Manna Foodbank's purchase of a new warehouse was born out of necessity: Hurricane Helene had just destroyed many riverfront properties in Asheville, North Carolina.
After losing its facilities, the food bank needed space immediately for operational purposes. Manna had incurred an estimated $28 million in losses. The food bank found temporary space and eventually subleased space in this building from FedEx and completed the sale in October.
While overcoming challenges and receiving an outpour of community support, the transaction helped facilitate the distribution of basic needs to members of the community amid a natural disaster, earning the deal a 2025 CoStar Impact Award as judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
The deal marked an expansion from Manna Foodbank's previous location along Swannanoa River Road at a 55,000-square-foot space that was destroyed in the hurricane.
About the deal: The arrangement included a lease termination for FedEx and early access for the buyer.
They made it happen: Austin Walker, a commercial real estate broker with Whitney Commercial Real Estate Services, and Austin Tyler, a senior commercial real estate broker with Dewey Property Advisors.