×
×
homepage logo
SUBSCRIBE

Provo’s East Bay Shopping Center sold to out-of-state investors

By Genelle Pugmire - | Aug 1, 2022

Courtesy Colliers Real Estate

East Bay Shopping Center, highlighted in red, was recently purchased by War Chest Real Estate.

There are few residents of Provo who have not at least travelled by the East Bay Shopping Center on the south entrance to the city. Many have shopped or eaten at one of the area retailers and restaurants.

The shopping center has been up and down in popularity, with shops opening and closing over the past decade.

In July, the 172,000 square-foot retail center at 979 S. University Ave. was sold to new owner War Chest Real Estate, with dual bases in Colorado and Florida.

Colliers brokers Brandon Goodman and Nate Monson represented the buyer, with Stuart Thain and McCall Alder representing the seller, Texas-based real estate fund manager Woodside. The transaction registers Utah’s largest real estate shopping center sale during the second quarter of 2022.

“The center provides a strong credit lineup nearly across the board and lots of upside with below-market rents,” according to a statement from War Chest. “Utah and, more specifically, Provo is a market where we see a lot of growth potential.”

The sale of the property reflects the interest in outside companies to come to Provo to purchase positive growth assets, according to Keith Morey, Provo’s director of economic development.

“It shows we have great financial strength,” Morey said. “Its very telling that outside investment firms would look at Provo. They are buying it as an asset and see it as an opportunity.”

Monson said that while there may not be “a ton of opportunity to make big changes,” he suspects there will be a few tenant upgrades in the future and possibly another freestanding pad site built out.

“It’s a compelling story,” Monson said. “Our group from out of state saw Provo as a place they wanted to deploy capital. That area is transforming. Its not flying under the radar anymore.”

Monson noted the many changes in the south Provo area, including the Provo Towne Centre as well as the East Bay Shopping Center, will bring vibrant changes to the south end of the city.

In the years to come, people will see big changes, according to Monson, who predicted that in 10 years the area won’t look the same. Goodman and Monson work out of Colliers’ Utah County office and are familiar with the area.

Along with three in-line buildings, the shopping center features potential space for an additional pad site. War Chest purchased the center fully occupied primarily by national brands, including Ross, Starbucks, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Staples, Planet Fitness and Papa Murphy’s, among others.

Newsletter

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)