Partners Real Estate closes sale of 10,623-square-foot ambulatory surgery center in Houston

Partners Real Estate arranged the sale of a 10,623-square-foot ambulatory surgery center at 2813 Smith Ranch Road in Houston, Texas.

Ryan McCullough, Partner and medical investment sales specialist, represented the seller in the transaction. The property is a fully equipped, turn-key ambulatory surgery center, strategically located to serve the growing healthcare needs of the Houston market.

JLL Capital Markets closes sale, financing of 95,032-square-foot retail center in Sugar Land submarket

 JLL Capital Markets arranged the sale and financing of Sugar Park Plaza, a 95,032-square-foot, neighborhood retail center proximate to the Sugar Land, Texas, submarket.

JLL represented the seller, and procured the buyer, Dhanani Private Equity Group, in an off-market transaction. JLL also arranged the five-year, acquisition financing on behalf of Dhanani Private Equity Group.

Sugar Park Plaza is strategically positioned at 11824-11930 Wilcrest Drive, occupying a prime 8.65-acre site at a high-traffic intersection between the thriving Stafford and Sugar Land communities of Houston. The property benefits from its proximity to the Southwest Freeway and Highway 99, while being surrounded by established master-planned residential developments. This top-performing retail center serves the dynamic Sugar Land/Stafford submarket, which has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade and currently supports a population exceeding 429,000 residents within a five-mile radius of the property.

Renovated in 2016, Sugar Park Plaza is one of Houston’s top performing neighborhood centers with more than two million annual visitors. The property features one in-line retail building and three pad sites and is fully leased to 16 tenants with a weighted average tenure of 24 years. The curated tenant mix is anchored by Marshalls and also features Aga’s Restaurant and Catering, Sketchers, Chase Bank, ExxonMobil, and Magnum Staffing. Aga’s restaurant has been at the center since 2001 and has built a strong following. Placer.ai, who tracks foot traffic, ranks Aga’s in the top 10 in Texas by annual visits.

JLL’s Capital Markets Investment Sales and Advisory team representing the seller was led by Senior Director John Indelli and Senior Managing Director Ryan West.

JLL’s Debt Advisory team representing the borrower was led by Director Michael King and Managing Director Michael Johnson.

Consumers tightening shopping budgets but aren’t ready to give up on the holiday cheer, JLL finds

Consumers across the United States are heading into the 2025 holiday season with a clear message: They’re still celebrating, but they’re spending smarter.

According to JLL’s latest Holiday Shopping Survey Report, Americans are focusing on value, strategy, and purpose as they balance festive spirit with tighter financial realities.

JLL’s survey of 1,001 consumers found that shoppers are planning smaller budgets, shorter shopping trips, and more intentional purchases. The result? A holiday season that remains joyful, but also one where every dollar counts.

A 10% drop in holiday budgets

The research shows that the average American plans to spend $1,133 this holiday season, a 10.2% drop from last year’s $1,261, according to JLL. That decline signals a notable shift from holiday excess toward more deliberate spending.

But the national averages mask deep divisions. Shoppers earning more than $150,000 a year plan to spend 26% more—nearly $1,963—while lower-income households making under $50,000 are cutting back by 24%, to just $699. That widening gap paints a picture of a holiday season split between restraint and indulgence.

The power of time and experience

JLL’s data also highlight how longer store visits translate into higher spending. Shoppers who linger in stores for 90 minutes or more spend an average of $1,416, 79% more than those who stay under half an hour.

That finding underscores the importance of experience-driven retail. Retailers that create comfortable, engaging spaces will see the biggest rewards. The reason? When people spend more time in a store, they spend more money.

Prioritizing giving over self

Even as budgets tighten, the spirit of giving endures. About 25% of consumers say they’ll skip buying for themselves this year, up from 17% in 2024. Spending on gifts for others remains steady at about $580 per person, but self-gifting, especially on electronics, has dropped sharply, from 47.5% of consumers last year to just 32% this year.

Physical retail still matters

Despite the ongoing dominance of e-commerce, more than 83% of consumers will visit brick-and-mortar stores this holiday season. Only 16% plan to shop entirely online. Nearly three-quarters will mix physical and digital channels, reflecting a hybrid approach that blends convenience with in-person experiences.

Shoppers are especially drawn to value-oriented destinations. Mass merchandisers such as Walmart and Target are regaining their footing, attracting 62% of holiday shoppers, up from last year. Credit competitive prices and one-stop convenience. Department stores remain strong, appealing to about half of consumers, but they’re losing ground to the mass-market resurgence.

A culture of constant deals

The hunt for bargains is no longer a trend. It’s a mindset. About 71% of shoppers say low prices and sales are their top priorities, while 60% say they’ll chase more discounts than usual. Nearly half (46%) plan to take advantage of deal days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but an equal share of consumers say they’ll be searching for discounts all season long.

As JLL reports, the holiday shopping calendar has extended, with consumers looking for savings from November through to the New Year.

Food, social media and focused shopping

Shopping trips are increasingly doubling as dining experiences. More than 84% of consumers plan to eat or drink while shopping, whether grabbing coffee, a snack or a sit-down meal.

The connection between food and retail spending is clear: Shoppers who take breaks to dine or snack tend to stay longer in a store and spend more.

Social media also continue to shape how consumers discover and decide what to buy. About 79% of shoppers use platforms like TikTok, Instagram or Facebook for holiday inspiration. Gen Z leans heavily on TikTok, Millennials spread their attention across multiple platforms, and Baby Boomers stick mostly to Facebook and Instagram.

Meanwhile, efficiency is the new retail strategy. Nearly two-thirds of consumers plan to complete their holiday shopping in five stores or fewer, signaling a move toward concentrated, goal-oriented trips rather than the marathon shopping sprees of years past.

A season of selective celebration

JLL’s findings paint a portrait of a holiday season defined by both restraint and resilience. Shoppers are cutting back but not cutting out the holiday spirit. They’re combining digital inspiration with physical experiences, chasing deals while prioritizing meaning, and proving that celebration, even on a budget, remains a priority.

Jordan Young hired at Armbrust & Brown PLLC

Jordan Young recently joined Armbrust & Brown, PLLC, as an associate attorney focusing on general civil litigation, including construction, real estate, and complex business disputes. She has experience with government, congressional, and internal investigations as well as international trade matters. Jordan’s skill sets include conducting extensive fact development, regular interfacing with clients, advising on investigation strategy, and working across several government agencies.

Ryan Culligan promoted to Partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

SOM proudly announces the elevation of Ryan Culligan to Partner. A leader in the Austin and Chicago studios, he helped re-establish SOM’s flourishing practice in Texas, leading several high-impact design commissions including one of the largest ground-up academic medical centers in the country. For the last decade, he’s led the Chicago studio designing 400 Lake Shore Drive, Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport, and large-scale developments in Austin, Atlanta, Nashville, and Bangkok.

Danielle Parkes hired at Moody Bank

Moody Bank proudly welcomes Danielle Parkes to the Energy Corridor Banking Center as Vice President and Commercial Banking Officer. With 18+ years in commercial banking, Danielle brings deep expertise across equipment and construction financing, working capital optimization, commercial and industrial lending, real estate transactions, and partner buy-outs. She treats every client as her most important, building trust through authenticity, transparency, and responsiveness.

Serving clients throughout Houston and surrounding areas, Danielle goes wherever she’s needed, embodying dedication and flexibility in every relationship.

Passionate about community development, she supports Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and CREW Network (Commercial Real Estate Women), and has volunteered with Kids Meals, Bay Area Turning Point, and LIFE Houston.

Outside the office, she prioritizes family and embraces growth through reading, fitness, and nutrition—living each day with purpose and intention.