Stockbridge, a private equity real estate investment management firm, announces the acquisition of a six-property, grocery-anchored retail portfolio located in five high-growth markets across the Southeast. Over the next year, Stockbridge plans to acquire an additional six properties, bringing the total portfolio to 1.25 million square feet. Branch Properties will maintain minority ownership in the portfolio and will continue to handle management and leasing at the property level.  

“As the grocery-anchored retail sector remains a resilient asset class, the opportunity to invest in a high-quality, diversified portfolio provides a significant investment opportunity for Stockbridge,” said Stockbridge Managing Director, Acquisitions David Nix. “These six operating properties are all dominant retail centers anchored by premier grocers, and we are looking forward to partnering with Branch, a best-in-class retail operator, to generate long-term success across the portfolio.”

The portfolio features market-leading grocers Publix Super Markets and Harris Teeter, along with a mix of essential, e-commerce-resistant service providers, retailers and restaurants. The six properties, totaling 765,969 square feet, include Burnt Store Marketplace in Punta Gorda, FL; Village Shoppes of Sugarloaf in Lawrenceville, GA; Five Forks Corners in Lilburn, GA; Waterford Village in Wilmington, NC; Village at Waterside in Chattanooga, TN; and Lightfoot Marketplace in Virginia Beach, VA. 

“Branch is excited about the prospect of partnering with Stockbridge on this collection of high-performing properties that continue to benefit from being located in some of the most dynamic markets in the country,” said Branch CIO Jesse Shannon. “This is a strategic relationship for Branch given Stockbridge’s exemplary reputation as a partner and its stellar return performance.”   

Branch Properties is a private real estate investment firm based in Atlanta, primarily focused on the acquisition and development of high-quality grocery-anchored shopping centers throughout the Southeast. 

Since the beginning of the year, Stockbridge has acquired several additional properties, totaling 1.3 million square feet and 579 multifamily units. Recent multifamily acquisitions include The Cole, a luxury apartment building on the Upper East Side of Manhattan; Foster on the Park in Durham, NC; and Lake Creek Village in Edwards, CO.