Stratus Properties Inc. Completes Sale of Approximately 47 Acres at Magnolia Place for $14.5 Million

Rhea-AI Summary

Stratus Properties Inc. (NASDAQ: STRS) completed the sale of 47 acres at Magnolia Place for $14.5 million, generating $5.3 million in net cash proceeds. The project includes fully-leased retail buildings, multi-family units, and potential future reimbursements. Stratus has successfully developed the project, creating value and maintaining a strong position for future growth.

Positive

• Completion of the sale of 47 acres at Magnolia Place for $14.5 million.
• Generation of $5.3 million in net cash proceeds for Stratus.
• Development of fully-leased retail buildings and planned multi-family units.
• Potential future reimbursements of approximately $12.1 million from the municipal utility district.
• Successful infrastructure work and creation of a municipal utility district to recoup costs.
• Strong relationships with key regional leaders for project success.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Real Estate Analyst

The completion of Stratus Properties Inc.'s land sale at Magnolia Place represents a strategic liquidity event, which is significant for the company's financial health. The sale's generation of pre-tax net cash proceeds of approximately $5.3 million, after covering transaction expenses and loan repayment, is a positive indicator of the company's ability to manage its assets and liabilities effectively. The real estate market often gauges the success of such transactions by the speed and profitability with which assets can be divested.

Furthermore, the sale's impact on Stratus' balance sheet is noteworthy. The elimination of the $8.8 million project loan associated with Magnolia Place reduces the company's debt burden, potentially improving its debt-to-equity ratio and financial leverage metrics. This could enhance investor confidence and possibly affect the company's stock price positively.

Stratus' strategic retention of fully-leased retail buildings and land designated for multi-family units indicates a calculated approach to maintaining a stake in the project's ongoing revenue potential. This move aligns with industry trends where developers capitalize on mixed-use projects to create sustainable income streams.

Market Research Analyst

The regional development context within which Magnolia Place operates is essential for understanding the potential market impact of this transaction. The project's location in Magnolia, Texas and its proximity to a large H-E-B grocery store, suggest that the area is poised for growth, with the potential for increased consumer traffic and demand for residential units. The reference to the project being shadow-anchored by H-E-B implies a strategic advantage, as anchor stores typically draw substantial footfall, benefiting surrounding businesses.

The mention of $12.1 million of potential future reimbursements from the municipal utility district is another critical factor. This reimbursement opportunity could represent a significant future inflow of funds for Stratus, contingent on the fulfillment of certain conditions. Investors often look for such potential upside in real estate investments, as they can signify additional value not immediately reflected in the sales price.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, the aggregate sales at Magnolia Place totaling $21.1 million highlight Stratus' ability to monetize its investments effectively. This figure, combined with the company's strategic financial management, as evidenced by the debt repayment, can be a point of interest for investors analyzing the company's operational efficiency and asset turnover.

The infrastructure development, including roads, utilities and drainage, is a capital-intensive endeavor. Stratus' investment in these areas and the creation of a municipal utility district, could be viewed as a long-term strategic move that may lead to cost recovery and potentially enhance the value of the remaining assets.

Chairman William H. Armstrong III's statement underscores the company's local market expertise and relationship-building efforts, which are often critical in real estate development. Investors and analysts may interpret this as a qualitative factor that could contribute to the company's future success in project execution and value creation.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Stratus Properties Inc. (NASDAQ: STRS) (“Stratus” or the “Company”) today announced that it completed the previously disclosed sale of approximately 47 acres at Magnolia Place for $14.5 million. The sale generated pre-tax net cash proceeds to Stratus of approximately $5.3 million, after transaction expenses and payment of the remaining $8.8 million project loan. With the completion of this sale and prior sales of portions of the project, Magnolia Place, which is 100% owned by Stratus, consists of two fully-leased retail buildings totaling 18,582 square feet, 11 acres planned for approximately 275 multi-family units and approximately $12.1 million of potential future reimbursements from the municipal utility district, with no debt.

Magnolia Place is a mixed-use project in Magnolia, Texas, shadow-anchored by a 95,000-square-foot H-E-B grocery store on an adjoining 18-acre site owned by H-E-B. The land included in the sale was planned for up to 600 multi-family units, a second phase of retail development and up to seven pad sites. Previously at Magnolia Place, Stratus sold two pad sites and 28 acres planned for single-family residences for a total of $6.6 million, which together with the recent sale totals $21.1 million in sales at Magnolia Place. In the third quarter of 2022, Stratus substantially completed the development of the two retail buildings along with the infrastructure work for the project, including all pad sites, as well as road, utility and drainage infrastructure necessary to support the entire development. Stratus created a municipal utility district that provides an opportunity for Stratus to recoup certain road and utility infrastructure costs that totaled approximately $12.1 million at December 31, 2023.

William H. Armstrong III, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Stratus, said, “Magnolia Place is a clear example of our team’s ability to identify, pursue and execute valuable opportunities in our Texas markets. Our team has worked closely with the City of Magnolia and other entities to add significant value to the land through the entitlement and development process. Our strong working relationships with key regional leaders helped secure critical infrastructure for the project, paving the path for retail and residential expansion to meet growing demand. This transaction monetized another portion of our investment and allowed us to fully repay the project loan while maintaining a position in the future success of the project with our remaining fully-leased retail space and land planned for multi-family units.”

About Stratus Properties Inc.

Stratus is a diversified real estate company engaged primarily in the acquisition, entitlement, development, management, leasing and sale of multi-family and single-family residential and commercial real estate properties in the Austin, Texas area and other select markets in Texas.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact. The words “anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “could,” “plans,” “believes,” “potential,” “possible,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “targets,” “intends,” “likely,” “will,” “should,” “to be” and any similar expressions are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. Stratus cautions readers that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and its actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, expected, projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that can cause Stratus’ actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of inflation and interest rate changes, Stratus’ expectations about the Austin and Texas real estate markets, regulatory changes, Stratus’ expectations with respect to the planning, financing, development, construction, completion and stabilization of Stratus’ development projects, Stratus’ expectations regarding plans to sell, recapitalize or refinance properties, Stratus’ eligibility for and potential receipt and timing of receipt of municipal utility district reimbursements and the factors described in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in Stratus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions upon which Stratus’ forward-looking statements are based are likely to change after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Further, Stratus may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. Stratus cautions investors that it undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, notwithstanding any changes in its assumptions, business plans, actual experience or other changes.

A copy of this release is available on Stratus’ website, stratusproperties.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240227124618/en/

Financial and Media Contact:

William H. Armstrong III

(512) 478-5788

Source: Stratus Properties Inc.

FAQ

What project did Stratus Properties Inc. complete the sale of 47 acres for $14.5 million?

Stratus Properties Inc. completed the sale of 47 acres at Magnolia Place for $14.5 million.

How much did Stratus Properties Inc. generate in net cash proceeds from the sale?

Stratus Properties Inc. generated approximately $5.3 million in net cash proceeds.

What does Magnolia Place consist of?

Magnolia Place consists of fully-leased retail buildings, planned multi-family units, and potential future reimbursements.

What infrastructure work did Stratus complete for the project?

Stratus completed infrastructure work including all pad sites, road, utility, and drainage infrastructure necessary to support the entire development.

How did Stratus monetize a portion of their investment?

Stratus monetized a portion of their investment through the sale of land and fully-leased retail space, allowing them to repay the project loan.