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The Latest from SOCO

Restaurateur Antonio Bevacqua Opens Northern Italian-inspired Il Girasole At South Coast Collection In Costa Mesa

BALTIMORE, MD (February 5, 2025) – Il Girasole, a Northern Italian-inspired restaurant owned by Antonio Bevacqua, recently opened within South Coast Collection (SoCo), a 292,000 square foot luxury home furnishing and design lifestyle center in Costa Mesa, California. Bevacqua, who studied his craft at culinary schools in Italy and later managed restaurants throughout California, plans to hold a grand opening for the 3,000 square foot restaurant on February 6. The space is situated between Butcher’s House and Arc Food & Libations.

Bevacqua, who relocated to the United States from Italy in 2003, has deep experience in the restaurant industry, with a special emphasis on upscale establishments, including Michelin-rated concepts in Europe. His goal is to create “a true restaurant destination in Costa Mesa” using locally-sourced and imported ingredients to provide residents of Southern California with “a different and highly-unique Italian restaurant experience.”

“A large segment of the population believes that Italian food consists of lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza and some pasta dishes,” Bevacqua said. “Il Girasole was designed to be the exact opposite of this thinking by offering highly-creative and chef-driven cuisine that customers will not find at other restaurants. A memorable meal is a multi-sensory experience which combines presentation, high quality, and taste along with great service in an aesthetically-pleasing environment. Every element needs to be perfect, and that is what we intend Il Girasole to consistently provide.”

Signature Il Girasole dishes will include Duck Pappardelle and Filetto cacio e pepe. The restaurant, which features indoor and al fresco dining for nearly 75 people, also has a small bites menu with highlights including Spanish octopus, grilled calamari, and sushi-grade yellowtail tuna. Il Girasole also has a wine locker program that offers memberships, as well as an extensive cocktail list that will change with the seasons and availability of ingredients.

The restaurant, whose name translates to “sunflower,” is currently operating under a “soft opening” status in preparation for its February 6 grand opening.

“When looking for a retail location, South Coast Collective was my absolute first choice,” Bevacqua explained. “The center’s direct access to a major highway attracted me initially, as it makes our concept easy to visit from Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and other areas. The nearby commercial district will be convenient for businesspeople to enjoy lunch, and the surrounding consumer demographics are terrific.

“We also like the fact that consumers are presently visiting the center’s restaurant roster, so they are in the habit of thinking about SoCo when making dining choices,” he added. “We aim to provide a compelling new option in the Southern California area.”

Constructed in 2007 and located at 3303-3323 Hyland Avenue in Orange County on a 20-acre site with 1,000 feet of frontage on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), SoCo is anchored by COCO RepublicDesign Within ReachLa-Z-Boy, and Paul Mitchell the School, with additional retailers including Brown JordanNatuzzi Italia, and Room & Board. Restaurants and food concepts include Arc Food and LibationsButcher’s HouseGreenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails, Moulin, and Portola Coffee.

“We are truly impressed by Antonio’s vision and have great confidence in his ability to bring his plans to life, establishing Il Girasole as a must-visit destination at SoCo,” said Kristina O’Keefe, Vice President of the Commercial Division at CRC. “Distinctive restaurants are key to shaping the atmosphere of the center, serving as a central hub for the community, and we are certain that Il Girasole will become a defining part of the SoCo experience.”

Also contained within the property is The OC Mix, a nearly 15,000 square foot shopping and dining experience featuring more than 20 distinct full-service sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, quick service restaurants, a fine cheese retailer, a barber and, other unique soft good retailers.

More than 340,000 vehicles pass the SoCo site on an annual basis via Interstate 405. More than 200,000 people, including more than 65,000 households with an average household income exceeding $132,000, are located within a three-mile radius of SoCo. Additionally, 125,000 people work within a three-mile radius.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of nearly eight million square feet of commercial space and more than 10,000 apartment homes across 13 states, with a portfolio value exceeding $4 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.

Furniture Retailer Lovesac, Cabinet Supplier BauTeam And Fireclay Handmade Tile Joining South Coast Collection

BALTIMORE, MD (August 22, 2024) – Furniture retailer Lovesac, cabinet supplier BauTeam and Fireclay Handmade Tile have signed leases with Continental Realty Corporation (CRC) for space at South Coast Collection (SoCo) a 292,000 square foot luxury home furnishing and design lifestyle center in Costa Mesa with a 60-store tenant mix featuring design, home furnishings, fashion, and culinary retailers. CRC, a Baltimore-based real estate investment and management company active in 11 states, acquired SoCo last fall, representing the group’s entry into Southern California retail real estate market. BauTeam leased 2,035 square feet of space and is expected to open later this year. Lovesac signed a 2,198 square foot lease and is expected to open mid-summer, while Fireclay Handmade Tile executed a 2,238 square foot lease and intends to open this fall.

BauTeam manufactures and sells indoor and outdoor kitchen cabinetry, countertop vanities, closet systems and furnishings, and other household accessories. The European-based group maintains showrooms throughout the United States, including locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, and Miami. The company offers furniture solutions for the living room, home office, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, with products manufactured in Germany using high-end woodworking technology.

Lovesac is a technology-driven company that designs, manufactures, and sells unique, high-quality furniture derived through its proprietary Designed for Life approach, which results in products that are built to last a lifetime and designed to evolve as their customers’ lives do. The current product offering is comprised of modular couches called Sactionals, premium foam beanbag chairs called Sacs, and associated home decor accessories. Invisible, immersive surround-sound via StealthTech Sound + Charge is offered through the Sactionals platform on all customizable styles.

“Lovesac has a strong and growing presence in Southern California,” stated Chris Palma, Director of Real Estate Strategy for Lovesac. “We’ve had our eyes on opening a new showroom at SoCo Collection for many years, due to its strong customer profile and tenant mix, as well as the overall premium aesthetic of the center. We are excited to join this true furniture destination and give customers the opportunity to experience Lovesac’s latest products & technology.”

Fireclay Handmade Tile offers a fresh take on a tile showroom experience, with a wide range of semi-custom made to order products from ceramic to glass to brick and more, all handcrafted in the United States. Design and tile experts are available in-store to provide guidance and help bring projects to life.

“Fireclay has always been a partner to the design trade, and knowing that SoCo Collection is a destination for designers, we’re thrilled to join so many like-minded brands in Costa Mesa,” stated Jamie Chappell, Fireclay’s VP of Brand and Marketing.

Constructed in 2007 and located at 3303-3323 Hyland Avenue in Orange County on a 20-acre site with 1,000 feet of frontage on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), SoCo is anchored by Coco RepublicDesign Within ReachLa-Z-Boy, and Paul Mitchell the School, with additional retailers including Brown JordanNatuzzi, and Room & Board. Restaurants and food concepts include Arc Food and Libations, Butcher’s HouseGreenleaf Kitchen + CocktailsMoulin, and Portola Coffee.  

Also contained within the property is The OC Mix, a nearly 15,000 square foot shopping and dining experience featuring more than 20 distinct full-service sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, quick service restaurants, a fine cheese retailer and an art gallery. Many of the tenants offer tasting events, cooking classes and other events that draw unique visitors to the concept. The OC Mix is ranked in the top 10 percent nationally for foot traffic, according to Placer.ai, a market research company that reports on consumer behavior by tracking store visits.

Situated adjacent to SoCo is the corporate headquarters for Vans, including 500 employees, with numerous other high value properties nearby, such as the 640,000 square foot Anduril Industries corporate campus, a site designated for the construction of more than 1,000 multifamily units and one of the busiest Ikea stores in the country, according to Placer.ai. SoCo is also home to Orange County’s largest weekly Farmers Market, which regularly draws unique visitors to the lifestyle center.

More than 340,000 vehicles pass the SoCo site on an annual basis via Interstate 405. More than 200,000 people, including more than 65,000 households with an average household income exceeding $132,000, reside within a three-mile radius of SoCo. An additional 125,000 people work within a three-mile radius.

“The addition of BauTeam, Lovesac and Fireclay Handmade Tile further differentiates South Coast Collection in the marketplace, with its synergistic tenant mix including among the nation’s top home design and furniture stores,” stated Kristina O’Keefe, CRC’s Vice President, Commercial Division. “Our team continues to attract highly-recognized tenants with strong brand appeal that inject energy and provide compelling new reasons for consumers to visit SoCo. Each of these new operators adds to the allure of South Coast Collection and furthers our promise of providing a distinctive shopping experience.”

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of almost eight million square feet of commercial space and over 9,000 apartment homes across 11 states, with a portfolio value exceeding $4 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.

Women’s Clothing And Jewelry Store Jessie And Sky Opens First Physical Location

Women’s clothing and jewelry store Jessie and Sky has opened its first physical location within South Coast Collection (SoCo) a 292,000 square foot luxury home furnishing and design lifestyle center in Costa Mesa, California. Owner Jessica Malone signed a lease with Continental Realty Corporation (CRC) to join the 60-store tenant mix featuring design, home furnishings, fashion, and culinary retailers. CRC, a Baltimore-based real estate investment and management company active in 11 states, acquired SoCo last fall, representing the group’s entry into the Southern California retail real estate market.

According to Jessica Malone, Jessie and Sky is a women’s clothing brand which believes that every woman should express themselves freely through fashion. The concept features an assortment of dresses, shorts, tops, beachwear, and accessories, including bags and hair clips, as well as a complete line of jewelry such as stainless steel and personalized necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

“SoCo is a highly unique and destination where customers can hang out, relax, enjoy coffee, and shop, and I consider it the ideal match for my boutique,” said Malone. “Costa Mesa is a very beautiful city with plenty to do nearby, and the surrounding areas are full of interesting restaurants, beaches, and festivals. SoCo easily caught our eye, as it perfectly captures the cleanliness and intriguing nature of the city.”

Constructed in 2007 and located at 3303-3323 Hyland Avenue in Orange County on a 20-acre site with 1,000 feet of frontage on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), SoCo is anchored by COCO RepublicDesign Within ReachLa-Z-Boy, and Paul Mitchell the School, with additional retailers including Brown JordanNatuzzi, and Room & Board. Restaurants and food concepts include Arc Food and LibationsButcher’s HouseGreenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails, Moulin, and Portola Coffee.

“The presence of locally-owned shops and boutiques provide differentiation to a retail venue and, in Jessie and Sky and owner Jessica Malone, we have attracted a passionate and highly-enthusiastic entrepreneur to SoCo,” stated Kristina O’Keefe, CRC’s Vice President, Commercial Division. “Jessie and Sky prides themselves in selling timeless styles and unique jewelry, and the boutique provides a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that differs from large, impersonal retail chains.” 

Also contained within the property is The OC Mix, a nearly 15,000 square foot shopping and dining experience featuring more than 20 distinct full-service sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, quick service restaurants, a fine cheese retailer and an art gallery. Many of the tenants offer tasting events, cooking classes and other events that draw unique visitors to the concept. The OC Mix is ranked in the top 10 percent nationally for foot traffic, according to Placer.ai, a market research company that reports on consumer behavior by tracking store visits.

Situated adjacent to SoCo is the corporate headquarters for Vans, including 500 employees, with numerous other high value properties nearby such as the 640,000 square foot Anduril Industries corporate campus, a site designated for the construction of more than 1,000 multifamily units and one of the busiest Ikea stores in the country, according to Placer.ai. SoCo is also home to Orange County’s largest weekly Farmers Market, which regularly draws unique visitors to the lifestyle center.

More than 340,000 vehicles pass the SoCo site on an annual basis via Interstate 405. More than 200,000 people, including more than 65,000 households with an average household income exceeding $132,000, reside within a three-mile radius of SoCo. An additional 125,000 people work within a three-mile radius.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of almost eight million square feet of commercial space and over 9,000 apartment homes across 11 states, with a portfolio value exceeding $3.7 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.

CRC Enters California Retail Market With Acquisition of The South Coast Collection In Costa Mesa

Courtesy of Continental Realty Corporation

BALTIMORE, MD (November 9, 2023) – Continental Realty Corporation (CRC), a Baltimore-based real estate investment and management company active in 11 states with more than $3.7 billion Assets Under Management (AUM), has entered the Southern California retail real estate market with its acquisition of the South Coast Collection (SoCo) in Costa Mesa. SoCo is a 97 percent leased, 292,000 square foot luxury home furnishing and design lifestyle center, with a 60-store tenant mix featuring design, home furnishings, fashion, and culinary retailers. Christopher Hoffman, Managing Director, and Mark Damiani, Director of Eastdil Secured, L.L.C., represented the seller. CRC has now acquired nearly $720 million worth of retail real estate since the beginning of 2020.

SoCo was purchased with funds from Continental Realty Opportunistic Retail Fund I, LP (CRORF). CRORF is a closed-end fund for which $261 million has been raised since 2021, including $200 million in the Fund and $61 million in co-investment vehicles. Since the inception of CRORF, CRC has acquired 11 retail properties comprising approximately 2.7 million square feet of space. Since 2012, CRC has raised nearly $1 billion in equity for retail and multifamily investments across five real estate funds and multiple associated co-investments.

This is the second asset acquired by CRC on behalf of CRORF this year, following the $78 million purchase this summer of Lakeside Village, a nearly 460,000 square foot super-regional lifestyle center located just east of Tampa, Florida.

CRC owns and manages a diversified portfolio of more than 9,000 apartment homes, as well as retail centers and other commercial properties consisting of almost eight million square feet, serving the real estate needs of more than 1,100 tenants across 10 states. CRORF was formed as a vehicle to target and acquire a diversified portfolio of distressed, opportunistic, and value-add retail properties throughout the United States.

Constructed in 2007 and located at 3303-3323 Hyland Avenue in Orange County on a 20-acre site with 1,000 feet of frontage on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), SoCo is anchored by COCO Republic, Design Within Reach, Roche Bobois, Pirch, and Paul Mitchell the School, with additional retailers including Brown Jordan, Natuzzi Italia, and Room & Board. Restaurants and food concepts include Arc Food and Libations, Butcher’s House, Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails, Moulin, Paragon, and Portola Coffee.

Contained within the property is The OC Mix, a 15,000 square foot shopping and dining experience featuring more than 20 distinct full-service sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, quick service restaurants, a fine cheese retailer and an art gallery. Many of the tenants offer tasting events, cooking classes and other events that draw unique visitors to the concept. The OC Mix is ranked in the top 10 percent nationally for foot traffic, according to Placer.ai, a market research company that reports on consumer behavior by tracking store visits.

Situated adjacent to SoCo is the corporate headquarters for Vans with 500 employees, with numerous high value properties nearby including the 640,000 square foot Anduril Industries corporate campus, one of the busiest Ikea stores in the country according to Placer.ai, and a site designated for the construction of more than 1,000 multifamily units. SoCo is also home to Orange County’s largest weekly Farmers Market, which regularly draws unique visitors to the lifestyle center.

More than 340,000 vehicles pass the site on an annual basis via Interstate 405. More than 200,000 people, including more than 65,000 households with an average household income exceeding $132,000, reside within a three-mile radius of SoCo. An additional 125,000 people work within a three-mile radius.

Irreplaceable Asset in Top Tier Infill Urban Market

“South Coast Collection is the only shopping venue of its kind in an extensive, high net worth trade area,” stated Josh Dinstein, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions for Continental Realty Corporation. “An irreplaceable asset strategically located in a top tier infill urban market, it features an attractive, customer-friendly layout and a synergistic tenant mix that includes some of the nation’s top home design and furniture stores. The OC Mix, a highly successful food and dining concept serves dual purposes as an amenity and a high-volume traffic driver on its own. The asset’s institutional quality and strong value-add potential, plus its location in the heart of Orange County, make SoCo the perfect acquisition for our entry into the southern California marketplace.

“Our team was able to execute this transaction based on our reputation and long-term relationships,” Dinstein added. “We are confident in our ability to generate additional value by leasing the remaining vacancies and implementing our proven property management protocols to realize operational efficiencies.”

Enduring Fundamentals of Costa Mesa Attracting Jobs and Fueling Long-Term Growth

According to the Orange County Workforce and Economic Department, the region is among the most densely populated counties in California, with nearly 3.2 million residents and an employment sector fueled by the construction, tourism, and healthcare industries. The Orange County Business Council describes the county as a “microcosm of all great things about California – multi-culturalism, beaches, sunny weather and an educated workforce that drives a powerful economy.”

Featuring a labor force of more than 1.6 million workers, Orange County supports nearly 170,000 business establishments and contains nearly 1.1 million households. The median household income is projected to grow by approximately 11 percent over the next three years and, in 2021, Orange County saw the largest growth of tech talent in the United States. More than 50 million people visit the county annually. Fortune 200 companies with a presence in the county include Amazon, Blizzard Entertainment, Broadcom, and Google.

SoCo is less than three miles north of South Coast Plaza, which is considered to be among the most valuable malls in the United States, with more than $2 billion in annual sales. SoCo is positioned four miles from John Wayne Airport and is approximately 35 miles from Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport. Its position off Interstate 405 provides convenient connections to the entire state via Highway 5.

Summary of CRORF acquisition activity

In addition to its recent entry into California, CRC entered the suburban trade areas of Chicago, Illinois and Troy, Michigan in 2021. Key acquisitions included Banks Crossing, a 255,101 square foot regional shopping center in Fayetteville, Georgia; Lakeside Village in Tampa; The Shoppes at Webb Gin, a 330,000 square foot lifestyle center in Greater Atlanta; a portfolio of five shopping centers comprising more than 900,000 square feet of space in Cicero, Mount Prospect, Naperville, and Palatine, Illinois; and Oakland Plaza and Oakland Square, shopping centers located in Troy, Michigan consisting of nearly 392,000 square feet of space.

CRORF targets neighborhood, grocery-anchored, lifestyle and power centers situated within the U.S.’s top 50 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), as well as select secondary markets.

“Consumers have returned to traditional brick-and-mortar retail stores and restaurants as the growth of ecommerce has subsided and, by leveraging our extensive relationships and relentless market analysis, we are continuing to pursue additional shopping center opportunities on a national level,” explained CRC’s CEO JM Schapiro. “We believe in the enduring strength of the Southern California marketplace, and we are confident that the unique ecosystem at SoCo, low sub-market vacancy, and lack of new supply are key factors that will enable us to execute our strategic plan to add value and deliver a solid risk-adjusted yield to our investor group. Orange County’s stable consumer population, thriving tourism sector and low unemployment rate make this section of the country extremely attractive. The low overall 4.3% vacancy rate for retail space, year-over-year rent growth of 4.6 percent, and the $110,000 median income are prime indicators of the market’s current and long-term strength.

“Our experienced team benefitted from our vertically integrated platform by leveraging cutting-edge technology, and advanced data sources, to uncovering emerging acquisition opportunities,” Schapiro added. “CRC’s ready capital and strong track record of certainty to close make us a preferred and proven counterparty to sellers of retail real estate.”

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of almost eight million square feet of commercial space and over 9,000 apartment homes across 11 states, with a portfolio value exceeding $3.7 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.

An Inside Look at Butcher’s House Brasserie

A look inside Butcher’s House Brasserie: the modern-day brasserie concept centered around the antique craft of butchery. Chef Jeoffrey combines his expertise in butchery with his professional culinary skills, guiding the entire process from meat preparation to the creation of mouthwatering dishes. Get ready to be immersed in the atmosphere of this inviting restaurant and taste unexpected flavors.


WATCH S2, EPISODE 11 NOW

Taste The Cheese Shop at SOCO + The OC Mix

Taste The Cheese Shop: a full-service cheese shop stocked full of domestic and imported artisanal cheeses that will level up your next snack board. Serving breakfast, specialty sandwiches, cheese and beautiful charcuterie plates, the specially trained “Cheesemongers” staff at The Cheese Shop is always ready to help you select the perfect pairings with something delicious like local honey, jam, chocolate, dried fruit, hand-crafted salumi and more.

Stop by for a taste, a wedge or a party board to share with friends. Located inside The OC Mix.

WATCH S2, EPISODE 10 NOW