CHICAGO—Next Realty LLC and a joint venturepartner have completed the acquisition of Lincolnshire Commons, aclass A shopping center in north suburban Lincolnshire originallydeveloped in 2007 by General Growth Properties.The acquisition was on behalf of Next Realty InvestmentFund VIII. The purchase price was not disclosed. Andalthough the 130,000-square-foot center is relatively new andalready has an occupancy rate of 90%, Next Realty officials tellGlobeSt.com that they can still add value to the Lake Countyproperty.

“It has a raw space that has never been occupied,” saysMarc Blum, president and chief operating officer.The roughly 4,000-square-foot space is “a cold, dark shell.” It mayhave originally been vacant due to the recession, which hit justafter the center was finished, "but the recession has been over foryears."

Next has about 20 properties in the Chicagoland area, saysEteri Zaslavsky, director of acquisitions. Itsportfolio has an overall occupancy rate of about 97% or 98%, andshe is confident that this property has at least that potential.“You make your money on that last 10%.”