Cashing out: Bank of America consolidates Simi operations
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 21st, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Real Estate, Top Stories / Comments Off on Cashing out: Bank of America consolidates Simi operations
Bank of America has shed a 1 million-square-foot portfolio of former Countrywide Financial Corp. office buildings for $200 million and plans to consolidate its Simi Valley campus.
Move sues after Realtor.com chief leaves for rival Zillow
By Staff Report / Tuesday, March 18th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Law & Goverment, Real Estate, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Public Companies / Comments Off on Move sues after Realtor.com chief leaves for rival Zillow
Move Inc., operator of Realtor.com, has sued a former employee and much-larger competitor Zillow, alleging theft of trade secrets.
Michael and Anne Towbes give $5M to Granada Theatre group
By Staff Report / Monday, March 17th, 2014 / Nonprofits, Real Estate, Tourism / Comments Off on Michael and Anne Towbes give $5M to Granada Theatre group
Developer and banker Michael Towbes and his wife, Anne, have made a $5 million gift to the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts. The gift is irrevocable, the organization said in a March 17 announcement, and is in addition to the $15 million the couple has previously given to SBCPA.
Bain Capital debt strikes sour note at Guitar Center
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Central Coast, East Ventura County, Green Coast, Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Bain Capital debt strikes sour note at Guitar Center
With rumors swirling of an ownership change at debt-laden Guitar Center, all eyes will be on whether the Westlake Village-based company reversed its sagging online sales over the critical holiday season.
As big-box firms slash stores, uncertainty for Tri-Counties
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Central Coast, East Ventura County, Green Coast, Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on As big-box firms slash stores, uncertainty for Tri-Counties
Radio Shack plans to close up 1,100 stores around the U.S. and Staples, the largest office-supplies company in the U.S., said it would shutter 225 stores nationwide in a plan to cut costs by $500 million.
Big firms check in to Santa Barbara hotel boom
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tourism, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Big firms check in to Santa Barbara hotel boom
A Philadelphia company’s $41.7 million purchase of Hotel Oceana in Santa Barbara signals that large out-of-town investors are betting on a major boom in South Coast tourism.
Santa Barbara apartments break record with $33M sale
By Staff Report / Monday, March 10th, 2014 / Real Estate, Top Stories / Comments Off on Santa Barbara apartments break record with $33M sale
The Harbor Heights Manor apartment complex at 801 Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara has been sold to an undisclosed investor for $33 million, setting a new price record for the city, according to commercial real estate experts.