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ast Mile Investments has significantly expanded its retail portfolio over the past 18 months, acquiring two shopping centers in the Houston area. The Cincinnati-based firm purchased Westheimer Plaza, a 24,000-square-foot property, and College Park Plaza, a 70,200-square-foot center located in The Woodlands. These acquisitions are part of Last Mile's broader strategy to invest in high-growth markets across the Sun Belt, with Texas as a primary focus.

    Sean Quinn of Last Mile and Charles Blaschke of Edge Realty Partners are managing leasing for the properties. College Park Plaza, acquired from Crow Holdings in November 2023, is 87% leased to tenants such as Jersey Mike's and HealthQuest Therapeutics. The Houston Plaza, purchased in June from a private owner, is fully leased with tenants including Café Lili Lebanese Grill and Domino's Pizza.

    Last Mile Investments specializes in retail properties providing essential daily services like dining, healthcare, and personal care. Founded in 2019, the firm is led by co-founder and CEO Ryan Moore and is a portfolio company of North American Properties Company. The Houston area's retail vacancy rate stood at 5.4% in the third quarter, with net absorption totaling 458,500 square feet amid 898,700 square feet of construction deliveries.

    Recent retail acquisitions in the Houston area include SLS Properties' purchase of Baybrook Passage and Wu Properties' acquisition of Woodlake Square. Wu Properties also owns several other shopping centers in the Houston area, including Northwest Crossing Centre and Presidio Square.