Weingarten, Mercantile Join Forces

Weingarten Realty Investors, a Houston-based real estate investment trust, and Mercantile Real Estate Advisors Inc. have announced the formation of a joint venture to acquire and operate industrial properties in target markets across the United States.Weingarten said it will oversee the acquisitions and the management and leasing of the properties. "The partners plan to invest $500 million in total capital over the next two years, including leverage targeted at approximately 50% of total capital," Weingarten reported. Acquisitions will be focused on bulk warehouse and business distribution properties in targeted U.S. markets. Weingarten can be found online at http://www.weingarten.com, and Mercantile can be found at http://www.aflcio-bit.com.