Walker & Dunlop Structures $205 Million in Financing for Life Sciences and Medical Office Building in Manhattan

Rhea-AI Summary

Walker & Dunlop secured $205 million in financing for 619 West 54th Street in Manhattan, a prime Class A life science and medical office property. This facility spans approximately 320,000 rentable square feet and is positioned to meet the increasing demand for specialized office spaces in the life sciences sector, which has seen job growth of 70,000 per year since 2013. The financing will refinance existing debt and support the buildout of this high-demand property, showcasing Walker & Dunlop's robust financing network even amidst market challenges.

Positive

• Secured $205 million financing for a strategically located life sciences property.
• The property meets the growing demand for life science office spaces.
• Financing will support future development and leasing efforts.

Negative

• None.

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced today that it structured $205,000,000 in financing for 619 West 54^th Street, located in the heart of Manhattan's Midtown West neighborhood. Also known as Hudson Research Center, the Class A life science and medical office property features stunning views of Manhattan's West Side and the Hudson River and comprises approximately 320,000 rentable square feet.

Since the end of 2013, the number of life science jobs has increased by 70,000 jobs per year. Demand for well-located, modernized life science and medical office space has soared nationwide amid industry growth and lack of available product. Life science tenants have proven to be resilient; during both economic downturns since 2000, life science industry employment has continued to increase. As a result, joint venture owners of Hudson Research Center, Silverstein Properties, Inc. and Taconic Partners, established a leasing strategy to create pre-built life science and medical office spaces that directly cater to tenants.

The trophy property meets the significant pent up demand for this specialized office space within New York's metropolitan area. Hudson Research Center also boasts a unique M2-4 zoning designation for lab space use, distinctive HVAC and mechani­cal systems, large floor load capabilities, and high ceiling heights. These rare building characteristics, coupled with a highly accessible location, make 619 West 54th Street the ideal destination for life science and medical office tenants of all sizes.

The financing was arranged by Walker & Dunlop's Aaron Appel, Keith Kurland, Mo Beler, Jonathan Schwartz, and Adam Schwartz, as well as Michael Diaz, Michael Ianno, and Sean Bastian. The team identified Square Mile as the ideal capital source. The team arranged the interest-only financing with an attractive floating rate, three-year term, and two one-year extension options thereafter. The loan serves to refinance existing debt and to provide future funding for the buildout and lease-up of Hudson Research Center's premier life science and medical office space.

Said Mr. Kurland, "Walker & Dunlop witnessed an incredible amount of demand for this financing given the best-in-class sponsor and attractive asset type, despite a challenging capital markets landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, our team was able to drive a competitive process among a number of qualified capital providers before Square Mile was ultimately selected as the lender."

Walker & Dunlop has one of the strongest networks in the industry, having arranged financing with over 250 capital sources in 2020 alone. During the year, the firm completed $11.0 billion of brokered loan originations. For information about Walker & Dunlop's view on the apartment market, including expert perspectives on markets, leadership, and the road ahead, visit our new Driven by Insight information center.

About Walker & Dunlop
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The company provides a comprehensive range of capital solutions for all commercial real estate asset classes, as well as investment sales brokerage services to owners of multifamily properties. Walker & Dunlop is included on the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and was ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine's Fastest Growing Companies in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Walker & Dunlop's 1,000+ professionals in 41 offices across the nation have an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction.

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SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

FAQ

What financing did Walker & Dunlop arrange for the Hudson Research Center?

Walker & Dunlop structured $205 million in financing for the Hudson Research Center located at 619 West 54th Street, Manhattan.

What is the significance of the property at 619 West 54th Street?

The property spans approximately 320,000 rentable square feet and is positioned to cater to the increasing demand for life science and medical office spaces.

How has the life science job market been performing?

Since 2013, the life science job market has added approximately 70,000 jobs per year, indicating strong sector growth.

What are the financing terms arranged by Walker & Dunlop?

The financing includes interest-only terms with a floating rate and an initial three-year term, with two one-year extension options.