Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors, a nationally recognized real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in retail property sales, announced today that the firm arranged the purchase of Publix at Harbins 316, a newly constructed Publix-anchored neighborhood shopping center located in Gwinnett County, one of the fastest-growing submarkets of the Atlanta metro area. The sale price was $25 million.
Hanley Investment Group’s President Ed Hanley and Executive Vice President Kevin Fryman, in association with ParaSell, Inc., represented the 1031 exchange buyer, a private investor based in San Diego, California. The seller was Watkins Real Estate Group of Atlanta, represented by CBRE Managing Director Chris Decouflé, Senior Vice President Kevin Hurley, and Vice President Matt Karempelis.
“We successfully executed an off-market transaction by collaborating with the seller, with whom Hanley Investment Group had previously completed a Publix-anchored center deal, and our client, a private 1031 exchange buyer from Southern California,” said Fryman. “We negotiated a shortened due diligence period to provide the seller with closing certainty while arranging a delayed escrow to meet the financial goals of both parties.”
Fryman added, “We engaged a leading local property management and leasing team as local experts, offering the buyer confidence in owning this Southeastern shopping center.”
This acquisition is the fourth grocery-anchored shopping center in the Atlanta metro area that the buyer has acquired through Hanley Investment Group, bringing the total value of these acquisitions to nearly $100 million.
The Publix at Harbins 316 shopping center is located at 952 Harbins Road in the city of Dacula. Built in 2023, the 69,807-square-foot shopping center is situated near the new Highway 316/Interstate 29 on/off-ramp. The shopping center was 100% leased at the time of the sale and includes 88% national and regional tenants. In addition to Publix Super Market, tenants at the center include Great Clips, Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Wingstop, UPS Store, and Heartland Dental.
“The 48,387-square-foot Harbins 316 Publix Super Markets is the chain’s latest prototype that includes a drive-thru pharmacy and mezzanine seating and robust first-year sales,” said Fryman. “Publix accounts for nearly 70% of the gross leasable area.”
According to Fryman, the buyer was attracted to the center’s new construction and stability offered by a long-term Publix lease with 19 years remaining. Additionally, the affluent demographics, with an average household income of $124,000 within a five-mile radius, the convenient location near the new freeway interchange, and the surrounding residential development plans further enhanced the property’s appeal.
The shopping center is part of a new 74-acre mixed-use development that will add approximately 500 multi-family units and senior apartments as well as a community park and active recreation areas. This fast-growing residential hub is ideally located halfway between Atlanta and Athens, providing easy access via the new interchange at Highway 316 and Harbins Road.
“Investors are highly attracted to new grocery-anchored shopping centers in affluent suburbs because they offer stable, long-term returns,” highlighted Fryman. “The consistent foot traffic generated by a well-known grocery anchor ensures a steady stream of customers for the surrounding retail tenants, making these centers a reliable investment.”
About Hanley Investment Group
Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors is a real estate brokerage and advisory services company with over an $11 billion transaction track record that specializes in the sale of retail properties nationwide. Our expertise, proven track record, and unwavering dedication to putting clients’ needs first set us apart in the industry. Hanley Investment Group creates value by delivering exceptional results through the use of property-specific marketing strategies, cutting-edge technology, and local market knowledge. Our nationwide relationships with investors, developers, institutions, franchisees, brokers, and 1031 exchange buyers are unparalleled in the industry, translating into maximum exposure and pricing for each property. With unmatched service, Hanley Investment Group has redefined the experience of selling retail investment properties. For more information, visit www.hanleyinvestment.com.
