REAL ESTATE

Poway, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that Villa Capri Ristorante has leased restaurant space at Twin Peaks shopping center, located in Poway, Calif.

The 2,570-sq.-ft. restaurant is slated to open in January 2012, bringing the center to 98% leased.

Twin Peaks is a 198,139-sq.-ft. shopping center home to several national and regional retailers such as Target, Albertsons, Starbucks and Subway.

New York City -- Winick Realty Group said that restaurateur Danny Hodak, owner of Hell’s Kitchen Mediterranean eatery Taboon, has leased 1,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor space at 30 East 13th Street, between Fifth Avenue and University Place, for a new, as-yet-unnamed quick-service Mediterranean concept.

The restaurant is anticipated to open in the next two months and if it’s a success, Hodak plans to roll out more locations for the concept across New York City.
 

Dallas -- Venture Commercial Real Estate said it represented L.A. Fitness in the completion of a long-term lease for a 50,000-sq.-ft. facility in the new Cityville at Cityplace mixed-use development, under construction in Dallas.

“Urban infill presents a challenge as we expand to open new clubs in densely populated areas such as Dallas’ Uptown neighborhood,” said John Gabriel, senior VP real estate for LA Fitness.

Venture Commercial has helped L.A. Fitness secure 27 locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Niles, Ill. -- Tucker Development Corp. said that Ross Dress for Less has opened a 30,122-sq.-ft. store at Pointe Plaza in Niles, Ill.

In addition, Tucker Development announced two new lease transactions at Pointe Plaza: Batteries Plus has signed a 1,500-sq.-ft. lease, and Naf Naf Grill has signed a lease for 2,808 sq. ft.

Other tenants at Pointe Plaza include Walmart, Babies "R" Us, Starbucks, Men's Wearhouse, Fresh Farms International Market, Brick House Tavern + Tap, Jimmy John's, Walgreens and T-Mobile.
 

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that, in 50/50 partnership with Genting Berhad, it has opened Johor Premium Outlets, its first Premium Outlet Center in Southeast Asia.

The center encompasses 173,000 sq. ft. of gross leasable area featuring 80 stores and is located in Johor Bahur, Malaysia. A grand opening celebration will take place on December 11, 2011.

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that Indian Bazaar has leased 4,480 sq. ft. at Loehmann’s Plaza in Sunnyvale, Calif.

The new grocery store is slated to open in May 2012.

The 113,309-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by CVS/pharmacy alongside national retailers including Safeway, Nail Time and Starbucks.

 

Irvine, Calif. -- Steadfast Cos. said that Richard Gann has been hired as chief marketing officer for Steadfast Capital Markets Group, the company’s securities and financial services division.

In the newly created role, Gann will oversee strategic marketing functions to assist in the overall positioning and growth of the Steadfast Income REIT, the company’s $1.65 billion public, non-traded real estate investment trust, as well as future alternative investment programs.
 

Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- WS Development announced that chocolatier Lindt has increased its outlet presence by adding a seventh temporary store this holiday season at a WS shopping center. The Swiss chocolate manufacturer and retailer began its relationship with WS in the spring with temporary stores at six WS Development locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Lindt opened its seventh Lindt Factory Outlet within the WS Development portfolio last month at The Crossing at Smithfield. All seven stores will remain in place through the holidays.