Case Studies

• Asset Type: Office Building
• Location: Downtown Chicago, Illinois
• Purchase Price: Approximately $1.8 Million 

An international investor from Vietnam making his first U.S. commercial real estate investment, seeking a strategically located downtown Chicago office building and warehouse proximity near O’Hare International Airport to support business operations. 

• Secure U.S. dollar–denominated income through commercial real estate investment
• Diversify assets outside the home country
• Establish a long-term presence in the U.S. commercial real estate market 

• Limited familiarity with U.S. commercial real estate regulations
• Legal, tax, and corporate structuring requirements for foreign investors
• Leasing strategy and tenant risk evaluation in the Chicago office market
• Cultural and language barriers requiring clear advisory guidance
• Complex international capital transfer and U.S. banking compliance

Trandai Realty acted as the investor’s Chicago commercial real estate advisor, delivering full-scope representation beyond the transaction. 

Our advisory services included:

• Coordinating with a trusted U.S. real estate attorney to establish the appropriate corporate entity and ensure regulatory compliance
• Aligning legal and accounting professionals to support tax planning for a foreign real estate investor in the U.S.
• Educating the client on the commercial property acquisition process, including inspections, negotiations, financing considerations, and closing procedures
• Structuring flexible timelines to accommodate international banking regulations, including multiple escrow extensions
• Protecting the investor’s interests while maintaining transaction momentum and seller confidence

The transaction closed successfully despite cross-border capital and banking complexities. The investor acquired a downtown Chicago office property aligned with long-term investment and operational goals.

Trandai Realty continues to serve as the client’s ongoing commercial real estate investment advisor, supporting portfolio strategy and future acquisitions. 

 “A trusted U.S. advisor is essential for international capital entering a complex market.” 

• Asset Type: Retail – Strip Centers (Supermarket-Anchored)
• Location: Chicagoland Suburbs (Schaumburg, Niles, Hoffman Estates, IL)
• Unit Sizes: Approximately 3,500 – 4,500 SF per location 

A successful local Chicago nail spa operator with three existing locations (each under 2,000 SF) seeking to scale into larger, luxury-style nail spas within high-traffic, supermarket-anchored strip centers. International Airport to support business operations. 

• Secure prime retail locations in major Chicagoland strip centers
• Expand into larger-format (4,000–5,000 SF) luxury nail spa concepts
• Increase brand visibility, traffic, and long-term profitability
• Establish a scalable foundation for multi-unit growth

• Limited availability of large retail spaces within supermarket-anchored centers
• High competition for prime end-cap and in-line locations
• Convincing institutional landlords to approve a tenant transitioning to a larger footprint
• Securing favorable tenant improvement (TI) allowances for luxury build-outs
• Coordinating financing support to ensure smooth expansion

Trandai Realty represented the tenant as exclusive retail leasing advisor, executing a multi-market strategy across the Chicago suburbs.

Our services included:

• Identifying high-traffic, supermarket-anchored retail centers aligned with the brand’s upscale positioning
• Successfully negotiating three new retail leases ranging from approximately 3,500 to 4,500 SF
• Preparing detailed tenant profiles and personal financial statements to strengthen landlord confidence
• Positioning the client as a best-in-class operator capable of executing larger luxury concepts
• Negotiating competitive tenant improvement allowances to support high-end build-outs
• Assisting the tenant in securing SBA financing to fund expansion 

The client successfully executed three new retail leases in Schaumburg, Niles, and Hoffman Estates, establishing a strong presence in premier Chicagoland strip centers.

The luxury nail spa brand is now positioned for accelerated growth, with plans to open three additional locations. 

 “The right advisor makes growth possible — from site selection to financing and landlord negotiation.” 

• Asset Type: Stand-Alone Retail Building
• Location: Columbia, South Carolina
• Purchase Price: Approximately $2.2 Million
• Building Size: Approximately 7,100 SF 

A restaurant operator planning to expand her Paris Banh Mi Bakery & Café concept and initially seeking to lease a 3,000–4,000 SF retail space in a high-traffic corridor in Columbia, SC. 

• Secure a high-visibility retail location on a major traffic street
• Establish long-term operational stability through property ownership
• Support brand growth with flexibility for future expansion
• Control occupancy costs and build equity over time

• Limited availability of lease opportunities in high-traffic retail corridors
• Strong competition for well-located restaurant spaces
• Financing constraints, including a 40% down payment requirement from the lender
• Aligning seller expectations with buyer financing realities

Trandai Realty advised the client beyond traditional leasing, identifying a strategic owner-user opportunity that better aligned with the client’s long-term goals.

Our approach included:

• Identifying a stand-alone retail property on a high-traffic street suitable for restaurant use
• Negotiating directly with an existing restaurant owner to convert a potential lease into a purchase opportunity
• Structuring a transaction that combined conventional financing with seller financing, reducing the client’s upfront capital burden
• Coordinating with lenders and the seller to meet banking requirements while preserving deal viability
• Advising on space planning, allowing the client to utilize excess square footage for additional revenue streams

The client successfully acquired a 7,100 SF stand-alone retail building for approximately $2.2 million. With space exceeding the original restaurant requirement, the client expanded the business model by developing a nail spa adjacent to the restaurant, maximizing property utilization and income potential.

The acquisition transformed a short-term leasing search into a long-term owner-user investment, positioning the client for operational control, equity growth, and diversified revenue. 

“The right location and the right structure can turn a single business into multiple income streams.”