Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions

For over three decades, Weston has owned, managed, and developed industrial, office, and retail properties throughout the United States. Headed by President TJ Asher, alongside Vice-President Rob Namy, the Acquisitions department continuously seeks new opportunities, investors, partners, and revenue streams needed to further develop our well-diversified portfolio.

Acquisition History

For over three decades Weston has owned, developed, and managed industrial, office and retail properties throughout the United States. The company has built its portfolio by identifying undervalued real estate through its network of strategic relationships. Below is a list of properties acquired throughout the United States:

Year	Projects	Locations	Value
1998	6	Michigan, Maryland, Utah, California, Texas, Georgia	$59,563,000
1999	2	Ohio	$4,650,000
2000	2	Kentucky	$8,625,000
2001	3	New Jersey, California, Ohio	$7,760,000
2002	2	Ohio	$12,784,000
2003	3	Ohio	$13,969,000
2004	5	Ohio	$14,567,000
2005	11	Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio	$50,438,000
2006	7	Ohio	$26,234,000
2007	6	Ohio, Texas, Nevada	$32,275,000
2008	6	Nevada, Texas, South Carolina	$40,090,000
2009	2	South Carolina	$13,100,000
2010	0		$0
2011	2	Ohio	$1,350,000
2012	3	Ohio	$2,625,000

Our Experience

410,000 SF Multiple Building Joint Venture in Spartanburg, SC

Weston purchased a 409,600 SF industrial warehouse campus on 25 acres in April 2008 for $8,400,000. The acquisition included four (4) buildings constructed in 1989-90. Property is located in the thriving market of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Weston negotiated favorable financing with a lender to enjoy below market cost of capital over the four (4) year hold period. Project was 100% occupied at acquisition and we were successful negotiating and extending the existing tenant lease terms to continue healthy returns on our investment. In April 2012 we sold this facility to an investor for $9,000,000 and completed our first “round trip transaction” with this JV partner. Projected returns at acquisition were expected to be 13.5% and upon sale we achieved over 27% total project return on this investment.

280,000 Square Feet in South Carolina

Weston purchased a 280,000 square foot distribution facility on 35 acres in South Carolina with an 80,000 square foot vacancy. The building is tilt up concrete construction built in 2002. The purchase included an opportunity to add value by constructing a 200,000 square foot building on the additional acreage. Purchase was made with a capitalization rate of 8.1% with an 80,000 SF vacancy and 14 acres of additional land. Cash on cash returns will grow to 12% over a 10 year period. North Carolina and South Carolina are considered growth markets because of its increasing population and state industry growth.

Portfolio Acquisition of 1.5M SF in 6 States

Weston completed a $60 million sale/leaseback transaction from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The transaction comprised of 6 buildings totaling 1.5 million square feet in California, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Texas, and Utah. Weston was able to negotiate staggered lease expirations over a 4 year period thus allowing us to re-tenant and re-establish each building individually. Weston held true to its strategy to re-establish and sell 4 of the 6 buildings for their upside potential. The other 2 buildings remain in the portfolio today.

400,000 SF Value Add in South Carolina

Weston purchased a 400,000 square foot industrial distribution facility on 45 acres in Greenville, South Carolina with 322,000sf leased to Josten's Inc. and Lanxess Corp., a division of Bayer Chemical. The building is tilt up concrete construction with 28' ceilings and ample dock high doors. Projections at the time of acquisition were that the building would be 100% leased in one year. This goal was accomplished in 6 months by securing Gray Interplant Systems. Buildings remain 100% leased today. This was the first entry into a partnership with an institutional investor, Blue Vista. The purchase was made with a capitalization rate of 8.5%. Cash on cash at the time of purchase was 10%, it grew to 12% after the vacancy was filled.

100,000 SF Value Add in Texas

Weston purchased a 100,000 square foot industrial facility on 45 acres in New Braunfels, Texas. Built in 1992, the building is tilt up concrete construction with 22' - 24' clear height. Building was vacant at the time of purchase. A tenant was secured for 100% of the facility prior to closing. The purchase was made with a capitalization rate of 10% and the cash on cash return at the time of purchase was 14%.

450,000 Square Feet in South Carolina

Weston purchased a 280,000 square foot distribution facility on 35 acres in South Carolina with an 80,000 square foot vacancy. The building is tilt up concrete construction built in 2002. The purchase included an opportunity to add value by constructing a 200,000 square foot building on the additional acreage. Purchase was made with a capitalization rate of 8.1% with an 80,000 SF vacancy and 14 acres of additional land. Cash on cash returns will grow to 12% over a 10 year period. North Carolina and South Carolina are considered growth markets because of its increasing population and state industry growth.

400,000 Square Foot Warehouse/Distribution

Built in 2003, this state of the art facility is 400,000 square feet with 24 docks and 30' ceilings which is prized by distributors. The property benefits from its close proximity to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport as well. The large warehousing facility was left empty in late 2005 following the closing and Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of the former tenant that was on a build-to-lease basis. Converted from single tenancy to a multi-tenant warehouse facility. The acquisition was new construction with nationally recognized tenants. Weston bought the building empty but has secured a tenant for half of the space within the first month of ownership. Based on stabilized assumptions cash on cash yield will be 13.25%, growing to 18.5% over a 10 year holding period.