoenix. The highly anticipated project, which will connect the 1-10-Loop 202 from Southeast Valley cities of Ahwatukee, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert to Central Phoenix. Recent investment activity includes deals like the Avante Apartment Homes, a 428-unit apartment community in Phoenix, which traded hands for $51 million. The property is located at the interchange of the I-10 Loop 202 interchange. This is an example of the increased investment activity, which has also fueled property values and land prices for new development.

“Multifamily investors are always seeking to find opportunities in expanding locations with significant economic development in the pipeline,” Alon Shnitzer, senior managing partner at ABI Multifamily, tells GlobeSt.com. “The Loop 202 Expansion is a major west and south Phoenix area driver, which, upon its completion in 2019, should increase demand for new/updated rental housing along its corridors over the next few years due to the job growth that’s expected.” Shnitzer brokered the deal of the Avante Apartment Homes along with Eddie Chang and Rue Bax.

The brokerage firm has seen an increase in investors looking for opportunities in this area, particularly for value-add opportunities. In this deal, a California-based buyer purchased the asset from a Phoenix-based investor. “There is tremendous interest for this type of value-add play, not just in this particular area but across the Valley,” adds Shnitzer. “While this particular transaction was off market, we have been experiencing a sizable increase in investors looking in this area for acquisitions.”

Interest has been concentrated south of the new interchange, but that could change when the project is completed sometime next year. Shnitzer expects investor interest to continue to grow after it opens. “While north of the I-10/ Loop 202 interchange hasn’t received as much interest as further south along the new Loop 202,” he explains. “With project completion expected very soon we anticipate demand for value-add plays to skyrocket in the coming months, quarters particularly in light of City of Phoenix’s plans for the new corridor.”

The area could also fuel office investment as well. Phoenix is looking to attract tech companies to they area, meaning that it could be a tech hub. “City of Phoenix would like to re-brand the expansion area as the South Mountain Technology Corridor and wants to see the development of modern business parks to house advanced technology and manufacturing companies,” says Shnitzer. Should this area emerge as a tech hub, there will certainly be increased investment across asset classes.