January 5, 2021

Phoenix Investors Closes 2020 With 2.4M SF in Acquisitions

Phoenix Investors Closes 2020 With 2.4M SF in Acquisitions

As published by Business Insider

MILWAUKEE, Wis., Jan. 5, 2021 — Affiliates of Phoenix Investors (“Phoenix”), a national private commercial real estate firm headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, announced four (4) year-end acquisitions totaling approximately 2,400,000 square feet. In total, Phoenix acquired 9.5 million square feet of industrial real estate across nine (9) states in 2020, increasing its portfolio to a size in excess of 37 million square feet.

Mattoon, Illinois:

Phoenix acquired LSC Communications Printing Company, Inc.’s former plant located at 6821-1000 North in Mattoon, Illinois. The property is comprised of approximately 1,100,000 square feet of improvements on 84 acres. The infrastructure of the property is robust with clear heights up to 80 feet, 41 loading docks, 11 drive-in doors, ample parking and restrooms, and two interior rail spurs with interior loading, supported by Canadian National. Phoenix intends to make a variety of strategic capital improvements to the property, which it expects will attract a wide base of new users. “We were pleased to work with LSC as it winds down and sells certain shuttered former print manufacturing plants across the United States,” said Frank P. Crivello, Chairman and Founder of Phoenix Investors. The transaction was brokered by Dan Knopf and Armando Nuñez, both Senior Vice Presidents at CBRE, Inc.

Rockford, Illinois:

In Rockford, Illinois, Phoenix acquired from LegacyTexas Bank a 323,000-square-foot industrial building on 14 acres located at 1818 Elmwood Road. LegacyTexas Bank previously foreclosed on the property, making numerous upgrades to the premises during their ownership including HVAC, paving, painting, lighting, and fire suppression. The property is 75% leased to three (3) tenants with 82,000 square feet currently available for lease. It is located in Northrock Industrial Park, which is centrally located within Winnebago County, on the Northwest tip of Rockford. The transaction was brokered by Al Caruana, Senior Director at Cushman & Wakefield.

Glendale, Wisconsin:

Phoenix acquired a prominent office/industrial building totaling approximately 277,000 square feet on 15 acres located at 5001 – 5055 North Lydell Avenue in Glendale, Wisconsin in close proximity to Interstate 43 from a private seller. The property was originally built in 1956 as an industrial site, being converted to flex and office space in later years. Most recently, ManpowerGroup and subsequently Johnson Controls leased space in the building. A portion of the property will remain available for office users, with the expectation to convert most of the facility back to an industrial use. Phoenix’s capital improvement plan includes selective demolition and dock upgrades. Additionally, Phoenix intends on exploring additional development opportunities on the excess land. “This asset prides itself on being a unique infill location in the North Shore suburban market. Both the near-term and long-term redevelopment opportunities present a unique and flexible opportunity to create substantial value with a complementary use to the neighborhood,” added Frank P. Crivello. The transaction was brokered by Paul McBride and Ned Purtell at Founders 3.

Longview, Texas:

The Longview, Texas facility is located at 4350 W Loop 281 and is improved with approximately 702,000 square feet of quality industrial space on 61 acres, expanding Phoenix’s affiliated logistics and transportation business to support growing demand for 3PL services in Texas. Conveniently located within proximity to Interstate 20 (10 minutes), US Highway 80 (25 minutes to the north), and US Highway 259 (15 minutes to the east of the property), the property has ceiling heights up to 50 feet, 36 loading docks, 6″ thick reinforced concrete floors, ample column spacing and rail service by the Union Pacific, including two spurs on site. 270,000 square feet of industrial space is currently available for lease. The vacant space will be upgraded in the immediate future. “We are excited about the additional opportunities this acquisition brings us as we expand our national footprint,” said Robert Kriewaldt, Phoenix Logistics’ Senior Vice President. The transaction was brokered by Kipp Collins, Senior Vice President at Binswanger.

“Our ability to achieve the acquisition of almost 10 million square feet of industrial real estate in a year like 2020 speaks volumes about the talent of our incredible team and the commitment and reliability of our financial partners and their conviction in our investment strategy. We have set a high standard in this very difficult year and look forward to exceeding those expectations in 2021 and beyond,” said David Marks, President and CEO of Phoenix.

About Phoenix Investors

Phoenix Investors is a national commercial real estate firm based in Milwaukee, WI whose core business is the revitalization of former manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. This strategy leads to positively transforming communities and restarting the economic engine in the communities we serve.

Phoenix’s affiliate companies hold interests in industrial, retail, office, and single tenant net-leased properties in approximately 37 million square feet, spanning 22 states. NREI’s most recent survey ranked Phoenix Investor’s as having the 28th largest total industrial real estate portfolio. Today, Phoenix principally specializes in the renovation and repositioning of large, former single tenant industrial facilities throughout the United States that were previously owned by major corporate clients, REITs, or financial institutions.

For more information, please visit phoenixinvestors.com.

Mr. Frank P. Crivello began his real estate career in 1982, focusing his investments in multifamily, office, industrial, and shopping center developments across the United States. From 1994 to 2008, Mr. Crivello assisted Phoenix Investors in its execution of its then business model of acquiring net lease commercial real estate across the United States. Since 2009, Mr. Crivello has assisted Phoenix Investors in the shift of its core focus to the acquisition of industrial real estate throughout the country.

Given his extensive experience in all aspects of commercial real estate, Mr. Crivello provides strategic and operational input to Phoenix Investors and its affiliated companies.

Mr. Crivello received a B.A., Magna Cum Laude, from Brown University and the London School of Economics, while completing a double major in Economics and Political Science; he is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Outside of his business interests, Mr. Crivello invests his time, energy, and financial support across a wide net of charitable projects and organizations.

Go to Top