PegasusAblon, Lionstone Investments Sell One Preston Centre

Longtime owners PegasusAblon and Lionstone Investments have sold One Preston Centre at 8222 Douglas Ave. to Pillar Commercial and Artemis Real Estate Partners.

Pillar Commercial founder and President Manny Ybarra said his company was attracted to the acquisition because of Preston Centre’s barriers to entry and strong performance. The office building is 85% occupied. The new owners are formulating a renovation plan that will address common areas, Ybarra said. 

One Preston Centre was purchased in an all-cash deal and the Pillar/Artemis JV is working with HFF’s Brian Carlton to secure senior debt financing with Regions Bank. HFF represented PegasusAblon and Lionstone in the sale. Pillar and Artemis underwrote a five-year hold, but final exit strategy will be determined in the future, Ybarra said.

The 77K SF building accommodates small and midsize tenants across its nine floors. On-site amenities include property management and adjacent five-story parking garage.

This acquisition marks Pillar Commercial and Artemis Real Estate Partners' second joint venture purchase in the last year after buying Duke Bridges III in Frisco in September.

The Preston Center submarket has seen a flurry of activity in recent months. Transwestern Investment Group sold 8235 Douglas to Granite Properties in May.  PegasusAblon and Lionstone are developing the 12-story, 172K SF Terraces at Douglas Center that will deliver in the fall. The 1M SF PegasusAblon/Lionstone office portfolio also includes 8333 Douglas, 8343 Douglas, 8300 Douglas, Katy Trail Place and Hillcrest Crossing.