Case Study – Fremont Court

Key Deal Points

  • Fremont Court
  • True Mixed-Use building with 17 apartments, office, retail and restaurant
  • Quarter Block in Fremont
  • Sale Price: $17,415,000
  • Loan Assumption

 

We're very grateful for all the thoughtful hard work and diligence of Candice Chevaillier and everyone on her team at Lee & Associates marketing the Fremont Court property.
We wouldn’t hesitate to engage them again.
- Brian Equinox Properties

For more information regarding this case study, please contact:

Candice Chevaillier, CCIM

Principal
(206) 773-2694
cchevaillier@lee-associates.com

 

Daniel Lim

Vice President
D  (206) 773-2692
dlim@lee-associates.com

 

Dea Sumantri

Associate Vice President
D  (206) 773-2680
dsumantri@lee-associates.com

 

Chris Larsen

Associate
D  (206) 773-2695
clarsen@lee-associates.com

Challenge

Located at corner of Fremont Avenue and North 34th Street, Fremont Court is an incredibly well-located and uniquely diversified asset in the Center of the Universe. Purchased 22 years ago as a five-building mixed use project consisting of multifamily, retail, office and restaurant spaces, the buildings range in age from the early 1900s to 2011. The Seller, a successful local developer, desired to rebalance its portfolio and sell the asset. Prior to selling, Fremont Court was refinanced to take advantage of historically low interest rates. The new loan was assumable, creating an alternative to incurring a significant prepayment penalty. From an operations perspective, at the time the building was released to the market, rent reductions were put in place across the many commercial tenants to keep the buildings full and occupied. These rent concessions were temporary, but the impact on the near-term performance of the asset was real.

Action

The Seller hired the Northwest Multifamily Team to build a compelling marketing story: a purchase and loan assumption for a rare opportunity to own half a block in one of Seattle's top neighborhoods, with operating headwind while current, were not permanent.

Prior to releasing the listing, the team built a comprehensive marketing package and extensive due diligence file including a clear outline and timeline of restabilizing the asset. Buyers would need detailed information to accurately model both near and long-term performance expectations. The team updated the package on a regular basis as updates concessions burned off and the rent roll stabilized during the marketing process. With each new update, the team reached out to curated groups of investors – ones who were nimble, familiar with operating product types, and could envision the future potential of the property. These were often family offices and developer/syndicator groups with familiarity of local submarkets and neighborhoods. The consistency of the Team’s updates kept the opportunity fresh in these investors’ minds as they moved through acquisition cycles. Ultimately, the timing aligned for a specific group looking for both a corporate headquarters and was in the process of completing a 1031 exchange.

Once under contract, the Team spearheaded a lengthy and cumbersome loan assumption process, coordinating the delicate task of introducing a new sponsor and borrower to the lender as well as setting expectations on timelines and due diligence available.

Result

The Team was able create and maintain forward momentum and goal-oriented collaboration between Seller and Buyer even with significant lender delays throughout the escrow process. Upon closing, the Seller achieved their pricing expectations and was completely released from all loan liability and obligations. The Buyer received a fully stabilized asset and successfully assumed an incredibly attractive loan, with an interest rate over a full point below market upon closing -- a win for both parties.