April 18, 2011
W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced that it assisted Lamar Companies and Real Capital Solutions, in acquiring Oak Park Ponds Shopping Center in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"Oak Park Ponds is the first closing in what we hope will be many with Real Capital Solutions –– a strong and savvy institutional partner," said Lamar President Mark Kalkus. "We believe this property will benefit from improved occupancy, a strong tenant–line–up and excellent demographics, and are pleased that we were able to close so quickly."
Sharon Eshima, President of Real Capital Solutions added, "we too are enthusiastic about the strong location of the center because it services Oak Park Heights as well as Stillwater and has great tenants including Kowalski’s Market and several attractive co–tenants. We are confident that Lamar will bring value to this project and we are aligned with their philosophy and strategy, and appreciate W.G. Nielsen & Co.’s involvement in the introduction."
Blake Nielsen, who led the deal for W.G. Nielsen & Co., agreed that the project was a win-win. "Lamar has a portfolio strategy that is unique, and the synergies created when we introduced Real Capital Solutions to Lamar were evident at the onset. We believe that this team is well–positioned to take advantage of opportunities in this market and we could not be happier with the outcome of this first transaction."