DEALS
Caltrans signed one of the biggest leases in Orange County this year, a $38 million, 12-year deal that calls for the agency to relocate its Orange County district office from two buildings in Santa Ana to 147,411 square feet of new office space in two buildings at 3347-3355 Michelson Drive in Irvine. Royce Sharf, Kevin Bender and David Kluth of Julien J. Studley Inc. represented Caltrans. The landlord, Jamboree, was represented by Janine Padia of Winthrop Management.
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* Chocolates a la Carte, a specialty dessert firm that has created chocolate pianos honoring Leonard Bernstein and chocolate sunglasses for Jack Nicholson, signed an $8-million build-to-suit agreement for a 110,000-square-foot headquarters on 5 acres in Valencia Gateway Commerce Center at 28551 Livingston Ave. in Valencia. Ross Thomas of Delphi Business Properties represented the buyer, while Craig Peters and Doug Sonderegger of CB Richard Ellis represented seller Newhall Land & Farming Co., developer of the center. Rick Pocrass, owner of Chocolates a la Carte, said the new facility will consolidate operations at existing plants in Sylmar and Cerritos and will employ about 200 workers.
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* The law firm of Hancock, Rothert & Bunshoft signed a $6-million, nine-year lease for 20,209 square feet of space at Manulife Plaza, 515 S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles, that will expand the firm’s offices in the building to a total of 50,000 square feet. Clayton S. Hovivian of Cushman Realty Corp., who represented Hancock, Rothert & Bunshoft in lease negotiations, said the law firm will now occupy the 16th floor of the building in addition to the 17th and part of the 18th floors. The landlord was represented in-house by Parker Jones.
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* Targus Corp., a manufacturer of carrying cases for laptop computers, signed a 10-year, $10.7-million lease on 200,646 square feet of space at 1211 N. Miller St. in the Anaheim Technology Center, where Targus will relocate its corporate headquarters from Buena Park. Brian Corrigan and Rob Socci of Voit Commercial Brokerage represented the landlord, Kilroy Realty, while Pat Romolacio of the Seeley Co. represented Targus.
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* Uniweb Inc., a manufacturer of shelving and display systems, signed an $8-million deal to buy a 170,000-square-foot build-to-suit industrial building on Promenade Avenue near interstates 91 and 15 in Corona. The deal includes four acres for future expansion, according to Jeff Chiate and Rick Ellison of Cushman & Wakefield, who represented Uniweb in the transaction. Tim Hawke of Grubb & Ellis represented the seller, Rexco Real Estate Development.
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* A local private investor purchased the 33,498-square-foot Aliso Viejo Professional Center at 15 Mareblu in Aliso Viejo for $6.45 million from Aliso Viejo Professional Center. George Economos and Steve Economos of Grubb & Ellis represented the buyer. John Bosko of Charles Dunn represented the seller.
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* Rod Davis of No Ho Studios bought a 71,680-square-foot former Adolph Foods industrial building at 5355 Cartwright Ave. in North Hollywood for $2 million and plans to convert the structure into studio production space. Mike Rosenthal and Steve Waterman of Sussex Capital Group represented the buyer; Ross Thomas of Delphi Business Properties represented the private-party seller.
