Back in 1994, when we launched our company, we were approached by The Hahn Company out of San Diego to handle the leasing, marketing, and outparcel sales for The Village at University Place located at the corner of I-85 and Harris Boulevard in Charlotte.
At the time it was the first power shopping center in the northeast Charlotte area. It was also the first strip shopping center for Hahn, as their previous development had been exclusively in enclosed malls. We ultimately had a lineup of Walmart, Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Michaels, Pier 1, Sams Club and many more well-known retailers. At the end of the day we successfully leased the +/-600,000 sf project to 100%.
In September of 1994, I sold a one acre parcel of property to Chick-fil-A at The Village at University Place. It was a listing and sale that was my introduction to Chick-fil-A. While representing the property owner, it was important to me to make the best deal possible for our client. Concurrently, it was imperative that Chick-fil-A knew they were being treated fairly and professionally. This successful transaction led to Chick-fil-A subsequently hiring us to represent them as they continued to expand in the greater Charlotte region.
Chick-fil-A was our first and most important tenant representation when we started our business, and 24 years later they are still my most important client and relationship. Having them as a client has been a wonderful link to landing other national and regional clients.
In 1996, happy with our transactions from launching the property, Hahn hired us to sell this asset for them which to this day is still the single largest transaction I have ever done at $35 million dollars.
I’m proud that New South Properties has grown into providing the best retail tenant representation in the Carolinas.