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Lightstone Group Launches Foreclosure on 2000 RiverEdge Place

2000 RiverEdge Place Office Tower in Atlanta

News Summary

In a major shift in the Atlanta real estate market, the New York-based Lightstone Group has initiated foreclosure proceedings for the curved glass office tower at 2000 RiverEdge Place. The 240,000 square-foot property, currently owned by MainStreet Capital Partners, has fallen into default after a missed mortgage payment. An auction is scheduled for April 1, intensifying concerns over the leasing status of the building, which currently stands at only 61% occupancy. This situation reflects broader distress in Atlanta’s office property sector.

New York-Based Lightstone Group Initiates Foreclosure Proceedings on 2000 RiverEdge Place in Atlanta

In a significant development for the Atlanta real estate scene, the Lightstone Group, a prominent firm from New York, has kicked off foreclosure proceedings concerning the strikingly designed curved glass office tower located at 2000 RiverEdge Place. This high-rise office building spans an impressive 240,000 square feet and sits prominently in the Cumberland/Galleria submarket, with a prime view overlooking Interstate 75.

The property is currently under the ownership of an affiliate connected to MainStreet Capital Partners, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In a transactional history dated back to 2016, MainStreet Capital acquired the tower for a reported $24 million, as reflected in Fulton County records. Fast forward to 2022, Lightstone extended a $27 million mortgage to MainStreet regarding this property. However, due to a missed payment, Lightstone has declared MainStreet in default and has officially initiated the foreclosure process.

Upcoming Auction and Current Tenancy Status

Mark your calendars! An auction for 2000 RiverEdge Place is poised to take place on April 1 at the Fulton County Courthouse. The terms of the mortgage loan are pertinent, as it is scheduled to mature on August 31, according to data sourced from the Reonomy property database.

The current leasing status reflects a challenging landscape, with the building being only 61% leased. Notably, Aetna stands out as the largest tenant, occupying more than 40,000 square feet, followed by another significant player, Vitas Healthcare, leasing around 24,000 square feet. The asking rents for office spaces here range between $22 and $26.50 per square foot, which notably falls below the submarket average of $28 per square foot.

Broader Implications on Atlanta’s Office Property Market

This development is not an isolated incident. The foreclosure scenario encapsulates the rampant distress facing property owners across Atlanta’s office real estate market. Several other significant office complexes, including the enormous 2.2 million square-foot Piedmont Center, have also faced foreclosure decisions, notably undergoing multiple auction attempts.

Further compounding these challenges, Wells Fargo is pursuing foreclosure linked to an $84 million loan for the Westside Collective project located in Midtown. Additionally, an extensive portfolio linked to a $350 million commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) loan to Adventus Realty Services has been foreclosed upon, underscoring the tense landscape within the sector.

Recently, RG Real Estate acquired a portion of this foreclosed portfolio, specifically securing TownPark Commons in Kennesaw for $42 million. This string of events marks a noteworthy chapter in the ongoing saga of office real estate in the Atlanta area.