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Two North County shopping centers were recently sold in what has been an especially tight market for retail space.

The Forum shopping center in Carlsbad was sold to EDENS, based in Washington, DC, and Sunroad Plaza in Vista was sold to Cubline Properties Corp. , based in New York.

Built in 2004 by Thomas Enterprises on a 33-acres site at 1923 Calle Barcelona, the 265,000-square-foot Carlsbad shopping center, The Forum, was extensively renovated prior to the sale by Northwood Investors and Nuveen Real Estate, which sold the property to EDENS.

EDENS declined to discuss its plans for the center but said that the acquisition is part of the company’ s expansion in Southern California.

“The Forum is an irreplaceable, high-performing property in a market where we see enduring strength,” said Jami Passer, EDENS chief investment officer.

“This acquisition is a significant step in our Southern California expansion and reflects a broader strategy of investing in places with strong community relevance and the potential to become more compelling over the long term,” Passer said.

In California, EDENS also owns The Shops at La Jolla Village, Long Beach Exchange, and Strawberry Village in Marin County.

Tenants at The Forum include Jimbo’s, Apple, Vuori, Anthropologie, Warby Parker, The Henry, Abercrombie & Fitch, YETI, Parakeet Cafe, Urban Plates, McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream, SusieCakes, Sur La Table, lululemon, Free People, Alo Yoga, and Bluemercury.

Northwood President Ward Kampf said that with demand for retail space rising, the time was right to sell the 34-acre shopping center. “It’s a fantastic asset,” Kampf said. “It’s a hidden gem.”

Among its attractions, The Forum is one of only three shopping centers in the U. S. where Apple is expanding its store to take more than 8,000 square feet, according to Kampf.

“That store is going to be dynamite,” Kampf said.

“This transaction reflects the successful execution of a clear and highly focused business plan for The Forum Carlsbad,” said Ryan Boan, U.S. head of retail transactions at Nuveen Real Estate.

“Together with Northwood, we were able to meaningfully enhance the asset, elevate the merchandising mix, and create a stronger destination experience for the community.”

Improvements completed by Northwood Investors and Nuveen Real Estate included replacing a roof, new landscaping, redoing the parking lot, adding signage, repainting store facades, and “just getting highly productive tenants,” Kampf said. “The market is highly affluent, and you need to serve the community.”

“There hasn’t been a ton of building. San Diego is always one of the tightest markets in the country, but I think it’ s one of the best markets,” he added.