Regions Midwest
Sunrise Acquires Lake County Site for Seniors Housing Project
May 21, 2008
By: Dees Stribling, Midwest Correspondent

Sunrise Senior Living has acquired a 7.7-acre parcel of land in Mundelein, Ill., for the future development of a senior housing project.

The land traded for about $4.5 million. Sunrise currently operates 441 senior living communities in various parts of the world, largely assisted living with dementia care but also independent living and continuing care retirement centers. As of the end of the first quarter of 2008, the company had 40 properties under construction--about $1 billion worth--with capacity for an additional 5,300 residents. According to Sunrise, it expects to begin construction on about another 3,200 to 3,400 units in North America and the United Kingdom during the remainder of 2008.

As yet, McLean, Va.-based Sunrise hasn't unveiled specific plans for the Lake County site, but it will likely be an assisted living property. "Assisted living with memory care have been the most successful communities in our portfolio," said Paul Klaassen, co-founder & CEO of Sunrise, during a conference call earlier this month. "It serves a need-driven segment of the market, and produces high customer satisfaction."

He also said that Sunrise has identified over 350 zip codes in North America, primarily in the 30 largest metro markets, in which the company wants to build assisted living plus memory care properties. Each such property costs roughly $25 million to develop.

"Clearly, these are the most turbulent capital markets in years," Klaassen (pictured) added, but also noted an upside of current market conditions for companies such as Sunrise. "The positive aspect of a tight credit market is that it ensures that only well-capitalized and well-conceived projects by experienced providers will get funding, which in turn serves as a barrier to entry, and protects against overbuilding," he said.

Rosemont, Ill.-based Realty Partners/TCN Worldwide partners Phil Rosenberg and Ed Brandt, along with associate vice president Mike Nolan, represented Sunrise in the Mundelein deal, as well as the seller of the property, Ferris Homes.

 
Recent Midwest Headlines
Commission to Consider Lavonia Mall Redevelopment Plan
With most of Livonia Mall's tenants having negotiated lease terminations, the road has been paved for a massive remake of the shopping center just outside of Detroit, Mich., and the Livonia Planning Commission intends to give the plan the once-over on July 15, according to Crain's Detroit Business.
Fortes  Financial Secures National City Mortgage Wholesale Division
Fortes Financial Inc. has completed the  assumption of five regional wholesale offices formerly belonging to  National City Mortgage Corp.
44 cook Seattle's Schnitzer Moves into Denver with 2-Building Office Grab
Seattle-based Schnitzer West has ventured into the Denver market with its first acquisition there, a pair of offices that Schnitzer has bought in a joint venture with ING Clarion Lion Value Fund. The properties were purchased from Crescent Real Estate Equities L.P. for an undisclosed amount.
Bally Total Fitness Selects Jones Lang as Service Provider
Jones Lang LaSalle has been selected by Chicago-based Bally Total Fitness to provide transaction management, project management and lease administration for its portfolio of 350 health clubs.
Mohegan Takes Olympia Interest in Kansas Casino
The Kansas subsidiary of Mohegan Resorts L.L.C. has announced that it has acquired the interest held by Olympia Gaming-KC L.L.C. in Leg Sun L.L.C. for the development of a state-owned gaming facility and destination resort named Legends Sun in Wyandotte County, Kans.