Long-time real estate investors Behringer and Orangestar today announced their partnership to acquire commercial office properties across the major metropolitan markets of Texas. Seeking both boutique and value-added properties in urban and suburban locations, the partners have stated a desire to create solutions for niche property sellers grappling with the economic uncertainty of the post-COVID investment environment.
Relying on their combined management expertise, Behringer and Orangestar are evaluating acquisition opportunities that include the full spectrum of asset profiles, from those in need of minor repositioning or credit enhancement all the way to full property redevelopment. Both partners bring over three decades of commercial real estate investment experience through a variety of market cycles spanning that time.
The joint venturers’ first acquisition occurred in July 2021 of McKinney Corporate Center I, a 3-story multi-tenant Class A office property located in the master-planned 2,000-acre Craig Ranch development north of Dallas in McKinney, Texas. The property is adjacent to State Highway 121/Sam Rayburn Tollway and the TPC Craig Ranch golf resort.
Michael Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Behringer, stated: “This partnership is a milestone for both organizations as we plan to capitalize on not only a unique cultural fit amongst our respective teams but also an investment environment primed to produce the kind of return profile our investors desire. We each bring unique talents and expertise to our partnership. These were clearly demonstrated in our combined effort leading to the acquisition of McKinney Corporate Center. The post-pandemic surging Allen/McKinney office market offers great potential for this asset with its superior location and dynamic tenant base. We believe Behringer, our experienced partner Orangestar, and our valued private investors will be well-served with this advantaged, below replacement cost acquisition and its potential for rent growth well into the future.”
Jay L. Post, Managing Partner of Orangestar, added: “Our venture is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the surging Texas investment market as well as our unique ability to perform for sellers with an agile approach others can’t match. The proof point was our ability to deliver for the seller in McKinney. This attractive asset is a welcome addition to our existing strategic commercial office portfolio in the northern Dallas suburbs’ growth corridor. Along with Behringer, we were attracted to the asset’s unique position in the burgeoning submarket and believe it will more than outpace new construction in its ability to serve existing and attract new tenants anxious for the right value in the submarket.”
The property contains approximately 120,234 rentable square feet and is 100 percent leased. Behringer and Orangestar intend to position the building with tenants and the greater Allen/McKinney submarket as the right combination of location, visibility, amenities, and value within this fast-growing section of the Metroplex. The property’s diverse tenant base includes companies from industries representing commercial building supplies, healthcare/insurance tech, home health care, residential mortgage origination, and coworking/executive suites, among others.
Behringer and Orangestar will share responsibilities for all asset management and significant property investment decisions. Orangestar will provide daily property management and Behringer will provide investor relations.