On the heels of the Plaza Art Fair comes news Highwoods Properties wants to sell the popular shopping and dining district.
A statement from Highwood Properties states, “the company intends to list for sale all or substantially all of its wholly-owned Country Club Plaza (the 'Plaza') portfolio in Kansas City."
The property consists of:
- 804,000 square feet of retail space
- 617,000 square feet of office space, including 205,000 square feet of second floor, above-retail office space and 263,000 square feet of office in Valencia Place
In a additional statement, Glenn Stephenson, Vice President of the company's Kansas City division, said:
"Highwoods has a 17-year history as owner of the Country Club Plaza and has enhanced the Plaza as the Midwest's premier shopping and dining destination. Like everyone at Highwoods, I am proud of all we have accomplished. We remain focused on being excellent stewards of the Plaza throughout the sales process.
We just wrapped up the Plaza Art Fair and are already focused on the Plaza Lighting Ceremony and the magic of the holiday season on the Plaza. The Country Club Plaza is Kansas City's Crown Jewel, not only now, but for generations to come."
According to the initial release, Highwoods has selected Eastdil Secured to serve as listing agent. Highwoods Properties intends to use the proceeds from the sale of Plaza assets to repay the debt it incurred to acquire Monarch Centre (Atlanta) and SunTrust Financial Centre (Tampa).
"This is an opportune time for us to monetize our retail-dominated assets in Kansas City and redeploy those proceeds into more strategically focused, higher-yielding office investments. The Plaza, which has been a solid and improving performer for our Company since our acquisition in 1998, is the Midwest’s premier shopping destination and the ‘Crown Jewel’ of Kansas City.” -- Edward Fritsch, Highwoods Properties
Tabitha Zane, Highwoods' Vice President of Investor Relations, says the decision has more to do with the company focusing more on office than retail developments.
Mayor Sly James released the following statement after the sale was announced:
"Highwoods Properties has been a partner with the city in many respects. As a former business owner myself, I understand the need to make decisions that account for developing business opportunities and trends. As mayor, I believe the Plaza always has been a focal point of civic pride, and I don't expect that to change with ownership."
To read the full release from Highwoods Properties, click here.
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