CIT Real Estate Finance provided a $33.3 million senior secured loan to Spirit Bascom Ventures, a joint venture between New York-based Spirit Investment Partners and the Irvine, Calif.-based Bascom Group. The facility was used to acquire 2 five-story buildings containing 136 multi-family units above more than 28,000 square feet of office space known as Jefferson at 55/77 Water in South Norwalk (SONO), Connecticut. Financing was provided by CIT Bank, the U.S. commercial bank subsidiary of CIT. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“This is a significant portfolio acquisition for Spirit Bascom Ventures in the SONO neighborhood of Connecticut,” said Meggan Walsh, Managing Director and Deputy Group Head of CIT Real Estate Finance. “The mixed use properties are a short walk to a growing and vibrant retail and restaurant district, as well as an MTA station that provides easy access to Manhattan. Our ability to finance this transaction, coupled with our local market expertise, allows Spirit to grow their portfolio.”
Scott Zwilling, a principal with Spirit Investment Partners, said, “Traditionally we’ve focused on acquiring distressed and value added multifamily assets across the country, however Jefferson at 55/77 Water presented us an incredible Connecticut real estate opportunity to acquire a Class A asset. By partnering with CIT, we were able to tap their deep industry knowledge and expertise to close this transaction quickly and efficiently.”
Spirit Bascom Ventures, a joint venture between Spirit Investment Partners, LLC and The Bascom Group, LLC was formed to acquire distressed and value added multifamily assets in the northeast, southeast and Midwest markets. Spirit is a New York City based real estate investment and management company, owned and operated by principals David Nachman, Scott Zwilling and Ian Hafner, with holdings in the Northeast and Midwest. Bascom, founded by principals Jerry Fink, David Kim and Derek Chen, is one of the most active and seasoned buyers and operators of apartment communities in the United States.