Ashcroft Capital, a fully integrated multifamily investment firm, and National Property REIT Corp. (“NPRC”), a full service REIT that invests in and operates real estate assets, today announced their acquisition of Elliot Norcross (formerly Vida Apartments by ARIUM), a garden-style community located in one of the fastest-growing submarkets in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Elliot Norcross features 687 apartment units and offers quick access to Interstate 85, one of the primary thoroughfares in the city. Birchstone Residential, Ashcroft Capital’s in-house property management company, has assumed day-to-day management of the community.
NPRC, the majority equity investor in this transaction, focuses on acquiring tenant diversified real estate assets and, as of Sept. 30, 2021, owned 51 multifamily properties with over 20,000 units across the U.S. The off-market acquisition represents Ashcroft Capital’s first transaction with NPRC, and the companies are actively seeking further acquisition opportunities to pursue together. Elliot Norcross also marks Ashcroft Capital’s first acquisition in Norcross and the fourth in the company’s rapidly growing Atlanta-metro portfolio.
“We’re excited to team up on this acquisition with NPRC, which, over the past decade, has acquired 73 communities similar to Elliot Norcross,” said Frank Roessler, founder and CEO of Ashcroft. “Together with NPRC, we look forward to taking over this property because we feel it offers significant upside potential based on remaining capex and strong submarket rent growth. Only 30% of the units have been renovated, which provides the opportunity to add value by upgrading the classic units. Additionally, Norcross is becoming more and more desirable due to its proximity to Atlanta’s employment centers and its highly-rated school districts.”
Norcross has become a sought-after submarket due to its location directly amidst Atlanta’s I-85 industrial corridor, which is one of the largest industrial districts in the Southeast and represents one of the metro’s primary employment centers. Prominent employers in the Gwinnett County submarket include Comcast, Amazon, Mitsubishi, Hewlett-Packard, and Asbury Automotive.
“Elliot Norcross marks our first joint venture with a major institutional partner and represents a significant expansion of our institutional platform,” said Bill Kay, managing director of capital markets for Ashcroft Capital. “We're eager to partner with NPRC on an asset that we believe has significant operational upside and value-add potential in a vibrant, on-the-rise submarket. Furthermore, our emerging presence in the Atlanta market gives us the manpower and the infrastructure to deliver high levels of resident satisfaction and strong asset performance across the metro area.”
Renovation efforts at Elliot Norcross, which will be executed by Birchstone’s construction team, are expected to include further updating and modernizing the amenity spaces, improving curb appeal, updating landscaping, and implementing signage upgrades. In-home anticipated improvements include the addition of stainless-steel appliances, luxury laminate countertops, tile backsplashes, vinyl plank flooring, new cabinet fronts with modern pulls, and upgraded lighting and plumbing fixtures. New management also plans to add washer-dryer sets to approximately 600 homes.
Situated across 52 acres, Elliot Norcross was built in two phases beginning in 1972, and offers spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom homes with an average unit size of 1,021 square feet. Eighty-five percent of the homes are of the two- and three-bedroom variety, including 128 townhomes. Existing community amenities include two resident clubhouses, two resort-style swimming pools, picnic and grilling stations, fitness center, two soccer fields, play area, and business center.
“Ashcroft Capital has grown an impressive multifamily portfolio in the Atlanta metro over the past two years by strategically acquiring older vintage workforce housing communities that have significant upside potential via renovation programs and the implementation of operational efficiencies," said Casey Chayet, an investment professional on the NPRC team. "NPRC is pleased to team up with Ashcroft on this acquisition, and we fully expect Ashcroft to reposition Elliot Norcross as a best-in-class community within the fast-growing Norcross submarket.”
Ashcroft Capital, a fully integrated multifamily investment firm, today announced the acquisition of Anthem Town East (formerly Alexis at Town East), a garden-style community located near Town East Mall approximately 15 miles east of Downtown Dallas. Birchstone Residential, Ashcroft Capital’s in-house property management company, has assumed management of the community and Birchstone’s construction team will spearhead renovation efforts.
The community, which features 244 apartment homes and was purchased through Ashcroft’s $150 million Value-Add Fund, represents Ashcroft’s first acquisition in Mesquite and the 17th in the company’s rapidly growing Texas portfolio.
“Mesquite is one of our target markets in Dallas because it offers residents a high quality of life, great schools and quick commutes to major employment centers,” said Frank Roessler, founder and CEO of Ashcroft. “Anthem Town East is already in fantastic shape, and we believe our in-house property management company will make it one of the most desirable communities in the area.”
Anthem Town East, which was built in 2002 and consists of 12 three-story buildings, is situated at 645 N Town E Boulevard and spans approximately 14 acres with numerous water features. The community puts residents within close proximity of one of the metro area’s major retail destinations. Anchored by Town East Mall, the area includes several large shopping outlets and a sizable variety of national retailers. The community sits just north of Town East Boulevard and a short distance from Interstates 635 and 30, the gateways to the greater Dallas area.
Renovation efforts will begin by addressing deferred maintenance projects, such as repainting the property and additional measures to improve the curb appeal. Amenity spaces and common areas will be updated as well, including improvements to the clubhouse, fitness center, pool areas and additional spaces. Anticipated upgrades within the apartment homes include the addition of quartz countertops with under-mount sinks, stainless steel appliances, faux wood flooring, new cabinet fronts, updated plumbing and lighting fixtures, tiled backsplashes, USB ports, fresh paint and two-inch blinds.
Anthem Town East offers one-, two- and three-bedroom homes with spacious layouts averaging nearly 1,000 square feet. Existing apartment features include nine-foot ceilings with decorative crown molding, six-panel doors, framed glass mirrors and additional high-end features. Select homes include wood plank-style flooring and sunrooms with fireplaces.
Existing common-area amenities at the controlled-access community include a resort-style pool with sundeck, gas barbecues, social lounge, coffee bar, 24-hour fitness center and a business center. Residents also have the option to lease a detached private garage or covered parking.
“Anthem Town East already possesses an excellent location and aesthetic appeal, and we look forward to offering our trademark brand of customer service to help further cultivate the resident experience,” said David Deitz, president of Birchstone. “We're excited to join the Mesquite market and offer a quintessential Birchstone experience.”
Ashcroft Capital, a fully integrated multifamily investment firm, today announced the acquisition of Anthem Town East (formerly Alexis at Town East), a garden-style community located near Town East Mall approximately 15 miles east of Downtown Dallas. Birchstone Residential, Ashcroft Capital’s in-house property management company, has assumed management of the community and Birchstone’s construction team will spearhead renovation efforts.
The community, which features 244 apartment homes and was purchased through Ashcroft’s $150 million Value-Add Fund, represents Ashcroft’s first acquisition in Mesquite and the 17th in the company’s rapidly growing Texas portfolio.
“Mesquite is one of our target markets in Dallas because it offers residents a high quality of life, great schools and quick commutes to major employment centers,” said Frank Roessler, founder and CEO of Ashcroft. “Anthem Town East is already in fantastic shape, and we believe our in-house property management company will make it one of the most desirable communities in the area.”
Anthem Town East, which was built in 2002 and consists of 12 three-story buildings, is situated at 645 N Town E Boulevard and spans approximately 14 acres with numerous water features. The community puts residents within close proximity of one of the metro area’s major retail destinations. Anchored by Town East Mall, the area includes several large shopping outlets and a sizable variety of national retailers. The community sits just north of Town East Boulevard and a short distance from Interstates 635 and 30, the gateways to the greater Dallas area.
Renovation efforts will begin by addressing deferred maintenance projects, such as repainting the property and additional measures to improve the curb appeal. Amenity spaces and common areas will be updated as well, including improvements to the clubhouse, fitness center, pool areas and additional spaces. Anticipated upgrades within the apartment homes include the addition of quartz countertops with under-mount sinks, stainless steel appliances, faux wood flooring, new cabinet fronts, updated plumbing and lighting fixtures, tiled backsplashes, USB ports, fresh paint and two-inch blinds.
Anthem Town East offers one-, two- and three-bedroom homes with spacious layouts averaging nearly 1,000 square feet. Existing apartment features include nine-foot ceilings with decorative crown molding, six-panel doors, framed glass mirrors and additional high-end features. Select homes include wood plank-style flooring and sunrooms with fireplaces.
Existing common-area amenities at the controlled-access community include a resort-style pool with sundeck, gas barbecues, social lounge, coffee bar, 24-hour fitness center and a business center. Residents also have the option to lease a detached private garage or covered parking.
“Anthem Town East already possesses an excellent location and aesthetic appeal, and we look forward to offering our trademark brand of customer service to help further cultivate the resident experience,” said David Deitz, president of Birchstone. “We're excited to join the Mesquite market and offer a quintessential Birchstone experience.”
Birchstone Residential, a culture-based property management company focused on creating great places to live, today announced the addition of Keith Hughes as vice president of construction. The hiring of Hughes is emblematic of Birchstone’s continued growth as it assumes management responsibilities of apartment communities in the Sunbelt, Southeast and pursues opportunities in new markets.
Hughes will simultaneously manage the day-to-day field operations of multiple multimillion-dollar construction projects and will oversee an emerging in-house construction team expected to grow to 10 or 12 associates. Hughes will assume responsibility of all components of the construction process, from assisting on acquisitions and blueprint designs to budgeting and scheduling construction plans.
“With his vast experience and penchant for driving high-level results, we believe Keith is the perfect fit to lead our construction initiatives,” said David Deitz, president of Birchstone Residential. “Keith’s achievements give him enormous credibility in the industry, and he exhibits all of the key intangible qualities you’d want in a leader—accountability, dedication and the ability to quickly adjust on the fly. We look forward to having Keith as a key part of our team and part of the Birchstone family.”
Prior to joining Birchstone, Hughes, who has accrued 25 years of industry experience, served as regional construction manager for BH Management, where he spearheaded more than $60 million in capital projects in a 12-state region. This included acquisitions, value-add projects, insurance and non-recurring capital expenditures.
“I’m excited to join an on-the-rise property management firm that is quickly carving its distinctive niche in the industry,” Hughes said. “The opportunity to lead and help grow the construction team is tremendous, and I’m eager to assist Birchstone’s continued expansion into desirable markets across the country. I look forward to offering my expertise on the construction front and collaborating with fellow associates on forward-thinking initiatives.”
Ashcroft Capital, a fully integrated multifamily investment firm, today announced the acquisition of Halston Four Corners (formerly Landings at Four Corners) and Halston World Gateway (formerly Palms at World Gateway), two Orlando-area apartment communities featuring a combined 522 homes. Birchstone Residential, Ashcroft Capital’s in-house property management company, has assumed management of both communities.
The communities were purchased through Ashcroft’s $150 million Value-Add Fund. Halston Four Corners is situated in Davenport, about 25 miles southwest of Downtown Orlando. Halston World Gateway is located on the south side of Orlando just off Interstate 4, one of the city’s primary thoroughfares. Ashcroft and Birchstone will perform various upgrades on each community.
“We continue to be strong believers in the Orlando market, and we’re excited to add these two core-plus communities to our portfolio,” said Frank Roessler, founder and CEO of Ashcroft. “Both Halston Four Corners and Halston World Gateway put residents in prime position to take advantage of Orlando’s thriving job market and wide range of entertainment options, and we believe our capital improvements will improve the quality of life for our residents and make each community a more desirable place to live. Our property management arm likes to focus on providing an exceptional resident experience, and that’s exactly what we’ll do here.”
The business plan will be similar at each community, as Ashcroft and Birchstone plan to repaint the properties, fully update and modernize the amenity spaces, add package locker systems and improve the overall curb appeal with landscaping improvements and signage upgrades. The renovations also will include the addition of several carports to provide additional covered parking options for residents.
Within the units, Ashcroft and Birchstone will modernize the communities by implementing several refined features and finishes. The renovations will include stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, tile backsplashes, vinyl plank flooring, under-mount sinks, an upgraded lighting package and new cabinet fronts with modern pulls. Upgrades will also include the addition of in-home washers and dryers, screened balconies and private fenced-in yards for select units.
Halston Four Corners is situated at 1000 Ketner Street and features 270 apartment homes. Originally built in 2009, the commuter-friendly location provides residents convenient access to a wide range of high-level employers and world-class entertainment within the Orlando area via U.S. 27 and nearby I-4.
Halston World Gateway is located at 9000 Avenue Pointe Circle and offers 252 apartment homes. Originally built in 2008, the community’s proximity to I-4 provides residents with prime connectivity to Downtown Orlando and key employers such as Disney, Universal Studios and AdventHealth.
Existing common-area amenities at both communities include a fitness center, resort-style pool, grilling stations, gated access, a resident clubhouse and business center. Additionally, Halston Four Corners features an indoor basketball court.
“These improvements combined with our innovative property management culture and our commitment to best-in-class customer service will drive outstanding property performance at these two communities,” said David Deitz, president of Birchstone. “These are quality properties in a healthy apartment market, and we believe the stage is set for these two communities to thrive.”
Ashcroft Capital, a fully integrated multifamily investment firm, today announced the addition of Traci Wilhelm as director of asset management.
Wilhelm joins Ashcroft from RXR Realty, where she served as senior vice president of multifamily operations and asset management, managing a $2.7 billion portfolio of properties in the Northeast. At Ashcroft, she will oversee all of the asset management functions across the company's entire portfolio, implementing tools and systems to optimize operational performance and drive value appreciation. Her expertise includes an in-depth understanding of the new technologies being introduced to the multifamily industry. During her time at RXR Realty, she both led a digital lab team’s creation of a resident-facing mobile application and acted as a consultant to property technology investment committees as they determined the reasonability of investments.
"We are very excited for Traci to join us at Ashcroft Capital," said Frank Roessler, founder and chief executive officer of Ashcroft Capital. "Her experience and skillsets are a perfect complement to the growth trajectory that our firm is endeavoring on. As we continue to institutionalize each department of the firm, it is critical that they are led by premier industry talent like Traci."
Before her time with RXR Realty, Wilhelm was director of multifamily asset management at CBRE Global Investors, where she managed a $1.2 billion portfolio of Class A and value-add assets across the country, including 3,700 multifamily units and 76,000 square feet of retail space. Earlier in her career, she served as director of asset management at JPI and as asset manager at Gables Residential. Wilhelm also practiced real estate transaction law for three years in Denver.
"I have admired Ashcroft's impressive track record in the multifamily space, and I could not be more excited about the opportunity to become part of its leadership team," Wilhelm said. "Ashcroft has a proven history of creating value through the rebranding and repositioning of the communities it acquires, bringing a better quality of life to their existing and new residents. I am looking forward to working with the tremendous team here at Ashcroft to continue and even accelerate the successes seen thus far."
Wilhelm has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Colorado Boulder, a Juris Doctorate from Washington and Lee School of Law and a Master of Science in Real Estate Finance and Construction Management from the University of Denver.
Since its inception, Ashcroft Capital has acquired more than 11,700 units. It currently has $1.4 billion of assets under management and owns more than 8,300 apartment homes. Until this year, the company’s portfolio consisted of apartment communities in Jacksonville, Fla., Dallas-Fort Worth, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa, Fla. Ashcroft entered the metro Atlanta market this year and is also seeking acquisition opportunities in the Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Phoenix metros.
